HER BODYGUARD

He stepped back and studied her, then rubbed his thumb against her cheek. “My beautiful baby girl. What did he do to you?” he asked.

She covered her hand with his. “Not as much as you would think,” she replied.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“But what he did to you. I can’t believe that he kidnapped you. Yet it’s all true. He is in jail, you know. As are the people who worked for him.”

Kimberly led the way to the sofa and sat next to her father. “It’s a lot to take in,” she said.

“Too much. He fooled us all” His mouth twisted. “I’m so sorry you tried to explain to me on the phone and I wasn’t listening.” He pulled her close. “I will never forgive myself for that”

“You can’t blame yourself, dad,” Kimberly said. “He was your close friend, for God knows how long. I understand if you couldn’t believe it at first”

Her father grimaced. “That’s still not enough reason. I just hope you know just how sorry I am and how happy I am that you are safe. Thanks to Asher Adams and his team. I’m glad that soon we will be able to put all this behind us and move on with our lives”

“I’d be happy to” Kimberly said. Then in a move that shocked her and most likely shocked him, she began to cry.

“What’s wrong?” Hillary asked.

“Nothing. Everything” Kimberly said. “I don’t think I can move on dad. I’m so confused and Asher just left me. He said that I don’t know how I feel about him. That I’m just reacting to the danger. But I don’t think that’s true. I think I love him very much.”

Her father smiled at her. “I’m probably the worst person to bring this problem to,” he said. “I know nothing about relationships… Haven’t really been in one in a long time. I don’t know anything about friendships either. The past events with Christopher have proved that”

“I know,” Kimberly said, smiling.

“But I would very much like to listen,” he said.

She leaned against his shoulder and sighed. “Then I will tell you,” she said.

————————–

“You can’t just give up on him,” Phoebe said to Kimberly.

“I know,” Kimberly replied. “But I have been thinking… A lot. And he made it clear that he wanted me to move on. I don’t even know if he feels the same way… He didn’t say anything. I’m beginning to think that it will be really stupid to go after him”

Phoebe hissed. “Girl, you haven’t left your room in three days. And I know it has nothing to do with what you have been through. It’s about Asher. You love him…. And a part of you knows that he loves you too, even if he’s too pig headed to see it. So you have to make him see that the both of you belong together. Now I understand that you might need some time, but when you are done sulking, pick up the fucking phone and call that number his friend gave you.”

———————-

Two weeks after Asher left.

Kimberly gripped the phone.” James, you are not cooperating” she said. “And to be honest, when you gave me this number, I didn’t know it was yours”

“I know, dollface.” James. “But honestly, cooperation isn’t in my job description. I gave you the phone number so if you still want to talk to him in six months, you can find him. That’s it. By my watch, we are talking Fourteen days. Go. Live your life”

She gritted her teeth in impatience. “Will you tell him I called?” she asked.

“Probably not,” James replied.

“You are the most infuriating man”

“So I have heard. Anything else” he said. “I’m hanging up now”

“James, wait. Tell him…. Tell him I miss him” she said.

“Not a chance”

He disconnected the phone.

Kimberly dropped the phone on her desk and stared out of her office window. Slowly her life returned to normal. The only thing missing was Asher. She ached for him. Time would pass and then he would have to believe her.

———–

Five weeks after Asher left

“James, I have to talk to him,” Kimberly said.

“Tell me why,” he replied.

“I can’t”

“You won’t,” the man said. “Are you sick?”

“No”

“Dying?”

She glanced at the plastic stick in front of her-the one clearly indicating that she was pregnant -and grinned. She was having a baby. Asher’s baby. “Never more healthy in my life” she said. “But that’s not the point”

“That’s exactly the point. Give it up, Kimberly”

“I can’t. I love him. You really have to have him get in touch with me. This is important. Seriously, life changing important”

“Which means what?” Asher asked.

She leaned back on her sofa. “That you should get him to come see me. I mean it James. When he finds out what I have to tell him, he will be really grateful” she said.

“Like I believe that. The answer is no. Stop calling me. Every week we go through this and every week I tell you it’s not gonna happen”

She was too happy to be angry with James or frustrated by Asher’s stubbornness. She was having his baby. A child of their own.

“We have a tradition now,” she said. “When Asher finally comes to his senses. You are going to miss me”

“Sure. Like lice. Listen doll face -” James began.

“James, You have to stop calling me doll face”

“It’s my trademark,” he replied.

“It’s weird and annoying”

“Good. Now are you going to leave me alone?” he asked.

“Nope. He matters too much. I will call you next week”

“if it’s important to you”

“It is. Oh James? Do you tell him I call?” Kimberly asked.

She asked the question every week and every week he had told her no. This time he paused.

“Sometimes” he said.

“Does he say anything?” she asked cautiously.

“No, Kimberly. He doesn’t say anything” James replied.

———————–

Three months and one week after Asher left.

The good news was the morning sickness had pretty much faded and the even better news was that she and the baby were perfectly healthy and growing just as they should.

The bad news was that she missed Asher with a desperation that only deepened with each passing day.