I'll Be The One

Chapter 7:

=Hunter's POV=
[Friday, 10/5/2018-4:10 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

I just got out of my last class for today, but of course, my day wasn't over. I had to be at work for 6:00 pm, so I had time to go home, shower, and head for work. My motorcycle and car would be ready next week, thank the Gods. I'd probably use the car for now, since it was getting colder. I was glad to have friends now, but I probably won't be telling my dad that they are a good portion of them are in an undercover gang to reduce weapons, drugs, and gang violence for the Archipelago. I didn't foresee my dad being cool with that, and he was busy anyway, so there was no need for him to know. I could inform him that I made friends with my roommate Flynn and his friends; then dad would likely be satisfied and not question more.

The week has been interesting for sure. I managed to hang out with my friends on Thursday for a bit after school, got my homework done, had a couple of drinks and talked with everyone. Cassandra wasn't happy about it because she said we hadn't seen each other all week and asked why I didn't spend time with her. I said that I had to split my time evenly, and reminded that she didn't need to that way because we'd probably be married soon after I graduate and we would have tons of time together. Cassie accepted the answer and said she missed me; I told her we'd get together on the weekend.

So far, I was managing everything I had going on, but I didn't know how long it would last. Midterms were coming in January; that was four months, which didn't seem like a short amount of time, but it snuck up on you if you weren't ready. I did my best to make school and work my top priorities, unfortunately; the rest was secondary. This was my last year of school, and I was a general manager at work; these two aspects of my life took up the most time. At the moment; I'm booking it across the street to get home. Scanned my card to get inside the building; I took a deep breath and headed for my apartment. I scanned my card in the door slot, opening the door and yawning as I walked in.

"Hunter! Hey," Flynn greeted. "Welcome home,"

"Hey, Flynn, and thanks," I closed the door behind me, finding the other friends relaxing between the kitchen and living room.

"How was your day?" Madison asked.

"Long, and still not over," I stated.

"Girlfriend wanna see you?" Avery smiled.

"Yeah, but I have to work," I admitted.

"What shift tonight?" Drew inquired.

"6 pm to close," I said.

"Ick," TJ stuck his tongue out. "How can you work so late?"

"Motivated by the paycheck that pays my rent, bills, and college tuition mostly," I chuckled a little.

"Sounds tiring," Seth informed.

"Immensely, but at least I'm never bored," I mentioned.

"True," Elijah nodded with Trevor.

"So you got some time to kill with us?" Tallon asked.

"Little bit; I gotta leave here for 5:45," I replied.

"Little is better than none," Roxanne laughed. I nodded, agreeing before plopping down in the chair and closing my eyes.

"Dangerous chair to sit in," Flynn joked. "You'll fall asleep,"

"I like to live on the wild side," I looked at him. "I'll be fine, don't worry. I have an emergency back up alarm set to go off at 5:30," I added.

"Prepared for everything, aren't you?" Tallon snickered a bit.

"I try to be. Being on time and making a good impression is something I've kind of grown up doing," I responded. I sat there a moment or two before groaning. "Ugh…I should probably get my homework started; I won't have a lot of time at work tonight. It's always busy on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," I sat up. I got up and moved to the kitchen island; I set up my laptop and located my assignment due for the one Saturday class from 7 am to 10 am.

"Don't you have all weekend?" Harper wondered.

"I have one Saturday class for three hours, 7 am to 10 am; that's the one I have to do. The rest of the stuff I can do Saturday and Sunday for Monday," I explained while opening my computer and logging in.

=Normal POV=

There was knocking on the door as everyone looked towards it, not understanding. Flynn got up and opened the door, seeing bodyguards there. "Hu-Hunter…I think it's for you?" Hunter got up, moving into Flynn's spot.

"Oh. I see what you mean…" Hunter sighed as he opened the door more and stepped back a little, allowing the group inside. Hunter closed the door as the three bodyguards stayed together. Hunter crossed his arms over his chest. "Should I even ask?" he wondered.

"He's safe, Mr. President," Cody said into his transmitter.

"And why the hell wouldn't I be?" Hunter said, slightly aggravated.

"No, sir; he's at home with friends," Cody informed.

"Um? Still standing here with unanswered questions?" Hunter tried again.

"We'll stay with him," Cody reported. Hunter grabbed his cell phone, trying to dial his father, but it went to voicemail instantly.

