I got really sick the last couple of weeks so I wasn't able to write anything. But now I'm back.
The Bodyguard
Jane Pine walked briskly through the quiet halls of the palace. She used the towel she had draped around her neck to wipe the sweat from her forehead as she walked. She quickly turned the corner and jogged up the stairs to the second floor. She rounded the corner and fished her mobile out of her pocket upon feeling it vibrate.
She read the message and then quickly tucked it back in her pocket. She walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
She smiled as she entered the room. She walked up to the island counter and placed her towel on the counter. She brushed some of her hair out of her face and said, "I didn't you would be up this early. I thought you guys would be sleeping in on your day off."
The two girls sitting at the counter smiled as they sipped their morning coffee. The one on the left smiled and said, "It's not every day our staff kitchen is renovated and we get this lovely view." She gestured towards the large glass doors, which lead to a balcony.
Jane narrowed her eyes slightly stared at the person standing leaning against the door frame. The young woman had on a baseball cap, jogging pants, and a lose fitting t-shirt issued by the royal security. Jane stared at her for a few minutes and then leaned forward slightly. In a whisper she asked, "Who is that?"
Both girls turned around to look at the person Jane questioned. They shrugged their shoulders before turning back around to face her. The older one of the two, Angie, said, "I think she might be a new recruit. She is wearing one of our shirts. She was here when we got here ten minutes ago." Angie and the youngest of the trio sat in silence a few minutes and started to sip their morning coffee.
Jane walked over to the counter and silently poured herself a cup of coffee while keeping an eye on the girl still standing in the doorway, which lead onto the balcony. She watched as the person tapped away on her mobile for a few minutes before joining her friends at the counter.
She took the seat across from the girls before taking a sip of her coffee. As she placed the cup of coffee down on the counter Angie smiled and said,
"You look happy. Are you excited about your first day on the job?"
Jane shook her head. "I'm always happy."
The youngest of the trio, Beth, smirked and gingerly shook her head. "Yes, but it's not every day you get assigned to the future Duke. I heard he was once part of the Princess's security detail."
Jane nodded her head, "You mean her boyfriend. Nothing is confirmed yet... But then again the palace won't announce anything if it wasn't going anywhere right? I mean it's not everyday the Princess's bodyguard gets protect... A while back there was a rumor about them getting together but ended after six months. You don't think it was true right?"
"You never know. I mean staff use to see him leave her room at like 3am. Since he was only with her for six months we can't tell. Yet, things picked up again a year after King Simon's killer was revealed, "said Beth.
Angie nodded her head in agreement as she empty out her cup. "Now we are down another hot guy. Why are all the good ones taken? You're so lucky you have some eye-candy to look at. Trying be assigned to Prince's Cryus' twins," Angie said the last part with a sigh.
Beth put down her cup of coffee and said, "You think that's bad, think about Princess Eleanor's security detailed. She just fired another over the weekend. It has been three days and no one has been assigned to her yet. I really think the longest person to be her security detail is our boss, Mr. Hill."
The trio remained silent and nodded their head in agreement. After a few minutes Beth leaned forward and asked, "You don't think she'll go without a bodyguard forever right? I might be back-up but what if we run out of people and I'm assigned to her. Out of everyone in the royal family she's the hardest to detail with."
"I heard she likes to party a lot and she use to get stoned a lot,"Jane said.
"Being assigned to her means that not only do you have to protect her and also keep her out of the press and she's not some who you can keep out of press easily. The reporters love her. They follow her everywhere. I heard the last security detailed got fired because he lost track of her out at a club." Angie said as she finished off her coffee.
"Does Frost go with her to the clubs?" Jane asked looking at Beth.
"He hasn't, ever since they announced to the press that the Princess and Frost were officially together. However, that was before the Princess fired her last Security detail. Now that she has no one, it's most likely he'll join her because he doesn't want her to go unprotected."
Jane lowered her head for a moment and sighed. Angie patted her back and said, "Don't worry if she does go clubbing I'm sure they won't stay out too late since Frost has to work. She's been known to only go out to clubs three times a week."
Jane looked up and said, "Why do I always get assigned to people that go to places that I hate?"
Angie smiled and then said, "But on the bright side you're assigned to Frost which means you have some great eye-candy. Do not worry too much about the Princess. I'm sure if you don't get on her bad side she won't say anything to you."
"Now, I'm starting to worry," Jane said as she took a sip of her coffee.
