A/N: Sigh, off schedule post. Sorry this is late since I usually update on Sunday. I also might not be able to update Sunday but lets cross our fingers and hope that I still can. Anyways, enjoy this chapter! :D
It's been almost a month since the last time I've seen James in person. I say in person because we've been having skype chats here and there. I got a steady shift at Golden Aces, so that's good. The only bad thing now was, Allison wanted to meet again last week. Of course, it ended the same way our first meeting ended. I feel so dirty keeping this secret that I didn't know what to do. So, I told James. We were on skype and he had finished his second to last concert in the US before he heads to Japan and then Australia.
"You're kidding." He said, covering his mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I'm not. I felt like if I stopped her she would fire me."
"Oh my god." He said, laughing.
"James, that's not funny. I feel trapped."
"Aww, I'm sorry. That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. Can't you like call her boss or something?"
"No…" I said, sighing.
"Why not?"
"Because having sex with her is the reason I got the job in the first place."
"Kendall, you're such a whore." He said, laughing as I blushed.
"Hey, I was going to have to go through months of training and crap before I could get the job and she came onto me. Not to mention, it was going to have to deal with more math."
"Oh no, not more math." James said, sarcastically. He started laughing more when I gave him the finger.
"I hate math."
"You hate math so much that you'd have sex with some woman for a job to avoid it."
"Yes." I said and he just shook his head at me.
"Why did you tell me this?"
"Because I have been keeping it a secret for too long and it was killing me not telling anyone."
"Aww, you felt bad for being a little whore." I gasped at his words and he started laughing again.
"Are you forgetting how we met?" I said and his jaw dropped as his cheeks turned red.
"But your whore self didn't stop me."
"Your slut-ish ways didn't want me to stop." He glared at me and I smirked.
"White flag?" He offered and I smiled.
"White flag." We established the whole white flag thing when we couldn't come up with anymore comebacks a couple of skype calls ago. Well, we didn't really establish it, it sort of just happened and we kept it going. We both laid there with our laptops on our beds and it was such a cliché thing to do but neither one of us pointed it out.
"I miss you." James whispered and I smiled.
"I miss you too."
"Japan is a beautiful place, I wish you could come with me."
"I do too but I have a normal job."
"How does that even work?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, how do you get paid?"
"The club owner pays us either through direct deposit, checks, or cash, which ever we decide."
"What do you get?"
"Cash, it's quicker that way and if I want to use my card, I just run to the bank."
"That sounds time consuming."
"Not unless I put half right after I get it."
"Still time consuming."
"Well, I don't have millions being transferred into my bank account at all times." He laughed at that and it made me smile.
"I don't though."
"What do you mean?"
"Calm down, I'm not saying I'm broke. I just don't have all of the money I'm making because I have a lot of people that needs to be paid. When I get the money, it's only a part of it and it isn't always exactly millions."
"It's bigger than my paycheck."
"Well, when you can perform for two and a half hours every night while being jet-lagged from flying all over the world, then your paycheck will get better."
"Don't sass me."
"I was just saying." He said before he yawned.
"Well, mister jet-lagged, why don't you go to sleep before the sun rises."
"I want to stay up with you."
"Trust me, no you don't. My sleep schedule is too weird and you need to prepare for Japan. Time changes can be a bitch."
"What do you know about time changes?"
"I've traveled before James."
"Where did you go?"
"My senior class went to Europe for our class trip."
"Oh, well, I stand corrected." He said, yawning again.
"Okay, sleepy butt, go to sleep. I'll text you tomorrow."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye."
With that, I disconnected and closed my laptop. I turned on my PlayStation and decided to watch some movies on Netflix. I didn't even get through the first half of the movie before I fell asleep. When I woke up, I could hear my phone ringing but it was on the floor. I groaned as I rolled over to grab it. It was Allison calling me. I did not feel like dealing with her right now, so I just put my phone back down and rolled over. When it stopped vibrating, I let out a sigh but groaned when it started ringing again. I grabbed it off the floor and answered it.
"What?"
"Whoa, who pissed in your cereal?"
"Sorry, James. My boss was calling and she woke me up."
"For a good reason, I'm sure."
"I doubt it. She probably just wants to have sex with me."
"I mean, as long as you're safe."
"I wouldn't be caught dead without a condom on while fucking her."
"Well, that's good at least."
"I'm not a complete whore."
"So you agree that you're a whore?"
"What do you want James?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something but never mind."
"What is it?"
"Nothing. I'll call you later."
"Okay, sorry for earlier."
