"Never take the blame for how someone mistreated you." Khalilah Velez
—
"You look exhausted," Kian looked at his friend, worried. Their class just ended, and Eden was lazily putting his things in his bag. "Did you work late?"
Eden hummed, "That brat wanted to go clubbing,"
"Seriously?" Kian gasped, "I always begged you to go clubbing with me, and you always said no. Now when Mister says it, you don't hesitate," he crossed his arms and looked away.
"Well, Mister Kian doesn't pay me to go to the club," Eden imitated his friend's voice, earning a nudge on the arm.
"How is he, by the way?" Kian asked, "Is he like those bratty, spoiled rich guys in dramas?"
"He's mostly stupid," Eden chuckled, "His friends take advantage of him, and he's turning a blind eye."
Kian laughed, "With that money, he must have a lot of girlfriends,"
"More like boyfriends," Eden mumbled and left the classroom.
"Wait, he's gay?" Kian widened his eyes and tried to catch up with his tall friend.
"I suppose he is," Eden shrugged, "We went to a gay club yesterday night, plus he was making out with a guy during the whole night."
"Damn!" Kian whistled, "I guess I need to make friends with your boss," he laughed, "I don't have anyone to go to gay clubs with," he pouted as he looked at Eden.
Eden smiled and put his arm around his shoulders, "Sorry that I'm a husband and a dad."
"Boring," Kian rolled his eyes. They both stopped walking when they saw some students hurrying downstairs to run outside.
"What the hell is going on?" Eden mumbled and headed outside with his friend.
"Now that's a crowd!" Kian exclaimed when he saw a bunch of people gathered. They approached until they heard yells and groans.
"There's a fight," Kian chuckled and hurried to join the crowd. Eden rolled his eyes and followed him lazily. Two guys were insulting and throwing fists at each other. Eden usually didn't care about other students' business, but when he moved closer and saw who was fighting, his eyes widened.
"No way," he muttered and let out a scoff when he saw Harvey pushing the other guy on the ground.
"Will you stop provoking me?!" Harvey shouted, and the other student burst out laughing.
"It's not my fault you're so sensitive, Clarke," he smirked and wiped the blood out of the corner of his mouth, "Your daddy didn't raise you as a tough man.
"Don't you dare speak of my father!" Harvey clenched his fists and glared at Hunter, who enjoyed seeing him getting furious.
"Come on, Clarke," he rolled his eyes, "Everyone knows he doesn't care about you. That's what dad always says," he laughed, "You're just his bastard anyway,"
Harvey didn't wait for him to continue speaking and pushed him on the ground again and started punching his face. People gasped, and others recorded the fight. No one tried to stop them. Hunter put his hands on Harvey's chest and violently pushed him. Then, he stood up and was ready to kick his stomach when someone suddenly grabbed his wrist. He turned around, ready to yell at whoever dared to stop and found Eden looking at him with the deadliest eyes.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"His bodyguard," Eden answered, expressionless.
Hunter scoffed, "His bodyguard, my ass," Eden ignored him and extended his arm for Harvey, "Are you alright, sir?"
Harvey looked at him in confusion for a moment, then he took his hand and stood up. Eden let go of Hunter, and instead, he checked Harvey's face and arms to see if he was injured.
"You weren't joking," Hunter looked at him in disbelief. "I thought all your bodyguards were old men," he told Harvey, "You got yourself a young one? Did you fuck him yet?" He laughed, but it didn't last long when Eden glared at him. Hunter's smile faded as his senior was intimidating.
Eden dragged Harvey far from the crowd and looked for Kian, who waved his hands at him. "I'll see you tomorrow!" he shouted, "I need to get him home!"
"Okay!" Kian put his thumbs up and ran to catch the bus. Eden saw Henry's car parked at the entrance, and he pulled Harvey's wrist to walk him there.
"It hurts," Harvey complained, but Eden didn't care about him.
Henry opened the door and bowed, "Good afternoon, Young Master," he didn't seem bothered by the blue on his cheek and the blood around his lips as if he was used to seeing him in this state.Eden sat in the passenger seat and let out a sigh. "What's wrong?" Henry chuckled.
"I'm questioning my life's choices," Eden muttered. Henry laughed and squeezed his shoulder, "Life isn't so bad. You could have gotten worse,"
"Worse than this?" he raised an eyebrow and pointed at Harvey, who was silently sitting in the back. "Who was that guy anyway?"
"I bet it's none other than Hunter Knight," Henry sighed, "He always gets into fights with the Young Master,"
"Hunter Knight? I heard this name before," Eden rubbed his chin.
"His father owns the largest hotel chain in the continent. Hunter often organises events and parties. He's quite famous among celebrities and the upper-class people,"
"I see," Eden hummed and looked at Harvey through the mirror, "Why did you fight then?"
Harvey only shrugged and didn't answer his question.
Eden put on his slippers and left his backpack with the maid before he entered the mansion. Harvey didn't say a word and headed to his room. No one looked confused or surprised, and Eden guessed this must happen a lot. Harvey looked like the guy who wouldn't let anyone speak about him and the type of person who would always get into fights and make everyone worried about him.
