"Chad, Chad!"
He turned around smiling, hearing her familiar voice. It had been three weeks since he had first started protecting her and so far it had been nothing but surprising.
The slender girl who looked like she could be blown away in the breeze could actually fight. He learned that when he had escorted her to one of her daily lessons. He hadn't been sure for what, exactly, but it was made crystal clear when she had bowed respectfully to her teacher and then proceeded to kick his butt. He was stunned.
Apparently she had been learning since she was five.
It wasn't just her fighting skills that impressed him - she was also fluent in Italian, French, Spanish and Chinese. She had studied all four languages since she could remember.
She was well versed and could hold up an intelligent conversation, as well as be quite charming and funny. She had an interesting sense of humor, he learned, after being the butt of her jokes more than once.
Despite all this, there was still something 'off' about her. Behind her laughter and her cheery disposition, there was something that was terribly sad. Sometimes he saw it when she was gazing out a window or when she was lost in thought. There were times when her eyes didn't sparkle as brightly as they usually would. And for some odd reason he'd hate that more than anything. He would find himself growing angry at the fact that something was making her upset. He wanted to know what it was, but he never had courage to ask her.
"Chad?"
He blinked. "Yes, sorry. What is it Ms. Sonny?" She smiled and motioned for him to hold his hand out. He glared suspiciously. "...This isn't yet another frog or something, is it?"
Giggling, she shook her head. "Mm-mm."
He held his hand out and she placed something small in the palm of his hand. "What is it?"
"I finally had a key made for you. You know, the secret entrance," she grinned, whispering the last part of what she said.
He smirked. "About time. Now Ms. Sonny, what is the agenda for today?"
She made a face. "Don't call me Ms. Sonny, that's just too weird. And I don't know. I finished my lessons earlier. Let's just go for a walk," she offered.
He nodded. "Of course, where are we going to?"
"Anywhere." She grabbed her coat and started making her way down the stairs. He followed her, lagging a few steps behind.
"Where is anywhere? We should have a destination," he stated, as he held the door open for her. "I need to notify your mother on your location at all times."
"Anywhere, anywhere...Anywhere is anywhere. You don't have to tell my mother. Just tell her we're going to the park. I want to get out from under her radar for just a little," she said quietly, as they made their way down the paved road.
"I'm afraid I can't do that Sonny," he said, keeping pace with her. "I could get fired."
She shrugged as they walked along the street. "Chad, it doesn't always have to be about the destination. Don't you see? It can be about the journey!" she cheered, gesturing to the clear blue sky and the chirping of the birds.
"The journey...?" he muttered. He did a quick 360 and shook his head. "The journey is dangerous. It's where you could get hurt. The destination is where you will be safe and I can be sure I can protect you."
She frowned slightly and looked over at him. "Everything is dangerous. Life is dangerous. But that doesn't mean we stay secluded in our homes and hide from the world. There's a risk to everything - a risk to breathing, to living, to loving..." she trailed of quietly and looked away.
"I guess so. But my job is to protect you from harm, and the journey usually means there will be people who will try to stop us from reaching our destination. And I can't let that happen," he said firmly, still keeping a stern look out.
Sighing, she exclaimed, "You need to learn how to live! Life can be scary, true, but there are so many wonderful things about it as well. Do you see that?" She pointed briefly in the direction of a little boy and his mother. "See? Look at them. Look at the boy and his mom. They're so happy, isn't that wonderful? You can see the pure joy on their faces - that's what life is about."
"But Sonny, you're different. You're the daughter of a diplomat - an incredibly rich business woman. That little boy has it good - there are most likely no 'bad' guys trying to kidnap him for ransom. You, on the other hand, require a bodyguard to protect you 24/7. I can't leave your side for a moment for fear someone will make off with you. I don't get a moment to myself, even when I'm off for the day because I have to be at the ready lest something happens to you," he stated.
She stopped in mid-step and glared at him.
"What is it now?" he sighed.
"I'm so sorry you have to be my eternal babysitter. It must really suck to be with a spoiled brat like me. And it must really suck to be raking in the cash that you're getting."