"It's fine." He said before we hung up. I felt a little bad and it didn't help that Katie opened my door with a smile on her face.
"I heard you say James."
"Katie, you're delusional, get out."
"Can you call him, please?"
"For what?"
"Ask him how he's doing?"
"No, he's probably busy." I lied and she frowned.
"Text him then."
"Katie, I'm trying to be nice instead of tossing you out of my room."
"Fine, jerk." She said, slamming my door. I rolled over and suddenly got the urge to punch a hole in my wall when my phone started ringing again. I looked at the caller I.D. to see that it was Allison again.
"Hello?"
"Kendall, get down here now. There has been a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
"Just bring your ass."
"Fine." I sighed before I hung up the phone.
I quickly threw on some jeans and the first t-shirt in sight before I grabbed my phone, keys, and wallet. I opened my door and walked down the hallway to see my mom sleep on the couch. I have no idea why she was sleeping on the couch when her bed isn't that far away. I slipped out the door and got into my car. I started it and headed to Allison's office.
When I got there, I left my wallet in the car just in case she asks for sex. Knowing her ways, she probably has some in her desk. I made my way up to her office and was greeted by the guard with a smirk on his face. He obviously thought I was there for a reason but I was determined not to have sex with her. I knocked on her office door and she told me it was open. When I opened the door, she was on her computer with her hair down and her shirt unbuttoned. I looked over to see some man, looking upset with me with his shirt off. She was obviously busy with something before she called me.
"Um, hello." I said when she didn't say anything, just typing away at her computer.
"We have an emergency."
"Okay." I said, sitting down in a chair she had in front of her desk.
"Someone wants to hire you."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"How is that a bad thing?" I said, smiling.
"You aren't prepared. You never went through the training."
"So."
"Do you know what will happen if you fuck up?"
"Wow, you expect me to fuck up?"
"I'm just saying."
"Have I let you down before?"
"No."
"Exactly."
"Fine. Since you're so confident, go home and start packing."
"What?"
"You're leaving the country. You have a passport right?"
"Yeah, but…"
"You want the job don't you? They're paying by the days and it's not going to be easy."
"Are you going to tell me who they are?"
"They didn't want to give me a name for some reason."
"Uh…okay."
"I'll buy your plane ticket and e-mail it to you. Print it out and head to the airport. I want to know when you get there and when you land so I can inform the customer."
"Wait, how soon am I leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"Oh my god."
"Yeah, so go pack your stuff and check your e-mail for the ticket." I stood there in shock until she shooed me out of her office. I can't believe someone wants to hire me. The security guard stared at me as I got on the elevator. I got in my car and just sat there for a minute before I pulled out my phone. Wait…I can surprise my mother with the news instead of calling her. I immediately started my car and drove as fast as I could home, legally of course. When I pulled into the driveway, I almost forgot to turn off my car before I ran in the house.
"Mom!" I yelled and she jumped up from the couch.
"Kendall! What's wrong?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, it's just something amazing just happened." When I said that, Katie came running out of her room.
"Why are you so invested in my life now?" I asked Katie and she faked a look of shock.
"Kendall, what are you talking about? I've always been invested in your life."
"Right."
"Kendall, what's this amazing thing that's happened?" My mom asked me.
"Oh, right, I just got a job offer that's going to be paying me big money."
"That's great honey."
"So, I have to go pack my bags."
"Wait, what?"
"Mom, the job is to be the bodyguard for someone."
"Wh- But- Where?"
"I don't know. My boss is going to e-mail me the plane ticket."
"When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"Oh my god. No, that's way too soon."
"I know but think about all the money I'll be making."
"Kendall, I don't know what to say?"
"Say that you're happy for me getting this opportunity."
"I am, honestly but I'm going to miss you so much."
"Aww." I said, walking around the couch to hug her. "Don't worry, I'll call you all the time. I promise."
Leaving this morning was not easy. My mom was trying to keep it together but I could tell she was crying. I don't know why she was crying but she assured me that they were happy tears this time. Katie even hugged me before she tried to get James' number off my phone. Luckily, she didn't know the password or I'd have to explain that to him. When I got to the airport, I took my things and checked them before I walked through security and sat in the airport near my flight gate and waited for my airplane to begin boarding. I had my carry-on bag with my laptop in it and my phone in my pocket. I opened my phone and sent a text to James. Almost immediately after it sent, I remembered the time change. I sent a quick text to Allison, telling her I was at the airport. When I got a reply from James, I was slightly shocked.
"Why are you up so early?" I texted back.
"You texted me, what am I supposed to not respond?"
"I didn't realize the time difference before I sent it."
