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What the hell was wrong with her? Putting her own daughter aka her only child to protect me? Was this some kind of a joke? I looked at everyone, expecting someone burst into laughter and admitted that they were just clowning but none had humor on their faces.

So many different emotions were laid out in the open. Determination shone on Brad's eyes whilst Joseph had something resemblance guilt on his. The Queen looked very proud of her daughter. The daughter herself looked like she could take down a whole army without breaking a sweat, she had that look that got you to believe she was badass in the fight and probably in life too. Pete was harder to read, I must admit. When he looked at Scarlet, there was affection in his eyes though when he turned his gaze to the Queen there was nothing but embarrassment there. And then there were none as if he pulled barrier to prevent any emotion from leaking out.

"Your Majesty, don't you think it's too much?" Watching her smile turn cold, I quickly added, "It's very generous of you, Your Highness, and I'm very well aware of how good your daughter is but I cannot help to feel burdened by it. Like you just said, someone shot me inside the Court, I don't want anything to happen to your daughter or I'll never forgive myself." Seemed like she bought my reasoning as I watched her smile turn warmer.

"Don't you worry, Lady Stavros, I've learned from the best," Scarlet Christoulakis offered me a smile that didn't reach her eyes like if you were only looking at her eyes you'd think she was actually pissed but tried hard not to show it? She flicked her eyes on Pete when she said the last word, making me think that was exactly what her relationship with Pete was. He was her mentor.

Queen Rhea looked at her daughter with affection and pride, she then put one hand on Scarlet's right shoulder and said, "You've got nothing to worry about. I believe in my daughter's ability, she won't be harmed." Scarlet turned and gave her mother a brilliant smile, one that actually reached her dark eyes, making them glint under the chandelier. "And don't you think you need a female bodyguard? I've heard reports regarding one of your bodyguards waiting for you inside the women's toilet."

That was Brad alright and I could see a faint red shown on his high cheekbones. "It's hard to find female bodyguards, Your Majesty." Pete's gaze hardened and I felt that the Queen might have just insulted his decision. What he'd said was true, I remembered that was only one female CG whilst the others were men. Maybe women weren't suitable for this job, well I wouldn't know. But the only other female CG aside from that woman that I knew of was my fake mother aka Maserati Lincoln. Her name still cracked me up it was like two car brands pooled into one name. There's a car brand named Lincoln under Ford, don't y'all know?

Her words were final, nothing else could be said once The Queen had put a hammer on a nail. It was best not to argue and just thank her for her benevolence, even though I knew that.

I walked out with three people tailing me, four if you counted Pete Hudson. Scarlet was so quiet, she didn't shake hands with her fellow bodyguards and basically ignored all of us.

"So, Scarlet, is this grumpy old man your mentor?" I pointed at Pete who rolled his eyes at the word grumpy. Looking at Scarlet, there was a shock in her eyes as if she wasn't expecting Pete and me to be so informal and friendly.

Blinking back as she regained herself once more, she cleared her throat before answering me, "Yeah," Scarlet shrugged. "He was and probably still is if I didn't kick his ass last time we practiced." That earned a deep laugh from Pete.

"You didn't kick my ass, girl. You could only dream," Pete shook his head like it was impossible for her to do that but I could see pride and affection in his eyes when he locked his gaze on her.

There's definitely something here.

Pete left to go back to CGHQ and I was walking with Brad in the front and Joseph in the back. Scarlet was walking right beside me, she surveyed the surroundings like a hawk trying to identify potential threats. It was just a short trip back to my family unit in the Hyped but these guys and one girl were making it look like it was a big deal.

"So, are you and Pete close?" Scarlet suddenly asked. I turned my face to look at her but her head was fixated on the front as she stared ahead. Her expression was unreadable just like the tone of her voice.

"We've got history together," I remembered that day when Pete fucking Hudson had arrested me for punching Diego, or what I'd thought was Carlos. He'd fucking locked me up in a cold cell at CGHQ for one night. Their food sucked but again, what did you expect when you were just a prisoner guilty of a crime?

She stole a glance at me. "What kind?"

Looking confused, I asked her back. "What kind what?"

Impatiently, she turned her head and shot me daggers. "What kind of history? Dating history? Were you two lovers?"

Whoa whoa, chill, girl. Pete Hudson might be handsome and sexy but he was more like a hot daddy or disturbingly sexy uncle rather than someone I'd consider to date. Which was why I kept calling him 'old man', he felt like a father I'd never had. Someone who cared for me, someone who was willing to put his brother to protect me. He wasn't related to me but he sure felt like a family. "No," I couldn't help but found it funny as I laughed.

Seemed like she didn't find it funny, Scarlet furrowed her brows. "Why not?" Now, I was confused. At first, she was asking me like she didn't approve of Pete and me being dating but now she seemed offended that I, in fact, didn't date Pete.

"It's just it. I just don't feel that way toward him and I doubt he feels that way about me. If anything, I think he's treating me like a little sister," I paused to let out a chuckle. "An annoying little sister perhaps but yeah, to me, he's a family."

Scarlet looked satisfied as she stopped asking me questions, making me feel like I was being interrogated. She was back on her guard duty as I saw her turning her gaze forward. "What about you?" I asked her back, curiosity piqued. "Are you close to Pete?" Raising one brow, she locked her gaze on me. "I heard you call him Petey." That made her blush a little. Now she looked like a normal girl instead of a cold-hearted soldier.

"Yeah," was her only answer. Since she looked like she wouldn't elaborate sooner, I asked, "Lovers?" I was expecting her to shoot me daggers or yell at me that it was impossible, instead she offered me a lopsided smile and said, "Maybe." Scarlet laughed when she saw the expression written on my face.

When I finally finished picking up my jaw from the ground, I put one hand on her shoulder, causing her to raise her brows in question. "I'm sorry now that you have to guard me, you can hardly meet him."

She shook her head as if it was no biggie. "Nah. This is a job. I have to put personal matters aside," she paused, looking like she wanted to say more but thought better of it. At last, she satisfied my curiosity by saying, "I'm not only here to guard you. I'm watching him." With that last word, she nodded towards Brad who was walking a few feet in front of us.

"Brad?" I asked incredulously. She answered me with a single nod. "Why?" I personally didn't think there was something wrong with Brad. Though I felt there was something wrong with a guard watching another guard like didn't they trust each other?

"That," She paused and gave me a mysterious smile. "Is not something I can tell you." Just like her mother, she used that similar expression on her face that told me this conversation has ended and there was nothing I could say or do to change her mind.

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