Chapter 12

Under His Protection::::

Japhet smiled " it is good to hear that then" 

Michael gave japhet a hard look, oh! how he wanted to remove that pleased smile from his face,  japhet then  looked at Michael " I apologise for my uncalled behavior when we first met, by now you should probably guess that iam courting Laura"

Michael could swear he saw red haze in his vision when he looked at japhet who had the nerve to admit his feelings for Laura to his face. It took an ounce of his will not to strangle him or worse still snap his neck right on the table.

Thankfully he was saved by the waiter from his unexpected death in his hand and Michael was saved from answering him when their food arrived. They ate in silence, Laura and japhet were making small conversation smiling and eating ignoring Michael which was fine by his opinion.

Michael just ate his food without really savouring it, while they had the chance to busy chat with each other he had the chance to study them in silence.

Everyone would agree that the pretty Laura Van-Lerie and this guy would make a striking pair but there was really something about japhet that he did not trust.

".....Michael" the man seated opposite him inquired with a friendly smile on his face, Michael cleared his throat as he sat straight from his chair, he glanced briefly at the woman in front of him who was looking at him intently. He suddenly felt his cheek heated upon receiving their undisturbed attention.

"Uhm...iam really sorry I didn't get your question"

Japhet smiled again, Michael noticed he had this friendly manner that he could not shake off the uneasiness that comes along with it neither could he ignore his instinct. Michael shook his head, he thought he was being paranoid about the whole stalker thing.

"I said since you are the personal bodyguard of Laura, I assume that you are also the one who will take her home tonight"

Michael idiotic brain gave him a different image inside his head with the word japhet just spoke, he suddenly felt uncomfortable in his chair and shifted his position, he tried to clear his throat again discreetly trying hard to remove the images from his brain.

"Um..yes of course"

"There is no need to do that" Laura inserted tonelessly eyeing him with such acid in her pretty eyes, " you don't have to guard me twenty-four-seven"

There was nothing else in the world he would like more than seeing the fire in her eyes while giving him a disapproving look, bantering with her like this made him happy, he gave her a sardonic smile which he knew she hated.

" I regret to inform you miss Van-Lerie, that is exactly what I have to do with your father's directive, I need to keep an eye on you all the time, so please expect me to be around you"

Laura exhaled a deep breath, tossing her white napkin on the table, she tucked her arm in the middle of her chest, " I don't understand why my dad need to butt into my affair. Why doesn't he just focus on his empire, businesses and his wife. I can take care of myself"

"He is just worried about you" Michael told her as his warm gaze raked over her beautiful face, she really looked cute when there is a small frown between her eyebrows.