"Oh, well, now I'm up."
"Sorry."
"It's fine. What are you doing?"
"I'm in the airport."
"Where are you going?"
"According to my plane ticket, I'm going to Australia."
"Really? Maybe you can come visit me or something."
"I can't. I'm going there for work."
"Body guarding in Australia?"
"Yeah, people need protection all over the world."
"I know that."
"I don't know what I'm going to do until my flight is ready."
"I usually go exploring and look for places to eat and shop."
"Good idea." I texted before I got up and walked around. I found some breakfast bar and stopped there to get me a breakfast sandwich before I noticed there was a Starbucks. I got an iced coffee and headed back to the waiting area. My phone vibrated and I looked at it to see it was my mom texting me.
"Are you at the airport yet?"
"Yeah, I'll text you when I get on the plane and when I get off."
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too." I sent with a heart emoji.
After I finished my food, I threw it in the trash and sat back down to play a game on my phone until it was time for my flight. When I boarded, I found my seat, not too far from the front but not exactly first class. I buckled my seat belt and waited for everyone else to board the plane before the flight attendants went over the safety instructions just in case the plane had troubles. I sent a quick text to my mom before turning my phone off.
Once we were actually in the air, I decided to take a nap since the flight was long as hell. I slept for about half of the flight and when I woke up, I took out my laptop. After signing into the wifi and clicking randomly on this survey that was mandatory, I went to YouTube to watch random music videos. I slowly but surely ended up watching one of James' music videos before one of the flight attendants walked pass.
"He is so cute." I looked up at this woman and she was staring at the screen.
"Sorry, would you like some water?"
"Sure." I said, taking the mini water bottle she handed me. I thought it was funny how after she handed me the water bottle, she continued to stare at the screen. A male flight attendant came pass and nudged her and she pointed to the screen.
"Yes, he is hot but he's taken so take your thirst somewhere else." He told her and she rolled her eyes and continued walking. I decided on watching something less distracting and watched Netflix. I was surprised to find myself watching Lilo & Stitch and I didn't miss the flight attendant's surprise either. I remember watching this for the first time when I was younger. I wanted a Stitch so bad and then I realized he wasn't real. I was devastated and I would watch the movie almost every night crying before Carlos brought me a Stitch doll when his parents took him to Disney World. After hours of watching movies, getting uncomfortable and forcing myself to go to the bathroom just to stretch my legs, and eating half of the snacks on the plane, we finally landed in Australia. When I stepped off the plane, I immediately felt the warm air. I headed to baggage claim to fight for my bag amongst the other tired travelers. When I got to the front, there was a man holding a sign with my name on it.
"Um, I'm Kendall Knight." I told him and he smiled.
"Hello, there, I'm here to take you to where you'll be staying."
"Uh, okay." I said before letting him take my bag. We walked outside and I was enjoying the Australian sun before I had to get into a black car. I pulled out my phone and turned it on to text my mother that I landed safely.
"Okay, I expect at least periodic texts and don't work too hard."
"I won't." I replied before I started texting James.
"Australia's beautiful…well, the airport is beautiful."
"Lol, I plan on seeing so on my day off there."
"I hope I get a day off from whoever paid for my services."
"You sound like a hooker."
"How do you know what hookers sound like?"
"I messed with you didn't I?"
"If that's the case, I need payment." I texted back, smiling. I remembered I had to text Allison again so I sent her a message, telling her I landed safely and a man picked me up. I looked out of the window to see we were driving along the coast. People were running into the ocean with smiles on their faces and some had surf boards in their hands. I turned to the driver and he looked at me in the rear view mirror.
"I take it this is your first time in Australia."
"Yeah." I said, smiling, knowing I probably looked like a tourist. We turned down a road, going through a down before we turned off and stopped in front of a large gate. I listened as the driver talked to whoever controlled the gate before it opened. We drove up a long driveway to some huge house. There were two security guards outside and one of them opened my door as the other one opened the trunk, grabbing my things.
"Um, thanks." I said to the one who opened the door for me. He nodded before walking to the huge front door, opening it.
"Thanks again." He gestured for me to walk in and I was amazed by how open this huge house seemed. From where I was standing, I could see the backyard and the pool along with the ocean right behind it.
"Hello, you must be Kendall."
"At your service." I said, smiling at the old woman who came walking down the steps.
"Follow me and I'll show you to your room." I nodded my head and followed her into the kitchen and out to another hallway.
