Maxine’s Bodyguard

by M. L. Ray

  And I couldn’t blame him if he thought I was going crazy.

  “My head is fine, Calvin. And I’m serious,” I mumbled, as the doctors and nurses checked on me. Why would I lose my mind when I only got shot in the body?

  Before taking their leave, the doctors advised my family about my situation and that I needed to completely rest because of the bullet that was so closely buried to my heart. And of course, for my leg to fully heal. But as usual, I’m only allowed to eat soft food for the next couple of days.

  Damn. I’d really love it if they let me eat something I wanted.

  “Just get me food,” I eyed Calvin, who was standing by the door, looking at me like I was some disgusting insect. He might have seen it coming but not as sudden as this.

  Without saying anything, he slammed the door shut and my parents laughed with me because of his immature reaction. “He’ll get over it,” my mom commented, rolling her eyes. “I just hope he will quit doing this job, too. You two are so stubborn. I’ll die early if you two don’t stop doing this dangerous stuff.”

  “At least your son has decided to quit.”

  “Yeah, right. Cause if he doesn’t someone will make him. So, are you going to ask her to marry you?” my mom asked, shifting the conversation in a three hundred sixty degree turn. She never liked having thrills. But what should I say? That I’m not sure if she loves me back yet? That I didn’t know how to tell her how I feel?

  I’d be making myself look so pathetic.

  “Let’s just see what happens,” I replied, closing my eyes to finish the conversation.

  Chapter 24

  Maxine

  I decided to go straight to the hospital when I heard from Calvin that Rico had woken up yesterday. I did not bother eating and just bought my favorite coffee in a grande cup. I felt so light and happy and excited for today. It was like I was born again with no worries about the future and the people around me whatsoever.

  I’ll be sure to drop by and visit my mom after going to the hospital. After mulling over things, I have finally decided to take her home with me. I’ll just hire a private nurse to take care of her and get her a frequent schedule with her doctor. I just have the feeling that she would be able to recover if she stays with me.

  I finished my coffee in the parking lot before heading to Rico’s private suite, hoping that his parents weren’t there and wondering what I should tell him. Damn. I was not even able to buy flowers or fruits. What kind of person am I?

  I walked into the lobby with a pounding heart, not knowing why I was suddenly feeling nervous. It was weird because I was never anxious about meeting people, be it a stranger or not. But something was telling me that today would be different.

  I just hope it’s the good kind of different.

  Stopping in front of the door of his room, I took a series of heavy breaths to calm my nerves. Why the heck was I feeling like this?

  Fuck it.

  When I took a peek in the rectangular glass in the door, I saw Rico sleeping soundly. He looked so peaceful, making me feel a bit relieved that I wouldn’t have to talk to him for a while. Slowly, I turned the knob and took quiet footsteps, not wanting to wake him.

  I settled on the empty couch and grabbed the paper that was lying folded on the center table. It was the paper from yesterday which I haven’t finished reading since Rico’s family arrived. Flipping over the pages, I got to the empty crossword puzzle and took out the pen I had in my purse, thinking it would be a nice way to kill time.

  While answering, I would take quick glances of Rico’s face to check on him. There were times that I would groan and mumble words to myself as I struggled to complete the puzzle, realizing that it was a wrong move to tell him he was stupid for not being able to answer everything. It was not a piece of cake for someone who never liked tricky stuff.

  I may be a trickster but I hated being tricked or solving problems.

  Three hours passed and I was finally able to finish one puzzle, feeling stupid more than ever, when I heard Rico murmuring in his sleep. The words were inaudible but I could tell it was not a bad dream since he didn’t look like it was.

  Do you think he’s dreaming about you? My mind teased as I took silent steps to settle on the stool beside his bed. Taking his hand in mine, I intertwined out fingers, feeling like it was the most normal thing to do. And having his skin against mine gave me a secured feeling.

  Lowering my head, I was about to plant a kiss on the back of his hand when he jerked away, surprising the wits out of me. Still appalled, I looked at his face excitedly only to find him gawking at me like I was someone he had never met.

  I blinked in confusion. What’s wrong with him?

  “What are you doing?” he asked in a very cold tone – the very same tone he used when we first met in the hospital when I got shot. I froze feeling like a bucket of ice had been poured over me. What was I supposed to say?

  Swallowing hard, I met his gaze but the fondness he used to give me before wasn’t there. He looked like he was staring at a weird stranger.

  Or maybe he was acting.

  I filled my lungs with air and recollected my composure. “I was just–”

  “Who are you?” he asked with a dismayed expression, looking at me from head to toe then back to my head. He was acting rude – so rude to the point that I would strangle his neck if he weren’t a patient.

  I swallowed hard, reminding myself that I was looking at the person who saved my precious life. Breathe. Relax. Be cool.

  “Hello, Rico,” I said coolly, inserting both of my hands into the pockets of my jeans. His face was pale and there were cracks on his lips. And as much as I missed him, I wanted to scream at him furiously.

  He was probably acting like he doesn’t know you because he got what he wanted. Or maybe, he realized that he doesn’t really like you. Or maybe he wants you to stop showing your face to him. You know…he probably got sick of you already.

  “Huh?” He shot me a questioning look. His forehead was crumpled and there was nothing but confusion on his face. We stayed looking at each other for a moment until the thought finally sunk in.

  I gasped. Am I looking at an amnesiac?

  “Oh, my god!” I exclaimed nervously. “You really don’t know me?” I questioned, pointing at myself as tears welled in my eyes. I wasn’t very sure how to react if he said ‘no’. But I knew I would be in despair.

