The Bodyguard

Prologue

20 years ago

"Take the deal or leave, Miss Terces" the man looked at me with sad eyes.

He knew who I was dealing with and he knew that it's nearly impossible to escape from him. But I did it and now I can't make any mistakes or he will find me and kill me.

I fiddled at my bracelet. It had his name incised in it. Multiple times I tried to throw it away but I just couldn't.

"Start typing. It's going to be Kayla Aldridge" I swallowed audible and looked at the screen.

The woman on the passport photo looked like me but then again she did not. Her hair was shaved off, she had a labret, brown eyes and a hooked nose. And soon I will look like her.

I winced as I remembered the surgery I was about to have. They mentioned that I would feel terrible pain during and afterwards.

"Can I ask you something, Miss?" The blond guy stopped typing where my date of birth belonged.

Was he about to ask me how old I am? I thought they gave him all the information about me.

I nodded and stared blankly at the display.

"Do you really think he won't recognize you? I mean he- he knows you better than anyone else" he continued typing and tried to act calm but I could clearly see that he was nervous.

Every few seconds he wiped his hands on his jeans and he had sweat stains under his arms. But maybe that was just because of the muggy temperature in here.

I pressed my nails in my palm and tried to hold my tears back. A bad habit of mine I've had since my childhood.

"I know. But I have to keep us save" my hand rested on my stomach and waited for a kick even though I knew it was way too early for that.

He glimpsed at my hand and gave me a nice smile.

"Congrats" he mumbled before focusing on his work again.

The door behind me opened revealing Tobias with a big smile upon his face.

With three steps he stood behind me and gave me a kiss on the head.

"How's it going, Bill?" he asked cheerily.

Bill just nodded not averting the view of his computer.

As I looked up something dropped on my cheek. Tobias' black hair was wet and he had a little scar on his chin.

"What happened?" I asked worried as I went after his scar.

"Nothing. What do you think about San José? My grand aunt has a house there" he replied with a big smile upon his face.

That's what I love about Tobias. His good mood is contagious and his smile makes everyone around him smile as well.

"Sounds good" I agreed happily.

Bill turned around in his revolving chair and put his feet up on a paper box. While crossing his hands behind his head he smiled satisfied at me.

"There is your new identity Kayla Aldridge. Lawrence should be done with the passport in an hour and your past is deleted. Just as you wished."

Tobias grabbed my hand and pulled me up. Then he kneeled down in front of me.

I have never seen him so nervous. His hands were shaking when he got out a small blue box.

With a pale face and a contrived grin he opened the box. Inside was a silver ring with the initials KAT.

I smiled as I saw them. The initials of my real name.

"Aldridge, huh? I don't have a diamond because we had to give away all the money but I hope you'll marry me anyway and maybe even take my name" he said with a shaky voice.

"And why would I do that?" I teased him.

He smiled as he heard the tone in my voice and his expression lightened.

"Because I'm incredibly charming and handsome?" He played along.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Bill staring at us totally confused.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and enjoyed the view I had.

Tobias knew I would say 'yes' but I could let him fidget a little.

His brown eyes were sparkling at me and his grin revealed his prefect white teeth. His blue shirt had a darker circle around his collar because of the water that had dropped off of his hair.

"I don't know. Kayla Momsen? Sounds weird" I commented.

He smirked and replied contrived annoyed "Come on, love. Just finally say 'yes' so I can get up. My knees hurt."

I kneed down and hugged him tightly.

I couldn't believe I was actually tearing up.

"Yes."