CHAPTER 9

SECOND SLUMBER PARTY

Second slumber party in a row: Christiano saw her looking radiate as ever. Her skin glowed like the sunshine. Her brown eyes filled with sadness as tears rolled down her cheeks. She walked out onto the patio taking a deep breath and sighed as the cold wind gently blew against her lace gown. This woman was young, innocent and very attractive in his eyes. She was none other than Caramella Williamston, his bosses’ daughter. ‘I’m supposed to guard her,’ he reminded himself again in thought. He was sent here early with his team to keep an eye on things. But he never thought he would have gone to this extra mile to disguise his self and voice to be neared her as a guest at her party.

Startled by the sound of his presence, she asked, ‘Who’s there?’ grabbing her heels as her weapon like a hammer to defend herself.

Christiano laughed walking out of the dark, ‘I’m your enemy, princess?’

Her surprised face and blushed cheeks made him amused.

‘Are you stalking?’ She asked seriously.

He huffed with a smirk and replied, ‘Honestly, wasn’t this party open to everyone?’

Caramella opened mouth to say something harsh but calmed down and answered, ‘So that doesn’t mean anything plus you’re still a stranger I don’t know.’

‘Thank God I was fully disguised from head to toe, my voice ‘changer’ device made my voice less deep,’ Christiano thought. ‘Were you crying?’ he asked.

She looked away trying to hold back the tears but couldn’t and asked, ‘Does it matter?’

‘I guess not. But whoever broke your heart is an idiot,’ he replied; about to leave he saw her smile.

‘Thanks, so stranger are you enjoying the party?’ Caramella asked hoping to smooth things.

Christiano shrugged he didn’t really know plus most of all she was his party and answered, ‘Meeting you makes me feel like I did.’

She laughed it was like sweet music to his ears as her smile grew.

‘Want to have a drink with me?’ Caramella offered raising the bottle of Rose Champagne.

‘I like strong stuff but this can pass,’ he thought. ‘Uh sure,’ Christiano smiled.

He followed her into the garden with a lake. They sat on the grass drinking, silence turned into laughter.

‘You know something about love….’ She started off.

‘What?’ Christiano asked.

‘It hurts when it’s not the right person,’ Caramella continued.

He nodded agreeing, ‘True.’

She smiled at him, ‘Yeah I guess life with love is always like that. It’s always has you on a search but here’s the thing. You shouldn’t search for love, for love will always find you at the right moment. That faithful love is real love and it’s very true.’

Her words were like a mastered poet’s art. The definition of assurance was found in her face and beautiful brown eyes which shimmered in the moonlight. Christiano couldn’t look away for a second, neither could she? It took courage for her to grab a reality check. Caramella stood up and walked toward the lake placing her feet in the water. She stood magnificently underneath the moonlight.

Caramella looked back at him with a smile and asked, ‘Aren’t you coming in?’

He couldn’t help it but laughed and join her with his clothes on. They dove in the water and stood in it before dancing with each other like a slow song was playing. It felt like they were in one of those romantic movies.

‘You look really beautiful tonight,’ Christiano managed to say.

She blushed averting her eyes away as her heart raced and the heat between them grew like fire.

‘You’re not bad yourself, you know,’ Caramella quipped as she heard his laughter.

‘Well thanks,’ Christiano kissed for her cheek.

Instantly, Caramella faced him smiling before they knew it; they found them lying together looking at the stars before falling asleep peacefully. When she wake up; the tall dark and handsome guy was gone and the paparazzi occupied for her space with questions about her break up; well calling off the wedding with Ray and the mysterious knight shining armour at her slumber party .

‘Caramella are you dating the mysterious handsome guy?’

‘Are you going to get back together with Ray?’

Snappy camera flashes everywhere; as she got up feeling humiliated with a piercing headache. Caramella realised the lazy security guards she hired were drunk; questions after questions from the press. She lacked patience and took out the gun from her thigh beneath her gown and shot a bullet in the air which caused a massive impact. It scared the paparazzi and press away quickly as possible. Of course, she has a firearm license not bug spray license that won’t chase pest away. Entering inside her palace, everyone was scattered all over the place suffering with a hangover of lifetime. Suddenly, Caramella heard her doorbell rang. She removed the damp gown grabbing her robe from the closet she brought in last night in case she went for a swim. Shoving it on Caramella quickly answered the door to find a handsome guy wearing a black suit with shades in his early thirties watching her amusingly. Behind this gentleman were at least twenty-nine guys dressed in the same outfit. Caramella thought, ‘Why is the French Police or FBI on my front porch so early in the morning?’

