Chapter Two - Unedited

"Good morning, Mr. Brown," the lobby receptionist greeted Dan as he walked through the revolving doors.

"Morning Kendra." Dan smiled, making his way to the private elevator that leads to his office on the thirtieth floor.

When they got to the elevator Dan entered the pin code that led to his office. As the elevator went up Dan took the time to turn to the mirror and fix his tie and black jacket, making sure everything was in order before he went to his meetings.

For a guy who has spent most of his life taking care of himself, he thought he would have a handle on things by now, but there were still things he was missing. Like sometimes wearing a tie or ironing his shirts or taking care of school things for his daughter. 

Maybe someday. The thought made him chuckle, his been saying that. 

When the elevator reached his floor, he and two of his bodyguards stepped out.

"Morning, sir." The petite blond woman greeted upon seeing him. 

"Valerie," he greeted. "Clear everything after four."

"It's already done sir," Valerie followed Dan to his office. "You have your 8 am waiting for you in the conference room."

"Thank you."

The bodyguards stood on both sides of the door while Dan went inside in his office to go prepare for his meeting. He was meeting a new client, and that always made him nervous, but he was confident he could get things done.

"You sure you don't want coffee?" Dan overheard Valerie ask his bodyguards, and he chuckled to himself.

Val has been trying to get Damien's attention, but his guys were straight as a ruler when they were on duty and that is what he liked about them.

"I'll take that coffee Val."

"Yes, sir."

He reached the conference room but stopped in his tracks when he saw who was inside the room through the glass wall. Turns out he wouldn't need to present anything to a client.

One thing for sure was that if this man was in his office, it meant only bad news, something he didn't want to hear.

"Hello Riley," Yule greeted, coming to stand next to Riley on the lunch line.

"Hello asshole," Riley sneered.

Yule chuckled. "There is absolutely no need for you to hate me, you know?" He gazed down at her short figure.

He actually had a point, and Riley knew it. She was just being bitter because she lost the championship and it had all been her fault. She got cocky and underestimated the air pressure. Yule had capitalized on that.

"Well, I have my reasons." She was not ready to admit that she was being unreasonable.

She paid for her lunch and went to join her friends on their outside table.

"What was that all about?" Julia asked, flipping her long black hair.

"Just Yule being annoying," Riley groaned.

"You two should just date." Matias mumbled.

Julia let out a low whistle. "He is one fine tall ladder I would like to climb."

Riley threw her fry at Julia, who had anticipated the move and captured it with her mouth, earning a glare from Riley. She had to admit though, Yule was handsome. With his caramel skin, brown eyes, defined jaw and he was tall. She thought it was a shame she only had eyes on one person.

"My heart belongs to one man," Riley declared happily, catching a glimpse of the said hot bad boy inside the cafeteria at the popular table.

From where she was sitting, she could see him clearly and watched as he paid no attention to the girls who were trying to throw themselves at him. That's my man. She thought happily.

"How come you're not sitting with them?" Julia asked, biting into her apple.

"Because I have friends?"

"And you don't like his friends," Sharon pipped in.

Riley nodded. "You know your captain and her friends annoy me, Juls."

Julia nodded in understanding. It was true. Skylar and Riley never got along, partly because of her. Skylar was a bully and enjoyed picking on Julia a lot by calling her names and making fun of her ethnicity, and Riley hated her for it.

They ate the rest of their lunch in silence, sharing a laugh occasionally about their teachers and what had happened on the first half of the day.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, they all got up and made it inside, deposing their trash in the trash cans.

On the way out of the cafeteria, Riley was stopped by Priya, one of her acquaintances. Riley always thought Priya was one of the prettiest girls she knew with her caramel skin, hazel eyes and long super straight brown hair that was always in a ponytail. She had a banging body too and looked athletic, except the fact that she didn't play any sport. She was actually one of the loners in school.

"Riley," she called out. "A word, please?"

Riley said goodbye to Julia and Sharon, who had a different class than her and Matias. "See you guys later."

She turned to Priya. "Priya, Namaste." She made prayer hands and bowed slightly.

Priya smiled at their greeting. "Namaste Riley." Priya repeated her actions. "Can I talk to you in private?" Her eyes momentarily went to Matias.

Matias rolled his eyes playfully, "I know when I'm not needed. Don't be late for class, Riley."

"Thanks dad."

Matias flipped her the bird and left the two. Riley turned to Priya, wondering what this was all about. The hall was almost empty as everyone went into class.

"What's up?"

"Your dad has been trying to call you." Priya said. "He asked me to tell you to call him back urgently."

Riley scrunched her nose in confusion. Since when did her father have any affiliation with Priya. She would expect him to call Sharon or even the office if he wanted to talk to her.

"Why is my dad calling you?"

"He-" Priya was cut by her phone ringing. "Mr. Brown, please hold for Riley." She handed the phone to Riley.

"Dad, what's going on?"

"Hey sweetheart, I wanted to make sure you're okay." Came her father's voice. He sounded worried.

"I'm fine dad, my phone is just flat." She assured him, "Wanna tell me what's going on?"

"After school make sure you come straight home and to the ranch okay?"

She let out a sigh. "Dad, what the hell is going on? I wasn't planning ongoing anywhere but there."

"Good, we'll talk later. Hand the phone to Priya."

Reluctantly, Riley handed the phone to Priya.

"Sir? Yes sir." She hung up and looked Riley in the eye. "You have questions."

"That would be an understatement of the year," she admitted. "You're part of my father's security team, aren't you?" it was the only conclusion she could come up with.

"Yes, I am. My father owns the company."

"Uncle Auston?" Riley gasped.

"Yes, that is my dad." Priya beamed in response. "Let's go to class, we're already late."

Riley let out a sigh and followed Priya to class. It made sense now why she was in almost all of her classes. She just thought it was just a coincidence but now she knows the reasons.

"Do you know what that was about?" She asked.

Priya shook her head. "No, I don't. They don't tell me everything, just that I have to look out for you here."

"I can take care of myself." She huffed.

"And your father doesn't doubt that," Priya said. "Being a billionaire comes with enemies he just wanted to make sure you're protected."

"Nuts to that." Riley mumbled.

When they got to class, the teacher was already started with the lesson. Riley groaned, how was she going to explain to Mrs. Lang why she was late? Her teacher was strict on late coming.

"Get to your seats fast girls," Mrs. Lang gave them a pointed look.

Baffled, Riley looked at Priya, "Is she-"

"No." Priya whispered back, and she let out a sigh of relief. She was certain she was going to lose it if she also turned out to be her bodyguard.

Matias raised his perfect brow when Riley took a seat next to him. She just mouthed later and tried to focus on the rest of the class. It was impossible to focus; her mind was reeling with remnants of the conversation she had with her father. Guess I'll find out later.

A/N: Sorry this is late. Things have been crazy!

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