Skepticism
1101 Words
Chapter 7 – Skepticism
“What the f**k are you doing?” a bellow sounded, it was Jamie Leed. In his company were his friends from lunch, the mayor’s daughter and Charlotte. The latter stared at Michael in horror and disbelief. In an instant, out of thin air, about a dozen men dressed in similar fashion as Michael’s captive appeared. They drew their weapons and directly aimed them at Michael.
“Release the man!” one of the men shouted authoritatively “ Right now!”
Michael shook his head then glanced at Charlotte, his voice was unhurried and clear. “No”
“ Do what he says!” Charlotte spoke sharply
Michael relaxed his grip but still clutched the man’s collar. Like the hot desert sand taking in flash torrential rains, the man gasped for breath, taking it in hungrily and in deep puffs.
“ I found him snooping around in your car. I asked him what he wanted and he was reluctant to speak” Michael said
“ Who the f**k are you?” Jamie Leed asked, fury mounting his somewhat baby-ish face
“ I am the man who is about to make this one here speak”
“ Release the man or I will have the my guards take you down”
“ Until he starts talking, I will not” Michael shrugged, unfazed by the weapons pointed at him
“ You were almost killing the man for goodness’ sake, let him go. That’s an order Michael,” Charlotte charged sternly
Michael gazed at the man reluctantly for a few seconds, and like a piece of rug, he flung him a few meters away. He accurately landed inside a trashcan, and there, he remained completely still.
Danner Frey audibly gasped as two other guards rushed towards the trash can.
“ Relax, he is fine” Michael scoffed denigratingly.
Snubbing the dubious stares and glares, he went inside Charlotte’s car and fumbled about. A full minute passed and he emerged satisfied with his findings.
“ That was my f*****g guard!” Jamie cursed
“ Apologies, but what was he doing in Charlotte’s car?”
“ Baby, do you by any chance know this clown?” he turned towards Charlotte
“ He’s my new bodyguard”
“ New bodyguard? I thought the paratroopers were still handling your security detail” Jamie scoffed,
“ Dad fired them after the last incident”
“ And he decided this…kid, could handle your security?” Jamie asked in a tone laced with doubt and disgust, “ I don’t like him”
“ Me too Jamie” Charlotte chimed. “ but my dad forced him on me; he gave me no other choice”
“ I’ll have my dad talk to him. This…whatever this joke of a guard is, it can’t stand.”
She turned to Michael and ever so coldly, said, “My boyfriend will take me home, make sure my car gets there”
The whole group left with those latter remarks.
Two hours later, at the Jenkins Family mansion, Robert was just preparing to leave for the Pegatron headquarters when Michael arrived in the company of another man. He was short and greyish old but still walked with the gait of a younger man. Michael paid the man who was now acting like a tourist then hurriedly shooed him away. The old man bickered for a short while after which Michael added him some more cash. He gladly left after that.
He found Robert Jenkins comically watching him from the car park and he felt obligated to explain.
“ He drove me here,” Michael expounded
Ivar chuckled
“ I don’t know how to drive” he added
“ Its okay Michael, I’ll have someone teach you.” Robert smiled
“ How was your first day?”
“ I found the bodyguard of one Jamie Leed in the missus’ car” Michael replied
“The one you apparently assaulted?”
“ He refused to state his reasons. I was compelled to force it out of him.”
“Jamie Leed’s guards regularly assist with Charlotte’s security”
“Well…I didn’t know that” Michael faltered “But he looked nervous when I caught him. I found that to be suspicious.”
“ Maybe you could have talked it out first, before giving him a death scare…..”
“ I apologize for that.”
“ I’m sure he’ll be fine… or get replaced.” Robert snickered “ Anyway, Charlotte will be attending the university’s opening party tonight. Make sure she’s safe.”
“ Sure thing” Michael nodded
In a deep, rough and intimidating baritone, Ivar rumbled, “Since it will be a public event, two guards will accompany you in case you need backup.”
He reached for his waist and pulled out his gun. After checking if it was loaded, he handed it to Michael “ If you ever have to use one.”
Michael glanced at the gun, then at Ivar then finally Robert before shaking his head. “ not a fan”
“Suit yourself” Ivar shrugged then sheathed back his gun.
“ Make sure my girl is not harmed, okay? Not even a scratch…Isabella will kill me.” Robert said seriously, more so as he finished his sentence. His expression suggested that he actually believed that his wife would attempt to physically destroy him if any harm ever came to Charlotte.
“ You have my word” Michael nodded. He watched as Robert was driven outside the mansion in an entourage of eight cars, all tinted and bulletproofed. Three cars had the head start protecting the one carrying Robert while the rest flanked him from the sides and at the rear. You would have actually mistaken his entourage for a president’s. Michael sighed and wondered if probably he was not taking the body-guarding job seriously, than he ought to. That maybe the threat on the Jenkins family was real and dangerous. Nevertheless, Michael was not one to believe in hypotheticals and maybes, he believed in facts and his abilities. That only threats existed to imperil the weak, and he was certain he was nothing close to being weak.
A few hours later,
“ Doesn’t she look stunning?”
“ You think so?”
“Yes, Charlotte’s a perfect beauty. I mean just look at her…every man’s dream. I was really excited when I was assigned to her for tonight’s event”
“Chill out, she’s your boss”
“ Even so, I bet she’s kind.”
“ Then she hasn’t spoken to you yet” Michael chuckled
“
- Writer
