Bought For Protection

15

At the breakfast table, the sound of silverware was the only noise around us, none of us spoke, I kept glancing at Hunter, as he kept chewing the same piece of bacon for more than one minute. He was distracted and I am sure he had millions of thoughts running through his head just like it does in mine.

"How is school?" my father asked breaking the ice.

His question was directed to me "It's ok, the same thing every day," I replied not with my usual enthusiasm.

The tone of my voice caught Hunter's attention and he snapped his head toward me. He asked me mine and the question was clear 'Are you alright?' I wish I could say I was but we both knew it would be a lie.

"Just focus on your grades, when you take over after me I don't want to be disappointed," his rigid voice penetrated my brain.

Hunter was not happy with the declaration but kept mum, he knew better than to take it to my father without his permission.

I have a rough idea about my father's work because we never discuss it, and work-related questions are forbidden at home.

"Yes, papa," I answered playing with my food

"Dominic will be over tomorrow, he is having a party and I want you to attend it, all the businessmen and dignitaries will be there, you need to make an appearance, it's important for next in line to have more connections," he said wiping his mouth with a napkin.

I froze hearing the name of my bully, and also I wanted to tell my father that I didn't want to go but knowing him, he would merely force me harder. My father is known to be a stubborn man.

There was silence too much of it, I raised my head to look at them and found my father looking at me expectantly waiting for an answer.

"Yes, Papa, I will be there," I replied saying things he wanted to hear.

I watched my father and Hunter exchange a look before he left, I knew whatever it was they would never include me in it.

"Ready to leave?" Hunter asks me while taking the last bite of his cereal. I nodded moving the untouched food, he looked at my plate but didn't say anything about it.

We drove to school in silence, he parked the car in our student parking lot and just stayed in his seat, we enjoyed the silence just the two of us and no one around.

"Are you ok with tomorrow's party? " he questions looking at me

I shrugged "It's something I have to do every year, keep Papa off my back, it's a silent agreement between us, if I appear at these parties he will let me do whatever I want without him hovering over my back," I said facing him.

I smile trying to ease his anxiety, honestly, I didn't feel too good about the party seeing how Dominic knew our secret but I needed to power up if I wanted to take my father's place, I didn't exactly know what it is that he does but I'm pretty sure that it's something important and slightly illegal.

Whatever it is I need to prepare for it because he wouldn't have made me take judo classes if I didn't have to showcase my talent.

"If you feel uncomfortable let me know, and I will get you out of there," he promised while smiling warmly, I knew I could count on him but there was only so much he could do.

"I know, Hunter, Thank you for everything," I held his hand I intended to peck his cheek as the last bell rang but he had other ideas, he pulled my arm and kissed my lips passionately, I moaned placing my hands on his cheeks while he ravished my mouth. He gripped my hair in a tight hold and tugged at it grunting sensuality.

With enough courage, I managed to pull away from him before things escalated.

He grunts in annoyance "don't want someone else to find out too," I giggled at his irritated face.

He kissed my lips one last time and pulled away, "There will be more when it's just the two of us," his eyes shined with unspoken words, he intends to cross every boundary known to mankind.

I rolled my eyes and pushed the door open "Baby steps, Hunter, baby steps," I sang the words waking to class with Hunter walking behind me.

We had all the classes together so all we did was secretly hold hands and steal kisses when no one was watching. We did suck at hiding.

At lunch, I asked Hunter to get my lunch when it was just Ambrose and me, I started at him "What's with you and Caleb?" the question was clear.

He sat in his chair uncomfortably not making eye contact with me, Emily and Blake were sitting with his team and saw that Hunter would s*******r Jude the next time he saw them, so to avoid the bloodshed we chose to sit away from them during lunch.

"It's nothing don't stress it," he mumbled stuffing his mouth with pizza.

"How can't I be stressed when he is glaring at me with murder intentions," his face snapped toward their table and he frowned looking back at me.

I smiled faking innocence "Made you look, and now spill," I leaned forward

He sighed exhaustedly "I like him," he confessed not taking his eyes off the leftover pizza slice

"Duh, I know that, " his surprised eyes almost popped out of their sockets "Tell me what happened after you told him,"

His face slumped his eyes held punished tears and his hands fumbled. "I didn't confess, he has a girlfriend, " he paused looking at me "Remember, the party last month the one which you refused to go to, it was a dare I didn't have a choice, and he seemed ok with it "

"But?" I encourage him to continue

"I was dared to kiss the person sitting opposite to me and it was Caleb, I hesitated to do it but he shrugged not caring, so I did it, I kissed him," he sighed his face holding a small smile recalling the magical moment.

I wonder if I look this lovesick while talking about Hunter.

"God, Alex I wish I didn't kiss him because it wasn't just a peck, I French kissed him, man, the others around us were too drunk to notice but Caleb cornered me and asked me why I kissed him like a starving animal," I couldn't hold it, I chuckled at his last sentence and gained a glare from my dear friend.

"Anyways, I lied to him, said I was drunk, and thought he was a girl, I mean even I wouldn't believe me, gosh, he has been pestering me about it ever since," he held his head in his hands and groaned.

I pat his back "It's going to be alright, maybe he likes you too and wanted to hear it from you, and by the way," he raised his head waiting for me to finish "Welcome to the gay club," he chuckled at me laughing wholeheartedly

I looked at the love of my life and found him holding our lunch and waiting till we finished our conversation, I didn't tell him I wanted to go talk to Ambrose, but he was smart enough to give us some space.

I was so lucky to find a guy like him, thank you God for sending someone like Hunter into my life.

I kissed his lips the moment he sat down, I didn't care who saw or said, the only thing that mattered was the feeling we shared.

I was ready to tell him, something I had been holding in for too long.

I love you, Hunter, and I always have.