"But daddy, I don't want another bodyguard, I can take care of myself, you know."
I have been here for less than 5 minutes, and that voice is making me never EVER want to come back.
Did I read the job description?
Sure…
I can't lie, I didn't, not at all, only the 45 dollars an hour that was staring right back at me.
The only thing they needed was my social security number and my driver's license, which I gratefully handed over, and I got a call back almost immediately.
I'm 38 and didn't finish college because I'm lowkey slow, so 45 dollars an hour is fantastic.
But there's a catch.
There's always a catch.
"Honey, please, just give him a chance."
"No!"
Way too big to be throwing these FULL BLOWN TEMPER TANTRUMS I SWEAR.
I also know it's a bodyguard job, but not like a protector kind of bodyguard, just like a chauffeur, and with him 24/7, which objectively sounds worse with how loud he is screaming right now.
But I don't need to go back to…to the protector role.
Never again.
"Sorry about him, Mr. Rowe. I assure you that the Han family is not like this." The last name that was on almost every building in the city.
Whenever you go, I guarantee you will see that name; they are rolling in it.
There are 3 kids, Evan, Grace, and Candy.
Evan might be 29 and Grace 3 years younger, and of course, Candy is 24.
I've heard on the news that Evan lives a simple, normal life now, and Grace helps with the behind-the-scenes stuff.
And of course, this brat screaming in my face is none of those things.
"It's okay."
Mr. Han gave me a warm smile.
"Daddy! I told you I don't want another bodyguard, I don't need one!" The voice was getting louder.
"Candy baby, please just try for a day."
I've been through it all at this point, and I don't even think the infamous Candy can break me right now.
"No!" he pouted and crossed his arms.
"If you want to leave, you can," Mr. Han said.
"I'm good."
"You're good?"
"Yeah."
"So you want the job?"
"If you are willing to give it to me, of course."
"Even after my son…" Mr. Han's voice faded, and a small smile replaced it. "You are hired then."
"Daddy, no! I just told you NO!" Candy yelled.
He is way too old to be acting like that; that is poor parenting.
Mr. Han waved him off.
"I can show you around the house." I JUST GOT ME A JOB.
We wandered around this giant estate that didn't look this big when I was outside it.
"Are you married?"
Weird ass question.
"No."
"Hmm." Mr. Han said, showing me the different rooms and the different wings.
Did I remember any of that?
No, not at all.
"And this is the wing that candy stays in," he stopped.
"I just want to warn you about my son. While he is very loud, his heart is still pure, so please…treat him kindly. I know it can be hard, but please."
I nodded.
"And…candy's…candy is." I watched as he swallowed. "He is gay."
Barely above a whisper.
Me too, he isn't special.
I nodded. "Sounds good."
Mr. Han gave me the most genuine smile he's given me all day.
"Well, you can of course sleep here in one of the bedrooms I showed you, or you can just come early in the morning from your house, up to you. You will be paid at the end of every week, and you are welcome to bring family to the estate whenever you'd like. We have chefs who make us 3 meals a day, and you are welcome to our pool, library, whatever you want or need is here. Thank you again," Mr. Han said as I shook his hand.
"Thank you, sir."
Part of me is telling me to bolt right now, but the other part is saying that I need the money.
I knocked on the door with Candy's name engraved on it.
"Dad? Is that bodyguard gone?" the annoying voice called out.
"No, uh, it's me. My name is Marcus, by the way," I said through the door.
The door swung open and there…there.
The same brat who was in vibrant colors stood.
The same brat who had those weird, vibrant things in his hair stood.
The same brat who was shirtless now in boxers and not a single color in sight.
"What?" his voice was deep, and he had an indifferent look on his face.
"I'm your new bodyguard."
"Cool."
"Why'd you take the job?" he asked, still with that voice.
"I like money."
"Great," he said, stepping out of the way, letting me into his room.
I walked in, heard the door shut, and I felt my back slam against the wall.
I looked up, and this freak had my hands above my head with one of his hands, and he was looking down at me.
There is always a catch.
"Dad tell you I was gay?"
I nodded.
"Answer out loud." What the hell.
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you leave?"
"Because your sexuality doesn't concern me?"
"I'm going to ask you again." His hands tightened on my wrist. "Why didn't you leave?"
"Because I am also gay and your sexuality doesn't concern me."
"Did you tell my dad that?"
"Tell your dad what?"
"You are pissing me off," Candy said, rolling his eyes. "Did you tell my dad you are gay?"
"No, he didn't ask."
"Okay," he said, and I watched as his eyes slowly raked down my body and then back up to my eyes.
"You gonna let me go or nah?"
"I'll think about it."
"Right," I said.
He thankfully let me go and then went to sit in his desk chair.
"You're ugly."
"Thank you."
He squinted one of his eyes.
What a weird kid.
"Not the answer you were expecting? Oh my god, I am so sorry."
He smirked. "You're funny."
"Thanks."
"Almost makes up for the fact you are fat and ugly."
"Ouch," I said, laughing.
"I know Dad hired you on purpose."
"Because I have patience, and I just happen to be fat and ugly."
"No, so I wouldn't fuck you."