Why am I feeling depressed? As the days slowly pass by, I don't feel like doing anything. I haven't even visited Hans yet. I sigh. I know my parents have noticed and even my oblivious brother has realised that something is bugging me.
The thing which is making me have this strange feeling is that I am surprisingly missing the fun banter with Panda King. I shake my head as his face pops into my mind again. No, don't think about him Tina!
It's been five days already since I left his mansion and my days are boring without him. I gasp and cover my face with my hands in embarrassment. Why do I sound like a love sick teen? I need to go out and get some fresh air so I my brain won't deteriorate and make me act and think silly things like this.
Wearing a random hoodie, I walk downstairs and my family stare at me in astonishment as if I told them that I am an alien from outer space.
"You finally came out of your room Tina." Mum exclaims as she stares at me.
"Yes, I'm bored." I say.
"Where are you going?" She asks curiously, scrutinising my lazy get up.
I gesture to the door, "Just out for a walk."
"Don't go for too long. It's almost midnight."
"Okay Mum." I leave and the crispy, cold air of winter greets me. I pull the hood over my head and pull the strings tight.
Walking aimlessly, I walk to the nearby park and sit on the empty swing. The stars and moon are bright tonight. Glancing up, I push myself higher. I should forget about Panda King.
"Tina?"
Stopping the swing with my feet, I turn my head to see the person who called me.
"Hans!" I smile as he walks closer. His bright green eyes shine in the dark. Jumping off the swing, I run towards him and wrap my arms around him in a bear hug.
He laughs as I cling to him like a child. "You missed me a lot huh?"
I nod. "You left me alone for so long without caring if I was still alive or not!"
Hans pats my head, "Your mum told me what happened. So you've decided to quit as Panda King's bodyguard?"
"Yes. It wasn't the right job for me." I scrunch up my nose as I lie.
"I thought you would stick to it Tina. You've never quit doing anything half way before. Your stubborn personality always pushes you to complete any given task." He says. Hans knows me too well. "Did something happen?"
Hans' eyes suddenly widen as he stares at me, "Did that bastard do anything to you?! I've heard he has quite a personality but to think he would lay his filthy hands on you! I'll go and give him a taste of my fists tomorrow!"
Laughing for the first time in the past few days, I stare at him with tears in my eyes and shake my head. "He didn't do anything Hans! I didn't even say he did." I flex my arms, "You know I would beat him up until he is unrecognisable if he ever did anything to me."
Hans sighs in relief, "Come on, let's have some drinks and talk over there." He gestures to the swings and holds up the carrier bag I hadn't noticed he had in his hand.
I follow him back to the swings and we sit side by side as we take a can of beer.
"How was the job anyway?" Hans asks.
"It was okay. I was his bodyguard so obviously I had to shield him from potential threats." I shrug, "We only encountered an attack once but I protected him and we fled into the forest. He was scared but I had a shooting match with the attackers and managed to shoot them." I leave out the part where I got injured myself because I know Hans would make a big fuss and tell my parents.
Glancing at him, I stare at his weird smile. "Why are you smiling?"
"You are finally smiling properly." Hans says and I stop. I was smiling? I didn't realise. "You were talking about getting attacked but you had a smile on your face Tina."
I turn my face away from him. Why was I smiling?!
"It was funny. Yes, Panda King's scared expression was hilarious." I lie and force a chuckle.
Hans places his hand on my knee, "You can't hide it from me Tina." He says, his green eyes staring into me, "I've known you for years. You have feelings for him don't you?"
My eyes widen in shock as I stare at my friend, "Are you serious?! How the hell did you come to that conclusion?" I laugh. "I would never feel anything for someone like Panda King!"
Taking a sip of the beer, Hans shrugs, "So you say. Remember your words Tina. If you fall for him for real, things might get risky."
"I know." I mutter in annoyance.
***
"Tina! Tina wake up! Someone is waiting for you outside!" I hear Mum shout loudly.
Groaning, I cover my ears with the duvet. It's too early to wake up right now. Which silly idiot came so early in the morning?
Getting up, I brush my teeth and head downstairs. Mum looks horrified at my appearance. Walking outside, I see a familiar car.
Staring in confusion, I watch as the familiar man steps out of the car and heads towards me. I gasp as I remember what state I am in right now. I didn't even wash my face or sort out my messy bed hair.
"Tin Gold looks like this in the morning?"
My face heats up in embarrassment as Panda King smirks and trails his blue eyes up and down. "I didn't know unicorns were your thing." He gestures to my pyjamas.
I want to dig a hole and bury myself inside. Why did I come out like this?! Of all people, it has to be Panda King who sees me like this.
"You always surprise me Tin. A man who likes unicorn pyjamas." He grins, "If I didn't know better, I would have believed you were a woman."
I cough, "I am a man! So what if I like unicorns?!"
He smirks and pulls out a document which suspiciously looks like a copy of the contract. "You didn't forget our terms right? You quit just like that and didn't pay the £10,000 yet so I had to visit you."
How did I forget about the condition of paying £10,000?! I groan in frustration. Where can I find money like that?
"I can tell you don't have the money. You either pay me by the end of the week or come back and be my bodyguard again." He says.
"That's in two days!" I say loudly. It's the end of the week in two days. How will I find enough money to give him?
He looks smug as he places the contract on top of my head, "Keep this with you and let me know once you have the money ready. If I don't hear from you in two days, I'll take it as you have agreed to be my bodyguard again."
I glare at him. This is unfair!
"Panda King." I say through gritted teeth. "Don't test me. I have over ten different ways to kill you in a manner that won't alert the police."
"Do that after you find £10,000." He grins before waving and leaving.
"Panda King, you arrogant bastard!" I shout indignantly.