Page 56 of The Bodyguard

Twelve

Lena

Dad and Ollie are hardly around anymore. And when theyarehere they’re hidden away in Dad’s study, barely talking to anyone else, least of all me. There are times when I’ve felt invisible, like everyone around me is part of something I’m excluded from, and yet, this – all of this, it concernsme. My safety. This has everything to do with me, and I’m tired of being ignored. I’m tired of being fed shit; lies they think will placate me, but they won’t. They aren’t. As each day passes I’m feeling more and more on edge, and it’s something that’s mirrored in the behaviour of everyone else, including Bodie. He asked me to trust him, and I want to, I really do, but I’m finding it hard to trust anyone right now.

“What are you doing, Lena?”

I look up to see Mum standing in the doorway, her arms folded as she leans against the doorpost.

“Packing.”

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“Home.”

She laughs, and I stare at her through narrowed eyes. “I’m done with this now. You can’t keep me prisoner…”

“Oh, don’t be so bloody dramatic! Nobody’s keeping you prisoner.”

I place the dress I’d just neatly folded into the case, and begin doing the same to a pair of my favourite boyfriend jeans.

“Then there isn’t a problem, is there?”

She lets out the biggest sigh, I mean, if we’re talking about being over dramatic then I think she’s just won that title.

“Don’t make this difficult, Lena. Don’t act like a child, demanding…”

“What, Mum?” I turn to face her again. “Demanding my freedom?”

“You’re being extremely childish.” She steps further into the room. “Your father and I have asked you to do this one thing, for a few weeks, to keep you safe…”

“From what? Keep me safe from what? Because all I’ve had so far is snippets of information, everything else is doors closed in my face and whispered conversations. If I’m in danger then tell me what that danger is.”

“I can’t do that.” She keeps her arms folded, drops her head, and I watch as her shoulders tense up.

“Why?”

“Because you don’t need to know.”

I look past my mum, over her shoulder as my dad walks into the room. And I don’t miss the quick glance that passes between them as he joins her, his hand giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Keeping me in the dark is for the best, right? Is that it?”

My dad’s eyes are dark and icy cold when he looks at me, but I stand my ground. I’ve had enough. All of this, it’s turned my life on its head, it’s too much. I can’t stay here anymore, I just want everything to go back to how it was. I want my own surroundings, my own bed, my own rules. I want my life back. A life without all of this, without bodyguards and playing stupid games. A life without Bodie Bekker.

Really?

Yes. Really.

You sure about that…?

“That’s it.”

I stare at my father. That’s all I’m getting? Seriously?

“You can ask as many questions as you like, Lena, but the answers will always be the same. This will be over very soon, and then we can all move on.”

“From what?”

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