The Perfect Bodyguard

Casey couldn't believe that the two policemen, including Ronnie Lagoste, had intentionally visited her at her house, and informed her that the two men who had killed her parents had been released. She struggled to process this information, wondering how it could be possible. She vividly remembered the terrifying ordeal she had endured at the hands of those criminals before managing to escape.

It was a life sentence, how did that happen? Her heart raced as she remembered what she went through at the hands of those two thugs before she managed to escape. She shook his head slowly several times and then looked at the public attorney.

Sitting with the Public Attorney's Office lawyer, Attorney Lagoste, who had taken her case after she could no longer afford a private lawyer, she found comfort in his kind and humble demeanor. He didn't treat her like just another client but more like a friend explaining things to her.

"You're frightened," Attorney Lagoste smiles a bit.

She nods in response as she feels her tears start to well up in her eyes.

"I am," her voice cracks. She has every reason to be struck with fear. The man holds her hand and gently shakes it.

"We'll put them back behind bars; this time, for a lifetime," he assures her. Somehow, it gives her a glimmer of hope, but she still can't shake off her fear. She had experienced enough. She had come close to being assaulted and killed by criminals, and now she's on the edge of uncertainty again.

Three years had passed since her parents' demise, and Casey had tried to move on. All her fears resurfaced as if the traumatic events had happened just yesterday now that those murderers were set free. Her friends had been her support during those times of recovery, but now, it all seemed futile. She had already spent all her money seeking justice for her Mom and Dad.

"The police officers are suggesting 24/7 security. If you can't afford it yourself, they're offering the protection program for you. You're welcome to accept the offer," Ronnie adds.

"For how long?" she nervously asks, feeling dreadfully worried.

"For as long as justice isn't served for the second time."

Her eyes widen in shock. She can't wait that long. It's a long time to endure before those two men are imprisoned again, and she can't rot in the government-assigned safe place. It's as if she's the one imprisoned, not the ones who killed her Mommy and Daddy. But where will she find her protector? She doesn't have a penny to pay for security. If she has any money, it's only for her education and daily meals. She couldn't even find a job because she's still a minor and no establishment accepts her. She will turn eighteen next month. What can she pay a bodyguard with, booger?

Her dream of getting a private lawyer had cost her everything, including her car.

She knew she had to find a solution. Despite Ronnie's offer to lend her money, Casey declined. She didn't want to be indebted, especially to a man. Her parents had warned her to be cautious about accepting help from others, especially men. She knew what that meant.

"I'll accept it for now. But I'll find my own way to get rid of that protector thing. I can't stay under the police's protection custody even just for a month. It'll drive me crazy, Attorney," she says as she leans back on the sofa and rubs her head in frustration.

Ronnie couldn't help but chuckle softly while looking at her.

"Do you need help? I can lend you some money to-"

"No," she interrupts and sits up straight, looking at the young lawyer.

Of course, she can't take advantage of his kindness. Ronnie's professional fee is for free. She doesn't want to burden herself with a debt of gratitude, especially to a man.

She was only fifteen when her parents died, and since then, many have offered her help, most of them coming from her neighbors who are elderly dirty men. She was naïve then, and she still might be now, but that naivety doesn't affect her ability to think clearly. She can't accept every offer and repay them later.

She's a young and beautiful woman, and many have told her that, even when she was a child. Some of the older women in her village advised her to be cautious when accepting offers, especially from men.

Casey stood on her own feet, realizing that her parents had left her with some assets. She had no support from relatives and had even faced inheritance disputes. She was frustrated, particularly with the unresolved issues involving her father's alleged involvement with a criminal syndicate that had led to her parents' death. She needed answers and justice.

Whether her father was involved or not, it's still not right to disrespect her Mom and killed her brutally. Her Mom was a beautiful woman and was raped before those bastards took her mother's life. She was severely traumatized and had to undergo extensive treatment.

She saw that brutality firsthand and was forced to witness it all. If it was so painful for her, how much more for her Dad? Her Dad was on the verge of death due to countless stab wounds, and he could still see that cruelty. She was young, but she already understood how a man and a woman engage in sexual acts. It was etched into her mind as something painful and tragic, and she vowed never to engage in such activities. She's afraid of experiencing what her Mom went through. This is the one thing she never told the psychiatrist who helped her overcome her trauma. Even though it's gone, it will never leave her memory and heart. It's a nightmare that haunts her every day. She's strong because she has friends who don't abandon her.

She leaned back on the sofa, realizing she had raised her voice at the lawyer, who seemed to have ignored it.

"I'm sorry, Attorney. I just want to stand on my own and learn how to face this. I've faced this once, and I know I can still face it now. I know you're already helping me, which is why I don't want to trouble you to find private security for me. I do have a choice, which is to stay in police custody, but I won't let myself rot there," she said and then crossed her arms.

She's aware that Ronnie is looking at her. The man often seems to be staring at her as if she's the only one in the room. Her gaze shifts toward him, and he smiles at her and playfully ruffles her hair. He's a young and handsome man, but he doesn't appeal to her. She might be the only girl in the world without a crush. It's one of their friendship's pledges – no boyfriends until they graduate from College.

"When will I be moved to the custody of the Philippine National Police, Attorney?" Casey asked, ignoring the appreciative gaze.

"You can come with me if you don't want to stay with them," he offered.

She sighed deeply, realizing that the lawyer had a mischievous side. She already said she didn't want that. She doesn't want to be treated like a child who can't stand on her own two feet. She's been living independently for three years and never asked for her family's help. They didn't offer it, either. She doesn't know why, but it hurts her to hear that they don't want to be involved in her problems because her father was involved with a syndicate.

She took a deep breath. "Thanks, but no thanks, Attorney. I can stay with the cops for a couple of days. I'll find a solution for this. I just hope that those murderers will be put in jail as soon as possible. I know your service is free, Attorney, but I hope you won't get lazy in fighting for it, even if I can't pay you anything," she said and blinked.

Her words made Ronnie burst into laughter as if amused by her bluntness. "You're such a witty girl. Don't worry. I don't need anything in return. I was made to help people in need for free," Ronnie smiled at her sincerely.

She nodded and smiled back. She glanced at her cat. They were going to evacuate, and she might have to leave Cutie with one of her friends. She's sure Cutie will miss the neighbor's dog, Bernardo, a few hundred meters away.

She thinks she should call her friends first. She knows she's welcome in her friends' families, but she can't risk their lives. They've been helping her for years, and that's enough for her. She needs to be tougher and stronger this time. She's feeling a range of fear, but if she survived her ordeal with those culprits at fifteen, she can do it now at eighteen. She's Casey Daniella, an Imperial, strong despite her fear. Those thugs can't kill her, and she won't give them the satisfaction.

"Can you come back here, Attorney? I need to talk to my friends," she requested from the man who would take her to the PNP custody.

"Of course. I'll be back after lunch. I'll leave the cops here to keep you safe. We can't afford to take any risks, Casey. Those men are dangerous, and they've threatened you after the trial, even after they were found guilty," Ronnie said, never breaking eye contact.

She nodded and smiled at him. He seemed even more taken with her. She might be in denial, but her friends have noticed the way Attorney Lagoste looks at her. She's the only one who doesn't see it. It's not impossible, though, because she's undeniably beautiful and doesn't look seventeen; she'll turn eighteen in two weeks. She's still young when she talks and makes decisions. She's only been strengthened by time and what happened to her parents. And now, she prays for safety again.

She'll make those men who killed her parents pay. Even if her Dad was part of a syndicate, he deserves justice. As far as she knows, her Dad was good to her and her Mom. He was the best Dad to her, no matter what others say.