"Fine…We'll play that game," Hunter dialed a second number, setting it on speakerphone.

"Archian House," a male answered.

"Transfer me to the Chief's office, please," Hunter stated.

"Right away, sir," the male replied.

"They don't even ask who is calling first?" Seth blinked.

"Not when I'm calling the Archian House directly," Hunter informed.

"How do they know it's you, though?" Trevor asked.

"I'm the only one who calls and uses the nickname Chief," Hunter explained. "Anyone else would ask for the President,"

"Son, I don't believe I have to remind you that you can't call my office phone-," Salvatore started.

"I'll do whatever I want when you decide to have my guards suddenly start flanking me in my apartment after you agreed to cut back security on me! You promised they'd stay distanced unless it's an emergency or I ask for them…" Hunter cut him off.

"Now, son…Don't be angry…I have a reason…" Salvatore tried.

"Oh, believe me…I'm listening intently…" Hunter remarked.

Salvatore sighed. "There's an active threat against you at the school, Hunter; it happened around 4:00 pm. I knew you were out of class and headed to the apartment. I needed to make sure you were safe and weren't followed…" Salvatore explained.

"In the future, if you need to check on me, can you call instead?"Hunter retorted.

"Don't be a smartass, Hunter," Gregory said.

"I'm fine, so can we call it off now? I have work in about two hours…" Hunter responded.

"Until we get it sorted out; I want your guards on you — two inside, and two out. There are also six others hidden around your building. At least one of them needs to be in the building at work with you and the rest around the perimeter within a half a mile. When things are cleared, and I've assured you are safe; they'll back off again," Salvatore stated. "I'm sorry, son. I love you," the call ended.

"Sorry, kid," Harry looked at him sympathetically. "We're only following orders,"

"I know, Harry…I don't blame you…" Hunter sighed.

"He's just looking out for you, Hunter," Cody offered.

"You're his only son; he doesn't want to lose you," Andrew reminded.

"Yeah…But he doesn't get how much more danger he puts me in my increasing security over a threat…" Hunter stated.

"No one is going to touch you with ten guards active," Tallon tried.

"It's not about how many guards are active, Tallon," Hunter looked at him softly. "It's how obvious he makes it to others where I am and how guarded I am. What happens when the threat suddenly is cleared, and security decreases again?" Hunter asked as the friends saw what he meant. Hunter sighed, grabbing his computer and went into his room.

"I'll take the bedroom door; you two take the hallway entry," Harry ordered. Cody and Andrew nodded as they exited the apartment together. Harry straightened his suit and stood just to the left side of the door, hands in front of his midsection.

"He's miserable…" Flynn frowned. "I don't know how he does it; I wouldn't be able to,"

"It's because he loves his father," Tallon said. "He knows being president means a lot to his dad, and the guy is one of the best we've ever had. Hunter, despite the proper, guarded life he has to live, supports and loves his father enough to deal with it,"

"Well, we're his friends, so we should try to cheer him up," Trevor suggested.

"I think, for now, we should leave him be," Drew mentioned. It had to suck for Hunter to live this life sometimes; the rules, the behavior, but Odin bless him because he managed to put up with it for his father's sake. That was real love and sacrifice, so the friends deeply respected Hunter for his ability to do with things. For the moment, the friends thought it would be a good idea to leave Hunter alone and let him try and relax before he had to go to work.

. . .

[Wednesday, 10/17/2018-4:45 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

Two weeks had passed since the day Hunter learned there was a threat on him and his father increased security to keep him safe. The threat was taken care of by Monday, the 8th of October, so Hunter's guards had backed off and resumed their orders of keeping to a distance. It didn't matter to Hunter because he was used to things, but at least his secret service agents weren't in his apartment anymore. Hunter continued to attend his classes and go to work; he tried to hang with his friends a few times and managed to get in a date or two for an hour on two different days with his girlfriend. However, things weren't happy between the two them.

Hunter had begun to notice that Cassandra was starting up her complaining from before the breakup. Cassandra didn't like that Hunter was always busy, and she was getting clingy and needy. Hunter didn't get to see Cassandra over the weekend after his security was increased on the 6th and 7th. The week of the 8th, Hunter had school, homework, regular work, and an event with his dad on Friday night. Hunter got to see Cassandra twice during the week, but only for an hour or two before going to work. The rest of his time, if free, was spent with his friends in someone's apartment or the Odin's Dragons underground base.

