Chapter 2
The sun was setting in front of your family condo, you sat in the family room deep in thought. As you take a sip of your drink, you reflect on the events of your mother's campaign event the other day. Alexander fucking Pierce just doesn’t give up, you thought to yourself, brows furrowing in discontent. You picked up your phone and scrolled through twitter, for a while now your mentions had a few losers here and there who tried to harass you, but it seems to have gotten worse. You searched your family name in twitters search bar, the latest posts were flooded with hate against your mother and her platform, but they even pulled the rest of your family into it.
You noticed a symbol ‘⍱’ in the majority of the posters bios or names, consequently all the posters were supporters of Alexander Pierce. This has to mean something, you thought to yourself, chewing on your thumbnail nervously.
You snapped out of your twitter trance as you heard voices from the office across the hall.
“Hey bug, we have to have a little family chat, okay?” Your father said, coming out of the office with your mother and other campaign and security officials; Steve included.
“Why? What's going on?” You asked, your brother Dale, just entering the front door from school.
“There seems to be a bit of a situation” Your father said and sighed, holding up a piece of paper. “We’re tightening up security around here, until after the election,” he responded.
Dale grabbed the paper from your father's hands and brought it to you for the both of you to read. “Drop or get dropped?” He asked, confused.
“They’re trying to intimidate me to drop out of the race, or have me get “dropped” or something.” Your mother responded, clearly exasperated, her hands on her hips. “I’m not gonna let this happen. I can’t believe this.” She was stressed, obviously.
“Mariah, I found this on our bed. We can’t do nothing” Your father stated. Your brother shifted uncomfortably, and you felt your face heat up with anger.
“This was Pierce, I know it, It had to be.” You said, gesturing with your hands. Steve’s eyes studied you intently while nodding.
“All signs lead to us believing that as well, Miss. That's why your parents and my team have agreed to be assigned to your family 24/7” Steve explained looking at you, then to your parents. “It is my responsibility to observe you, and keep you safe at all times, Miss.” He said and gave a bow of his head, your eyebrows raised, and you let out a shaky breath.
“That's correct, thank you again, Steve. And thank you, Ryan, for agreeing to oversee our son Dale…” Said your mother, the rest of the conversation seemed to blur out as you thought about having Steve watch over you at all times. You turned your attention to Steve and raised an eyebrow.
“So you will be guarding me like when I go out and stuff?” You asked, more like interrogated.
He nodded and pursed his lips, “Yes ma’am, at all times. To class, work, and any other activities” He clarified, and that made your mouth gaped.
So it really IS 24/7, you thought to yourself. “To class? Wait, what about when I go home, and like go to sleep?” You asked, annoyance laced in your voice.
Steve let out a nervous laugh and shifted where he stood. “Yes, again, I will be there to watch over you. I promise not to interfere, though.” He said, trying to reassure you.
You sat back in your seat dramatically and let out a small sigh, “I don’t need a babysitter though” You said quietly.
“I’m not a babysitter, I am assigned to do whatever I can to protect you- and I will do anything to protect you” He said strictly, looking down at you with seriousness in his eyes. You gulped slowly and bit your lip. “Given the situation, you might want some extra protection. However, I will admit you didn’t need it the other day.” He joked and smiled, trying to cheer you up. It worked because a small smile stretched across your lips as you looked up at him.
“Honey, I’ll get some fresh blankets for your room” Your mother said, reaching out her hand to caress yours. You could tell that she still felt anxious,, and your heart ached for all that was going on with her and your family.
“Ma, it's okay, really. I’m sure Stevie here will make sure I get home safe” You said with a laugh as you stood up to hug her. While looking at Steve, you could see a grin on his slim face, one that made your heart flutter.
After collecting your things and hugging your family goodbye, Steve accompanied you in the elevator, to go down to the garage. “What are you driving with me?” You asked with a snort, looking up at him.
“No, we’ll be taking my car. That way, we can be sure no one has tampered with it.” He said, voice laced with seriousness. You were in such close proximity to him, close enough you could smell his deep cologne as you inhaled. You sighed and knocked your head back on the wall of the elevator, I know this is necessary, but I’m not sure how much I can take, you thought to yourself. At the same time, you didn’t even notice Steve staring at your neck, eyes moving down towards your chest before the elevator dinged and opened.
“You’re really not pleased to be with me, are you?” He asked, you know he was joking, but the tone in his voice actually sounded a bit hurt. “Over here” He mumbled and opened the car door for you.
“No, Steve. I’m sorry, I don’t feel like that. It’s just a lot to take in, yanno?” You tried to clarify, looking over at him as he climbed in. “I don’t need all this, I don't need you…” You said, almost immediately regretting the words as they left your lips. Steve clenched his jaw and stared pointedly at the road ahead of him.
“I respect your feelings, but I feel the opposite. Alexander Pierce and his goonies have made it their personal mission to harass you and your family, and I’m going to do my job to protect you.” He said sternly, glancing over at you as you laid your head on the window.
You knew deep down that he was right, and you knew that you felt like you didn't need him, but a part of you wanted him…