Hi guys! Sorry for the late update. I couldn't find time to write. 

Anyway, some of you nominated me and some of my stories to 'The Fiction Awards 2018' and i just want to say thank you! If you have time, kindly nominate my stories guys! Thank you in advance:) 

This is the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/132077463-the-fiction-awards-2018

☨ ☩☣ ☘ † ❂ ⚕ ᴈᴑᴎ ☠ ☢ ⚔ ⚓♰☯☭

STEPHEN's POV

I let out a litany of curses as I put the ice pack on my swollen cheek. That tigress really got me there. I didn't expect for her to have that capability of punching someone, let alone a man. I already knew that she's kind of boyish in some way years ago but it didn't occur to me that she had the guts to actually hit me.

"Sh*t!" I hissed. I must admit, she really got me good there. She's the first ever female who ever landed a punch on me. Well, not that there were women who tried to hit me aside from those I've encountered on my missions. Those women are on way different category than normal women though.

I shook my head and then removed the ice pack from my cheek and put it in the small bowl. I leaned back my head on the headrest of the couch and closed my eyes trying to relax my senses.

"What are you doing, T?" I asked myself. Yes, I felt like I haven't been thinking straight since I decided to be Kelly's bodyguard. I don't even know why I needed to be beside her like this. I knew from the beginning that I didn't need to accept the job.

I could fulfill my agenda even if I am not by her side. I didn't need to be her bodyguard but I couldn't resist it and agreed instead. I don't know why I had to see her again and her beautiful face made my world turn upside down again. She has that strong effect on me that it even affected my decision-making.

Her effect on me was the same as that day when I first laid my eyes on her. Everything that I felt during that first encounter came back to me when I saw her again. I thought I already forgot about her but now, those feelings were all coming back to me.

I knew that I didn't have the right to feel this way because I knew from the beginning that she doesn't belong to me but my heart was unstoppable. I heaved a frustrated sigh then my face hardened.

No! I need to maintain my cold behavior towards her in order for her to hate me even more. I need to make sure that my feelings for her would never reach her because I made a promise not to love her. She belonged to someone else. Even if I wanted to, I would never have the chance to show her the real me and let myself get that chance to own her which I didn't have years ago. I've never had that chance...

I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard the door opened.

"What happened to you, T? You look like a mess" the amused voice of my friend who invited himself to my home without even knocking before entering. Well correction, this is not my home. This is just my temporary place that Mrs. Knight gave me while guarding Kelly. I don't need to ask him how he managed to find my place because he's not an agent for nothing.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was standing at the middle of the living room while staring at the bruise on my face while trying his best not to laugh at me. Just like usual, he has his spiky edge hair.

"What are you here?" I asked with a lazy tone and put my feet atop the coffee table.

"Well, I am bored with my life and I made the right decision of coming over here because now, I am seeing something amusing" he answered as he sat on the single sofa across me. I almost rolled my eyes because of what he said.

"F*ck you" I said but he just laughed out loud. I shook my head. What a friend!

"Relax, T. I just came here to confirm if the rumors are true" my eyebrows knitted together.

"What rumors are you talking about and since when did you become a gossiper?"

"Is it true that you're now a bodyguard of Kelly?" I just shrugged my shoulders and then took the bowl from the coffee table and then stood up.

"Where are you going? You're trying to avoid the question, is that it?" he queried.

"Not really. Why would I?" I asked in return, feigning nonchalance. He gave me a deadpan look.

"Really? Then why aren't you answering me?...So, is it true?" I heaved a sigh and decided to just answer him so that he would stop pestering me.

"Yes. I am her bodyguard now" I answered simply and then walked towards the kitchen to put the bowl I was holding on the sink and then drank a glass of water.

"So, which is which? Did you accept the job because of money or because of Kelly?" he said a little louder in order for me to hear him.

"Don't be ridiculous. You know that I don't need the money. Kelly has been out of my reach from the beginning too so it's not because of her" I answered after I drank the glass of water. Well, my answer was a half lie. I returned to the living room and then turned on the TV.

"So the other rumor was true then. In return of doing this job, you asked them to re-open the case and you accepted this job because this is your way of doing your own investigation?" I couldn't help but to grit my teeth upon hearing about that case. My breathing went hard and the familiar rage slowly revived in my chest.

"I don't want to talk about it, Cy" I said with a stoic face and his face instantly became serious. Cyrus Guerrero a.k.a. Cy, has been my classmate since we were in college but we became friends when we became partners in our jobs. I didn't expect for him to be in the same work as mine because I really thought he was too soft and quiet to be an agent and a government spy.

Well, he's the good boy type at first glance unlike me that's why I was kinda surprised that he chose this kind of job.

He shrugged his shoulders and I thought he wouldn't say anything about the topic but he still continued.

"Okay but let me remind you one thing. You're already free to court her. No one is stopping you from doing that so what's the problem now? I really don't understand your way of thinking sometimes. You're just making things difficult for yourself. We all know that you're already free from that promise" he said, unaffected by the death glare that I was giving him.