"The head of the bodyguards is here today," Henry said. "You can sign the contract and get your suit,"
"Where are you going?" Eden lifted a brow when he saw him heading back to the entrance door.
"It's my day off. I'll see you tomorrow," Henry waved his hand and left. Eden looked around and saw a group of men wearing black suits heading toward him. Their leader wore a black and blue armband. He was quite short to be a bodyguard, but his stare sure was intimidating.
"So, you're the new one," the leader spoke with a deep voice.
"Hello, sir," Eden politely bowed, "I'm Eden,"
The leader hummed, "When did you apply?"
Eden rubbed his neck and smiled, "I never applied, sir. The Chairman happened to see me outside and hired me,"
The leader frowned and eyed him from head to toe as he wondered what the Chairman must have seen in him.
"Eden?!" a familiar voice sounded. Eden turned around and widened his eyes when he recognised his old friend,
"Tyler?!"
"Of all the places in the world, this is the last one I'd expect to see you at," Tyler laughed and took him in his arms, "What are you doing here?!"
"I'd say the same to you!" Eden laughed and patted his back.
"You know him?" the leader asked, and Tyler hurried to put his arm around Eden's back to introduce him, "He's my old friend. We used to go to taekwondo classes together,"
"Your father is the best master,"
"Sure he is," Tyler proudly nodded. "So, this is our head of the bodyguards, Grayson," he added, looking at the grumpy-faced face.
"Nice to meet you, sir," Eden bowed again.
"Anyway, the tailor needs to take your measures to prepare your suit. Meanwhile, you can wear one of mine," Grayson said.
Eden pressed his lips tight to avoid laughing as he eyed him from head to toe, "Are you sure, sir?"
Tyler snorted and hid behind the rest of the bodyguards because, unlike Eden, he couldn't control his laughter.
Grayson glared at Eden, "You can't follow the Young Master with your regular clothes. It is out of our protocol,"
"We can get him one. Don't worry, Grayson," Tyler said.
"Thanks," Eden smiled at him, "So, are you the Chairman's bodyguard?"
"My duties are quite flexible here," Tyler replied, "Sometimes I go with the Chairman, sometimes with the Young Master, and others with the Young Mistress. Whatever Grayson hyung asks me,"
"Young Mistress?" Eden lifted a brow, "Does the Chairman have a daughter?"
Tyler hummed, "Yes, but she rarely comes. She's a full-time traveller,"
"The good life," Eden chuckled, "Lucky her,"
A loud thud sounded, and the bodyguards quickly stood in an alert position, but once they heard the familiar voice, Grayson asked them to put their hands down. It was the Chairman, and he sounded angry.
"When are you going to grow up?!" he yelled and threw something on the ground. He was upstairs in Harvey's room. "Do I always have to hear it from other people? Your son hit Michael Knight's son?! You humiliated me once again!"
"He provoked me, father!" Harvey yelled, and just after, they heard a loud clack. The Chairman slapped his son.
Eden pressed his lips tight and looked at the rest of the bodyguards, who only resumed their work as if nothing was happening. He approached Tyler and pulled him by his shoulder, "Hey, does it happen often?"
Tyler nodded with a sad smile, "The Young Master always gets himself in trouble," he sighed. "The Chairman is never happy with him,"
Eden frowned, "But it was clear that the other guy provoked him,"
"I know," Tyler said, "But the Chairman will never believe that,"
Eden shook his head and sighed before he checked his watch. It was almost time to go pick up Leo and he needed to leave to catch the bus.
He was about to ask Grayson for permission to leave when Harvey stormed downstairs, pushing anyone who goes on his way.
"Let's go," he told Eden, who looked at him with confusion. "Where?"
"Don't know," Harvey shrugged and took off his slippers to put on his shoes.
"Henry left earlier," Eden followed him outside, "There's no one to drive,"
"Do you have a license?" Harvey asked, and Eden nodded. "Good," he threw car keys at him, "Drive us then. I'm still hungover, so I can't."
Eden looked at him in disbelief and watched him walk to the garage. He stopped in front of a black Mercedes and waited for him to open.
"Uh, sir, I don't think I can drive you,"
"Why not?" Harvey lifted a brow, "You're my bodyguard. You should be with me all the time. Do you want to get paid for doing nothing?"
"That's not what I mean," Eden shook his head. "I have something to do. It's kind of urgent,"
Harvey rolled his eyes, "What's this thing?"
Eden pressed his lips nervously, "I need to pick up my kid from school,"
Harvey looked at him with surprise as if he forgot he had a kid and was married, then he sighed and waved his hand, "It's alright, then. Let's go,"
Eden furrowed a brow, "Let's go?"
Harvey sighed from frustration and took the keys from his hand to open the door. "You have to pick up your kid, right? Let's go then if you don't want to be late,"
Eden hesitated before he got inside the car. The fancy interior surprised him; there were beige-coloured leather seats, a high tech board and tinted windows in the back.
