Amanda turned around and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her, causing Travis to turn back to Gregory, who looked weary but determined.
"She'll warm up to you... eventually," Gregory said, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely convinced. "Just be patient with her."
Travis bowed slightly. "I understand, sir."
Gregory nodded, standing and walking to the window. He stared out into the sprawling grounds of the estate, his face drawn with concern. "She's my only daughter, Travis. I need you to understand that. She means everything to me, and I'm trusting you with her life."
"You have my word, sir. I won't let anything happen to her."
Gregory sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Good. She's going to school from here. Go with here and begin your training from there. Liv, one of my senior guards, will assist you with anything you would need."
Travis gave a final bow and left the office, his mind already working through the potential challenges ahead. With the bratty attitude of the boss's daughter and the awful character of the guards in this place, this would eventually become the greatest test of his patience.
Outside the mansion, Penelope leaned against a sleek black SUV, her arms crossed and a bemused smile on her face as she watched Travis approach. She was dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit, polar opposite to Travis's simple clothing. Her short, dark hair was styled neatly, and her sharp green eyes glinted with amusement.
"Well, if it isn't the new recruit," she said, pushing herself off the car. "You ready to be introduced into the wonderful world of babysitting?"
Travis felt a small pang in his chest but gave a polite nod instead. "Penelope right? I've been told you'll be assisting me."
Penelope raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly. "Assist? Yeah, sure, but I think you mean showing you the ropes. Oh, welcome to New York, by the way. It's a bit different from your mountains, huh?"
"It is," Travis admitted, glancing around at the sleek cars and the imposing architecture of the Harrington estate. "But I'm here to learn and adapt, can't be stuck in the mountains all my life, can I."
"Good attitude," Penelope replied, opening the passenger door for Travis. "You're going to need it." Tilting her head at him to get in.
The ride to Columbia University was quiet for the first few minutes. Travis stared out the window, watching the city rush by—a blur of people, buildings, and cars, all moving faster than anything he had ever experienced in his time at the monastery.
"Listen," Penelope said, breaking the silence. "Amanda's not going to make this easy for you. She's... difficult. She loves her independence above all, and she's not exactly the most thrilled to have another bodyguard tailing her every move."
"I'll manage," Travis said simply, absent-mindedly watching the city.
Penelope smirked. "You're calm. I like that. But just so you know, calm doesn't always work with Amanda. She'll test you, and not in the way you're used to. But don't take it personally. She's a good kid, underneath all that spoilt brat attitude."
Travis only nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what to expect from Amanda. He had dealt with difficult people before, but this was different. Protecting a headstrong young woman in one of the busiest cities in the world felt like a test he hadn't fully prepared for.
---
Columbia University stood before them like a puzzle of buildings, pathways, and energetic students. The energy was infectious with groups of students hurrying from class to class, others lounging on the grass, and the sounds of conversation, laughter, and the occasional bicycle bell filling the air.
Penelope led Travis through the main building, her pace brisk but unhurried. "She's probably with her friends, near the student centre. We'll check there first."
As they approached the large glass-fronted building, Penelope gestured toward a group of students gathered on the steps. Amanda was easy to spot—sitting at the centre of her friends, with her laughter ringing out above the rest. She wore a stylish leather jacket and ripped jeans, her blonde hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders.
Travis hesitated for a moment, watching from a distance. Amanda looked relaxed, her guard down, surrounded by friends. This was her world, and for the first time, Travis realized how out of place he was in it. The noise, the energy, the constant buzz of life—it was so far removed from the quiet, disciplined existence he had known.
Penelope nudged him. "Don't just stand there. She's your responsibility now."
Travis took a deep breath and stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Amanda. As he approached, her laughter faded, and she turned to face him. The annoyance from earlier flashed across her face once more.
"Seriously?" she said, standing up and crossing her arms. "You're already following me around?"
Travis stopped a few feet away, bowing slightly. "I'm here to ensure your safety, Miss Harrington."
Amanda scoffed, rolling her eyes. "My safety? This is Columbia, not a war zone."
"That may be true, but your father—"
"My father is paranoid," Amanda interrupted. "Look, I don't need you hovering around me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"I'm not here to hover," Travis said back, his voice calm but firm. "I'm here to protect you, whether you think you need it or not."
Her friends snickered behind her, clearly enjoying the confrontation. Amanda's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Travis thought she might lash out again. But instead, she just sighed, shaking her head.
"Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't expect me to fold my arms and allow you to do whatever you want." She said with a sly smile.
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, her friends following close behind, still whispering and laughing amongst themselves. Travis watched her go, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach.
Penelope stepped up beside him, chuckling softly. "Like I said—she's not going to make it easy."
"I don't need easy," Travis replied, his eyes still on Amanda's retreating figure. "I just need to do my job."
Penelope smirked. "Good luck with that, monk. You're going to need it."
---
The rest of the day was spent shadowing Amanda from a distance, trying to balance between protecting her and giving her space. She made it clear, multiple times, that she didn't want Travis around, but he stuck to his assignment with quiet determination.
As the sun began to set over the university, casting long shadows across the campus, Travis's thoughts returned to the monastery. At this time he was having his evening training, followed by an hour of meditation before dinner and ten o'clock a sparring session with his brothers again.
What a quiet and beautiful lifestyle he was going to miss, the difference between this world and the one he left behind was as clear as a brick wall, but he was going to do what it took to adapt, like his master once said;
"Even the ants of the earth must adapt to a new environment when their homes are destroyed. With grit and resilience, they work to rebuild that which was lost. Never be afraid to start again."
Travis sighed again, knowing the peace he had known there now felt like a lifetime away. His new world was one of noise, chaos, and unpredictability, and Amanda Harrington was at the centre of it all.
But no matter the challenges, Travis had made a promise to The Chairman—and to himself. He would protect Amanda, whether she liked it or not. And as he watched her walk away, her defiance clear in every step, he knew that his real test had only just begun.