Tasha started the conversation with frustration in her voice. "I'm not okay with you disappearing on me like that, Tom."
Tom raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "Disappearing? You barely know me."
"That's not the point." Her voice softened, but her gaze stayed firm. "You're...different. One of the very few people I can actually trust."
Tom let out a short sigh. "That doesn't make sense."
"You wouldn't understand." Tasha looked away for a moment, then back at him. "But I'm thinking of hiring you again."
His brow furrowed. "The loan sharks after you again?"
"No." She shook her head. "This is different. I need...personal security."
Tom exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I'm not a personal bodyguard, Tasha. You should know that."
She held up a hand. "I'm not asking you to be. It's not about having you follow me around. Just...a special arrangement. To keep in touch."
"That sounds like a waste of your money," he said flatly.
"Don't worry about the money." Her tone had a finality to it, daring him to argue.
Tom studied her, "This isn't just up to me. The agency decides."
Tasha smiled faintly, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. "I've already started negotiating with Lisa. All we need is your consent."
He tilted his head, letting the silence stretch. Finally, he said, "I'll think about it."
"Fair enough," she said .
She then sighed before going on. "I'll be visiting my stepmother this weekend. Maya's coming too."
Tom glanced at her. "Okay..,"
"She's seriously ill," Tasha said, her tone flat. "Might not have much time left."
Tom studied her face. "Doesn't sound like you're close."
"I'm not," she said, her jaw tightening. "She was cruel. Always. Raising me was more of a punishment than a responsibility to her. And Maya? She made it worse. Took advantage of the situation every chance she got."
Tom's voice softened. "That why you don't trust people?"
Tasha nodded slowly. "It's a big part of it. When you grow up like that, you start seeing betrayal everywhere. Even when it's not there." She paused, then added bitterly, "Maya didn't care about me back then. She only started calling when I became rich and famous. Makes me wonder if she's ever sincere."
"Then why go?" Tom asked. "If it's that bad, just don't go."
Tasha looked down at her hands. "Because if I don't, I might never see her again. And no matter how much I hate her, there's this...weight. Like I'd regret it. And I don't want that."
Tom leaned back, crossing his arms. "Why not bring someone else? A friend?"
She gave him a hollow smile. "After Eva stabbed me in the back, there's no one. No one I can trust like that. Except you."
Tom blinked, caught off guard. "I'm a terrible choice. I don't do well with people."
"To me, you're perfect," Tasha said quietly. "You don't pretend. You don't use me. You're just...you."
He hesitated. "What are you asking?"
"I need someone with me," she said, her voice trembling just a little. "Someone to lean on when I face her. Will you come?"
Tom sighed, running a hand through his hair. "If I'm free, I'll do it."
The tension in her shoulders eased, and she surprised him by stepping forward and hugging him.
Tom froze. He'd seen it coming, but his body didn't react. His heart seemed to stop for a beat before it kicked back in.
She pulled back, smiling softly. "That's for being someone I can trust. A real friend."
Tom just nodded.