The man had pointed his gun up and pulled the trigger, sending both warning signals and alerting god-knew-who, then he brought it back to Nathan. "You have two minutes before all the security inside is on you. Leave n--"

Nathan elbowed his hand, without letting him finish. He was fed up with the annoying guards.

At the same time he deflected a blow from him and channeled a punch in his face, sending him staggering backwards.

The other tall black man dashed towards him, gritting his teeth and cursing.

Maybe he'd would handle him the same way he handled Arthur, but a jab to his ribcage made him think twice.

The man came for him again, blow upon blow that Nathan deflected with swift darts of his hands, counter punches and blocks.

Then Nathan made a double-hop on a large sill closest to him and spun, kicking the man head first into the large stone pillar and then the floor.

Then there were loud noises from inside, hurried footsteps, a lot of them.

Nathan sighed. He didn't sign up for this kind of trouble.

Why did he have to risk being beaten for everything he wanted, his basic needs, soon his sheer breathing might be at stake as well. Even the job meant he'd risk been beaten.

His whole life was violent enough as it could get.

The front tinted glass door opened and tens of guards dressed in similar black outfits ran out to the entryway.

They were about to engage him when a man of average height, about the master's age, stepped out.

Nathan knew instantly he was Mr. Echswack as he was dressed in a luxurious, classic black robe, as if he'd just come out from the bathroom.

He had grey hair and his warm-beige skin was beginning to age. But he looked strong and robust with life still, and he looked at Nathan, confusion written on his face.

Then it softened to an elated smile as recognition washed through him. "Nathan! My God. I almost couldn't recognize you."

He turned to the man with low-cut, clearly upset. "What's all this? Why didn't you let him in?"

"I'm sorry Sir" He replied. "We didn't know you invited him"

The man shook his head. "Pls accept my apologies Nathan. I forgot to inform them I was expecting you. I'm so sorry "

Nathan nodded. "Mr. Echswack?"

"Why of course. It's me. But pls Mr. Swack will be just fine. I know the name is quite arduous" He laughed "We have a lot of things to discuss don't we? Pls come in, come in"

Nathan gave a small, weary smile, as the guards began retreating apologetically. So this was the man that had saved him and subjected him to a tough life of combat.

As he went in through the front door, he didn't know if he should have been grateful to him, or hate him.

Maybe he'd opt for the grateful choice, since he was getting a job, and in a luxurious house such as this, whatever fraction he'll be guarding.

Truly, the place was a sight in and of itself. The parlor was big with ash marble walls all around, a long fire place close to a classic bar.

Four black cushions sat at angles around a long thick sky-blue table and a furry black carpet underneath it.

"Pls sit" Mr. Swack gestured to one of the black sofas.

He plopped down on it, still taking the house in. "You have a nice place"

Mr. Swack sat as well. "Thanks. You'll be surprised if I told you a lot of work went into the building, from the crap it was back in the oldies. "

Nathan nodded.

Mr. Swack reviewed him. " I'm sure you have a lot of questions"

"No, not really "

"None? Not even on how I found you, or how I turned out to be--" He waved at the surrounding. "Well-off, and successful?"

Nathan smiled. If they were tens of guards here and Mr. Swack specifically requested him, then something was up.

Either he didn't trust them enough, and needed a trustworthy hand, or he merely desired tighter security. "I have those questions yes, but I believe that's not why you called me."

Mr Swack sighed, his countenance dropping. "I'm afraid you're right. Being a wealthy and successful business man has put me in a dangerous spot, so much that I'm endangered."

His gaze was far off.

"So... I'm to be your personal guard then?" Nathan asked.

That was easy to figure out.

"No, no. Not me" Mr. Swack looked back at him. "Pls where are my manners. What do you prefer, Beer, bourbon? Tequila? We have various assortments"

Nathan shook his head. "No thanks. I don't drink "

"Of course. Martial code" Mr.Swack chuckled. "How could--"

"Dad!" A lady with light blonde hair stopping at her shoulders, fair skin with tiny red freckles on her chin, had stopped halfway at the staircase dressed in a brown hooded tracksuit.

Suspicion and wariness was on her face. "What was all the fuss about?"

"Oh, it was nothing. Come on sweetie , there's someone I'd like you to meet " Mr. Swack said.

She hesitated briefly, frowning before coming down.

She had brown eyes, arched brown brows and small colorful lips that added to the beauty in her curvy body.

"Nathan I want you to meet Rose, my daughter . Rose meet Nathan..your personal bodyguard from now on " He said with a hand gesture.

"Oh" Nathan exclaimed.

So she was the one. This was all becoming intriguing. He definitely wasn't bored one bit as he thought he'd be.

He stood and walked to her, becoming somewhat more aware of himself. "Hi, nice to meet you" He offered her a handshake.

She looked at him, deepening her frown and walked off towards her dad, leaving his hand hanging.

So that was how this was going to be. Nathan thought, as he shook himself in his mind and put his hand away.

"Dad, what's this supposed to mean. I made it clear I didn't need a bodyguard."

"You do. You're not safe as you think you are. Neither I'm I"

"You're being paranoid Dad. This is absolutely not necessary"

"He's going to be your guard"

"Dad!"

"Rose!! We've talked about this."

She flung her hands. "Fine so what now, he's going to follow me all over college like a dog tethered to it's owner? I'm I a joke to you ? My friends will laugh at me!!"

She scoffed and stomped out of the room, forcefully pulling the glass door on her way out.

"Wow" Nathan said.

Mr. Swack smiled. "She's fiesty, that one...and a free bird. Mainly why I'm more concerned about her."

"She's right though. I would be infringing, to follow her about all the time in school, including her private moments " Nathan said.

Mr. Swack hesitated for a moment, then his eyes lit up. " Nathan, how do you feel about enrolling in college?"