Chained to You (Dark Billionaires 3, 4)

An anguish cry escaped my lips as I thought about the horrible things that had happened to Andy and would likely to happen again. What if the next it'd be worse? What if it was so bad that his very life...

No. No. I reasoned with myself. Andy had Matt to protect him, and I had no reason to question the man's ability and Andy's safety under his watch. Matt was a pro in this type of business. He was one of the dark billionaires who ruled Las Vegas City with an iron fist. So Andy was safe and protected with him. Yet Andy was still...

I shook my head. Matt would be more proactive now this time round after what had happened. Otherwise there wouldn't be bodyguards with Andy at all times, right?

And what about me with James? If I wished that Andy and my life were back the way it had been six months ago, if I hadn't come here because of Andy and that two million dollars, what would I be doing now?

Working at the restaurant; that was for sure. That meant I would have never met James. That also meant I wouldn't have to think about him every few minutes and wondered about our unconventional relationship and whether he liked... no, loved me or not. I was utterly happy being with him, yet at times such as these when he wasn't around, when I was alone and I had my thoughts to myself, I thought I might just go insane thinking about him.

Noting that Andy was still asleep, I got up from my seat and headed out the door. I didn't want to spend my time sitting here thinking about the possibility of my dark, desolate future of my unrequited love for James. I needed to get out and get some fresh air.

Patrick accompanied me to the Nevada Mall, the one James took me last time to buy clothes, the one that belonged to his family. It was weird to have a big, bulky man in black suit following you around like a little duckling. It was also a little embarrassing when people started staring at you just because you had a bodyguard with you. At least Patrick was considerate enough to keep his distance.

At first I wondered why Patrick would even accompany me to the mall. Surely, I wouldn't get lost in there. I'd just met up with him a few hours later once I was done. When I asked, he simply replied, "Mr. Maxwell stated clearly I must be with you at all time when he isn't around."

Seriously?

It was then a thought struck me. Was I being targeted by the Mexican and the Albanian as well? It was then the images of men following me ever since I had landed in Los Angeles flashed into my mind. I had always been a target since the beginning, haven't I? Ever since Andy was involved. Hadn't James said they'd even fly over to Mystic Spring just to get me? How could I forget about that? God! How stupid of me. I was involved and I was a target for a potential kidnapping and all the horrible things that came after that, whether I liked it or not. Yes, my life was on the line so to speak. The thought made me shivered in trepidation. My heart raced and my head spun, flashing with endless, atrocious images and possibilities of my demise.

I glanced at Patrick behind me. So he was guarding and protecting me all along? I must admit I was grateful for his presence and his hard work.

I dismissed the thoughts of me being kidnapped from my mind and started browsing the stores in the mall. For the first half an hour I simply went from one stores to another, scanning through the products on display. Of course I didn't buy anything because none caught my fancy. Besides, I was used to window shopping, what with being poor and on a tight budget. I also didn't wanted to spend James's money, too. I was quite stubborn and independent where money was concerned. I wanted to only spend my own that I earned through my own ability. I think people would put that as pride?

It was a few hours later when I was browsing through the sweet shop section when I caught sight of something I wanted. Cakes! Sweet would surely please Andy.

I literally had my nose on the glass window of the display cabinet as I tried to decide which one of the cakes looked the best and which Andy would like to have. There were a few of his favorites here; carrot, chocolate, and then there was... strawberry shortcake.

The moment I saw the delicious looking cake with white cream and neatly placed strawberry on top, my heart ached in sorrow.

"Mom," I whispered under my breath, feeling tears brewing in my eyes. Suddenly upset, I took a step back. Bam! I bumped into a body. A soft shriek followed that.

I hastily turned around in fright and apology.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry," I said, crouching down to help the person up. People were looking at us, at me, for causing unnecessary locomotion.

"I didn't know you were behind me," I admitted.

On her backside on the floor, the girl chuckled as she tucked her long hair behind her ear. When she looked up at me, I couldn't help but stared and had my mouth agape open in awe.

