2

"Call me before going home. I'll pick you up."

After saving her number on Lisa's phone, Grace waved her goodbye as she watched her reverse her car and go to work. Grace still couldn't comprehend the fact that the woman she never talked to, was so helpful and kind to her. It was ironic, since nowadays hardly any kindness was left in this cruel world.

Since morning, Lisa had been persistent to convince them that Grace should hire a bodyguard till the situation calmed down. Grace, however, was reluctant. But after Lisa gave her peace of mind, she was here in front of an agency that helps hire a bodyguard. Sighing to herself, Grace entered the building.

The interior was more appealing than the exterior and by the shiny looks, she knew it was something more expensive. But if money could buy her safety, she was ready to spend. Looking around, Grace found the reception area where a huge neon-coloured sign was placed.

Grace gulped down the nervousness and made her way towards the area where a boy wearing a white shirt was seated. By the looks, he looked younger than her and Grace placed her hands on the reception desk gaining his attention.

The moment the boy sensed a presence in front, he raised his head to look.

"Hello, I'm here to hire a bodyguard." She mumbled looking at him. His brown eyes assessed her from head to toe as he leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. Grace felt intimidated by his action.

"Why?" Grace frowned. What type of question was that?

"For my safety." The boy laughed and Grace noticed his astonishing dimples. Her eyes slowly take over his features. He had the beautiful, blemish-free skin she had ever seen with small dimples and foxy eyes. His dark ruffled hairs looked like he had run his hand through them a lot. Since he was seated, Grace couldn't tell if he was tall but as her eyes saw the way he had crossed his legs in between table and chair, he seemed tall.

"For your safety? Are you a celebrity? We usually assign guards to someone who's popular enough to have stalkers or who thinks they're in danger." Grace's cheeks burned with embarrassment before he continued. "Do you think you're in danger to hire a guard?"

"I-"

Grace felt at the loss for words. Of course, she wasn't a celebrity or popular but her situation required her to get a guard for herself for her safety. What if that strange man again attack her? What if this time she ends up getting hurt physically?

The boy seemed amused as he smirked looking her way at her confused and embarrassed face. He noticed how her cheeks had suddenly turned crimson, the way her brows had narrowed in a frown and the way her lips had unintentionally turned into a small pout. He could see her hesitancy in the way she tightened her hold on her bag. All of sudden, he felt a smack on the back of his head as his eyes widened and he jerked forward with impact.

"Wh-"

"Didn't I tell you to be nice to customers? Or Do I have to tell Jake about this behaviour of yours?"

Grace looked over the receptionist's shoulder to see a tall man wearing a black polo T-shirt and dark denim jeans and a basketball hat hiding his long hair. If she thought the receptionist was pretty, the man behind him was God's fallen angel.

His high cheekbones enhanced his beauty as his soft glowy skin illuminated with rays of the sun. His small lips looked more breath-taking and the way his hair peeked through his hat left her wondering if he had long hair.

"Hey!" Grace noticed the boy rubbing the back of his head as he glared at the man standing behind him. "I was just playing with her. You didn't have to hit me that hard."

"Playing? Didn't you see the embarrassed look on her face? She must be feeling stupid coming here. We make people feel secure not otherwise."

Grace's cheeks burned with more embarrassment. He didn't have to expose her like this.

"Anyways, sorry for the inconvenience. He's new here. Don't mind him."

Grace gulped before looking at the said man.

"It's alright." She mumbled shyly.

The man with long hair smiled at her before looking at the boy sitting and still rubbing his head and glaring.

"If I ever find you misbehaving with customers again, I'll fire you, Jay."

Jungwon rolled his eyes saying 'whatever'.

"Please, follow me. I'll show you the office."

Grace nodded before following the man and glaring at Jay.

"He's my cousin. He's still a child, so, please don't mind him."

"It's alright." Grace smiled as he returned her smile.

"Anyways, Can I know why you need a bodyguard?"

Grace hesitated as they waited for the elevator.

"I-I think someone has been stalking me."

The man nodded and motioned for Grace to follow him as they entered the elevator.

"Stalking? I'm afraid that'll be enough reason to hire one of our guards."

Grace watched as he pressed ten and the elevator started moving.

"Not only stalking, someone break into my apartment last night and I'm afraid that might happen again."

"Did you call the police?"

The elevator opened as Grace followed behind him. The hallways looked empty and clean with doors on either side. She looked around and noticed a large glass window by the end of the hallway.

"Yes, I did. But they said without any solid proof, they can not give me security since words are not enough to explain the situation."

"Gosh! Police nowadays. Did you check the CCTV?"

"Yes, but it's all blank. Someone has tampered with the system."

The man gave her a side glance.

"It's quite scary."

Grace wanted to laugh. She still had only told him the basics and he was scared. What if she told him that a dead cat was lying on her bed with blood-covered sheets and her apartment was turned upside down.

When they reached the last door, the man opened the door.

"I'll give you a form and you'll have to fill that. After that, you'll be assigned a bodyguard."

Grace fidgeted with her fingers as she looked around the room that very much represented an office with a spacious sitting area and a long sleek desk with minimal decor and one large bookshelf at one corner. It was very soothing and relaxing to her eyes.

"How long will it take?"

"Probably three to four days."

Grace swallowed the lump of saliva and tightened her hold on the straps of her purse and took a few steps in the man's direction.

"Four days? That's too long. What about today?" Grace felt the man in front of her tensing as he pulled out a form from the drawer of his desk and handed it over to her.

"Fill it up."

Her body tensed. She wanted him to assure her that he would assign a guard to her today only. She didn't know if the stalker would return for her or not but she needed to be safe. Despite the turmoil of questions inside her mind, she grabbed the form and started filling it up.

After filling in the details, she handed it over to the man.

"Grace? What about your surname?" The man asked, his eyes glued on the document in his hand.

Grace took a deep breath.

"I'm an orphan. I do not know my surname." She lied. She didn't think it was mandatory to tell a stranger about her past. The man nodded and signed the paper.

"Alright, someone from the agency will contact you. Make sure to tell them details if they ask for one."

Grace nodded and watched as the man grabbed the card from his desk and handed it over to her.

"Call me anytime if you feel any danger nearby. We can not give you guard today but I'll try to do it by tomorrow."

Grace nodded. There was no pleading now.

"Thank you."

She said and walked towards the door. Maybe she had to cope up for a day also before reading the card.

Jayden Smith.