Episode 1
New York City, granny Ariel's house at Bradford Alley
Emily stood in front of her wardrobe, her eyes scanning the contents of the wooden furniture. She placed a finger on her lips, shook her head slowly.
"There's absolutely nothing to wear to Shirley's birthday party. What am I gonna do now? This birthday is not just any birthday. Big men of big status are gonna be there." Emily mumbled to herself, turned and almost jumped out of fright when she saw her grandma standing right in front of her.
"Grandma!" She rasped, and continued, "I told you to stop appearing like that in my room. When did you get in!"
Ariel's eyes scanned her granddaughter, and slowly walked to the front of the wardrobe. "Why don't you tell your rich friend to get you a new party dress since you can't afford one? Huh?"
Emily rolled her eyes. "Come on grandma, where would my pride be? I know Shirley rolls with big boys but that doesn't mean I should beg her for a dress? I know you can get me one, granny. The birthday is tomorrow night. I can't miss it. I might even find myself a boyfriend!"
"Look at this girl! Don't you ever think of having a boyfriend." Ariel warned, her fingers flaring up in front of Emily's face.
Emily blinked and folded her arms. "I will be twenty four years old by November, granny. You want me to die a pauper?"
Ariel breathed in. "No. I didn't mean that. What I'm saying is that you should be careful. I don't want you to end up like your mother."
"Here we go again! You keep on telling me you don't want me to end up like my mom, but you wouldn't even tell me what exactly happened to her. I'm old enough now, granny. I should know what happened to my mother, why she's not here with us. I don't even know who my father is."
Ariel stared at her granddaughter, sighed and held her hands. She sat down on the bed, pulling Emily down with her. "It's a long story, princess. I'm going to tell you everything you need to know when you are ready."
Emily scoffed. "When I'm ready? Of course, I'm ready to know anything right now!"
Ariel smiled, shook her head. "You still have a long way to go, my dearest. I will tell you when that time comes, but for now, no boyfriends."
Emily groaned and got up from the bed. "I can't believe this. You know what? I will head out now, I should go to my kung Fu class, and get busy instead." Emily said and started walking towards the door.
"You have a dress already, Emily. I got you one." Ariel said softly, and gasping happily, Emily ran back and threw the old woman a big hug before hurrying away to dress up.
*
Hayvally security agency’s training ground was full with the trainees as usual, and Emily was already dressed in her uniform, looking determined to be the best.
Her facial expression was as passive as usual, her long sticks in both hands as she got prepared to reach the high stages.
“I have to pass this stage, and get my bodyguard license. I need to start working ASAP. Gosh…I need money…!” Emily stopping talking just when she noticed other students were look at her.
Goodness. She was thinking out loud without knowing it.
“Emily, are you okay? Master Khalid is here.” Her best friend at the agency, Amelia whispered.
Gasping softly, Emily looked up and there was their young master, staring at her.
The young man stared intently, and even though he was deeply in love with this student, he pointed a warning finger at her.
“Before we begin this class, I would like to give the good news to some of us who have made it to the high stage, hereby, gaining the bodyguard license.” Khalid announced and everywhere became dead silent.
Holding her breath, keeping her fingers crossed, Emily closed her eyes and prayed for her name to be called.
“Louis McClure, Malik Arlan, Amelia Earhart, Harrison Ford…”
The name continued, and just when she was about giving up, her name was called out. Loud and clear.
Smiling triumphantly, Emily strode off to the other people who has been called. She was extremely excited. Finally!
She would start making her own money, and be able to take care of her grandmother!
“We made it.” Amelia whispered in her ears as both girls held hands.
Khalid kept his eyes on Emily, and for a moment, he looked sad. He knew she would be leaving the agency soon, thus, taking away any chances of him telling her about his deep feeling for her.
She was fearless, determined, and above all, strong and extremely beautiful. He wouldn’t be ale to see another student like her. He was sure of it.
