part 1
Having Nadine around was definitely something Kate had to get adjusted to. Most of their time together had been accompanied by an awkward silence she didn’t know how to break. Every time she tried to strike up a conversation, Nadine would give a short reply, and that was that.
It started when they were on their way back to her apartment. Kate couldn’t help but feel uneasy as she was usually very engaging.
“So Nadine, you’re a professional bodyguard, huh? What made you decide to become one?” Kate asked, trying to make the best of the situation and hopeful to finally keep a conversation going.
“It’s a job, Ms. Bishop. I have a background in security and have worked with high-profile clients before. So this isn’t new to me,” Nadine answered nonchalantly.
“ That’s cool,” Kate responded with new intrigue. “ But I don’t think you will need to do much. My mom likes to exaggerate, and I can handle myself just fine. I have never needed protection this far, and nothing really has changed. ”
“Oh, and you can just call me Kate, you know. Since we will be spending a lot of time together, I guess. “
Nadine’s only response was a short hum of acknowledgment.
“So, you worked in security before? Do you have any cool stories to tell?”
“Nothing I can disclose.”
“Right,” defeated Kate let out a sigh, and they continued to walk in silence.
Even after they had arrived at Kate’s apartment and Kate had shown Nadine around, pointing out the various quirks and features, trying to engage Nadine in a conversation seemed impossible.
She usually had no problems striking up conversations. Even with strangers, she was usually quite the conversationalist.
Her friends liked to tease her about being able to talk to anyone about anything - a true social butterfly. Some people might even say that she talked too much, to the point where it became mildly irritating. But Kate was never one to let others’ disapproval and condescension get to her.
However, there was just something about Nadine that made Kate nervous.
Maybe it was the way she carried herself with such confidence and professionalism, holding herself in perfect composure, that made Kate feel insecure in her own home. Or perhaps it was the piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through her, making Kate feel like she had her all figured out. That she knew things about her that even Kate didn’t know about or wasn’t willing to admit to herself.
The rest of the day had proceeded much the same. Awkward silence and polite conversations followed them throughout the day.
Nadine had spent a significant part of the day inspecting her apartment, the building, and the surrounding area – “To ensure that everything is safe and there are no possible dangers,” Nadine had explained when Kate had asked what she was doing.
To get her mind off of having to live with a stranger and the upcoming charity event, which she was definitely not looking forward to, she decided to practice her shooting. Archery was always able to clear her mind and calm her down.
It had gotten quite late when Kate decided she worked enough on her archery skills for the day. Yet, Nadine still hadn’t returned to the apartment.
“Hey, your back.” Kate greeted Nadine when she finally came back from what Kate assumed to be another inspection round.
Nadine shrugged and went for the kitchen.
“I got hungry and decided to order some takeout. I got a few different options since I didn’t know what you’d like. I hope that’s ok. You can take whatever you want.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Anyway, I was thinking about the event my mom mentioned tomorrow. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to one – maybe you have since they require a lot of security and you said you work in security – anyhow, they are usually really boring. I figured we could drop by real quick and then be on our way,” Kate suggested with a short shake of her head, slightly embarrassed that she almost went off on another one of her rambling sprees.
“ Yes, that will be fine, Ms. Bishop. I looked into the guest list and went over everyone who will be attending. No one seems to be out of place with no major offenses, just the minor things most rich people tend to get caught up in. Tax evasion, possession of rare illegal goods, and the like. There shouldn’t be anything to truly worry about,“ Nadine explained.
“ You did all of that? And again, Kate’s just fine.“
“ Of course. It is my job to ensure your safety. One can never know just who might attend an event such as this. It is always best to be prepared.”
“ Oh, uhm, thanks, I guess. But nothing’s ever happened before, and I’ve had to attend events like this all my life. I’m sure we would have been fine even without you going through all that effort.”
Nadine offered no reply as they finished their dinner.
The next day started off mostly uneventful. Nadine spent the day in and out of the apartment.
Kate wasn’t completely sure what Nadine was doing most of the time. She found herself thinking about it more than she would have liked. Based on yesterday's answer, though, she didn’t want to ask again, being certain that Nadine's response would be very much the same.
As the charity event approached, Kate found herself trying to think of reasons that would excuse her absence. However, all the excuses she came up with seemed either too extreme or not good enough - or they wouldn’t be to her mother anyway.
Kate had been taught the importance of one’s appearance and image from a very young age. Her mother had been very adamant about maintaining a favorable reputation for herself and the company. A part of that entailed trying to get into peoples’ good graces so that it would reflect positively on their family.
Which is another reason why Kate hated these kinds of events.
You couldn’t trust anyone to be who they pretended to be. You would have to spend hours putting on fake smiles and laughs. Taking part in conversations that were tiring, always having to watch what you were saying.
Eventually, it was time for Kate and Nadine to make their way to the charity event.
“Didn’t your mother mention a dress for you to wear to this event?” Nadine questioned when she saw what Kate decided to wear.
“Yeah, she always picks out ridiculous dresses for me to wear. Even though she knows I never end up wearing them.”
“Ms. Bishop, I was instructed to ensure that you uphold your appearances to the public. Therefore, I must insist that you change.”
“ Aw, come on. It’s just a suit. And I look better in this anyway. Don’t you think?” Kate tried to plead her case.
A raised eyebrow was the only response Kate received.
“ Please? I don’t want to change again. And I’ll handle my mom, make sure she knows this is all my doing. Promise!”
Nadine released a sigh. “Very well.”