As Angie slid off the stool and headed towards the coffee machine the side door of the kitchen opened and Jasper Frost waltzed in his jogging clothes. In his hand, he carried two bottles of energy drink. He gave the trio of girls a small smile and said,"Morning, Pine, Walker, Hastings."
Jane and Beth who were seated quickly stood up and turned to face Jasper.
"Morning Mr. Frost," said the trio as he walked passed them and towards the girl who was still leaning against the door frame. They watched as Jasper handed the girl one of the bottles he had and said,
"Sorry, Bae, they ran out of the one you wanted so I got to option two."
The woman, who still had her back facing the trio gingerly took the bottle from him and stared at it. She then looked at Jasper and said, "I think Liam is the one drinking all of mine. I told you I should have had the staff label my bottles. Looks like we'll have to share your bottle."
She removed the baseball cap she wore and said, "Let's go before Rachel hunts me down to talk about my schedule." She turned towards the trio of girl and said,"Good Morning,"
The trio's eyes widen as her royal highness, Princess Eleanor smiled at them before entwined her finger with Jasper's and followed him out of the kitchen.
Once the door closed, the trio let out a breath and stared at each other. Jane looked at Angie and asked, "How much did Frost heard and the Princess was standing there the whole time. I'm so dead."
"She didn't look mad… Maybe she'll pretend she didn't hear any of it," said Beth.
Jane shook her head. "Maybe, let's hope so because I don't want to be fired even before I start." Just then, she felt her mobile vibrate in her pocket she fished it out and said, "It's Mr. Hill."
"Bloody hell, answer it. Don't make him wait," Angie said as she walked back to the island counter.
Jane pressed accept and placed the phone up to her ear. She cleared her throat and said, "Good Morning, Mr. Hill." After a few minutes, she hung up and gently set on the counter.
"What did Mr. Hill say?" asked Beth.
Jane took a deep breath and said, "The Princess wants to see me today at 3pm in her library and that my assignment to Frost has been placed on hold until further notice." She bent over placed her head on the cool counter top. Then she mumbled, "This is not good. I'm totally going to be fired." She stood up straight again and said, "I better get going. I'll see you later."
3pm
Jane tugged on her black suit jack and looked down at her crisp cream button down shirt. She inhaled deeply before letting it out slowly. She raised her hand and gently knocked on the double doors, which lead to Princess Eleanor's personal library.
A few minutes later, the door opened and a maid stood in front of her. She cleared her throat and said, "I'm Jane Pine. Mr. Hill told me that I was to meet with Her Royal Highness here."
The maid nodded her head and opened the door wider to let her enter. She slipped passed the maid and entered the room to find Princess Eleanor sitting in the seating area flipping through a magazine. She walked up to the sitting area and stopped when she was two feet away and said,
"Your highness, you wanted to see me."
Eleanor nodded her head and said as she continued to flip through the pages. Without looking up from the magazine she said, "Have a seat."
Jane scanned her options and sat in the armchair across from Eleanor. She watched as the same maid who had let her into the room placed two glasses of ice tea on the table. She thanked the maid and waited as Eleanor handed the magazine to the maid.
She watched as Eleanor picked up her glass and took a long sip, emptying a third of the glass. She gently set the glass on the table and leaned back in her chair. Eleanor stared at her for a few minutes before she said,
"So you are Jane Pine… How long have you been working for our Royal Security?"
Jane cleared her throat and said, "Six months. I worked mostly behind the scenes and I was picked as of last week as Mr. Frost's security detail."
"You have an American accent. Where are you from?" Eleanor asked.
"San Francisco, California… I went to a University in Washington State… I read Mr. Frost's profile and it said he's from the United States too." When Eleanor remained silent she continued and said, "When I was in college during my free time I took an interest in martial arts. I was ranked number six. I also read that Mr. Frost also does mix martial arts and on the weekends he goes to practice." She took a deep breath and leaned forward to take a sip of her drink.
Eleanor nodded her head gingerly. "He is from America and yes he does go and practice on the weekends.…Are you nervous Ms. Pine?"
"A little," Jane replied.
"Why? Is it because I'm the Princess?" When Jane did not answer she asked, "There is nothing to be worried about. I don't bite. I heard you and your friends talking this morning. Are you worried that I might fire you?"
"I know you won't fire staff for any reason. I sure if you do there would be a good reason behind it," Jane replied.
"Do you know what is your job?" Eleanor asked.
Jane cleared her throat and quickly took a sip of her drink before she answered, "To protect, Mr. Frost to and from the palace. To ensure his safety."
Eleanor nodded her head. "Correct… His safety is number one but besides protecting him from physical danger there are dangers that hurt us royals even more. Do you know what that is?"
