AND SO BEGINS THE INVESTIGATION

Few days had passed and a lot changed, especially Troye’s responsibilities. Not only did he become Hailey’s bodyguard, but also her cook. Just like what happened at the moment.

Troye woke up at six-thirty in the morning. After he has done grooming himself, as though as the unit tenant, he paced out of his room and went toward the kitchen, seemingly getting used to it. Head’s up, he didn’t get lost again. The floor was deafly silent when he got out, indicating that his boss must have not woken up either she hasn’t come down yet.

Upon looking in the refrigerator, he decided to make a sandwich for both of them. He’s an experienced cook, accordingly, it’s shown how relaxed and calm he is while facing the hot pan and while using the knife.

As he started layering the sandwich, he noticed a presence behind his back gradually approaching the kitchen.

“Again?” Hailey’s irritated voice filled as she saw Troye doing that again.

Troye turned his head sideways. “You can’t always order foods whenever you want, ma’am. You should at least learn to eat homemade foods.” Troye placed the ready-to-eat sandwich on the table in front of her. He has been advised by his boss to just order foods, but didn’t. Remember, he is just a no guard to her but also teacher, as he’s going to tame this mad tiger.

“Have you already forgotten what I told you?” Hailey threw at him, giving him a moment to narrow his eyes and identify what she meant.

“Ah, the my words are the rules? I didn’t.” Troye replied as though as he didn’t make a mistake.

Hailey heaved a sigh as she made a dismissing gesture, even though it’s still early in the morning to have that. “Forget it. You already have that guts to defy my words…”

Troye frowned, it kind of seemed he’s not going to like what she’s about to say next. “Then, let’s settle it with a punishment, shall we?” Hailey grinned. He wanted to talk back to her, but he knew very well that it is of no use. Besides, he’s aware of something like this as he came to decision of taming her. He just has to bear with it.

“You’re going to clean this entire floor.” She remarked before taking a bite of the sandwich that Troye made. She may blabber a lot, but she still accepted the foods he cooked and eat them. Quite unfair to Troye’s part, but he knew that so well too.

“Remember, this floor only. You should not cross the line.” There was a bulge on her cheek as she reminded him with her index finger pointing at him.

Troye sighed, “Yes, ma’am.” Meaning, he should not go to the second floor.

He didn’t know his job could be so wide in variety.

“Huh? You dared to sigh in front of me?” disbelief etched on her face.

Troye gave her no attention and just ate the other sandwich. Surprised, Hailey stared at him with her slightly widened eyes. She just heard him sigh, and now, he refused to respond her? What in the world is this man thinking? Has he forgotten that she’s the boss among them?

Her bodyguard just stared back at her while eating the sandwich. The ocean blue eyes and her dilated hazel-brown locked into a staring contest. None of them tried to break, as if they wholeheartedly welcomed each other’s gazes, when the truth is, they are just measuring each other’s pride.

Troye was chewing while staring at her, never minding her position and privilege. Well, he’s already used to her blabbers.

“I’m warning you, Mr. Gomez.” Hailey remarked at last, and broke the stare. She turned around as ready to walk away. “You’re becoming too comfortable, scratch that.” She glanced sideways and paced out.

“By the way, ma’am,” Troye called her out, prompting her to stop. “I will be starting the investigation today.” He said, lowkey asking for her permission.

Hailey turned to face him. Exasperated expression plastered on her face. “You really are pushing that despite telling you that it will come to waste—” she crossed her arms across the night robe on her chest.

But Troye cut her words short.

“It won’t. I have a lead.” He remarked, hinting a surprise on the looks of his boss. Hailey came closer with her eyes narrowed into slits.

“Did you mean… the sender?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Hailey was in deep thought for a few seconds, but she eventually raised her head. “Do whatever you want. Just remember that what will happen to you along the way will be no one’s responsibility.”

“I understand.” He replied.

“And besides,” Hailey flashed a mischievous grin. “Since you are so eager to investigate, then, don’t fail me. Once you do, something will be waiting afoot.” She stated in her most menacing voice, although it didn’t even budge the man. She then left her stance and paced toward the stairs.

As he disposed the delivery that Hailey received on the other day, he took a photo of it first and got a closer look despite being gory. He also examined the package intently and even the dead rabbit.

In a short span of time.

As of the moment, he had gained some vital pieces left by the culprit. But those are not enough to narrow down, he needs more.

Drowned on his thoughts, Troye frowned as he realized something.

“How am I able to do this? I have to be with her at all times…” He whispered, digging in the depth of his mind to come up with a solution for this minor dilemma. In a snap of fingers, his eyes dilated in eureka when an idea struck in his mind.

He instantly picked up his phone and made a call for someone.

“Sergeant Troye!” exclaimed the other line, making him chuckle.

“I’m no longer a sergeant, Luke.” He replied. That’s right, he intended to call his former subordinate who was the closest one to him among all and the only one he can depend on in this scheme.

“But you still are in my heart—oh shit!” Troye flinched. “Your replacement is here.” Luke whispered as though as he’s in illegal mission.

Troye was boggled for a moment, but then his eyes slightly dilated as he realized that he meant the new sergeant of the Orland Station. “Why did you seem so flustered?” Troye let out a soft chuckle.

“Well, he’s pretty strict, you know.” Luke answered.

As he heard that, he instantly decided to tell him his favor.

“Woah, I didn’t expect that, sir!” Luke replied in astonishment. Troye told him the nature of his favor, consequently, he included his correlation with the Dixon Company.

“Neither did I, Luke.” Both of them laughed.

“Anyway, sir, you can leave it to me. You know that I’m pretty good with such things.”