Chapter 6 Annie

• “You had just one job, Annie.”
• “Enough! It’s becoming a broken record don’t you think? Yes, I almost burnt down the house blah blah blah. You all need to chill. If not for anything, you Becky are the reason why I won’t hear the end of it.”
• “You can’t blame me. Can I take this purse? It will go well with my red scrapin heel.”
• “No, you can’t Becky. I gave you one just last week. One of my favorites.”
• “Relax, I was just kidding. You still haven’t told me why you have all these huge men in black surrounding your estate.”
• “Becky, I have no idea. They never used to be this much. I suspect my father is hiding something from me. My gut tells me it has to do with this campaign of his. I hate that James follows me everywhere. The garden, the pool, the spa room, just name it, he is there. Well except in my bedroom but you must have seen him at the entrance to my room. I hope he's not eavesdropping.”
• “Have you seen your room? He can hear nothing except we scream. I honestly don't know why you are complaining. James is hot and I wouldn't hesitate to jump at him should the offer arise. He’s one fine specimen.”
• “Ewwww Becky. Did I hear you correctly or it's just my ear playing tricks on me?”
• “What do you mean by Ewww? Are you saying you don't find him attractive?”
• “No, I don't. He's a bodyguard and that's not my standard.”
• “I think he receives a decent pay considering his rank. He even owns a really nice house and car.”
• “Have you slept with him? Because I don't even know where he lives let alone the type of car he drives.”
• “Well, I clearly remember him stopping at his house to pick up something that day he drove us home because we had alcohol in our systems and you sent your driver off for the day.”
• “I can't remember.”
• “ You wouldn't. You were fast asleep. James is considerably comfortable in my own books. Besides, even you can't get your so-called standard to notice you.”
• “Get out of my house this very moment.”
• “You are joking right?”
• “No, I'm not. I won't have you insult me in my own house.”
• “I was just kidding.”
• “You know what? I'm not feeling too well and I feel like I'm being choked up with all these bodyguards hovering everywhere. How about you come to visit another time?”
• “Annie, are you kicking me out of your house over something that was merely a joke.”
• “ I said I'm not feeling too well.”
• “Whatever rocks your boat.”
• “I’ll see you out.”
• “Oh please. That won't be necessary.”
• I walk over to my door and open it. James jogs towards my room door and stops right in front of me.
• “Is everything okay over here?”
• “James as you can clearly see, I'm doing great. Becky was just about to leave.”
• “Yes James, I was just about leaving but not before handing this to you.”
• Becky uses the edge of her card to slightly trace around his pocket before sliding it into it.
• “Call me.”
• “Becky?”
• “What? He's not your standard so you have nothing to worry about. See you when you feel better.”
• How am I friends with this girl? I wait for her to exit the passage before talking to James.
• “About what she.......”
• “You don't have to explain ma’am.”
• “Oh, ok.”
• “If that would be all, I would like to go back to my post.”
• “James is there something you and father aren't telling me? You are Father's personal bodyguard and all of a sudden, he replaces you with mine. Something doesn't sit right.”
• “Ma’am it is not in my place to tell you anything. My duty is to protect you and I must see to that. If you want answers, you ask your father.”
• “One last thing, are you going to call?”
• “Becky?”
• “Yeah, Becky.”
• “I would not be able to answer that ma’am. If you need me, I'm right by the entrance.”
• He can call her for all I care. Someone doesn't sound too happy about it. I really don't care. James has worked for my father for some years now. Never for once have I checked him out. I doubt I have ever seen him smile or ever seen him in anything order than a suit. Well except the one time I saw him in sweatpants and a t-shirt when he came to pick us up from the bar.
• I've known him since I was a teenager. He should be barely a few years older than I am. He should probably be in his late 20s. What were they all hiding from me? While I was talking to James, I took some time to check him out. He wasn't so bad after all. How could I not have noticed his chiseled jaws? He practically lived in this house because he was always with father.
• I doubt he has a life of his own. Like I said earlier, I really don't care. I hope he doesn't call Becky. She can't be friends with me and be caught frolicking with the staff. Precisely my father's bodyguard. I won't have her dragging my name in the mud. Seems like father has arrived.
• I peeped from my window and saw his favorite white Benz which he took to work parked in the car park. Can't wait for him to come up. He sure has some questions to answer. I put on my flops and head downstairs.
• “Is something wrong my princess? Doesn't daddy deserve his usual hug?”
• “Not today daddy.”
• “What’s wrong baby?”
• “I should be asking you, father.”
• “I’m confused.”
• “Father, would you like to tell me exactly why James has been hovering around me since the beginning of this week and why you've doubled security on the estate? This has certainly gotten beyond trying to raise the house in flames.”
• “Baby.....”
• “James leave us, please. I want to speak with my father.”
• “James stays Princess.”
• “I won't be surprised if you have him escorting me to the bathroom. For all I care, James can share my room.”
• “Annie, I won't be talked to in such a manner. I am still your father. Once I'm settled we will finish this conversation. James is restricted from entering your bedroom. Except the need arises.”
• “You are joking right?”
• “I’m not. Chef Rose, what's for dinner. Papa bear is drained and famished.”