Your Man IS NOT My Mate

Three strikes and that's it." I plainly state.

He briefly glances at me "Thanks" he replies, a faint smile creeping across his face. Seeing a glimpse of his happiness looks so strange but the strangest part about it is, I suddenly start smiling too.

What's gotten into me? Hmm, it's probably the effects of dopamine now kicking in from the chocolate bar that I ate at lunch.

When we pull into the driveway, Officer DéSilver is nothing short of a gentleman, opening the car door and house door for me.

"Seeing that you didn't have breakfast, or lunch.... Well except for that little chocolate bar, is it ok if I make lunch for you?"

Hell yeah. "Amm, I guess." I shrug, playing it cool.

Wait what? How does he know about the chocolate bar? Was he spying on me or something?

I sigh, I won't be surprised if he was, after all, it's the job of a bodyguard, isn't it?

I head upstairs, taking off my pants but opting to keep Adrian's shirt on, it's big, light and super comfy. I'll probably take it off after I've eaten.

My phone pings.

*Still on for this evening?* -Adrian

A broad smile breaks out on my face. *Yeah.* I reply, however, though Officer DéSilver seems willing to change, I don't want to take any chances confining him and Adrian in the same room. *But it might be a good idea if you collect me and we go to your house instead.* I add.

*Ah, Mr. Bodyguard is home?*

*Yup :( *

*Alright, I'll be there after practice.*

"Lunch is ready." Officer DéSilver calls from downstairs. My stomach grumbles immediately as if it was simply waiting on his signal.

*Ok, see you soon.* I quickly text before hurrying down.

Instantly, my nose is flooded with the sweet aroma that permeates the room.

A hearty serving of Chicken alfredo pasta sits on two plates positioned opposite each other and beside each plate is a glass of what appears to be grape juice. My mouth waters from the sight alone and my stomach growl, embarrassingly audible.

Officer DéSilver chuckles. "Just pick a plate." I don't know if he's purposely doing it, but some level of sexy vibrates through his laughter and honestly, I could listen to it whole day. Gosh, I'm such a hoe.

I quickly pick a plate and sit, keeping my gaze down to avoid any other embarrassing situations.

"So, how was your day?"

My head shoots up to him taken back by the unexpected desire of him to engage in small talk. I never would have pegged him as such. "It was ok." I mumble, quickly stuffing my mouth with a fork full of pasta. My eyes instantly widen as the burst of flavour unleash in my mouth. I quickly bite my lips stifling a moan of pleasure to avoid breaking the prevailing silence.

"Nice shirt."

Instinctively, I glace down at the shirt then at him. I detect a faint smile, but it clearly looks forced.

"Thanks, my boyfriend gave it to me." I decide to say, emphasizing the word boyfriend, hoping he'll grow uncomfortable and plunge us back into silence.

"So you really love him, huh?"

I nearly chock on my drink as I drop the glass back unto the table. My eyes connect to his, my thoughts fully engaged.

Love? Such a strong word with such a heavy meaning and isn't it too soon? I mean, I do like Adrian.... I'm attracted to him, he makes me happy and he's handsome, thoughtful, funny, crazy- good crazy.... He's like the perfect guy, every girls dream and some girls would scream yes without hesitation. Yet, gosh, what's wrong with me, what more could I possibly want?

You know what, I try to convince myself, despite it is none of Officer DéSilver's business, I think I might like Adrian enough for it to practically be considered love, so I guess it's safe to say yes.

"Yes, I do." I smile, hoping that it's enough to put an end to his series of questions. "I love him."

"Have you told him already?"

Woah, woah, woah. Is he getting his job as a bodyguard mixed up with whatever secret interrogatory side hustle he has going on?

No I haven't but if I just say no then he might ask why and honestly, I'm over this talk. "I haven't yet- But" I quickly add. "I certainly plan on tell him soon." I narrow my eyes on him, curious to what he could possibly say or ask after that.

He looks my way without focusing directly on me, appearing lost in thought for a moment. Then, his gaze shifts and falls squarely on me. "If you love him..." He begins, searching my eyes, probably to see if I have lingering doubts or reservation about my decision, but I throw on a poker face "and if he makes you happy.... then I'm happy for you."