***

After the party, all dressed up in his black suit along with twenty-nine gentlemen. Christiano pressed the buzzer. Caramella actually answered the door in her pajamas which was a white robe as he smirked in thought, ‘If she nothing on this makes my day better.’

‘Can I help you sir?’ She asked.

‘Ms Williamston your parents sent us to guard you. Here’s their message,’ Christiano explained and sent in a hologram ball which projected an image of father, Chris.

‘Surprise Caramella! These bodyguards will be your official babysitters…’ He said.

‘What?’ She shrieked.

‘Check the rest of the video I’ve sent you it will explain everything you’ll need to know,’ Chris added and disappeared.

She looked back at him shock, angry and yelled, ‘You’re not entering my house!’

Christiano pushed her aside, ‘Step aside, Ms Williamston,’ he felt something hugged his arm flipping his body. But he held his ground lifting her up like a baby as cradled her in his arms. She was really soft and small. She still carried an innocent aura there was something else mixed in it: anger. She was so pissed.

‘What does he think he is? He didn’t even have the decency to introduce himself and the guys just waltzing into my house like it’s his. I hated the feeling of being controlled. This is entirely Mom’s and Dad’s fault,’ she thought. Hitting his chest and shoulders repeatedly trying not to blush, Caramella shouted, ‘Put me down! I’ll sue you all. I don’t care if you’re my bodyguards or not! Just let me go you stupid babysitter!’

Christiano ignored her while the guys laughed inwardly. Since they all knew the palace inside out. He carried her as the guys chuckled softly themselves while they went into the theater room. Then another handsome guy who caught Caramella’s attention called Dustin Butcher, his third in command with a Canadian accent switched on the large monitor as her parents showed up on the screen and spoke.

‘Clara honey,’ her mother Patricia started with a smile.

Her head turned to the screen as she listened to the rest.

‘This is for your own protection, dear. I’ve been worried about you since those human trafficking murders killed Maria.’

Her father added, ‘Christiano and his team will be staying with you. Your friends Amelia and Sandra were informed about this as well since they’ll be rooming with you for the year.’

Patricia continued, ‘They were happy and relieved. They said you needed a new love in your life. I agreed with them honey, you’ve single for way too long, darling and I need some grandchildren to be the next heir of the family business.’

‘Sweetheart, you know your mother is a bit pushy but she’s right. I miss seeing you happy, darling,’ her father said.

The guys laughed as she blushed, ‘Shut up! I don’t need anyone!’

Christiano laughed, ‘Is that what you think princess?’

While she thought, ‘Ray gave me plenty of headaches and signs for me to away from morons. No wonder my friends loved the idea of coming over to stay with me’ as she glared at the men frowning as they quiet down smirking. Caramella slowly felt she was being brought to her feet until she felt was falling and landed on her butt as she winched, ‘Ow! Can’t you be a gentleman you baboon?’ glaring at Christiano who smirked.

‘Never really tried too,’ he teased smiling.

She looked away and thought, ‘I’m going to get you back for this, Christiano.’

Minutes later, everyone was seated at the long elegant dining table. Christiano was laying out some ground rules her parents came up with.

‘No open house parties, no dating of criminals…’

‘What? When have I ever dated a criminal?’ Caramella frowned.

‘Your ex- boyfriend used to transport drugs to US from Mexico,’ Christiano pointed out.

‘Ray did that?’ Caramella questioned surprisingly. ‘I don’t believe it.’

‘You don’t have too. As long as you’re safe away from him that’s all that matters in our mission,’ Christiano answered.

‘Okay but I still want proof it of it,’ Caramella replied stubbornly.

‘You’ll get it soon, Caramella,’ Christiano smirked and she felt goosebumps rose upon her skin as she rolled her eyes.

‘Your best friends: Amelia and Sandra who are invited to stay here are on precursory measures. No planning of events without our acknowledgements, especially mine. Your curfew is seven sharp.’

‘Hey, I’m not a child, Christiano! What is this? Boot camp?’ Caramella yelled frowning.

He replied simply, ‘Yeah and you are supposed to a bind by the rules.’

About to get up, he seated her down as she groaned rolling my eyes, ‘What? Aren’t we done?’

‘No just listen, wherever you go I follow,’ Christiano continued.

‘So if I want a shower like right now. You’ll be there showering with me for safety measures, right?’ Caramella replied sarcastically.

