Riley's POV

I knocked on the door before entering inside Ryland's office. 

"Hey." I said.

Ryland looked up from his desk and smiled. "Hi. Come on in kiddo." he said as he stood up to come and hug me. 

"Wow, look at you. Your hair looks different." he said pointing at my freshly done highlights. I decided to dyeing the tips of my dark brown hair blonde creating an ombre look. Just a little something for the holidays. 

"Just wanted to look the best for the annual party. You don't look too bad yourself." I said brushing off his navy-blue suit jacket. 

"Well you are looking beautiful sweetie." he said kissing my forehead. I sighed.

"When are they going to be here?" I asked. 

"Soon, I guess. Listen sweetie..." he began.

"I'm not mad. Well I'm not anymore. I had time to think about it. If you think this will keep me safe then I'm ready for it. I'm grateful for having a family that loves me and I don't want to lose you guys." I said and there goes the waterworks.

"Honey don't say that. I'll not let anything happen to you." he said wiping my tears.

"You.... you are my daughter. I will do everything I can to protect you." he said hugging me.

"Oh no my makeup is ruined. I'll go and fix it." I said laughing.

"Okay." he said smiling.

"You know the way."

"Yup."

I fixed my mascara and touched up my concealer hiding the dark circles. I re applied my red lipstick and brushed off my dress. I had put on a fluffy white sweater and glittery blue skirt. I used some of the sanitizer on the counter. Wow. This smell amazing. I would have to ask him where he get that. I finished my business in the washroom and heard some voices when I stepped out. Maybe they are here. I wondered. I went inside Ryland's office to see two men in black suits standing with their backs to me talking with him.

"Ah Riley. Let me introduce you." he said as I walked towards him. The men turned around to look at me when I reached Ryland's side.

Ryland put his arm around me and said, "Gentlemen this is my daughter, Riley West." he said.

The smile on my face immediately dropped as I saw the man standing in front of me.

"I will always love you, baby"

My throat dried out as my breathes came out shorter. It can't be.

"This is David McKenzie." he said pointing towards the relatively older gentleman.

"And this is..." Trinstan Hunter. I knew his name even before mentioning. I could the shock evident on his face too. His lips slightly parted in surprise as he kept staring at me. Ryland kept talking away but I didn't listen as I kept staring at him. My first love. Perhaps my only love before he decided to break my heart in pieces. He looked even more taller now with his hair trimmed. He still had the one little stone earing on his right ear. Holy fuck! It's tough to remember the pain he caused me as he stood before me looking so hot. The clearing of a throat stopped me from roaming my eyes all over him. Get a grip, Riley!

I tucked my hair behind my ear and masked on my professionalism.

"Hello." I said with a smile extending my hand towards David. He took it and said, "Nice to meet ye, Miss West." with a Scottish accent. I then extended my hand to Trinstan who didn't take it first but after a nudge from his partner he snapped out of his reverie and took my hand in his which sent a spark down my spine. How is that after so many years he still had this effect on me? I quickly took my hand back.

"So, David and Trinstan are going to be your security personnel. They will protect you and also they might train you for the worst-case scenarios." he said.

"Train me?" I asked.

"Aye Miss West. Although we are hired to be with ye all the time but there are might be times when are alone, so it is better to be prepared for it. We would respect your privacy and you won't even notice us around you. We would try our best to be very discreet." said David.

I nodded. "I would appreciate that."

"My daughter has already moved in to our house and you guys would be living there too. All arrangements have been made. Starting from now you both are officially on duty." said Ryland.

"Already?" I asked.

"Aye, Miss West. In the light of recent events you must not be left alone in a social gathering.

"Please call me Riley. If we are going to be around each other 24/7, we might as well drop the formalities."

"Very well." he said.

"Shall we?" said extending his arm. I nodded.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual party of Maddox Global Industries. It is always held every year before the Christmas holidays as an early Christmas work party before everyone went home for the holidays. This year Christmas was going to be different. I would be surrounded by two hefty looking guys as if I was an expensive antique item. Moreover, I have to bear his presence which is equivalent to a punishment of sorts. Fuck my life! Every bit of pain that I had to bury deep in my heart for the next five years are now resurfacing. I badly need a drink now. We said our pleasantries to a few people and every now and then I would catch Trinstan staring at me. I was relieved when I saw Ethan and his fiancé Darik.

"Hey baby girl!" he said hugging me.

"Hey!" I said as we went straight to the bar. We ordered our drinks and I finally toke a sip of mine.

"So, mind explaining about the two hunks watching you around like hawks."

"The bodyguards. They came in today." I said. Strangely enough they didn't bother. I actually almost forgot about them.

"You got some pretty attractive men around you. I mean look at those men they look fucking delicious." he said.

"Babe." said Darik warningly.

"Aww baby I'm just saying. You know I only got eyes for you." said Ethan and they both started.

"Eww guys stop. Get a room." I said turning away.

"Trust me girl, we would if we could." he said.

I rolled my eyes and finished my drink. I motioned the bartender for more.

"Hey guys!" said Lenny as she came over.

"Oh my gosh! I missed you so much, Len." I said hugging her. Lenny, Len, or Melanie Parker is my best friend. We been together since high school even before I was adopted.

"I'm just on my second drink but I think I'm drunk." she said the smile dropping from her face.

"I see a certain someone not very far away watching us, who should not be here. Like it's no way, I repeat no way he should be here." she said.

"Oh them? They are the bodyguards that Mr. Maddox hired for her." said Ethan.

I sighed. "You are not drunk sister." I said.

"So, you mean?"

"Yup." I said.

"Will anybody explain, whatever is going on?" asked Ethan.

I looked at Melanie and she nodded. "Are you okay, babe?" she asked. I shrugged and put my head on the table. I seriously want to go back to my apartment and cry my heart out. I let Lenny tell everything to Ethan. It's better for him to know as he pretty much stays with me all day. He will sense the tension later anyway.

"Holy shit." I hear Ethan say.

"Woah." said Darik.

"I don't know what to say." said Ethan.

"Me neither." I said. I turned around to see them. They had switched positions. David smiled at me which I returned. Then I turned to look at Trinstan. He looked as if he was unsure on how to react. Looking back at my unfinished drink I wiped the single tear from my cheek. Melanie hugged my side and we all dwelled upon the uncertainty of the future.

A/N: Hi my beautiful friends. So here is chapter two. Hope y'all enjoyed it. Do let me know what you think. I also hope all of you are doing well and not going insane like me in this quarrentine. You guys can help me by saying what you think about the story so far.

Don't forget to VOTE COMMENT AND SHARE if you like the chapter.

Lots of love 😘😘😘😘😘
AisheeSaha ❤❤❤❤❤

Riley's dress