"Your room is down this hallway to the right. I want you to get showered if you like and put on your uniform and meet me in the dining room, when you're finished." I headed into the room and saw an all-black outfit hanging on the wall. I guess at this rate, I'll be wearing all black for the rest of my life. The whole room was really nice though, I had a nice big bead and a flat screen Tv on the wall. I also had a view of the pool and ocean. My bags were brought in and I went through them and found a new pair of underwear before I headed to the shower.
On the counter was a towel, wash cloth, and a bar of soap. I grabbed the wash cloth and soap and headed into the shower. I laid my dirty clothes on the floor in front of the shower to keep from wetting up this woman's floor. After I showered and dried off, I made sure I had my uniform on perfectly before I touched up my hair and brushed my teeth. The time on my phone was all wrong but I didn't have time to change it now. I quickly headed out of my room and down the hallway. I stopped by the front door and the two men standing there pointed to the next room. I walked into the dining room and saw the old woman sitting there at the table with her glasses on. She was reading some paper that was several pages.
"Oh, hello. Did you shower well?" I nodded my head and she smiled.
"That's wonderful." She gestured for me to sit down next to her and I did.
"Now, I need you to sign this." She slid the paper over to me and I looked down at it.
"Confidentiality agreement?"
"Yes, I am a very wealthy woman and being around me will lead to you knowing things about me. I need to know that I can trust you."
"I wouldn't tell anyone anything that wasn't my business but if me signing this will make you feel better then, I'll do it."
"Good." She said, handing me a pen. I looked over the paper and skimmed it to make sure I wasn't signing my soul away to the devil or something before I signed it.
"Now, how about a drink?"
"I'm supposed to protect you. I can't drink on the job." I told her as she stood.
"I'm going to like you, Kendall. My last bodyguard almost had me killed when he started drinking on the job." I followed her into a lounge room that had a nice view of the ocean. She sat in one of the chairs and gestured for me to do the same. I didn't know if this was another test but sitting couldn't hurt. We sat there in silence and she just smiled at the ocean.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
"Very beautiful." There was another silence between us before a man in a suit walked in with a martini on a tray. He took a napkin and sat it on the table in between us and placed the martini on it before he walked away.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking…why a woman such as yourself would need a personal bodyguard?"
"Kendall, I am going to teach you a very good life lesson. There are people out there in this world that would kill to have what I have spent my entire life trying to get. Some, even my own family, are willing to kill me for it. At least, that's what I think and I hold everything that is precious to me, close to my heart." She said before she pulled a necklace out of her shirt and held it close.
"His name was Mumford. I know, an old man's name but he had the liveliest spirit I had ever come across. He didn't have a dime to his name but when he saw me, he tried to romance me. That's the one thing that money can't buy you. Every other man I had ever come across was afraid of me but not him. He sung to me like I was typical woman walking pass. Not a woman, surrounded by large men, doing everything for her at her command. I invited him into my circle and he was the only one that didn't cross me on anything. He let me take control and he would sometimes call himself my jester and call me his queen. He said he lived to make me smile. He died just before I moved out here just like we always planned. His age was getting to him but we both were smiling until that day. But even then, my memories still make me smile when I think of him." I couldn't help but smile as she spoke because she looked so in love and just gave off this glow of happiness. "I'm rambling now, sorry."
"No, it's fine, honestly." I told her and she looked back out at the ocean before she looked over at me.
"What about you?"
"Huh?"
"Do you have someone special in your life?"
"I do but then I don't…it's complicated."
"What's her name? Or his, I don't judge."
"His name is James. I say it's complicated because I've never been in love. I thought I was in love but that was back in high school where everyone would use the word just to get into someone's pants."
"Do you care for him?"
"Yes, of course."
"You'll know soon enough if you love him or not, Kendall, but the best advice I've ever been given, is to always let your love be known. The easiest way is by saying it but the most memorable way is by showing it."
"I would love to show him but we are in a complicated situation."
"You don't have to do great big things, just the little things here and there. A wonderful poet by the name of Maya Angelou once said, 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' That is something I've always remembered throughout my life. So remember this moment, remember how you feel when you think about him. If I had to go by the way your face lit up when you said his name, there's definitely something special about him to you." I couldn't help but blush at her words before there was a silence between us as I tried to get my blush to go away.
"I have to say this is the best first day I could've ever asked for."
"And one day, you're going to remember this feeling and my old face and I hope you'll smile because of it." She said, smiling at me.
I don't know what I'm in store for here but I am so glad I took this job.
A/N: So, I really love this chapter just because of Kendall's boss. She's just a refreshing and different character for me. I want to apologize again for the lateness and encourage reviews for this chapter. They would be very much appreciated and thank you for reading :D