Cyrus was the only guy who knows this side of me aside from my bestfriend, Hunter Hatzis. I could fly into a fit of anger without holding myself back and curse a lot of expletives around them and they would never bat an eyelash.

"You will never understand because you have never been in this kind of situation before. Well, what would I expect from a man who never becomes serious when it comes to women" I said sarcastically. He grinned. Yes, he appeared to be gentleman, quiet and soft but he's actually the opposite. I mentally shook my head.

"Of course, I've never been to such situation and I don't have any plans of doing so" I shook my head and didn't comment any further. I heaved a sigh as I remembered what happened between me and Kelly a while ago. I couldn't help but to feel excited and challenged. Show me what you got, xuxu. I am excited to know more...

☨ ☩☣ ☘ † ❂ ⚕ ᴈᴑᴎ ☠ ☢ ⚔ ⚓♰☯☭

KELLY's POV

I cursed myself while peeping at the hallway like an idiot, checking if Stephen was there waiting for me or not. This is what you got for losing your temper last night! You should've just ignored him and left him! You didn't have to punch him!

I wanted to laugh at myself. If someone saw me like this, they would laugh at me for sure. I didn't know why but I felt hesitant to see Stephen after what happened.

The moment my fist landed on his check last night, that was the moment I realized what I was doing but no matter what I'd do, I already did it. I couldn't take back what already happened. What can I say? I lost my patience because he's such a jerk and he deserved what I gave him!

I could still clearly remember the shock expression that registered on his face because of what I did and before he could react, I quickly entered the elevator as fast as I could and then pushed the penthouse button. He tried to catch up to me but the doors already closed. When I arrived at my place, I locked the door right away while breathing hard.

Yes, I was surprised of that spur of the moment act of mine but I didn't realize that it felt so good too! Yes! I got him big!

Well, that was what I thought last night while celebrating but when I woke up this morning, I quickly showered and dressed up in order to try to escape Stephen. I felt a little bit awkward of seeing him after that incident. I didn't even eat my breakfast because I was determined to escape him.

I checked the hallway again and when I made sure that no one was there, I stealthily strode my way towards the lobby. It was still an hour before Stephen comes to my suite but I decided not to wait for him.

When I made sure that he wasn't around yet, I walked briskly to the parking area where I left my car. I wanted to use my bike but it was at the underground parking of the building, next to Stephen's car.

I opened my car and quickly got inside and then drove my way out of there. There was a wide smile across my face as I continued driving. I even laughed triumphantly because I managed to escape my bodyguard.

I was about to go directly to school when my stomach suddenly grumbled because of hunger so I decided to drop by at my favorite restaurant. I need to eat first.

When I arrived there, there wasn't many people eating because it's still early in the morning. It's still 7:15 am. I ordered my food and then started eating with gusto. I was so hungry that I concentrated on eating, unaware of my surroundings. I heard my phone ringing but when I saw that it was an unknown number, I didn't answer it and then continued eating.

"You look like you're really hungry" an amused voice said. I lifted up my gaze to the one who spoke and I saw a man who was smiling at me while holding a tray in his hands. He looked like a charming guy, maybe a year older than me perhaps.

"So?" I asked defensively with a scowl. He chuckled.

"Don't get me wrong. I just found you to be cute and candid. Unlike other girls. Anyway, since you're alone, can I sit here with you? I hate eating alone. I hope you don't mind" I looked around us. There are still few vacant tables.

"Why here? There's a lot of people you can sit with if you hate eating alone" I said and his smile became even wider.

"Because you're alone too. Anyway, I am Michael Miller, Mike for short. You're Kelly Jane Knight, right?"
"What the---how did you know my name?" I couldn't help but to raise my voice an octave. He put down the tray that he was holding on my table and then sat on the chair across me. My face contorted with annoyance.

"Don't worry. I am not some criminal or a bad guy. I know your name because you were my classmate in English Lit. during our first year in college. I know that you didn't notice me one bit judging from your reaction" I tried to dig it in my brain if I've already met him but I really couldn't remember him. I tried harder as I stared at his face. Then I suddenly remembered him!

He was that nerd guy with thick eyeglasses and braces. He looked so different now than before maybe because he wasn't wearing those glasses and braces anymore.

"Ah! You're than ner---I mean weird guy before!" I exclaimed. He laughed amusedly.

"Yes, I was a nerd. You can say it out loud. So, I can join you here, right?" I rolled my eyes. He was already sitting on the chair! Duh!

"What can I do? You're already very comfortable sitting there. Anyway, I am about to finish anyway" I continued eating my food and then he began eating his food too; He talks a lot for a guy and I must admit, he looks fun to be with.

After minutes of talking, I found myself laughing at his jokes. I found out that he was indeed a year older than me because he stopped for a year during high school.

"So, can we be friends, Kelly?" He asked after a couple of minutes. I smiled.

"Sure. Why not?" I answered. His eye sparkled with happiness.

"Really?"

