CRAVING MY BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD

I heard faint sounds like echoes slowly turning to beeps and soft voices. My eyelids were so heavy, I tried to lift them but I couldn't.

I slowly tried again and then a flash of white light hit me and I shut them again. I tried opening them again and everything was blurry. My eyes were still adjusting from being shut for God knows how long.

The figures in front started taking form. From bubbly distant irregular shapes to structures. I was in my room.

"Ma'am, she is waking up." I heard an unfamiliar voice. Then footsteps. Then I saw grandma.

Tears welled up in her eyes with trembling lips "Cara, how are you? Oh, my baby." She held my hands and repeatedly kissed them.

"Gr..Grand...Grandma...ahh," I winced as I was trying to hug her. "Don't move Cara. The nurse will help you." She said, shaking her head.

One look at her, I knew she had been crying. "I'm okay, granny. I'm here. Stop crying." I sounded so fragile.

"I know Cara, I'm happy you are alive and okay." She says, wiping off her tears.

I look around. "What about Xavier? How is Teo? How am I even in my room?"

She clears her throat. "Teo is doing okay. It wasn't a serious explosion. But the Police and Xavier think it might be a warning from whoever was sending that text to you. And that you need to be careful," I give a sigh of relief as grandma continues with her narration.

"Thankfully, Teo dragged you away from the bomb, so you both were not in much danger. Xavier is at the scene with your dad. They have both been restless." She coughs and her eyes slowly tear up.

"Xavier's demeanor even changed, my child. That poor boy, he has been apologizing to your dad since he drove you home unconscious." She sighed.

"How long have I been knocked out, granny?" Curiosity taking over.

"A few hours." Then, she smiled, "I will call your dad, and tell Giula to prepare something for you to eat." She leaned in and kissed my forehead. I smiled back at her. My heart warmed up. I was grateful for having such a loving family.

I watched her disappear through the door, her presence lingering like a warm hug.

"Miss, I have to check your vitals now. Then you can rest a bit." The smiley faced nurse said.

I nodded and allowed her to check whatever she wanted.

I laid back in bed and my thoughts wandered back to that day, yesterday afternoon.

I was answering questions, then I saw Xavier running after someone. My head started aching.

I decided to close my eyes and rest as the nurse instructed.

The next time my eyes opened, I heard my father's voice.

"Ahh, Tesoro Mio, you are awake. Finally, how are you?" He was trying so hard to keep his voice steady.

I smiled. "I'm good, Dad. Just a headache. But I'm okay." I must have gotten everyone worked up again.

I still don't see any sign of Xavier.

"Get dressed and join us at dinner. We are waiting for you. Okay?" He rubbed my hands, kissed them and left the room.

I sighed. Everyone was worrying about me and yet, I was worrying about the one guy who was probably hunting the people who dared to hurt me.

The nurse had left. It was the housekeeper, Ms. Dalia, who is helping me now.

"Take it easy there, dearest." She said with a calm voice as she led me to the bathroom.

Ms. Giula and Dalia were the oldest staff members of our family. I took them as relatives too. Funny how everyone in my family has a nickname for me.

"Ms. Dalia," I called her as I entered the bathtub, "Have you seen, Xavier?" trying to sound casual.

"No, dearest. He only comes in when he wants to see your father. After that he heads back to his quarters." She says before leaving the bathroom.

Hmm. Straight back to his quarters. Does he even care if I'm alive.

After freshening up, we had dinner. I, Dad and Granny. It was lovely. My dad assured me that I was safe now.

Food, love and laughs but I was thinking of someone I shouldn't. He hadn't even come to check on me.

I was seated in the gazebo. The cool night breeze hitting my skin. I wrapped my arms around my body and let the silence settle. The stars were out.

Then I heard footsteps approaching. I didn't feel the need to look at the person approaching.

"Sienna, your father wants you inside. It's getting cold and you are recovering." The professionalism in his voice was killing me. No emotion. No 'how are you?'.

And this is the man I worried about all day.

"Really? Xavier? You are going to be like that?" He turned around and looked at him. Black outfit.

"Be like what? Your bodyguard, yes." His voice cracked a little behind his commanding mask.

"I'm happy you're ok. But you have to go inside now."

My eyes widen. I was dumbfounded.

Yes. That what he was. A bodyguard.

I try to steady my voice.

"im glad you remember. You are a bodyguard not my boss. I am going because my dad asked for me." I said while walking past him. He just fell in step behind me without a comeback or a word. Fool.

I should have just stayed in bed. Why was I so worried about him? He was my bodyguard. If anything it should be vice versa.

Once inside, I kissed dad and grandma good night. But I wasn't going to bed.

I was checking out the CCTV footage videos of the explosion. Before the explosion someone was walking away from the stage.

Xavier noticed and started approaching before the guy started running. Xavier was really chasing after someone.

My phone vibrated and lit up.

"You up? How are you, Sienna?" It was Lucia.

I smiled, wishing it was someone else.

"I'm okay. Nothing serious." I replied.

"Can you come over to the office tomorrow? I need your expertise on my brand's final touches before its launch." She texted back.

"Oh, yes, girrll. Congrats again. I have a reason to leave this house. Everyone is treating me like a baby." My heart literally jumped for joy at this request.

"Even, hot bodyguard guy?" She texts. This girl, I laugh inwardly.

"I will visit you tomorrow, good night." I drop the phone on the bed. I'm pretty sure she was laughing at the way I ignored her question.

Xavier crosses my thoughts again. Why do I always think about him? Why did I want him to say sweet things to me today?

I groan and curl on the bed. I leave my bed for the balcony. I can't sleep.

I notice movement. Thanks to the lit up compound, you can see anyone clearly.

It's Xavier, Dad and the security personnel and Mr. Leo. Maybe going through security details in the house.

My eyes are fixed on Xavier.

His hair dancing with the wind. His unbuttoned shirt.

Grandma wasn't kidding. He looked colder now...like the explosion had removed whatever shred of humanity he had inside.

He didn't even call me princess today. I have to stop. He is just a bodyguard. He said so himself.

He moves his head towards my direction as if noticing that someone was watching them- him.

I ran into my room. What is my problem? It's dark. He can't see me.

I'm going crazy. I need to keep Xavier from my head.

Ouch. My head was throbbing.

I laid back on my bed. Before I knew it. I drifted to sleep.