She never spoke another word to me. After getting my new drink I just decided to drop it. Since the other barista saw it, she would probably talk to her about it anyways. I went back to my Nana who had a whole basket full of the clothes she wanted for herself and my Grandpa.
"You might as well buy the whole store." I laughed as the staff brought the clothes to the register. My Nana also giggled and clapped her hands together. "I rarely get to buy him new things and since they don't have a store back home I figured stock up while I can. I think I will need to buy another luggage just for this."
I gave the associates my card before my Nana could pull hers out. She tactfully put it away once the transaction went through but I knew she was just waiting until we got into the car to make a fuss.
We shopped around a bit more before heading back home. As I suspected she did fuss about me paying but I told her to chalk it up for the missed time we have together. I rarely got to see either grandparents from both my mom and dads side of the family. Being an only child as well meant I either was at home with my parents or away at work or occasionally with my friends. It was nice to spoil someone else.
When we got back surprisingly my Dad was back in the office again. "I thought he said he wasn't going to go back in there?" My mother who I thought was in the kitchen came out of the office while we could hear my Dad yelling on the phone. My grandpa also in the room with him.
'Oh shit.' My mom was the more aggressive person compared to my dad. His brand of intimidation came from his aura never his voice. But in the first time in forever, he was yelling. Also for my grandpa to be in there, it was serious. Both my Nana and I shuffled over to my mom, determined to see what went wrong.
She must have seen the looks on our face because she just nodded no and walked away. For her to not even tell us also meant bad news. Whatever got him upset made her past the point of angry. If I had to rank my mothers temper level if she can't even express in words whats going on, its like she short circuited. Just in pure boiling disbelief.
My Nana, having raised my mother, knew better than to poke a bear. "Lets let them cool down. I am sure by dinner time we will make sense of whats going on." She led me upstairs to leave my parents to relax.
Dinner rolled around and sure enough my dad looked more calm. We all sat at the dinner table before he broke the silence. "Honey do you remember what protocol we had you follow in high school after that incident?" This took me by surprise but I recalled back on that time. The only protocol I could think of was having to carry my epipen at all times, only being able to drink water and from a designated bottle, and...oh shit. "A bodyguard? Are you serious?"
My dad had a personal bodyguard who had to watch my every movement. It only lasted until everything regarding the incident was squared away, but that was because I put up a big fuss. The only time I defied my parents orders. It was not like I did not understand where they were coming from but it overall made me more anxious. The thing was, it was not like they were right next to me in a suit and sunglasses and I knew their name. No these people were faceless. I was not allowed to know their name, ages, race, anything about them. I just knew they were around and that was it. They blended in with the crowd, like normal civilians.
It was company policy to protect the identities of the guards and lessen any type of openings for someone to get to them before getting to me. Again understandable but it felt like a stalker was following me and every person who looked at me long enough freaked me out.
Most rich kids have some type of personal guard but my parents never felt the need to do that. One because my face only became recognizable after I started college but two because they wanted me to feel like the world was safe. Anxious by nature having a guard would only instill fear that nothing was safe for me. It was proven during high school. For him to bring it up meant my safety is at risk.
"Listen, honey its not what you think and it will only be until the security breach is closed. Our safety is not at risk but rather I am taking the approach of extra precaution. This is to ensure I am covering my bases. I know how you felt last time so I will see about getting someone to be with you who can be seen in person."
I wanted to downright refuse but I also recognized this was a tough decision on my dad. I sighed deeply before giving in. "Ok." He squeezed my hand in thanks but did not stop at that. "What plans do you have coming up that I need to know about."
I wanted to slap myself for the timing. Of course a security breach had to happen this week. "Um I was planning to meet Dante to officially end whatever it was that we started. I thought what I said was enough but I think he needs proper closure." My dad tapped his finger against the table and used his other hand to pinch his nose bridge. "Ok... and when is this?"
His eyes looked at me pleadingly to say weeks from now but we both knew the truth. "In two days." He cupped his hands on his face and took a deep breath. "Ok by then we will not have someone to watch you but what I will do is accompany you."
I think he anticipated more of an argument but in reality that was my plan from the start. "Yes please thank you."