Episode 10

"Hey, you're up already, that was quick. What time did you get up exactly?" Camilo asked as he walked down the hallway.

"At five in the morning," the redhead replied.

"Why so early? You off on a round of the place or what? Nobody gets up that early," he remarked.

They reached a large dining room where everyone was eating. The seats were comfortable, the tables elegant, the meals scrumptious, and there was never a shortage of anything. Expert chefs peppered the area, always preparing the finest fare.

Camilo, without hesitation, sampled a bit of everything to start eating and even pocketed a small amount because as usual, they would be out with Bley all day and not return until night. He wasn't keen on this, so he preferred to make sure he had some food to prevent from fainting halfway through any possible procedure that might arise.

"Why aren't you eating, Maverick? Your frame is large; eat some veggies," he said, forking some onto his plate. "Surely spinach will boost you like Popeye. You have those big arms and large hands that could easily crush someone's skull - just make sure it's not mine."

He loaded his plate with many vegetables that his wife always said are good for strength and full of vitamins for the body, and he did not doubt her, as she was always utterly correct.

"I'll add some of this sauce that looks and smells quite lovely. Here's a fork, but don't expect me to feed you."

He focused on eating heartily until he could no more, feeling filled enough to last the entire day walking. He cast a brief glance at the redhead to ensure he was eating what had been served, feeling more than proud to be helping him and imagined they could become great friends.

Maverick simply sat in silence hearing everyone talk and chat about topics he found trivial and entirely uninteresting and unexciting.

While chewing slowly, his eyes fixated on someone who entered and was greeted by many with hugs and backslaps. It was the same person he had seen with Bley the previous Friday. He didn't remove his gaze for even a second while he studied their expressions and how they interacted with others. The newcomer looked hurt and not wholly recovered but ready to do whatever was necessary.

It had not taken much effort for him to discern what was going on. A mere few seconds of observation led him to assume that this Alpha held an interest in the Omega.

He couldn't tell if that notion disgusted him or left him feeling indifferent, but what he least wanted was for someone to get in his way. When he finished eating, he simply stood up to leave, sidestepping some men and not looking at anyone. He continued until he reached the perfect place and moment when Bley would come down.

He wasn't going to brush his hair immediately, but was finishing toweling it dry. It was long, and thus he couldn't do it as quickly or effectively as he might have liked. He combed it carefully, smiling at the recollection that his hair was much like his mother's—a vivid memory he carried, as the image of her with her long, loose blonde hair was always on his mind. He looked at himself in the mirror and was pleased with what he saw. He wore a coat that came down to his knees and was quite warm, plus a scarf under the assumption that it was frigid outside.

He spritzed on some cologne and grabbed his phone and backpack, heading downstairs before it got too late.

He replied to some messages from his trainer confirming he was on his way and continued down the stairs. He thought he might have to wait for his bodyguards because he was descending a few minutes early, until he saw the redhead standing by the door.

There was no one else, and he assumed the others were on their way. He hesitated for a second, unsure whether to approach. The redhead did not notice him and seemed to be looking around, perhaps searching for something, and directly eyeing the security cameras positioned throughout the area. His motives were unclear until their eyes met.

They stared at each other for a few seconds, and Bley took a step towards him when he heard other footsteps and looked to see his bodyguards arrive with Soel, and a smile broke across his face.

"Hi!"

The Alpha approached swiftly, taking his backpack to assist.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked, reaching out to touch his face as his injuries didn't seem as severe as last Friday when he saw him again.

"Don't worry, I'm feeling fine."

"That's good to hear..."

"Are you ready to go?" someone asked at his side, and Bley glanced briefly at Maverick standing there. "We can leave whenever you say. It's best not to be late; I read there's going to be traffic because of the snowstorm that's coming."

He wasn't quite sure how he felt, almost caught between the two sizable men—with the other two just watching. They were about the same height, though the redhead was definitely more muscular.

"Yes, you're right. Let's go, Soel," he said kindly with a brief smile before pausing when he heard:

"This one's coming too? Your father hasn't informed me we'd be taking care of an extra."

His gaze sized up the dark-haired man from head to toe as if he were the most insignificant thing he had ever seen.

"I'm one of his bodyguards. No one needs to look after me."

"And who are you going to be able to protect like that? If something happens, you'll just slow the rest down with your incompetence."

Soel fixed him with a look for a few seconds; it was clear he disliked him and tried to intimidate him.

Having served as a bodyguard for a long time and proficient at reading people from a distance, it wasn't hard for him to recognize that to the redhead, he was nothing but an obstacle, injured or not. He attempted to find something more in those eyes, but instead, he saw an almost endless darkness.

"What's your problem?" Soel asked.

"You. I don't like having hindrances on my job."

Bley looked at both, unsure of what was unfolding, disliking the uncomfortably charged atmosphere burgeoning between two people who had just met.

"Are you the one in charge of the group?"

"Yes," came the confident reply. "And I don't want you near. If something happens, it'll be your fault. Get out of here."

"Excuse me?" the Omega uttered, giving the redhead a disapproving look because his tone didn't sit well with him at all.

He assumed his father was paying well, that his father had convinced him to work there, that he had been assigned to protect him, but he also assumed such an attitude wasn't part of any contract.

The Alfas looked down at him.

"I decide who accompanies me. Soel has been my bodyguard for a long time and..."

"Isn't he the same one who let you get hurt and nearly kidnapped? It seems pointless to say how long he's been with you when he failed so utterly just a few weeks ago. Dead weight will only slow you on your travels."

Bley felt an urge to strike out. His face heated with anger because this intruder was overstepping his bounds. He had never cursed before, and for the first time, he wanted to unleash the harshest word to make clear who was in charge, regardless of how dangerous or alpha-like the other may seem.

He glanced down for a brief moment, then raised his eyes to meet the redhead's squarely and declared:

"Let's go, Soel. I don't want to be late for my appointments."

They began walking, and Maverick stayed put, gazing ahead, clenching his teeth and fists so tightly his knuckles nearly burst. He wanted to smash the house and set it aflame out of fury that Bley had shown no fright of him whatsoever. It took all his self-control not to obliterate everything around him.

He turned on his heel and began walking, overhearing Bley as he advised that one of them would need to switch cars. The usual co-pilot did so, and Camilo took his place.

Soel moved to take the driver's door when Maverick reached it too, stating:

"I drive."

They locked eyes once more, and Bley let out a frustrated sigh because if they were going to argue over every single thing, they would never get anywhere.

"Soel, it's better if he drives."

"Sure thing, Bley," Soel said with a smirk directed at the other, solely to provoke him, then walked around the car.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***