The sharp clanging of weights echoed through the gym as Fred, one of the estate's security guards, dropped his dumbbells and stretched out on the floor. Tim, Jeremy, and Collins, three of Travis's fellow trainees, sat around him, chuckling and cracking jokes about their shifts.
"Man, Travis," Fred said, smirking at the new bodyguard, "you've been here a whole month, and you still haven't experienced the joy of the midnight shift. You don't know what real work is until you're wandering these dark hallways half-asleep."
Jeremy laughed, shaking his head. "Forget the midnight shift. The afternoon post is worse—six hours straight under the sun, walking the entire estate. Talk about brutal."
"Yah!" Travis slammed his fist on the table, his face a picture of frustration as he tried to concentrate on the notes in front of him. "Do you guys mind? I have less than a week until my final evaluation."
Collins grinned and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, calm down, monk. We're just messing with you. It's not like you're actually gonna fail. You're practically superhuman with all that Zen stuff you've got going on."
Travis ignored the playful jab, his patience wearing thin. His time at the Harrington estate had been challenging, to say the least, and the looming final test felt like the last hurdle he had to clear. It was a crucial step, not just in securing his position, but in proving to both the chairman and himself that he could adapt to this world.
"You know he'll pass," Jeremy said with a smirk. "He's been doing nothing but training and studying since he got here. Look at him—he's a walking textbook of martial arts and security protocols."
Collins leaned back in his chair, sighing dramatically. "It's just not fair, man. How are we supposed to compete with that?"
Before Travis could respond, the sound of someone clearing their throat cut through the conversation. Liv, one of the few female guards on the team, approached the group, her expression stern but sympathetic.
"Can't you idiots see he's trying to study?" Penelopy said, glaring at the men. "Leave him alone, or I'll start telling him what you three scored on your entrance exams."
The others groaned in unison, but Penelope wasn't finished. She smirked wickedly. "Or better yet, why don't I remind him of the 'consequences' you faced for letting a girl beat you in the tests?"
Collins rolled his eyes. "Relax, Penelope. We're just having some fun."
"Yeah, well, take your fun somewhere else," Penelope snapped. "Some of us actually care about doing our jobs properly."
The three men grumbled as they gathered their things and shuffled out of the room, leaving Travis and Penelope behind.
Travis shot Penelope a grateful look. "Thanks."
Pen shrugged, sitting down beside him with her own tray of food. "Don't thank me. I just hate listening to their whining."
Travis nodded, his focus returning to the open notebook in front of him. He still had a long way to go before he was fully ready for the final test, but at least now he could concentrate in peace.
Just as he took a bite of his food, his phone rang, its old-fashioned ringtone echoing through the room. Travis fumbled with the flip phone, finally managing to answer.
"I need you at the main house by the stairs. Now," came Levi's familiar voice, sharp and to the point as always. Before Travis could respond, the line went dead.
Travis sighed, pushing his tray aside and standing up. "I have to go."
Pen watched him with a raised eyebrow. "Duty calls, huh?"
He nodded. "Apparently."
Without another word, Travis left the dining hall and made his way to the main house. As he arrived, he spotted Levi standing by the grand staircase, his arms crossed and his usual no-nonsense expression on his face.
"Good, you're here," Levi said, glancing at him as he approached. "The chairman has requested that you accompany Amanda to school today."
Travis blinked, surprised. "School?"
Levi nodded once. "Columbia University. She's in her second year. You'll be escorting her for the rest of the week as part of your evaluation. You'll also need to learn the routes and routines for when she's on campus."
Travis processed this new task, a mixture of apprehension and determination settling in his chest. Spending more time with Amanda wasn't exactly something he looked forward to, given her strong dislike for his presence. But this was his job, and he was prepared to do it.
"And you won't be doing it alone," Levi added. "Pen's going with you."
As if on cue, Penelope appeared at the entrance to the house, striding in with a confident smile. "Hello Pen," she greeted Levi teasingly. "Ready to babysit?"
Levi shot her a pointed look. "Just make sure Amanda stays safe."
Pen waved him off playfully. "I've got this. Besides, Amanda isn't exactly a kid anymore. She's a grown woman—she can handle herself."
"That's my fear," Levi muttered. "The more you encourage her independence, the more reckless she becomes."