Waking up from his thoughts, he turned to face the disappointed students who were not called out.
“Judging by your performances, you need to buckle up, get this training done perfectly well, and get selected too.”
“Yes, master.” They replied.
“Come with me.” Khalid said to the selected students, walked out of the training room as they followed immediately.
*
Few hours later, an excited Emily with her friend sat at the cafeteria, rejoicing over cold soda cans.
“Can you believe what just happened today! We got selected!” Emily rasped happily.
Amelia smiled, but it disappeared immediately. “I hope we get our jobs soon. I can’t wait to start working. I’ve got a lot of bills to handle.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “Don’t you worry, hon. We are gonna get to work this fast!” Emily snapped her finger.
The door opened and Khalid walked in, walked straight to Emily’s table.
“Master…”
“That’s okay. Sit.” Khalid ordered as the girls got ready to stand up.
“Huh…I will go get more soda cans.” Amelia said and quickly left the table.
Emily stared after he suspiciously, and rolled her eyes. She glanced back at Khalid just to see him staring at her.
“You are finally leaving after so many years of training. You deserve it.” Khalid mumbled.
“It is thanks to master’s persistency, encouragement and caring.” Emily replied.
Khalid scoffed playfully. “I will miss you when you leave.”
“Aww…master please.” Emily mumbled.
“You know how much I like you, right? So, I’m gonna be checking up on you wherever you are assigned to.” Khalid said, and Emily smiled sweetly.
She stared at him for a long time as memories surged through her. The cute young man sitting in front of her was the son of the security agency leader.
He has been her master right from when she got to the agency training camp at 14. She would ever be grateful to him, but…
Khalid suddenly stood up, touched Emily by the shoulder and left the cafeteria.
And almost immediately, Amelia arrived, looking extremely excited. “Emily!”
Emily stood up on her feet, wondering what was happening. “Who’s happening!”
“A call has been put to the newly selected bodyguards! We’ve been called to the Manager’s office. I think we are about to be assigned!” Amelia announced happily and Emily gasped out loud.
Together, the two girls ran out of the cafeteria, straight to the Manager’s office.
*
*
New York City; Crystal Estate
“My Victoria, aren’t you drinking too much of that?” Kenny Rogers threw across to his mother, who sat on one of the sofas, sipping brandy from a tall glass cup.
The blonde haired woman threw a glance at her spoilt son, smiled deeply on seeing him in his newest tuxedo.
“Look at my baby. You look so cute. Come here and give mommy a hug.” Victoria said in a cooing voice and Kenny glanced at her.
He scoffed, and a thin smile appeared at the corner of his lips. His cute face quickly went back to being grumpy. “I can’t you just called me baby. I told you to stop that already. I will be twenty seven in four months.”
Victoria rolled her eyes, stood up and walked over to the young man. She put her hands on his cheeks, before looking at him. “And when you are forty, you would still be my baby. My only baby.”
Squeezing himself out, Kenny quickly walked over to the window side, a ln arrogant look on his face as he stared out. “Vicky, quit it. You’ve spoiled me enough. I’m a grown up now,” Kenny paused, straining his eyes as he stared outside the window.
Victoria stared at him. “Are you going out?” She asked with a worried look on her face.
“Yes. Why?” Kenny asked, glancing back at his mother.
“Huh…there’s something you have to know, Kenny. Your father and I have been trying to tell you all these while, but he hasn’t been able to gather the courage.”
Now very concerned, Kenny turned away from the window. “You are sounding very serious right now, Vicky. What’s wrong?”
“Our rival company… I think they sent some hoodlums to tail you. So, we have decided to get you a bodyguard.”
Kenny’s eyes widened in pure shock and horror. “A what??”
“A bodyguard. Which is arriving today.” Victoria replied.
Kenny stared on in shock. He couldn’t believe it. He of all people? Getting a bodyguard?
He was dumbfounded.
