Chapter Text
'I'm late for a meeting…' David recalled her words upset, as he gazed out from the passenger seat, while escorting Julia home on the evening of the very first day they'd met. How could she be so arrogant? They didn't even know each other, not to mention he was here to protect her, to ensure her safety, and if the situation required, even to sacrifice his own life for her. So she could have shown a little respect at least. Nothing big, just basic manners. Greeting and introducing yourself is not an impossible expectation. He knew she was a politician after all and he didn't think it would be an easy ride, but still… He looked up into the rearview mirror, where their eyes suddenly met… they didn't look away, just maintained the eye contact for a few moments like in a western movie, before she angrily turned back to the document in her lap…
'What an asshole he is…' she thought. He had been gazing at her all day, as if he were trying to show who the boss was. He immediately came up with his revelations and pretended that the sun shone out of his ass… just because he is handsome and he was aware of it. These kind of 'Mr. Handsome' blokes always think they know everything better, and they believe they are the center of the universe. She had turned down a few similar guys herself over the years, because they simply irritated her…
After spending the whole journey in tense silence, they finally arrived. As David opened the door on Julia's side, she got out without thanking him and headed straight toward the entrance. The tension could be cut with a knife as they reached her flat, where David unlocked Julia's front door, and as she entered the apartment, he stopped her before she could go further…
"If you wouldn't mind holding here a moment please, ma'am."
"… And why would I?" she asked indignantly, struggling to hold back her mounting anger.
"Because I have to check your apartment for security reasons."
"Oh, really? I would have never guessed," she remarked sarcastically. "I mean, if there's a need for a security checking, then why is the guard with the machine gun outside of the building?" she raised her eyebrow challengingly.
"He's just an advert guy…"
"A what?" she asked instantly,
"An advert. He's just standing in the doorway for show." he said, then added, seeing her still confused look, "I studied the floor plan of this building, and there are at least eight ways to get into your flat, including the back door from the yard."
"Splendid. Then why on earth do they not have guards there as well?"
"Because this is the regulation, one guard at the front, and that's all." he said, then added, "No capacity for more."
"Well, then this is a shit of a regulation, which needs to be changed."
"It should be, yeah. But you also have to think of others, not just yourself."
"… I beg your pardon?!"
"I mean the other hundreds of guarded people, like you." he turned back to face her, "They also have the right to more protection."
"I'm sure there's a solution that suits everyone."
"Of course there is, and I have no doubt you'll find it. But you have to know one thing."
"… And what would that be?"
"If anyone really wants to get in, no one could stop them."
"Great. Then what's the point of security guards at all?"
"We can make their way difficult."
"Bullshit!" she murmured, going to the kitchen for a glass of wine, while he started checking the windows. "… If you pull that knob on the window that much, bad boys will be inside sooner than you think."
"I have to check the windows somehow…"
"In case they climb up the wall outside like Spiderman?" she mocked him.
"Anything can happen."
"Uh-huh, but it's more likely they'll kick the window in from a helicopter, right?"
"Believe me, if that's the case, we're really in trouble."
"Then maybe you should stick a 'no entry' sign on the outside."
"…" he looked at her tensely,
"That was just an idea." she smiled wryly,
"What's behind this door?" he continued his work as if nothing had happened.
"That's my study."
"Do you use it often?"
"What the hell do you care?" she fired back, but he just exhaled deeply,
"… If you don't use it often, then it's a potential danger, someone could hide there until the right time."
"It's too dark," she answered reluctantly, "I don't like to work there, I usually use the living room."
"Right," he nodded, "And this room?"
"That's the guest room."
"So that's the most dangerous place here," he said, adding quickly, "Because it's the most unused one."
"Thanks, I figured that out myself… but let me suggest one thing," she leant closer, lowering her voice,
"…"
"If you moved in, you could spy from there all day long."
"They don't pay me enough for that," he murmured, but she heard him.
"Did you say something?"
"No, ma'am…" he answered confidently,
"Look, if you don't like this job of yours that much," she said, stepping closer with the glass of wine in her hand, "Then you can ask to be moved to another department, or better yet, you can even QUIT."
"That's very practical advice, ma'am." he said with poker face, "But I've survived a few things, a war for example, so I'm not backing down from a… politician."
"Come on, just say it…"
"Say what?"
"The adjective you wanted to say before 'politician'."
"Don't need it, 'politician' is already an adjective."
"…" her eyes lit up with anger.
"But there's an easy solution, you can move me anywhere else with just a phone call."
"I won't back down either." she said, chin held high, "And now, if you're done with this useless security checking of yours, you should really fuck off because I have better things to do than assisting you."
"Assisting?" he snorted.
"Are you still here?" she raised an eyebrow,
"… Ma'am," he said through clenched teeth, and as he stepped to the door, she called after him with a challenge in her voice,
"Then see you tomorrow."
"I can't wait for that…" he hissed, finally shutting the door behind him…
To be continued…