Chapter 21
Paxton’s POV
Unlike the last time I was here to familiarize myself with the surroundings of Bryan’s mansion, there are two hefty bodyguards right outside his gate, looking mean and ready to kill at the slightest provocation.
I drive the way I came and pull over at a short distance. I examine the house from afar, glancing around and looking at the rooftop. This will be a great area for a sniper to kill Bryan.
The only difficulty is that I don’t know if he comes around there often. He is a workaholic and I doubt if he has leisure time.
I look around once more, making sure my presence is not known to the guards at the gate before leaning back in the seat, taking off the seatbelt.
This is looking more than I expected, I groan.
Did he find out about my disguise? Why is the security suddenly rigid both within and out?
The Bryan I have been studying for more than a year, even without knowing his physical appearance has been nonchalant about security. Something is wrong somewhere.
I grab my phone and dial Celine’s number. It rings for a while before she picks with a sleepy tone. She must still be in bed, I thought.
“Paxton”, she calls with her sleepy, soft voice.
“How are you doing, baby girl?” I demand from her, wishing I can see her sleepy cute face. Sometimes, Celine looks like a baby and I can’t help but fall for her more and more for being so adorable.
“I am fine”, she yawns. “How are you, too?”
“I’m great”, I shrug. I am not fine until Bryan is taken care of and I have Celine to myself, then get back my real identity. It hurts not having what you want. It hurts being in a hideout.
“Are you worried about me?” She asks.
“Not really”, I answer and she chuckles. I miss her already in just one night. I miss hearing her laugh, I miss watching her sleep, I miss cooking for her and I miss her presence that brings me a sense of familiarity and concern that even though I am in disguise, I still have someone who cares about me. I miss her and Jason.
“Really?”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
“Yes, really”, I smile and try to control my laughter.
“Something tells me you are lying”, she makes a joke of me and I decide to surrender.
“Fine, I miss you and I am here to see you.”
“What?!” She exclaims loudly. “You are here? Where are you?” I imagine her opening her eyes wide?
“I’m outside the mansion, can you come out?”
“Sure”, she says in a loud voice and hangs up. I drop the phone and exhale deeply.
Within minutes, I notice the gate is open and she comes out, darting her eyes around to see where I am. Before I can pop my head out of the window and wave at her, she spots me and hurries to the car.
“Hey”, she grins and enters the car, flopping heavily to the seat. Her hair is disheveled and she is still in her nightwear. She looks pretty nevertheless.
“How are you?” I hold her hands, looking at her lovingly.
“I’m great”, she flashes her beautiful set of teeths at me.
“I was just passing by so I decided to check up on you”, I frame a lie but I know she is not buying it with the sheepish grin on her face. The grin suddenly disappears and is replaced with a confused frown.
“How did you know this place? I didn’t give you the address like I was supposed to”, she points out with creased brows.
How can I tell her how I found Bryan’s home?
I shrug nonchalantly and remain silent.
“How did you know?” She hits me playfully and I chuckle lightly.
“I have my ways of knowing things”, I state and she glares at me playfully.
“Did you go through my things just to know?” She demands and I shrug again, not knowing whether to tell her yes or no.
“You are a stalker”, we both laugh.
When we sober up, I ask her. “How is Jason?”
“He is fine.”
“I want to take you out”, I announces to her amazement.
****
Celine’s POV
“What?!” I exclaim. “You know that’s not possible. I have Jason to take care of”, I say to him. I don’t want to incur Bryan’s wrath.
“What about tonight?” He asks me with pleading eyes. I shake my head. It’s my first day at work and I don’t want to create a bad impression.
Besides, Jason will soon be up and I need to be around to feed, bath, and play with him.
If he wakes up without me beside him, he might jump to the conclusion that I am gone. I know how loud his cries can be and Bryan will get to know of my absence when he comes back from work to meet Jason still crying or with puffy eyes.
About going out tonight, that is totally out of it, unless I sneak out without Bryan’s knowledge but I doubt if that will be possible considering the numbers of guards around the house.
Once Bryan asks and they inform him that I am out, he will be pissed at me and probably lock me out.
I shake my head again. “I’m sorry, Paxton”, I apologize, flashing him a sad reassuring smile. I know he misses my company. I am his only friend and it will be hard coping without my presence.
I want to make it up to him for his care, concern, and his efforts towards helping me to get Jason back but I can’t because Bryan is involved.
“You don’t want to go out with me?” He peers at me, surprise that I am refusing to go out tonight.
“No, I’m just scared I will annoy Bryan.”
He nods. “It’s fine”, he looks away and his fist tightens on the wheels as he looks ahead of him in anger.
Paxton is a good man but his show of anger these days amazes me. He gets angry at me at the slightest things.
I sigh. I have been saying no to him too much. I said no to his offer of help and now I am saying no to having fun with him. I can’t remember the last time I went to a club. It’s been a while and I would love to go out tonight and have the greatest night of my life.
An idea suddenly struck me and I smile in satisfaction. I know what to do now, all I need to do is lure Jason to bed early and go out without Bryan’s knowledge.
I am going to tell Camilla to help me watch over Jason and if Bryan asks of me, she can tell him I went back home to pick a few things I would be needing in his home, this is if he asks of me but if he doesn’t, I will be back before he notices my absence.
I feel like a genius for coming up with a quick solution within a few seconds. I playfully hit Paxton’s shoulder but his face is grim.
“Fine, we are going out tonight”, I announce and his face lights up in happiness.
“Really?” He demands after a moment of silence, studying my expression to know if I am serious or not.
I nod in the affirmative and his face broke into a wide grin.