This week, the 15th, was halfway through being its Wednesday. Hunter already took care of the easy homework and slipped away the stuff he could do at work, hopefully. Hunter hadn't been able to see Cassandra yet; she kept saying she was busy, but Hunter felt like it was a lie because Cassandra didn't go to college, and she didn't have to attend a lot of events with her mother, who was Mayor of Bog-Burglar. And Cassandra didn't have a job, so there was no way she was busier than Hunter. Also, on Tuesday, the 16th, Cassandra and Hunter got into an argument because Cassandra thought Hunter was cheating on her after the girls complimented how good Hunter looked in a tuxedo, which he'd worn for the event with his dad.

Cassandra had been on the phone, and she wanted to know why there were girls in his apartment saying he was good-looking. That argument went on until Hunter arrived at his destination, where he ended the call while Cassandra was talking because he had to leave and she wouldn't let him off the phone. The next day, it started again when Hunter went to see her in person to remind her that some of his friends were girls and she needed to cut it out. Cassandra didn't like when Hunter was mad, so she apologized, playing off that she just didn't want to lose him to someone else.

On Hunter's count; this was two semi-big fights they ended up having over stupid things he couldn't control, and he didn't like that he felt things with Cassandra weren't going to work out. Right now, Harper was over to sit with Flynn, but Hunter was in the room and positive he heard that the other friends were coming over soon. Unfortunately; he wouldn't be able to hang out tonight because of his shift.

Exiting his room, Hunter was wearing a brown hoodie this time, still in black pants and sneakers. Hunter had a smaller bag to carry only what he'd need tonight. "Heading out, Hunt?"

"Yeah…Work, again," Hunter sighed.

"At least you have a car now," Harper smiled.

That was true, and Hunter couldn't argue it; he was driving a 2018 Dodge Charger, gray outside then black and blue interior. All the legal things got taken care of by the 10th, so Hunter was free to use his vehicle to get around now. The car got parked in it's assigned space, but he had the motorcycle too and used it as long as there was no bad weather. A little cold didn't stop Hunter because he hard warmer clothes to ride with.

"Well, catch you later…" Hunter said as he opened the apartment door to leave, finding the others there about to knock. "Oh, hey, guys," he greeted.

"Work or date?" Tallon asked.

"Work," Hunter said, cracking his neck a bit. "See you soon, hopefully," he prepared to leave when his phone rang. Stepping back into the apartment, he closed the door and grabbed his phone and checked the ID. Seeing the ID as Milady; he knew it was Cassandra and prayed she wasn't about to start trouble. Sliding the button to answer, he put it to his ear. "Hi, babe," he greeted. "Sorry, we can't hang tonight," slight pause. "Because I am leaving for work in about fifteen minutes…" he stated. "Well, if you want to see me when I go on break; that's fine. I'm not sure when it will be; probably around 8 or 9 pm," he informed. "Well, I can't very well take it during the dinner rush, Cass. You know that's from 5:15 to 7:30, sometimes later depending on the night," Hunter reminded. "I let the others take their breaks before me; I'm there until 12:30 or 1 am closing, remember?"

Hunter rolled his eyes as she was complaining about them not getting a lot of time again, holding the phone away from his ear, and putting it on speakerphone and moving into the kitchen setting the phone on the table. "You're always working, Hunter!"

"What do you want me to do, Cass? Quit my job and spend all that free time with you?" Hunter asked.

"Yes, actually!" Cassandra informed firmly.

"Cassandra, I have to work, alright. I have rent, bills, and college to pay for. I can't just quit my job because you want me to," Hunter stated.

"Your dad offered to do those things for you. You insist on being independent!" Cassandra remarked.

"And that's a bad thing?" Hunter inquired. "My parents paid for my entire education Pre-school through Twelfth grade. My parents paid for my car as a graduation present. My parents paid for the house we lived in; the electricity, gas, internet, car insurance, car payments, and food. I know my dad could pay for my rent, college, and bills, but I don't want him to because he's already put out enough for me before I became an adult,"

"And I get that, Hunter, but come on! I barely get to see you anymore…How does it look for us that my boyfriend, one day soon to be husband, is never around…" Cassandra whined.

"Oh, my Gods! Are you going there, again?" Hunter glared almost, clearly unhappy about the remark. "If I've told you once; then I've told you a hundred times already. Stop using that cop out excuse to guilt me into seeing you more. You know I'm a busy guy, Cassandra,"

"You weren't this busy your last three years of college!" Cassandra huffed.