Christiano scoffed with a laugh and smirked, ‘If it be so… but my orders were stand at the bathroom door not make out with you in the shower.’

She blushed almost shocked as the guys laughed as she frowned, ‘Prev.’

Her phone rang; Caramella excused herself from the troublemakers and answered without looking at the caller Id, ‘Yes.’

‘Tell me you’re happy with our decision, dear?’ Patricia said.

‘Why would I be happy about this, Mom?’ Caramella hung up and another call came through, a tear bolt from my eyelid. It was Ray. ‘Hello, Ray,’ she answered calmly as possible.

‘Caramella you know I miss you, babe. I broke up with Lena. She wasn’t satisfied with me,’ Ray explained smoothly.

‘And I should be?’ She questioned with frustration.

‘Come on, mi a bella, she’s the one who came between us,’ Ray scoffed.

‘Then why couldn’t you stop her?’ Caramella yelled and he sighed. ‘I thought so.’

‘Caramella I tried too,’ Ray lied through his teeth and she sensed it.

‘Ray! Will you just leave me alone?’ She screamed out.

Her outburst turned heads to her as she cried.

‘I can’t! I want you back Clara. I’m sorry that I hurt you,’ Ray admitted yet his tone tells: lies upon lies.

‘I’m sorry I met you, Ray, I’m done,’ Caramella frowned ending the call slammed her phone on the floor. Turning back, eyes were looking at her so concern and curious. But most of all, the look in Christiano face said it all. He looked upset, so was the Asian guy, Yunoku Shinto, the second in command who sat next to him and Dustin. She sighed and sobbed, ‘since you all will be living here guarding me twenty-four seven at least make me some ice cream, get me Netflix and popcorn, anything please…..’

Yunoko, the Head Chef answered, ‘Oui Madam!’

The men scattered to their positions. Christiano followed Caramella outside to the field. It was football (soccer) design field. She grabbed the ball off the rack and started to kick it away and ran before striking it into the net.

‘Goal!’ Christiano yelled cheerfully; hoping to lighten the mood between them as she didn’t smile at all. ‘Want to talk about it?’ He asked.

Caramella shook her head, ‘No! Just leave me alone, will you?’

‘You know it’s not good to keep things bottled up inside of you. Come on, just yell it out, already,’ Christiano continued.

She ran and took the ball before facing him and shouted, ‘Will you stop being nosy? I can fix my problems by myself.’

Caramella kicked the ball into the net with all my force and rage. It brought back more memories of Ray and her playing football in the Public Park in Spain. She paused in footsteps as she remembered everything.

‘Come here you show off,’ Ray pulled her in a hug from behind.

‘I wasn’t showing off, Ray. I was helping you practice, you did ask me to be your training buddy,’ she giggled.

‘Not my competition, princessa,’ Ray pointed out kissing her cheeks.

‘Hey! What’s that for?’ She blushed as he leaned his face against her shoulder.

‘You were more like a great coach, that’s all,’ Ray muttered lifting his head to meet her gaze before kissing her lips. ‘And one of my best, will you be my girlfriend princessa?’

‘Did your brain burn out? Your pickup lines seem less attractive,’ she joked.

He laughed and flirted, ‘You drain me a lot you know’ and kissed her lips again.

She smiled through their kiss and then pulled away, ‘I can give you some of my energy if you like.’

‘I would love that very much,’ Ray replied kissing her before leaning against her forehead smiling as he stared in her eyes.

Caramella sighed at the memories as it faded away like the wind. ‘Ray and I are nothing. Love is for the hopeless romantics, I, the foolish realist who saw through these walls still fell into its manipulation. I swear this time it won’t be like that,’ she thought looking at Christiano who watched her strangely. His eyes raked over my body like was landscaping his territory.

‘Hey! Could you just leave or sit on the bench over there,’ Caramella pointed.

He laughed and smirked shaking his head as Caramella raised her eyebrow at him furiously. Yes, he might be six-feet or more, tall than the little short Caramella but she was still the boss of her own home and of him.

‘What if I don’t want to now?’ Christiano asked.

She kicked the ball at him, miraculously; he stopped it and started kneeing it before striking into the net scoring a goal.

‘He’s really good. If he wasn’t my bodyguard I did think he was the actual Christiano Rolando. He’s so cool,’ Caramella thought as she found herself surprised, smiling and blushing as he scored another goal. She wiped the grin away and hollered, ‘Show off!’ walking back to the house.

Christiano smiled, ‘She’s warming up to me that’s a good thing’ and followed her into the mansion.