CLOSE TO YOU

My client was the lawyer who represented Batman.
No wonder she needed a bodyguard.
But like what my boss told us during orientation, the company provides security for people who needed it.
For the right price of course.
It was not our business to question who they are.

When he showed me the envelope, I refused to accept because I knew who she was.
Ben, the victim of Batman, is my friend.
It was a betrayal to protect the person who allowed the suspect to get away with murder.
After the incident, Ben lost more than the ability to walk.
His mother, the person who treated me as her own daughter, took her own life thinking she would get insurance money to pay for Ben’s medical bills.
That was not the case.
Now here I am working for Metavee.

My conscience bothered me.
I should have tried harder to refuse.
But I did it for selfish reasons too.
I wanted to go back to Nam Jai to turn a new leaf.
The reason I gave myself to make this easier on me was I accepted jobs to protect people who were more dangerous.
Clients who literally had blood on their hands.
I didn’t question the assignments.
Why should I make an exception with Metavee?
Besides, my retirement hinges on this last job.

When I reached her place, I did a quick assessment.
The house was built like a fort, secured with a gate and metal grates.
I pressed the button on the security camera and a friendly helper showed up.
I introduced myself and she let me in.
If she was informed that I was coming over or if she trusted people easily, I need to have a word with Metavee.
They shouldn’t allow people in that easily especially now that there was a threat to her life.

There was no doubt that Metavee was very wealthy.
The house was huge with an eclectic mix of furniture.
Everything here looked expensive but at the same time, it made me think that she lived in a frozen cave.
Was the owner the same?
Cold and distant?
While waiting, I noticed the jasmine scented candles and I couldn’t help but take a whiff.
The smell instantly filled my lungs with a pleasant sensation.
My eyes were closed and I didn’t notice that I was no longer alone in the room.
It was only when she cleared her throat that I stopped what I was doing.
When I finally saw her, my assumption about the owner being cold and distant vanished.
Metavee is beautiful.
Her eyes had that glint of curiosity and her smile was warm and friendly.
Was she the same person who represented Batman?

I noticed something else when she saw me.
She looked as if she had seen me before.
I don’t know why.

Her attitude was very straightforward.
I wasn’t offended that she didn’t need a bodyguard.
If she terminated the assignment, I would have been relieved.
But she didn’t.
***
I have been waiting downstairs for fifteen minutes and she still hasn’t returned so I asked the helper where to find Metavee’s bedroom.
She looked annoyed when she opened the door but I have to make sure she was okay.

When she finally came out of the bedroom, she looked very dignified in a tailored navy suit.
Metavee exuded confidence and authority.
She had make up on and her long hair was loose.
The lawyer smelled of jasmine and wealth.
“Are you ready, Ma’am?”
“Yes. Are you?” She arched an eyebrow.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I ignored the challenge in her tone and expression.

I led the way downstairs, the back of my neck feeling warm from the thought that she was staring at me.
The helper was waiting for us at the foot of the stairs.
Metavee reminded her to arm the house and to not let people in.
I was glad to hear that.

With graceful movements, Metavee approached the luxury car and unlocked it.
“Wrong ride.”
“What?” One hand dangled on the door.
“We’re not taking your car. You’re riding with me.”
I pointed to the black heavily tinted sedan blocking the garage.
“Why can’t I take my car?”
“Security reasons.”
“I am not riding in that,” The disdain with which she looked at the car was comical.
“Do you want to live?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“Then you are getting on in that car even if I have to drag you to get in.”
“You can’t be serious.”
I took a step and with all my strength lifted Metavee off her feet.
She yelped at the abruptness of my action and one hand clutched my arm for support.
“Put me down,” She wriggled free from my hold.
I obliged.
“Transportation services is part of the package,” I explained.
“I’m going to have a word with your boss.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to be seen riding in that...,” I didn’t finish what I was going to say.
“In that what?”
“That basic looking car.”
Did she just call the car that?
The car was bulletproofed but I don’t need to tell her that right now.
“You just need to get from one place to the other don’t you?”
“Yes but...”
“But what?”
“I have to do it in style. People can’t see me in some boring sedan.”
“Again. Do you want to live?”
Metavee glared.
“Are you always this difficult towards your clients?”
“You’re one of the few.”
“I guarantee you that your company is not going to get a five-star rating.”
“We don’t care for that as long as we keep you alive.”
Metavee clenched her fist.
She closed her eyes and took deep breaths.
When she opened them again, the contempt in those dark eyes were gone.
“Fine. I’ll go with you this time.”
“See? It wasn’t that hard, right?”
She scowled.

I opened the gate and came out first.
Doing a quick check, the street was empty except for a guy who was kneeling on the ground, fixing a flat tire.
His back was turned to us and his tools were laid out in front of him.

“Can I come out now?”
I turned and Metavee was standing behind me, her face a few inches away, the warm breath tickling the back of my neck.
“Yes,” I unlocked the car and she got in first.
“At least it smells good in here,” She fastened her seatbelt.
Was she expecting a pigsty?

I switched on the engine and drove out of the street.
The place she lived in was quiet.
I saw that the houses were huge and similar in design -- made of metal, glass and concrete.
It gave the impression of opulence with the sheer size and location.
The properties here were probably in the millions.

The silence was broken by the ringing of her phone.
Metavee stared at the screen without answering.
“Are you going to get that?”
“No,” She pressed the red button.
We didn’t say a word to each other during the drive.

Once in a while I would glance at her direction.
She was focused on her phone, fingers typing fast to respond to messages.
I thought of the blank psychological profile and wondered what secrets she hides and the trauma she had been through.
The only presence she had online was for her private practice and the extensive news coverage when she won the case for Batman.
I gripped the steering wheel tight when I thought of Ben.
My friends and I were angry at the lawyer who was responsible for what happened.
We wanted revenge, to make the lawyer suffer the way Ben did.
What a cruel twist of events that I was in this position because I was the only female CPO available.
I let out a shaky sigh.
“Are you okay?” Metavee was looking at me.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Why the sigh then?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You sighed as if you carry the weight of the world,” Her smile was genuine.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I was just curious.”
I didn’t say another word but took note of this moment.
Metavee was very observant.
I should be mindful of my actions.

The rest of the ride was uneventful.
I drove to the underground parking and opened the door for her.
The vicinity was empty and I walked with her to the elevator.
“That wasn’t so bad, right?” She pressed the button to the thirtieth floor.
“What do you mean, Ma’am?”
“The drive. It was pretty boring. I don’t see the need for your service but here we are,” Her words were tinged with mockery.
“Just say the word, Ma’am, and I will be out of your hair.”
“Let’s just say that this is a trial for now. After that, I will make a decision.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”

Metavee wasn’t the only one who was unwilling to take on this arrangement.
Her reluctance worked to my advantage.
The sooner she changes her mind, the sooner I could go back to Nam Jai and be with my grandmother.