Chapter 7

Under His Protection:::

Laura eyes widen at his statement, she had never heard him speak this way before. "Watch your mouth mister, that guy is a good friend of mine, I won't let you insult him and go scotfree" she hissed as she turned away from Michael to look at Japhet who was exchanging pleasantries with a blushing Vanessa.

Her threat turned into a challenge for him "do you think he can protect you from me? Look at him behaving like a lady with his dressing and features. where on Earth have you seen a male wearing earrings, huh?" "Look at his standing posture like one without backbone, no trace of muscle" He scoffed.

Laura gasped, making Japhet turned towards their direction "Laura...." Japhet called again when he noticed her change of mood and how uncomfortable she was when the man beside her told her something "do you want me to call the police to get this man arrested for bothering you?

Laura swallowed quickly as her eyes widen, if this thing gets out of hand the last thing she want is for the police to flock her doorstep or her father's calls and messages. "Uhm..... there is no need for that Japhet, he is not bothering me' she smiled "I'm aquitted to him... Like we know each other way back from France, we are just making up for the past years we have not seen each other, he will leave soon" right Michael? Her smile widen bribing Michael to play along with her.

Michael gave her an amused look before turning to her friend who was looking not convinced "I beg to differ sir, let me introduce myself formally'

Laura heart sank.

"I'm Michael Vernice, miss Laura personal bodyguard"

"What?" Japhet asked with a slight shock boldly written on his face, "Laura new personal bodyguard? He eyed Michael from his head to toe "you don't look like one" japhet shook his head.

Michael hid his smile as his lips were pressed together, was he actually complimenting his look? Was Japhet saying he is too handsome to be a bodyguard? Hell yes! he is not handsome than Japhet, even a blind man would see that.

Funny thought and questions kept popping up in his head as he rolled his eyes at Japhet.

"I mean no offense" Japhet raised his hands with a shrugged, just that you.........."

"No offense taken" Michael chipped in immediately rather too cheerfully.

With a disapproving look at Michael, Laura smiled to her friend for the misunderstanding...

"Actually I didn't employ him, my dad did. You're aware of the anonymous messages and calls right?

Japhet nodded. "I don't blame your father, family is and will always be his number one priority" he replied with a charismatic smile on his handsome face, turning to Michael "You must be good for his Excellency to employ you"

Michael smiled pleasantly "I cannot take credit sir, but I will try my best to............ He turned to Laura "protect Laura"

Japhet nodded in understanding as he closed the distance where Michael was standing, "sorry for the rude behavior earlier, let me introduce myself formally. I'm Japhet Rogers"

"Michael Vernice" he took the hands Japhet offered and shake briefly.

"Please Michael look after her, protect her"

With devilirity glitted in his eyes and those captivating eyes he turned his gaze to Laura " oh believe me, I will protect her. I won't let anything or anyone touch her"

Laura could not help but feel the heat that spread warmly through her cheek as each words flowed out of his mouth like a sincere promise.

"Jadua love his daughter alot, Laura is his jewel he had trusted you to keep her safe. Don't let him down okay?"

Michael's shoulder immediately became rigid as his jaw harden, he clampsed his fist as japhet spit out those words, he hated when someone question his loyalty to Jadua.

"Michael........... Laura warned under her breath when she noticed his change of composure, she knew he was at the verge of losing it and might attack Japhet.

Thankfully he gradually relaxed as he turned towards japhet direction fully "Don't worry the last thing I want to do is to disappoint Jadua, after all his trust for me that matters. And that is why I'm here, to protect miss Laura from douchebags and simpletons in NYC"

Before Japhet could reply his cell rang, quickly he dipped his hands to his back pocket checking who the caller was. "Sorry, I have to pick this, it is urgent" he turned and left.

Once Japhet was outside her apartment Michael crossed his arms in the middle of his chest and stared at Laura with a smirk playing at the corner of his sexy mouth.

"So that's him?'

"That's who?' she frowned.

"Your latest handbag" he mocked throwing a dark look at Japhet who was engrossed with his phone call outside.

Laura scowled giving him a contemptuous look "Don't say that! He is not my handbag, japhet is my friend 'a very good friend'

Michael scoffed "a good friend indeed, only a blind man would not notice the puppy eyes he is giving you. He even want to call the police to save you from me" he laughed.

'lazy bone! He should have put on a fight"

Laura sighed "you are making no sense' she shook her head with a Sigh.

"You know I'm making sense dollface, this dude has a thing for you. Who knows he might ask your father for your hand in marriage soon" he rolled his eyes.

"If I lay my hands on him" Michael hissed.

Laura softly laughed ' when did you become a fortune teller?" She cocked her head sideways " if I don't know better I would assume you're jealous of Japhet"

"Michael......... hearing how his name rolled out of her mouth made jolt of desire run through him, her voice sounds like milk coated with honey causing a stir within him.

Laura noticed he was caught off guard..... His eyes..

Michael loudly cleared his throat as he finally collected himself " you must be mistaken, why would I be jealous of that woman..... I mean man" he smirked.

"Why indeed" Laura echoed with slight bitterness in her as she look around her studio noticing it was getting dark and they were alone in the room. " I don't understand why you are so bothered about japhet or whatever is going on with us, it is none of your business Michael. You don't just come out of no where to run my life...... I'm not that little teenage girl you know three years ago, and if what you say about Felix having feelings for me is true, so be it"  she turned picking her handbag.

"You're my business laura" he answered almost without a heartbeat, he slightly concluded when their eyes met " well, I mean you're my employer which automatically makes you my business"

Laura swallowed as her heartbeat raced widely, their eyes were locked as the emotions flowed through them.