Page 4 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
Nothingfeels alright.
COLE
“You sure?” Alex confirms while already raising his own glass to his lips. He knows the answer. Alex, usually sensing that I am exhausted from the week, offers me a nip from his whisky tumbler each Saturday afternoon at his place, but as always I politely decline. I must abstain and remain vigilant.
I didn't rise to the top of my field on accident. It was because I gave my all to everything I did and said no to things I knew wouldn’t serve me. It wasn’t complicated. Say no to dumb shit that wasn’t good for you and work hard. That being said, it can befucking hardsaying no to a double shot of Macallan Eighteen-Year-Old Sherry Oak on the rocks. I watch Alex drink with a twinge of envy. Willpower isn’t the only reason I am at the top of my field. though.I’m also pretty damn good at what I do.
“Are you ever going to say yes?” Alex smirks, lazily swirling his ice. “I’d say after nine months now we’re friends.” He pushes his thick-rimmed glasses up his nose where they’d fallen down. Alex is that strange CEO-tech mixture between nerdy and endearing. Heck, it goes well for him. He has lots of luck with the ladies, I think. I’ve nearly tackled a few sneaking out of his room thinking they were intruders if I didn’t hear them enter at 3 am.
I shake my head. “I’d share a drink with you out of hours,butyou know I can’t compromise myself right now,” I say honestly. I do enjoy his company.
He scoffs. “Of course, I can't expect you to rule break now, can I?” He winks.
“Not my style, boss.”
He nods and takes another sip. I watch enviously as the glass reaches his lips.
A ringing of his phone distracts Alex for a moment, and he’s engaged in a brief conversation. He jotted something down in his personal notebook, which was spread open over his desk.
My trained eye quickly scans over the words, and what I see makes my heart sink. It is an address in the UK and a flight time for next week– circled twice.
“So you’re accepting the offer?” I pry. Even though I know not to make personal attachments to clients, I can’t help but feel fond of Alex and more than a little gutted that he will no longer be my client. I had high regard for him in his position. I respected the man. We both grew up working class and had humble beginnings. While I had used that fire to test my physical limits, Alex was testing his mental ones and creating the most successful technology company in history.
He nods at me and finishes his drink.
“I have to, Cole. It’s a great move for the company. If I’m over there, I can make sure it all runs smoothly and take StellarTech to new levels.”
He wore a faded band t-shirt under a blazer and a pair of jeans, complete with a pair of Converse sneakers. Despite being the CEO of a huge tech company, he still dressed like a teenager. But somehow it only added to his charm and made me like him more.
“I wanted to talk to you about it again, Cole.”
I know what is coming and keep my expression blank.
“With the move happening so soon, I was hoping you might change your mind and come with me. You've been the best security I've ever had, man, and I trust you completely.”
My breath quickens at the offer, but I already know how I’ll respond. I had vowed to myself that I would never allow my emotions to get in the way of my duties, and this situation could be no different.
“I appreciate it, Alex. It means a lot to me. Unfortunately, I gotta honor my obligations here in the United States.”
Alex's face fell, but he quickly composed himself.
“I understand, Cole. But don't you need some time to think about it? I can delay the move a month or two maybe, if you need to get your…affairs in order.”
He throws his hands up in the air, frustrated that I hadn't confided in him about my personal life and given him a good reason for my continued presence here, despite him asking multiple times. But I don’t give a damn if it irritates him, because I don’t share personal details about my life with anyone. End of story.
I shake my head. My decision was already been made.
“Time won’t make a difference. I can't leave.”
He sighs dramatically.
“I suppose I'll have to find some new security then. One perk is that maybe a British guy will be more fun and have a drink with me.” He gives me a side smirk and a wink.
“But I doubt they'll be as good as you,” he adds sincerely.
I shake my head smiling a little.
“I'm sure you'll find someone more than capable,”I assure him.
