The Boss’s Orders

Lila stood in front of the dressing mirror, brushing her honey-brown hair when the housekeeper’s words echoed in her mind for the umpteenth time.

*Mr. Damien was the one who told me to make it for you.

Her lips pulled into a sheepish smile before she could stop it. But the moment felt wrong. Her purpose crashed back into her mind, wiping the smile from her face. She slapped her cheeks once, then twice, harder than necessary. “Focus, Lila,” she whispered, her voice tight. “You didn’t come here to be soft.”

After finishing her hair, she gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror and took a deep breath. She was ready to walk out the door when her phone suddenly started ringing from the bed.

She turned back toward the bed and grabbed the phone. When she saw who was calling, her eyes widened with realization. As she slid her finger across the screen to answer, she looked like someone bracing to be scolded.

“You bad friend! Trust me, after today, Lila, I’m really cutting off our friendship and nothing can stop me!”

Lila pulled the phone slightly away from her ear, waiting for the rant to ease before bringing it back. She opened her mouth to speak, but the voice on the other end started talking again.

“I understand how much you missed your uncle, but did that really stop you from saying goodbye to your best friend, you fool?”

“I hate you, Lila. I hate you so much!”

Lila smiled, full of confidence. “You love me more than you hate me, Tessa. I know you're just throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get your goodbye hug.”

As if she hated the fact that Lila was right, the person on the line barked, “Shut up, you idiot! I hate you for real this time.”

“I’m really sorry, Tessa. I couldn’t wait another minute to see Uncle Lucien, and I completely forgot to call and tell you I was leaving. I’m so sorry, love,” Lila said gently.

Then she heard Tessa sigh softly on the other end.

“God, why do I have to love you too much?” Tessa muttered, her voice low with fake frustration.

Lila giggled and threw herself onto the bed. “Because we’re stuck with each other for life, and you know it,” she replied with a grin, already picturing Tessa rolling her eyes.

“No, I’m not letting things go easily this time, Lila. If you want me to forgive you and remain your only friend till death do us part, then you’ll have to give Asher a second chance.”

Lila scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Stop it, Tessa. You know that’s impossible.”

“It is possible, babe,” Tessa shot back. “What? You broke up with him just because he wanted sex and you weren’t ready, saying you’d wait until you turned twenty. Well, guess what? You’re twenty now, so maybe it’s time to reconsider.”

“Tessa—”

“No, Lila. You and I both know Asher has loved you since our first year.”

Lila scratched her hair in frustration, her nostrils almost flaring. “What about the girls who flock around him, Tessa? You know he’s a jerk, babe. Why are you covering for him?”

“Point of correction, Lila, girls flock around him, and you know that. He doesn’t chase them.”

She paused before continuing, her voice softer. “Look, I get your point, I really do. But Asher truly loves you. Can you believe he came to my hostel this morning just to convince me to talk to you?”

Lila exhaled heavily. There was no way in Hades she could win against her best friend, so she had no choice but to obey her. Otherwise, this call would drag on forever.

“Okay, Tessa. I’ll do what you want,” she said, but hadn’t even finished before Tessa shrieked through the phone.

“Thanks, love! He’s going to call you now. Make sure you talk to him nicely and go out if he suggests it, okay? Let me call him right away!” Tessa squealed, not giving Lila a chance to respond before the line went dead.

Lila sighed and shook her head. Tessa hadn’t even given her a second to mention she was staying with Damien Wolfe for the break. And knowing Tessa, she’d absolutely throw a tantrum when she found out later.

Lila had barely dropped the phone when it started ringing again, and this time it was a Skype video call from Asher.

She scoffed and let out a dry laugh. “Has Tessa called him just now?”

Then she picked up the call, and Asher’s face appeared on her screen. His blonde hair fell over his forehead and eyebrows. His brown eyes were twinkling, and a huge grin played on his lips. He looked so cute.

“Lila,” he said, almost with a sigh of relief.

“Hey,” Lila greeted softly.

He wet his lips before speaking again. “Let’s meet up and talk, Lila. I have a lot to say to you, and I need to express myself. I can’t do that over the phone. Please,” Asher pleaded.

“You can choose any location of your choice. I really don’t mind,” he added, blinking his eyes in that annoyingly cute way.

Lila rolled her eyes. “Fine. Meet me at The Gilded Acorn Cafe. It’s around Hemlock Lane, Elderglen.”

“Hemlock Lane?” Asher looked surprised. “What are you doing there, Lila?”

“We’ll talk when we see, Asher. I’m hanging up.”

Then Lila stood up, checked herself in the mirror once again, and stepped out of her room, heading straight out of the house.

However, she was stunned to see two terrifying giant men standing at the entrance. They wore sleeveless black blazers and matching pants, with dark shades covering their eyes. One had tattoos running all over his arms, while the other had an ugly scar on his face.

Lila gulped and instinctively took a step back.

“Hi, ma’am. I’m Graves, and this is Thorne. From now on, we’re your personal guards,” Graves said, trying his best to keep a smile on his face.

“Personal guards?” Lila repeated, her heart thudding in her chest.

“Yes, ma’am,” Thorne put in, also forcing a polite expression. “Our boss assigned us to stay close and ensure your safety while you’re in the house… and outside it.”

Lila scoffed and shook her head. Of course she knew what kind of person Damien was, but it had never crossed her mind that he would assign her bodyguards.

“Tell your boss I appreciate his concern,” she said smoothly. “But I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need any guards.”

Then she turned on her heel and started walking away.

“Where are you going, ma’am?” they asked in unison, quickly falling into step behind her.

Lila stopped and glanced over her shoulder.

“I’m going out. Do I need your permission now?” she asked, her tone laced with disgust.

“I’ll come with you, ma’am,” Graves said quickly.

Lila huffed and rubbed her forehead in irritation. “Are you out of your mind? Why would you come with me?”

The two men exchanged a silent look before Graves spoke again.

“If you don’t want us to come along, you’ll have to call our boss and inform him in our presence. If he approves, then you’re free to go alone.”

“What?” Lila’s eyes widened, her mouth dropping open.

She would have thought they were joking, but the look on their faces said otherwise. They were not the type to joke, and she could tell they were only trying to be polite.