Travis glanced between the two of them, noticing the easy familiarity between Levi and Pen. He had known they were colleagues, but this interaction revealed that their relationship ran deeper than mere professionalism.
Before he could dwell on it, the sound of high heels clicking against the marble floor drew his attention. Amanda appeared at the top of the staircase, looking both irritated and impatient. She was dressed in a stylish ensemble that screamed both privilege and rebellion—a leather jacket over a designer top, paired with ripped jeans and boots.
"Penny!" Amanda called, her face lighting up when she saw Penelope . She hurried down the stairs and pulled Penelopeinto a hug.
"Awww, my little mochi," Pen teased, ruffling Amanda's hair. "You've grown so much since I last saw you."
Amanda giggled, but her joy was short-lived as her gaze landed on Travis, who stood quietly in the background.
Her smile faded. "Oh, great. He's still here."
Levi stepped forward, her tone firm. "Amanda, you know the arrangement. Travis is here to keep you safe."
Amanda crossed her arms, her annoyance clear. "Safe from what? We're going to school, not some civil war centre."
"Regardless," Levi said, his voice leaving no room for argument, "he's coming with you. Penelope will be assisting as well."
Amanda groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Fine. But I'm telling you now—I don't want him anywhere near me."
Travis said nothing, keeping his expression neutral. He was used to Amanda s resistance by now, though it still stung.
As they made their way to the car, Travis opened the door for Amanda, standing back as she approached. But just as she reached the car, Amanda's irritation bubbled over.
"Did you think I wouldn't recognize you just because you cleaned up a little?" she snapped at Travis. "I told you—I don't want you in my sight."
Travis remained calm. "I'm here to do my job, Miss Harrington."
"Don't ignore me!" she shouted.
"Shall we leave?" Travis asked, keeping his voice level.
Amanda let out an exasperated scream, her frustration evident. "Ugh, you're impossible!"
Penelope, ever the peacemaker, stepped in, gently guiding Amanda into the car. "Come on, Mandy. Let's just get to school. We can talk about this later."
Travis climbed into the front seat, grateful that Penelope had defused the situation, at least for now. The drive to CU was tense, with Amanda fuming in the back seat and Penelope attempting to lighten the mood with small talk.
When they finally arrived at the university, Amanda didn't waste time waiting for anyone to open her door. She stormed out of the car and marched toward the campus, leaving Travis and Penelope behind.
"Don't worry about her," Penelope said, patting Travis on the shoulder. "She'll come around eventually."
Travis O'Neil wasn't so sure. But he had a job to do, and he wasn't going to let Amanda s temper get in the way.
While Amanda attended her classes, Travis spent the afternoon learning the layout of the campus and practicing driving with Mr. Min, the Harrington family's driver. Fred was a kind, older man with years of experience, and under his patient guidance, Travis quickly picked up the basics of navigating New York's busy streets.
"You're a quick learner," Min remarked as they drove through a private practice course. "You'll get your license in no time."
"Thank you," Travis said, though his mind was already wandering back to Amanda. Something about her rebellious nature intrigued him. She was more than just a spoiled heiress—there was a depth to her defiance, a strength that she hid behind her attitude.
Later, after their driving lesson, Min suggested lunch, and they stopped by a local restaurant for a break. But just as they were about to eat, Min received a call that made his expression fall a little.
"Looks like we've got a situation," Min said, putting his phone down. "Amanda's run off again."
Travis's heart sank. "What?"
Min sighed. "She does this sometimes. Slips away from her classes and disappears into the city."
Min said taking a seat closest to the door, getting ready for lunch. This action alone made Travis wonder if anyone was sane in New York.
"What are you doing Min? Shouldn't we go look for the Miss?" Travis said, his body shaking as he slowly lost composure.
"You shouldn't worry yourself boy, I've known the young miss all her life, she always comes back." Min said, and soon after their lunch came. "You should eat, after we're done we'll find the young lady if it makes you feel any better."
"No!"
Without wasting another moment, Travis stormed out of the restaurant, his mind already racing through possible scenarios. He had spent the past month preparing for his role, learning every detail of the Harrington estate and the routes to and from the university, but he hadn't anticipated this.
Travis fiddled with the keys as he took the car straight to CU. Amanda might not want him around, but it was his responsibility to protect her, no matter how difficult she made it.
And he wasn't going to fail.