"Thanks."

And just like that, the conversation dies, though I can't help but wonder what prompted the sudden surge of questions. Yet, thankfully, the silence remains until our plates are empty.

*Knock, knock*

"I'll get it." I say, jumping to my feet. I hurry to the door, opening without hesitation. "You're here very early."

"You know me, I just can't stay away too long." Adrian smiles, stepping in.

I laugh as I let him in, closing the door behind him.

"Smells amazing in here... Guard boy must have cooked."

Hmm, why couldn't it have been me? Lucky guess perhaps? Anyways. I nod. "And it was amazingly delicious."

"I know."

"Huh?"

"I mean, I could imagine." He smiles, pulling on his shirt that I'm wearing to pull me closer to him. "You look amazing."

Swift but smooth change of topic and it's enough to leave me blushing. "Why thank you."

"Anytime, cupcake." He leans in for a kiss-

But the ear deafening screech of a chair against the tiled floor breaks our moment.

Ugh! I turn to see Officer DéSilver rising from his seat acting all oblivious to what he just did. I simply sigh walking over to the table to grab my plate and empty glass.

Officer DéSilver reaches for my plate the same time as me and our hands nearly touch. Our eyes instantly flick to each other, locking for a few seconds as a raw, unexplainable emotion briefly surfaces.

"Hey, is everything ok?"

I immediately blink away, drawing back my hand as I look over at Adrian who just joined us. "Yes, everything is perfect." I smile, internally cursing my stubborn heart for thinking otherwise.

"Ok, good." Adrian chirps showing his pearly whites. "So are you ready to go?"

"Go where?" Officer DéSilver questions and it's evident that he's really trying to stay calm.

"My house-"

"To study." I interject. Wait, why did I see the need to add that in? It's not like it's any of his business what we do at Adrian's house.

"So why can't you just study here?" His gaze drifts to me, softening as if appealing for me to reconsider.

"Because we want peace and alone time." Adrian jumps in, reaching for my hand as our fingers interlock.

Officer DéSilver's eyes flick to our hands, then back up to my face and suddenly, he's hidden every single emotion making it impossible to read him.

"She stays here." His tone hardens as his eyes land on Adrian.

"Do you think she's Rapunzel that you can't just lock her up and away from the world?"

"If you have a problem with those orders, take it up with her parents. If anything were to happen while she's out, I'm certain, it won't be your neck on the line. She's stays, and that's final." With that, he grabs my plate, my glass and his, and heads off to the kitchen.

I sigh turning to Adrian to guage his reaction. The scowl on his face says it all. "Hey " I whisper, running my hand up and down the length of his arms to calm him. "It's ok, my room is this way." I fit my hand in his pulling him up the stairs as we make our way to my room.

"Wait a sec." I pause looking over at him wondering what's wrong. "I'm a bit thirsty. I'll grab a glass of water and return."

He eases his hand from mine and smile. "Don't miss me too much."

I smile back at him, watching as he quickly descends the stairs, heading towards the kitchen.

I stand there drumming my fingers against the handrail, quietly humming as I patiently wait for him to return.

A few minutes pass and suddenly it dawn's on me, Adrian isn't back yet and knowing that the boys don't like each other, fear strikes like a sword thrusted into my heart as all the worse possible scenarios flash across my mind.

Without spearing another thought, I rush down, breathlessly reaching the base of the stairs. I halt.

"....We both know you're a little piece a shit." Officer DéSilver growls in a low dangerous tone. "You knew-"

"Of course I could tell." Adrian malicious chuckles, sending a terrifying shiver down my spine.

"And yet-"

"It doesn't matter. I know you haven't touched her-"

"Yet"

"You wouldn't dare." Adrian taunts. His harsh but whispered tone filteres out of the kitchen, laced with unwavering warning.

A low growl ripples from Officer DéSilver's chest, his volume matching Adrian's quiet whisper, yet, it's like he's channelling an untamed fury. "You know what, just count yourself lucky that I value her happiness."