"Yes. Anyway, I need to go. My class starts at 8:30. See you at school"

"Okay. See you around" he answered. I went out of the restaurant and went directly to the parking lot. I was about to get inside my car when I suddenly felt a dangerous presence behind me.

"Be quiet if you still want to live" I felt something cold that touched the back of my head and I knew in an instant that it was a gun. I looked around me and saw a woman who was looking at us but she quickly ran, obviously scared to get involve.

"Who are you?" I asked in a calm tone but I was already planning my counter attack to get out of the situation unharmed. He laughed evilly.

"You don't need to know anything about me. Just get inside your car quietly"

"And why would I do that?" I asked sarcastically.

"Because you'll die if you don't do what I'm saying!" he hissed. I opened the car door slowly, not because I was following his order but because my gun was inside and I intended to get it if I had the chance. I got inside the driver's seat quietly.

"Be a good girl and stay there quietly. Don't do anything funny or else I'll kill you" he threatened before he went around the car to go to the driver's seat while still pointing his gun on my direction. I didn't move but my hand already got a hold of my gun. I rested my right hand behind me for him to not notice the gun I was holding.

He opened the car door and that was the moment I was waiting for. I was about to point the gun at him when he suddenly fell on the ground, probably dead. Then I saw Stephen approached the guy while holding a gun with a silencer. He checked if the guy was still alive before he stood up and then looked at my direction.

I could see that he was mad. His eyes were smoldering and that almost made me shiver coldly.

"Get out of the car and come here!" he ordered like the boss of me. My blood boiled with irritation. I carefully put back my gun to where it was and then went out of the car.

"You're really----"

"Are you out of you mind?! You almost got yourself into a big trouble just because you escaped from me! Are you really this childish and careless?!" I blinked for a couple of seconds. I wasn't expecting his thunderous voice and that surprised me a little. I've never seen him like this before and he looked so dangerous.

"You don't have to be exaggerated. Nothing happened to me and---"

"Exaggerated? What a brat!" my eyes widened before I gave him a glare.

"I am not a brat! Besides, it isn't my fault that I woke up earlier than usual and you weren't there! It isn't my fault that this guy followed me! I don't even know him!" I was already breathing hard because of anger but if I was mad, so was he.

"Tsk. Don't give me those damn lame excuses! The point here is, you're looking for trouble. Be thankful that I arrived on time! From now on, don't ever go out without me or else, you don't like the consequence if you defy me again" he warned angrily.

I wanted to retaliate but something caught my attention. How did he pinpoint my location anyway?

"Whatever" I answered in resigned voice. He shook his head before he took his phone out and then called someone.

"I need you to come here and clean this up. Investigate everything and then report the result to me" my eyebrows creased. I was about to say something when he pulled me by the hand.

"Where do you think you're taking me?" I asked him as I tried to pull my hand from his grip.

"I'll drive you to school. We'll use my car for now"

"What about my car?" I asked and then looked back at it. To my surprise, men wearing black suits were already taking the body away along with my car.

"Hey! My car!" I was about to run after them when Stephen stopped me by pulling my hand and because of that, I lost my balance and my body bumped into his hard body causing me to face plant on his muscled chest.

I gasped in surprise. I could smell his cologne and his natural manly scent and it made my senses reeling. Then my eyes bulged when I felt his arms snaked around my waist.

"Let go off me" I said with a warning tone. He didn't oblige as he smirked at me.

"You're really a tigress, xuxu, and you're turning me on" that endearment again. I wanted to ask what that meant but my anger won. I put my palms on his chest and then pushed him forcefully but he just laughed and then tightened his arms around me even more.

"Let go off me now or you'll be sorry" I said through gritted teeth.

"I know what you're thinking and I am warning you, xuxu. Don't do it" there was a hint of warning in his voice too but I ignored him. I raised my legs, intending to hit him between his legs with my knee when he moved his hands on my butt and then pulled me roughly against his body that our sensitive area were already pressing together, causing my legs to lose their strength. I couldn't hit him there because of what he did!

"You, pervert!" I spat at him. His eyes darkened before it moved to my lips and stare at it intently. I swallowed hard as I saw the desire that suddenly passed through his eyes. Then his face angled and slowly moved closer to my face, intending to kiss me!

My eyes widened even more and I felt like I stopped breathing. My brain seemed to stop functioning. My body went frozen. Because of that, I closed my eyes and just waited for his lips to land on mind. But the kiss that I was expecting didn't come.

I slowly opened my eyes just to see him smirking at me.

"Next time, just be a good girl and just follow my orders, okay?" he said and then he let go of me. My face contorted in anger. He made me look like a fool!

"Damn you, Stephen" I said before I strode my way towards his car and then opened it. I sat on the shotgun seat silently and didn't talk to him until we arrived at my school but deep inside of me, I was already thinking of ways to get back at him! 

☨ ☩☣ ☘ † ❂ ⚕ ᴈᴑᴎ ☠ ☢ ⚔ ⚓♰☯☭

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