"Look, Sonny, I didn't-"
"No. It may be a hardship to you and a waste of your time to be with me," she paused, gathering her thoughts. And then in a softer voice, "But I enjoy your company."
He did his best to suppress a smile, "You enjoy my company?"
She grunted, turning away from him. "Yeah but you're a jerk so I take it back."
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off as if it was some burden to be with you. I have to be honest, I enjoy your company as well," he smiled, touching her shoulder lightly.
She looked up at him, blushing at the first tender physical contact they had ever had. "R-Really?"
He pulled away, nodding. "Really."
She smiled up at him and he was momentarily at a loss for words. He hadn't noticed how beautiful she was when the sun's rays gently cascaded down on her soft curls and bright face. Coughing slightly, he pulled out his phone and dialed Ms. Munroe's number. "Yes ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you. I just wanted to update you on our location. We are currently heading to the park and we'll be home by dusk. Yes, yes. Of course. Yes, you too. Goodbye." He hung up and smirked. "So let's go on this journey, shall we?"
"I don't want to go to the park."
"We're not. We're going 'anywhere'."
She smiled once again. "Can we get ice cream?"
"Ben and Jerry's?"
"What else?"
He quickly scanned the area again and nodded. They started to walk in comfortable silence, listening to the laughter that was going on around them and enjoying each other's company.
They arrived quickly at the ice cream parlor and Sonny squealed happily, running ahead. "Look! I think they have Reese's!"
He chuckled and followed her. "What are you, a five year old? What do you want, a cup or a cone?"
"Cone, duh."
He rolled his eyes and they got their ice cream. He walked her over to a bench and sat down next to her as she ate giddily. "You're really easy to please," he commented, smirking slightly. "Just buy you an ice cream and you're good to go."
She shrugged, licking her ice cream slowly. "I know I live pretty well, but I don't forget the simpler things in life. It's those things that really bring happiness and memories. Not material goods."
"I concur," he said, smirking.
"Chad?"
"Hm?"
"Forget it."
He frowned and looked at her sternly. "What is it?
"Nope nope, nothing," she smiled.
"Sonny Munroe, tell me."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're not my mom."
"I'll make you tell me."
"How?"
He paused for a moment, contemplating. "I'll eat your ice cream."
She gasped in mock horror. "You wouldn't."
"I would and I will."
"I don't believe you," she said, gripping her cone tighter and licking it more quickly. He leaned in threateningly and she blushed lightly, slowing her licking process. He smirked and took a quick bite of her ice cream. "Chad!"
"I told you I would. Now tell me what you were going to say."
She sighed. "Don't laugh at me, okay?" He nodded. "I was wondering...do you have a girlfriend?"
He looked at her and started laughing. "You think I'd be able to have a girlfriend when I'm with you all the time? She'd be seething with jealousy if she knew I was spending my time with you."
She frowned. "Well have you ever had a girlfriend?"
"Nope, I never managed to get the time. I was too busy studying or training."
Her brow furrowed. "Have you ever liked a girl?"
"What's with all the questions Sonny?"
"Just answer it."
"...Yes, I've liked a few girls. But then I found out they were petty tramps and I moved on."
"Define 'tramp'."
"The girls I liked seemed nice at first and they were all very pretty. But they had no brains - I couldn't hold a conversation with them. It turns out that all they ever wanted was sex," he replied coolly.
She blushed at the thought, and before she could stop herself she blurted out her next question, "Have you ever had sex?"
He smirked. "You mean, am I a virgin?"
"Exactly."
He leaned in and whispered softly in her ear. "What do you think?" She pulled away slightly flustered. His hot breath on her earlobe was more enticing than she had imagined. Being so close to him made her heart beat erratically and the butterflies in stomach flit about. What was this feeling?
"Let's go home," she said suddenly, standing up and stretching. She took the last bite of her ice cream and threw the napkin away.
He laughed. "You alright? You look a little red."
"I'm fine," she huffed, walking ahead.
He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Good."
"Fine."
"FINE."
They both turned away to suppress their smiles.