"That was for my Bachelor's Degree in Computer and Mechanical Engineering! I'm going for my Master's this year, Cass. I'm a great deal busier; the classes, while I only have four this semester, are harder and longer. I warned before this year started that I would be busy. You were fine with it, now it's a problem, and it's starting to piss me off…" Hunter said.

"Don't get a tude with me. Do you have any idea who I am?!" Cassandra stated, gasping a bit.

"You don't want to go there with me, Cassandra, but sure…For shits and giggles; let's examine that question. Do you have any idea who I am?" Hunter inquired. "You're the Mayoress of Bog-Burglar's daughter…And I am the President of the United Islands of the Archipelago's son…So how about you don't get an attitude with me?"Hunter reminded firmly.

"I'm sorry, Hunter, but this sucks!" Cassandra said, a frown in her tone.

"I'm sorry that it sucks, Cass, but this is my life, alright? I'm finishing my degree, and I'm going to keep working because it's what I want to do; what I choose to do. My dad won't be president forever, Cassandra. For Odin's sake; the man is going to be fifty-one in November; he retire at some point and live comfortably with his money that he's earned in his positions," Hunter said.

"But Hunter-," Cassandra tried.

"No buts, Cassandra. My parents took care of me for eighteen years, alright? They paid for the roof over my head, the food in my stomach, the clothes on my back for eighteen years, and anything else I needed or, occasionally asked for as a kid. My parents paid for my car, as a graduation present. My parents paid for my schooling, preschool to twelfth grade. My dad shouldn't have to keep supporting me when I'm capable of doing it myself. I have been working at the same place since I was fourteen; saving money so that I could take care of myself. So that I can take care of you and a family later down the line. Sorry, Cass, but I'm not gonna live off my dad's money for the rest of my life. I like making my own, despite how busy I get. You know that, or you should after five years together, that I don't like to be bored. I like to be moving; I like to be busy," Hunter continued.

"Now, I'm sorry we don't have the time we used to this year, but for Gods' sake woman, we're going to be married by next year when I don't have college, and I will be working for the career I'm getting a degree in. I've worked my ass off to get where I'm at now; I'm not throwing it all away because you want me around twenty-four-seven," Hunter stated firmly. "So do you think that you can just calm the hell down and let me finish my last year without you riding my ass; I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't…" he checked his watch. 4:55 pm. "And now I'm going to be late because you had to start this shit again…I will talk to you later. I love you. Bye," he ended the call.

"You, uh…You alright?" Tallon inquired.

"I'll live…" Hunter sighed. "Just the usual bullshit…I gotta go. See you guys whenever I'm able," Hunter grabbed his phone, heading for the door. His phone rang while he walked, he slid the icon without looking, tapping speaker again. "Yeah?"

"Where are you, boss. It's not like you to be late," came a male voice.

"Get off my ass, Jason; I have enough people riding it right now…I'll be there in ten minutes," Hunter said.

"Yeesh…Sounds like a fight with the girlfriend again," Jason chuckled.

"I am far from in the mood for jokes right now, Jay. If you want to keep your job, I suggest you butt out of my personal life," Hunter warned.

"Understood, Hunter. Sorry," Jason replied calmly and respectfully. "No need to rush, okay? I'm here til 6 pm anyway, so take your time. It's quiet,"

"Appreciated. And sorry for snapping; having a bad day. I shouldn't take it out on you…" Hunter sighed.

"It's cool, boss. None of us take it personally when you snap or need to vent. Come to work, take your mind off things," Jason offered.

"I'll see you soon," Hunter said, ending the call as he exited the apartment.

"Is it bad that I feel bad for him?" Flynn stated first once the door was closed.

"No, we all feel the same," Avery informed.

"Guy has to deal with a lot more than being the president's son," Trevor mentioned.

"How can his girlfriend be that way to him? He's only being an honest, hard-working man…I think it's very mature of him to want to make his own living instead of using the one he is offered…" Harper said.

"His girlfriend sounds like one of those ones who wants him to herself, and honestly…Hunter sounds miserable," Tallon told them.

"Maybe he is, but he's the only one who can do something about it. We're his friends; we just support and be here for him," Drew said. The rest nodded, agreeing with the statement. There wasn't much they could do right now, so they changed topics and hung out as normal.