"Are you sure it's alright?" Eden calmly asked before he started the vehicle.
Harvey hummed and closed his eyes, "As long as I get the hell out of this place,"
👔
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Twitter: @AsmaaBenk97"If we all could see the world through the eyes of a child, we could see the magic in everything."Unknown—Eden nervously tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he checked his watch multiple times. Harvey watched him from behind, and he looked around to see the traffic that was stressing him out. They got out at peak hour, and all the cars were advancing at low speed.Harvey guessed his kid finished school at five, and there were only ten minutes before he got out. He didn't know where his school was, but it must be a little far, judging from Eden's expression.Harvey didn't say a word and kept watching him. He tried to picture the kid; a little boy with the same eyes as his dad and probably his mother's nose — though he never met Eden's wife bef
"Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice."Nelson Mandela—Eden woke up at five in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep. Olivia was next to him on the bed, with her book open on her thighs. She spent the night reviewing her lessons. Hecarefully left the bed and put on his slippers before walking to the bathroom. He washed his face and brushed his teeth, and then he headed back to the bedroom to get his workout clothes. There was nothing to do at home, so early in the morning, so he decided to go for a jog.After he got dressed, he entered Leo's room and grinned when he saw his little arms and legs spread on the mattress. No matter how cold it was, Leo would always throw the cover on the floor, and Eden had to pick it up every time. He kissed Leo's forehead, took his key
"Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it."Unknown—Eden entered the mansion and met Grayson in the main hall. "Good morning," he greeted him with a tired smile."Your suit is ready," Grayson told him, "You should start wearing it from now on,""Alright," Eden nodded and headed to the bodyguards' dressing room to change. There were about ten lockers with name tags. He smiled when he read his name and opened it to find his suit and shoes ready. He took off his uniform and put on a plain white shirt, black pants and a blazer."Hey man," Tyler opened his locker and put his sports bag inside. "How were your classes?"
"All these people everywhere, but my eyes on you."Unknown—The students took notes while the professor explained the lesson projected on the screen, everyone but Eden and Kian. Eden was opening and closing his pen while Kian watched him with confusion. He wondered why his friend was zoning out a lot lately. Kian grew impatient of looking at him repeat the same action, and he scooted closer to him to whisper: "Hey, what's wrong? You've been silent these last two days."Eden only shrugged without bothering to lift his head and look at his friend. Kian scrunched his brows and snatched the pen away from his hand. "Seriously, if there's anything, you've got to tell me."Eden let out a deep sigh and finally moved his head a little to look at his friend's concerne
"All the best heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary."Gerard Way—The stranger dragged Leo to a narrow empty street, and the boy didn't stop yelling and asking for help. Harvey followed them, swearing at the man as loud as he could. For once, he regretted not doing some cardio at the gym as he found himself short of breath very soon. But despite his lack of sportiness, Harvey succeeded to reach them and pulled the man's velvet sleeve."Leave him the fuck alone!" he shouted breathlessly."Mr Clarke!" Leo cried, his eyes wide as he recognised his dad's boss. He wanted to go to him, but the man tightened his grip around his wrist."Who the hell are you?!" the stranger, a man in his thirties, glared at Harvey. "What do you want with
"The reason we struggle with insecurities is that we compare our behind the scenes with someone else's highlight reel."Unknown—For the first time in months, Eden waited for Olivia in front of the medical faculty. It had been an eternity since they last walked together after classes. Before, they used to go on dates, but after Leo arrived, it all ended. Eden and Olivia weren't going to the theatre or each lunch somewhere. They planned to head to the hospital after they picked up Leo from school.Eden insisted Olivia visited Harvey to thank him for saving their son from Jack's man. She refused at first, thinking of her upcoming exam as an excuse to escape. Eden cared less about her studies now. The least she could do for their family now is to speak to the man who endangered himself for Leo.
"I desire the things which will destroy me in the end."Sylvia Plath—Few days passed after the incident, and Eden was still taking care of Harvey as he felt indebted to him after saving Leo. He helped clean his wound and dress it every day and night, after his classes and before going back home to sleep.Harvey was getting better and could now walk without having someone to hold his arm. He was relieved as his father was soon coming back from his business trip. He couldn't risk the Chairman seeing him in this state as he would scold him for being such an idiot. Something worse could happen if his father knew about the incident, he could fire Eden.Tonight, Harvey had enough of staying in his room, so he texted his friends to have a drink somewhe
"That feeling when you don't even know what the fuck you're feeling."Unknown—Henry stopped the car in front of the hospital, and Eden got out to open the door for Harvey. The Young Master's face was pale as he was scared unprotected sex would cause him some disease. In the beginning, he and his partner were both protected, but the other guy didn't warn him that the condom broke. Harvey was furious about it.Eden followed him to the reception hall, and as the nurses were expecting his arrival, one of them asked them to accompany her. They took the elevator to head to the sexual health floor."Doctor Smith, your ten am has arrived," the nurse knocked on the door, and soon, the man's deep voice sounded for them to enter.