My gosh! This girl was a beauty. Delicate features and emerald green eyes. When she smiled at me, her eyes were bright. But then something odd nagged at me that there was something deeper beneath that beautiful smile. Sadness? Loneliness? A craving for something deep? It was as though this was the first time she smiled in a long time. Now why did I think that? I wasn't sure. But there was something in her look and her demeanor that told me she and I were in the same boat of a sort.

"It's all right," she said softly. "I wasn't looking... I mean I didn't see you in front of me. I was too busy trying to figure out which cake I should buy."

I laughed, both uncomfortably and apologetically. "Me, too," I said, trying to make light of the situation. I didn't want to offend her, after all.

"I have a few favorites, so it's always hard to decide," she said, smiling.

I nodded in agreement. Then I thought I'd get along very well with this girl. Though she looked a little younger than me.

"Chocolate cake is always a safe bet," I said. "I think I might get that one for--"

The name James Maxwell suddenly popped up in my head. Why James? But then I thought chocolate cake would definitely suit his taste. It definitely suit him as a person, too. As with the cake, he was enticing, rich in flavor with a hint of bitterness, and utterly sweet. Once you had a taste, you could never stop. He made me crave for him, for his touches, his kisses and so much more, just like the cake.

Suddenly, my heart ached. The weight of the invisible pain crushed me around the chest like a ton of brick. Oh god! I wanted James with me now even though I knew I'd see him again tonight. Why was I like this all of a sudden? Why was I so dependent on him now all of a sudden?

I've became attached to him, I just realized that. And that wasn't good. Not good at all.

The girl nodded. "I think chocolate cake with white icing," she said. "That one would suit him."

Him? Her words drew my attention away from my dismal thoughts. The girl must be buying cakes for her boyfriend then?

I smiled. "But strawberry shortcakes are nice, too. It's sweet and light. I love strawberry shortcake."

"Really?" she asked. "I've never tried it before."

"Yes, Mom used to--"

I stopped short. I was about to tell her how Mom had used to bake it for me on my birthday but the reminder only brought forward a jap of unpleasant pain within my heart.

The girl lick her lip and tucked her hair behind her ear. I suspected that it was her habit doing that. "Are you okay?" she asked.

I nodded my head, pleasantly surprised this girl was so perceptive of my emotions. "I'm fine."

It was then the sale woman asked us what we'd like. I told her I'd like four slices of chocolate cake, two carrot and two strawberry shortcake. Once I had completed and paid for my orders, I step out of the store, thinking about heading back to the hospital. Patrick was once again not too far away, standing out from the crowd and looking suspicious as usual. I wanted to laugh. He was definitely a bodyguard and he definitely didn't belonged in the mall. But then I noted that he wasn't alone. There was another man in black suit not too far away, too, standing by the cake store.

I was looking at him when the girl I had bumped into before rushed over to me.

She licked her lips shyly and said, "I bought

the strawberry shortcake because you said it was delicious."

"That's nice," I said. "You'll enjoy it." Then I thought maybe it was about time I started picking up on baking again, especially on making the strawberry shortcake. I had to let the cold emptiness and pain of losing Mom and being without her go at some point, hadn't I?

"Err... what's your name?"

"Huh?" I blinked in surprised. Why would she ask me my name? Wait? Did she want to become my friend or something? The thought made my heart burst with delight.

I smiled and said, "Mia... Mia Donovan."

The girl tucked her hair behind her ear again. I noticed that they had the habit of falling back into place, resting and covering the side of her beautiful face.

"I'm Savanah White," she said. "Do you..." She licked her lips. "Do you live here in Las Vegas or are you a tourist?"

How should I phrase this? I didn't live here nor was I a tourist of sort.

I said, "No, I don't live here."

"Oh..." She sound a little disappointed at that. "Well, enjoy your trip then," she said, trying her best to smile. "See you later."

She turned on her heel and walked away. I wanted to stop her but then again what? What do I tell her after that? She was clearly disappointed I wasn't from Las Vegas, that I didn't live here.

I sighed, and was about to turn on my heel also when I noted that other man in black suit I had seen earlier was following behind her. Then he offered to carry the bag of cakes for her, of which she obliged.

I watched her go, my heart suddenly sad and aching. Here I was about to make a friend in my new life and my new world and I blew it because I didn't know if I was a tourist or a Las Vegas girl.