Chapter 2: College Friend

Suddenly, Katherine heard a familiar voice from a distance.

"Hey, Miss Yuzon! Long time no see."

As she turned around, it surprised her of what she saw. "Haze?”

"Oh, come on. Can you just call me Denzel, please? We've graduated from college already," he complained.

“How long have you known each other?” Arianne interrupted as she noticed the closeness of the two.

"Yes!" Denzel replied with enthusiasm, turning back to Katherine.

"That's why I saw you became very close," Arianne, stating of what she have observed from the two in front of her.

Denzel is just laughed. “How are you two related, anyway?"

"We're first degree cousins," Katherine responded to the guy.

Denzel shook hands with Katherine's cousin. "Nice to meet you, Arianne."

"Same here," Arianne replied with a smile. She couldn't believe that they were already friends before. Arianne wondered if there had been a romantic relationship her cousin and Denzel.

The guy turned his attention back to Katherine.

"Okay! Why are you here, anyway?" she asked to change the flow of conversation.

"Wanna guest?" A guy smiling as he was making questions.

"I do not know since we haven't talked in a long time, eh," Katherine answered.

After graduation, they went on their separate ways and didn't keep in touch, even on social media. Their lives had become more busy.

One smile lingered on the guy's face.. "Well, I'm here for the award."

Katherine's gaze shifted between Arianne and the guy.. "Don't tell me you-"

"I won an award for being one of the best recording artists this year," Denzel said, cutting her off.

The girl couldn't believe of what she heard. They had talked before about their goals and priorities in life. She couldn't believe that her friend had pursued his passion for music. There had been many changes between them since they graduated from college.

"I realized I love music, so I still want to pursue it even though that wasn't my major in college. Music is life for me," Denzel explained again. "This is also the way I will express my thoughts and feelings for something. What about you? Are you here just to update about your favorite celebrities?"

"I received an award too, for being a best-selling author," she said directly, causing the guy to furrow his brow in surprise.

"Really?" Denzel asked. "I didn't know you desired for writing too. I only knew you liked only singing like me."

"I'm also interested in writing during childhood and our teenage years, but I didn't take it seriously because I tried to explore my skills in singing."

Both of them spending together in a corner of their classroom during break time or when there’s no professor for some subject.. They would just sing using a guitar.

"But you still singing?" asked the guy.

"No, I'm more focused on the novels I write, so my voice isn't used for singing anymore," she stated.

"It's a shame because you had a beautiful voice back then, but I will support you in your writing career."

The girl smiled. "Thank you, and I will also support your music career."

"Anyway, are you going home now?" the guy asking Katherine.

"Yes, why?" she responded.

"Don't go yet, because I want to invite you both for a meal outside. My treat!"

The guy's face showed his eagerness to spend time with his old friend again. It was the start of a new stage for their friendship after years of being apart.

"Sure, but can you please wait for a second? I need to inform them first," Katherine said.

"Who?" Denzel asked with a puzzlement.

"My personal bodyguards," as Katherine hesitantly mentioned them to Denzel.

He grinned at her statement, "For real? I didn't expect that you have bodyguards now."

"What else do you think? It's my grandfather's preference," Katherine replied.

"It's so tough when there's someone seems beautiful like you," Denzel teased.

"Tzk, whatever, Haze," Katherine reacted with a sigh. "Well, just stay here. I have to talk to them first."

"Sure," Denzel replied while looking at the direction Katherine was heading.

Their conversation didn't last long as the guy had somewhere else to go. They just quickly returned to the mansion.

In the evening, Katherine decided to go to their mini-library to do some research for her novel. She picked up one of the Psychology and philosophy books.

After a few moments, her personal bodyguard, Gabriel, entered the room. She didn't pay attention to him and continued gathering information from the book she was reading until Gabriel was the one who initiated the conversation.

"How well do you know him?" Gabriel asked her directly. She was not interested at the beginning however, attempted herself that seems interested at the end.

Katherine turned a page before speaking again, "Who?"

"The guy you were with Arianne." the guy replied.

"Uhh, Haze. What about him?"

Katherine pretended to be busy, but she sensed a strange atmosphere between her and Gabriel. It felt like he was investigating the identity of her old friend.

"I just want to know if you've known each other for a long time or if you just met today."

"Haze and I have known each other for a long time. We're old friends from college."

Gabriel furrowed his brow, analyzing every word that Katherine will say.

"Really?"

The girl paused reading and faced Gabriel. "We just haven't talked much after college. We had our own lives and became more busy."

There was annoyance in Katherine's voice as Gabriel kept asking her personal questions. She had to hold back because she didn't want her grandfather to scold her.

"So it's been a long time since you were not talking to each other right?" Gabriel said in a sarcasm, the reason that Katherine frowned her head upon him.

"Well, why you're supposing to ask so many questions about him? I've noticed your investigative nature, uh. You're just my bodyguard, not my best friend or even a boyfriend," she explained in a irritated voice.

Katherine couldn't control her annoyance towards Gabriel for longer. He was too strict, poking his nose into other people's private information and questioning her about it.

"Yes, I just met you now, but my grandfather has known me for a long time, and above all, he trusts me," Gabriel said seriously but he remained calm. "That's why he assigned me to this job because he knows whom he can trust. I've been doing my job right as your personal bodyguard."