  It hasn’t been so long since I realized he was the kind of man I wanted to be with. And now, he couldn’t even remember me. What the fuck? I cursed silently, as I continued to watch him looking at me like he was trying to ramble his brain to recognize me.

  Oh, please! Stop overreacting Maxine Alexandria! Nothing hit his head. He never injured his head. Look, he doesn’t have any stitches. And you were there! You saw him. There was no strong impact that could possibly make him forget about things. He’s just acting!

  I scoffed. I couldn’t believe he would go through such an extent just to shoo me away.

  Planting my hands on my hips, I eyed his figure then smirked when I remembered something.

  “So, did the bullets that hit your body made you forget someone you met a year ago?” I asked sarcastically, completely copying him – the exact same words he uttered referring to me.

  “Who are you?” he repeated, hissing.

  “Fine! Hi, I’m Maxine Alexandria Clark. And from now on, I am the person who will be looking after you. I will buy you food, change your clothes and feed you. Now, if you have a problem about that, I will gladly leave,” I said, completely forgetting the composure I had built. I didn’t know if my words made sense or if it was the proper thing to say. But who cares? No one else was there!

  “Like a wife?” he asked, his face brightening up, making me choke in my own saliva. What did he say? Was he toying with me?

  Fine if he wanted to play. Then I’ll play along with his drama.

  “You can call it that,” I found my
self agreeing, wanting to take back my words when I realized I just committed myself to him.

  Silence filled the room when Rico watched me intently. It was starting to make me feel awkward when his grip in my wrist tightened – not the painful way though.

  “Did you just say you’re my wife?” he questioned innocently.

  I froze. What in the world was happening? Was he just acting or had he really forgotten about me?

  “Let’s just call your doctor. I think something’s wrong with you,” I mumbled helpless, jerking away from his grip. But it was a futile attempt. He was so freaking strong despite the fact that he was the one lying on the hospital bed.

  “Just answer the damned question, woman. Are you my wife or not? Who are you?” he asked angrily, nerves started to protrude on his forehead.

  I gritted my teeth, starting to lose all the patience I had in me. “Stop acting, okay! You did not hit your head or anything. How could you forget about me, you prick! You told me you love me and that you would always be there for me! You told me I will never have to be alone again! Why the fuck are you doing this to me!” I heard myself shouting in anger as tears streamed down my cheeks. I never thought I could ever say those words.

  And I never thought I would feel this kind of frustration with him not knowing me.

  “I am not your wife! I’m not even your girlfriend! I barely know you but you are so fucking annoying for keeping me awake at night! You worry me too much and I hate the fact that you are lying there watching me as if I was some stranger. You should be thankful you’re injured because if you were not, I’d be sure to kick that thing in between your legs.”

  I saw his face turn sour with my last statement, making me feel angrier with his lack of reaction to everything I have said. I swear to God…

  “Oh, no. Please don’t do that. Mom would be so sad if she can’t have grandchildren,” he then mumbled, looking at me with a horrified expression as if I would really have the strength and agility to even land a blow on him.

  He’s mad!

  “Whatever!” I grumbled, finally freed from his grasp and marching towards the door. I couldn’t continue ranting in front of an insane person!

  “Will you marry me?” I heard him ask, even before I could get my hand on the knob. His voice sounded serious, making me stop in my tracks, pulling me as if there was an invisible string tied on my feet.

  So he has been playing with me, huh.

  Turning on my heels, I shot him a deadly glare. How dare he play with my feelings! I even wasted my precious body liquids in crying. Fuck him!

  “What?”

  “Will you marry me?” he repeated. The usual fondness on his eyes was back and if I was right, there was intense longing in them as well.

  “You’re insane!”

  “I am,” he agreed, a smile escaping his lips. “I’m crazy about you, Clark.”

  God, how am I supposed to get mad at him if he continues saying something like that?

  “I know this is very sudden and we don’t know each other very well. But after going through all of those kinds of things, I realized that you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I do not have any idea about wooing or courting,” he trailed of, shrugging as if he just said something to brag. “But I am willing to make you the happiest woman in the world every single day.”

  I crossed my arms on my chest and leaned on the wall. “How?” I challenged him.

  “In my own simple and sweet ways,” he muttered, shyly. And I was sure that if his hands weren’t filled with tubes, he would scratch the back of his head like a bashful high schooler.

  “And?”

  “I will love you with all my heart and promise to never look at any woman. You own me,” he added, making me feel giddy. Warmth engulfed me as I watched him looking at me with nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

  “I love you, Clark.”

  With that, he had me…

  “Piss off. I’m still furious about you making fun of me,” I heard myself say. “But…” I trailed off, taking quick and large footsteps towards his bed. “Yes, I’ll marry you,” I added before planting a light kiss on his cracked lips.

  “I love you too, Agent Rico Miller.”

  Thank You

  We hope you enjoyed ‘Maxine’s Bodyguard (A Bodyguard Romance Novel)’ and would love to know what you thought about this romance story. If you have a moment to spare, we would appreciate it if you could leave a review of this romance novella at Amazon. Your opinion goes a long way in helping others decide if a book is for them.

  A review doesn’t have to be long: Amazon requires only a few words to publish it.

  Also, if you can, please help other readers find this romance book by recommending it to friends, readers’ groups and discussion boards.

  Please check out my other romance publications.

  Thank you so much.

  M. L. Ray

  Author of ‘Maxine’s Bodyguard (A Bodyguard Romance Novel)’