Billionaire's Bodyguard

Ch 10. Unit 2002

Rey lifted two tightly sealed wooden boxes from the floor of Nadia's garage. The boxes were quite heavy, and from the gaps in the wood a strong perfume scent could be smelled.

A mixture of flowers and wood that felt expensive. He carefully placed them one by one into the trunk of Nadia's black SUV that was already open.

"Thank you, Rey," said Nadia, standing beside him while holding the trunk lid.

"I was so worried they might break. The contents are new perfume samples for the shop. Usually I ask the employees for help, but today they're all busy with event preparations."

"No problem," Rey answered briefly while making sure the boxes weren't shaking.

Nadia watched Rey for a moment, then asked, "Can you drive?"

Rey hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Of course I can."

They got into the car. Rey sat in the driver's seat, adjusting the seat position and looking around the dashboard.

This car was bigger and more luxurious than any he had driven before. He started the engine and slowly brought the car out of the garage.

Rey drove very slowly and carefully. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes focused ahead. Occasionally, when a motorcycle suddenly overtook, he pressed the brake too deeply so that Nadia's body was thrown forward.

Then when he pressed the gas again, the car moved a bit jerkily, making Nadia's head bump slightly backward.

"Sorry," Rey muttered.

Nadia smiled a little. "When was the last time you drove?"

"It's been a while," Rey answered, his eyes not leaving the road. "Maybe two years ago. That time I drove my supervisor to headquarters."

"So what's your job now?"

Rey fell silent for a few seconds, his mind spinning searching for a reasonable answer. "Driver," he finally said. "Travel driver."

"Oh ...," Nadia replied in a flat tone.

However, from the way Rey drove, stiff and unconfident, Nadia knew he was lying. A professional driver wouldn't drive like someone who had just learned.

They arrived at a small perfume shop on the side of the main street. Nadia got out and signaled to two male employees who immediately came to unload the boxes.

Rey watched from inside the car. Nadia spoke politely yet firmly, her body gestures graceful and full of authority. She gave instructions clearly, and the employees nodded obediently.

After finishing, Nadia returned to the car. "Want to switch and drive?" she asked while smiling.

Rey immediately nodded in relief. "Yes, of course."

They switched positions, Nadia drove smoothly, taking the car to a bakery then to a fruit market before finally heading to the hospital.

In the treatment room, Mother Margareth was still lying down with her eyes closed, an oxygen tube in her nose and an IV in her hand. Her face was pale and looked older than her actual age.

Rey just stood near the door, his face flat as he looked at his mother's condition. Nadia approached the bed, looking at Mother Margareth with a sad expression.

"I'm so sorry, Rey," she whispered. "I hope your mother recovers soon." She then looked at the two baskets of fruit and bread they had brought. "What about this? The fruit and bread? You didn't tell me your mother was unconscious."

"Sorry, just give it to the nurse," Rey said without looking at Nadia because he felt awkward. "They need it more than my mother does right now."

Nadia complied, a nurse who came into the room received the gift happily.

Rey approached. "How is my mother's condition?" he asked.

"The specialist doctor hasn't given the latest information yet," the nurse answered kindly. "We're still asked to monitor her breathing and IV fluids."

Rey looked at his mother longer, hoping his efforts could pave the way for his mother's recovery.

They left the hospital as the sky started turning orange. Nadia invited Rey to a small cafe across the street as a way of saying thanks.

They sat at a table near the window, each ordering a cup of coffee. The atmosphere between them felt awkward, filled with uncomfortable silence.

From up close, under the warm cafe lighting, Nadia only then noticed the greenish bruise mark on Rey's right temple and the bruise on his cheekbone.

"Did you just have an accident?" she asked, her finger pointing gently toward Rey's face.

Rey touched his own temple. "No, just got hit during training."

Nadia nodded, not pressing further. "Are you already married?"

That question made Rey frown slightly. "Yes," he answered briefly.

"How long will you be here? At your wife's house?"

"Maybe not long," said Rey, staring at his coffee. "I'm just stopping by for a vacation. My wife didn't want to come along."

Their conversation paused. A few moments later, Rey's phone vibrated in his pocket.

He looked at the screen, a message from an unknown number, containing a series of numbers and codes similar to the message for his first task. "New task," he thought with mixed feelings.

Rey immediately stood up. "Sorry, but we have to go back now."

Nadia was surprised. "Why? What's wrong?"

"There's a task call," Rey answered while carrying his still half-full coffee cup.

Throughout the trip home, Nadia glanced several times at Rey who sat silently beside her. His face looked more tense than before.

"Once again, thank you for helping me today," said Nadia as her car stopped in front of Rey's house.

"No problem," Rey replied while opening the door and getting out.

Nadia watched Rey walking toward his house's door. His broad back was clearly visible under his shirt, his steps firm even though he looked tired.

She stared longer, as if still finding it hard to believe that the young man she once knew as a quiet little boy had turned into such a strong and mysterious figure.

That night, around nine o'clock, Rey was already standing in the lobby of a quiet apartment building. There was no receptionist or security officer in sight, only white neon lighting that made the atmosphere feel cold.

On the wall to the right, there was a row of silver package lockers.

Rey approached one of the lockers, then entered a six-digit PIN code on the small panel beside it.

There was a click sound, and the locker door opened. Inside there was a black plastic package about the size of a palm, wrapped with brown tape.

Rey took it, he squeezed the package gently through the plastic. The contents felt like flour or a very fine powder.

He immediately put the package into the inner pocket of his jacket, then turned around and left with quick steps.

This time, Rey was more cautious, instead of heading straight to the delivery destination, he got out of the online taxi one block before the destination apartment.

He walked on foot along the fairly quiet street, his eyes sweeping every corner, every person sitting at a food stall, every vehicle passing slowly.

He found a simple coffee stall that was still open. He went in, ordered a cup of black coffee, and sat at an outside chair that gave a clear view of the street and the apartment building across from it.

The area was fairly quiet at night. Several small food stalls and convenience shops were still open, but not many people were passing by.

Rey watched every person going in and out of the apartment, every car parked, every figure standing alone.

For twenty minutes, nothing was suspicious. No one appeared to be watching, no strange pattern.

Rey looked at his cup, his coffee was still half full. He decided it was enough. He left his coffee on the table, then walked out of the stall.

His destination was the apartment across the street, unit 2002. That meant floor 20, unit number 2. He moved the knuckle ring from his bag to his jacket pocket, making sure he could reach it quickly.

Rey crossed the street with steady steps. His mind was focused on one thing, completing this task without incident, and going home with more money in his account.

***