"What are you trying to prove on me? Besides, I don't care if you're close to my grandfather. I just want to do what I want and no one can stop me from making friends with anyone."

After that, Katherine took the lead. She stood up and went back to where she had left her book.

"But sorry, Miss Yuzon, it's my job as your personal bodyguard to protect you from any trouble or problems, whether you like it or not. Your grandfather hired me to do this, so you have no choice but to follow me."

Katherine still annoyed when she walked away. She didn't want to argue with Gabriel anymore. It would lead nowhere.

Katherine locked herself in her room for a few days to finish writing her novel and submit it to a publishing company. She was eager to see the outcome of her new work.

On Wednesday afternoon, she received a text from her old friend.

From: Denzel

Hey, how are you? I would like to invite you to go out tomorrow, like an outing. My boredom striking me if I go there alone again.

Katherine: Really? Where are we going tomorrow?

From: Denzel

Does that mean you agree to go on an outing with me tomorrow?

Katherine: Yes, because I'm also getting bored here in my grandfather's mansion. I also want to feel new environment.

From: Denzel

Alright, alright. I'll let you know later what time we'll meet. Uh, wait! Can I just come to your place instead?

Katherine: No problem, my friend.

From: Denzel

That's great! Okay, we'll leave at 6:00 AM.

Katherine:

Alright, I'll also inform Rian and my bodyguards about this so they can prepare.

From: Denzel

Yeah, see you tomorrow!

After their conversation, Katherine immediately went to Arianne to tell her about the conversation she had with Denzel.

"Is that true?" Arianne asked in surprise after Katherine mentioned the outing tomorrow. "Omg, this is exciting! But the problem is that if your strict bodyguard will allow us?"

"Of course, I won't tell him that we'll be accompanied by others, right!" Katherine replied. "I'll take care of it. Just trust my impressive strategy." she added, full of confidence in herself.

The girl gained the courage to go to Gabriel's room. She knocked twice before he opened the door while the guy only wrapped his body by a towel.

"Ah!" she got startled by what she saw, so he quickly composed herself.

"Just a moment, let me change," Gabriel replied with embarassment.

He quickly went back inside to change his clothes.

"I thought it was Patricio. I was surprised to see that it was you knocking on the door." The guy's discomfort with that system was evident.

"Why did you come here?" Gabriel asked.

"I wanted to ask for your permission. I'm planning to go for an outing tomorrow because it getting bored myself here, and I have almost get sick in the next few days."

Katherine put up a convincing act. She even added a little playfulness at the end to persuade Gabriel.

It took a few seconds before the guy answered, "Why is the plan so sudden?"

"I just thought of it earlier," Katherine reasoned while looking straight at him.

"Okay, fine. I agree to go for an outing tomorrow," Gabriel replied with a certainty.

There's nothing probably in granting Katherine's request, even if it's just once. He felt some pity for the girl.

"Thank you for agreeing," Katherine's smile widened at Gabriel's consent.

He simply smiled back at the girl and went back to his room.

Agreeing to Katherine's plan for outing was the good favor to do. He also felt bored then because he was almost confined to the mansion and couldn't go out anywhere. He did nothing but monitor Katherine's every move in her room and keep an eye on her wherever she went because that was his job.

The conversation he had with Mr. Rodelio suddenly entered his mind.

Flashback:

"I trust you greatly, Mr. Bustoz, that's why I chose you to watch over my granddaughter. I know your abilities and your background. You are an excellent agent," the old man praised him, and Gabriel couldn't help but feel a deep of loyalty and trust towards him.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Rodelio," he replied happily.

"No one can handle my stubborn granddaughter like you can. That's why I hope you won't disappoint me as her guardian. You surely know the consequences if you fail, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Rodelio. I understand," Gabriel answered with utmost sincerity.

That's why he was being so cautious with Katherine because his loyalty, trust, and Mr. Rodelio's expectations which were more important to him than anything else. Of course, his job as well.

"I will do everything I can. I will love this job that I can support my sibling's education in college and high school," he added.

Since his father's death, he had been the one providing for his family. His older sister got married early after graduating from college.

"I will count on you for that, Mr. Bustoz."

End of flashback

He was only doing this now to accommodate Katherine, and after that, there would be nothing more. He didn't need to give in to pity and sympathy because it would only lead to failure in helping his family. The income he earned from this job was much greater than his previous which was more difficult and also put his life at risk.

Katherine have prepared now her belongings for tomorrow. Her excitement and happiness were evident because she would be able to go out again after being confined in the mansion for several months. Except for attending an award-winning event where her presence was required to receive the trophy and honor.

"I can't control my excitement for tomorrow. Hays!" she exclaimed eagerly while facing her large mirror.

At 5:45 in the morning, Katherine and Arianne were already outside the mansion with overflowing excitement while Gabriel was still in his room, preparing his things should bring.

It was already 6:10 in the morning when Denzel was still not there, causing Gabriel to wonder why Katherine and Arianne were yet waiting outside the car.

After a while, Denzel finally arrived that made Gabriel furrow his brows.

"Kuya Denz!" Arianne greeted him in an energetic voice. "Good morning." His response as greeted also Katherine with a wide smile on her face.



© ScarletHeart995