"No, your highness," Jane replied.
"Gossip" Eleanor said staring at her.
"I'm sorry, about this morning. If we knew you were standing in the kitchen we would not…" she paused when Eleanor leaned forward and took a sip of drink.
"I don't care about that. I'm use to it and it's not like I can stop people from talking about me. Maybe if we lived in the 1500s I could but we don't so there is nothing I can do about. But what I truly dislike is my staff telling other what is happening. My business is mine. What you see and hear stays with me. That includes Jasper. You already know I fire people easily. You might not be my security detail but I can fire you. After all I am a princess."
"Yes, I understand, you highness," Jane replied as Eleanor continued to sip her drink.
"Good, Jasper and I will be leaving for an event in a few hours. I'm sure you have work to do before you leave." Eleanor paused and then asked, "Ms. Pine, what do you think of Jasper?"
"What do I think of Mr. Frost? Well I don't know much about him except for his daily schedule," Jane replied.
Eleanor shook her head. "What I mean is do you think Jasper is hot?" When Jane remained silent she said, "It's ok, you can be honest."
Jane paused before she said, "Yes, I think he's hot. If I saw him at a pub, I would flirt with him. But, I swear that I won't make a move on him. He is my job and I would never do anything to jeopardize my job."
Eleanor nodded her head and as she finished off her ice drink. Then placed the glass on the table. She looked up at Jane and said, "Good. I hope you keep your word. Because I'm sure you know that I will find out. Although, I can't have you locked in a tower or hang you there are far more worst things I can do to do."
"I understand your highness."
Eleanor gave a small smirk and then said with the wave of her hand, "Well off you go. I have to get ready for the event."
Eleanor watched and Jane quickly got out of the chair and let herself. Once the room fell quiet the door behind Eleanor opened and Jasper walked through. He sat on the armrest and said,
"Had fun scaring the new one?"
"I was not scaring her. I just wanted to make sure she's able to do her job." Eleanor said. "After all that stuff she said about you with the other girls I was worried that she wouldn't be able to protect your body."
Jasper smirked looking down at her. "So my body is the only thing you care about?"
"Well I like the rest of you too. But your body is my favorite part of you. Do I really have to explain it to you, bodyguard?," she said wrinkling her nose.
"No, I just like hearing you say it." He reached into his pocket for his mobile and read the text message. "It's from James. He wants to know if we'll be using Jane and Hagrid tonight for the charity event."
Eleanor sighed as she rest her head on Jasper's lap. "Hagrid yes…"
"You don't think I'm the devil right? I mean I'm use to people thinking I am but…"
He gently ran his hand through her hair. "The people that care about know who you are and that is all that matter. As for Princeton, if you had not fire him, James would have. Rule number one besides protecting our assignment is to always keep their schedule a secret. Princeton was leaking yours and there was no way James or anyone would stand for it. So you did the right thing."
"I guess I'll be known as the bitch who loves firing her security detail… As for Jane… We'll keep her for now. But if she starts slacking in away, I get to fire.
"As you wish, your highness," said Jasper before leaning in for a kiss.
5 hrs later
Jane took a deep breath as she walked down the hallway towards Princess Eleanor's bedroom. She fixed her ear piece in her right ear as she walked. She rounded the corner to find Kingsley, also known as Hagrid to Princess Eleanor, posted on the right side of the door.
She quicken her steps and joined him at the door; standing on the left side. She noticed him glance at her as took her spot. She placed her arms to the side but not before glancing her watch.
"First outing with the couple?" asked Kingsley.
"Yes. Are you the Princess's new security detail?" Jane asked.
"As of now yes… It's only a tempt. I'm always her backup that's why she never has me assigned to her officially. James went over the event and you checked the background of almost everyone who might come in contact with Mr. Frost?"
"Yes… No one sticks out," she replied staring at the new oil painting Queen Helena had placed in the hallway.
"Good, all you need to do is stick to Mr. Frost. Stand nearby during the event and photos, and keep your eyes open. The evening will be over before you know it." Hagrid stopped just as the doors to Princess Eleanor's bedroom opened.
Jasper let Eleanor step out in front of her. Just as he walked passed Jane he lowered his head and whispered, "I picked you for a reason. The first day is always the hardest." He quickly straighten and caught up to Eleanor.
Jane watched as he laced his fingers with Eleanor as they headed towards the great hall where their limo was waiting. She quickly spoke into the cuff of her sleeve as she followed behind them. She smirked when she heard Beth say, "Man, does he look hot in a suit." through the ear piece.