Let Me Stay The Night

The man had a head of dazzling straw–colored hair and emitted a fearsome aura.

Nathaniel removed his shades to regard the contractor with an icy glare as if to warn the latter that he would not hold back against another word of disrespect against Christina.

The contractor was not afraid of the tiny woman, but he was concerned about breaching the contract, incurring the blame of his employer, and worst of all, receiving the fist of the man with the straw–colored hair.

Swallowing his anger, he slipped the contact back into his pocket. “I have another three and a half days. I guarantee we will complete the job.”

Christina descended from the stool, satisfied.

She was in no hurry to leave. As a preventive measure to dissuade them from procrastinating, she remained behind to keep a watchful eye.

“Let’s get some coffee, Mr. Bodyguard.” She turned around to address the hulking figure.

Nathaniel noticed Christina’s smile. For once, she was not complaining about him tailing her, and it cheered him up.

In single file, the pair entered a narrow alley, where time seemed to have slowed down. Christina suddenly felt conspicuous, as if a tail had grown out of her; she was attracting attention wherever she went.

At the window–side café beneath a red and white striped tent, Christina bought two cups of coffee and handed one to the man.

Nathaniel took it. The pair then headed back and settled into the seats at the venue.

A slight breeze tugged at the strands of her hair that were tucked behind her ear. Beneath her fluttering lashes, her eyes twinkled. Her delicate features, outlined against the sun’s overcast glare, made her look like the subject of a dreamy painting.

Christina’s gaze fell on the workers. Watching their gradual progress, she felt a little more at ease.

Then, she went through her list of contacts for some popular models and influencers–artists she had once worked with.

She made three phone calls and received three rejections. They either claimed not to have the time or were tentative to commit.

“Your studio is embroiled in a scandal. People would think I condone the distribution of counterfeit goods if I attended your event,” said one influencer scathingly before she hung up.

phone and sighed softly.

show. It wouldn’t matter how hard you try,” quipped Nathaniel, who had remained silent the

others at bay. Despite

she kept making

in turn, ended in more rejections.

much effort? It’s just a design studio. I believe Mr. Hadley would

Christina’s contact picked up. As soon as they heard her voice,

was curt and

him, Christina continued perusing her list of

Bodyguard is chattier than usual today. I prefer him

grabbed her hand holding the phone. “Nobody would show up for your fashion show. To them, doing business with an insincere brand is a

the size of the brand, the slightest taint to its reputation would be

she studied him, Christina uttered the name that sprang to

on her wrist tightening.

exposed

like him Do you bodyguards working for the

equally bossy and gloomy.

to leave, I won’t be leaving a mess for Yosef to clean

had just subsided, to rise again. “Are you doing this for Yosef?” he

to what it once was before

his

taller than her for Yosef. She

up from her seat. At

intensity of the man’s piercing gaze even through his shades. “Is it your responsibility to leave children behind

hurt. She frowned, displeased. “This is my personal business. It’s not your place

she snatched back her hand.

a sense of oppression. “Do you like Yosef? Do you love him?”

he posited the question, Nathaniel felt his

yes, I will