PAMPERED

366

Angel

[SKYLINE PLAZA: ZOREN]

“Sir, you can’t take the black panther out,” said the bodyguard as he watched Zoren put Renny on a leash. “It might create a huge ruckus if it runs around.” (2

“Don’t worry. Renny is trained,” Zoren replied, continuing to make sure his panther was

comfortable with the leash on. “He’ll behave.”

“Sir, that is not what I’m concerned about,” the bodyguard spoke with concern. “Not many are used to seeing a black panther on the street.”

“I know that. I did my research.”

The bodyguard was momentarily speechless, wondering if this was the reason Benjamin was already watching his blood pressure. “Things might go awry.”

“It won’t.” When Zoren finished, he snapped his eyes at the bodyguard. “Renny will be fine, and I’ve already made a few calls. So, it’ll get a pass.”

“We can’t stop others from hurting it if things go south,” the bodyguard remarked, and Zoren nodded.

“Don’t worry.”

“And Miss Penelope might hurt all of us if that happens,” he added.

Zoren tilted his head slightly to the side. “Did she also say to look after my son?”

“No,” the bodyguard let out another shallow breath. “She said she liked the panther. Miss Penelope’s only order is to protect you, but if she likes the panther, it’s our responsibility to make sure no harm comes its way.”

However, in hindsight, the panther didn’t need that much protection. It would gnaw anyone who tried to harm it. Even so, this was Penny they were talking about, and as her people, they understood where things could lead if someone deeply upset her.

Zoren smiled subtly. “Do not worry. I’ll look after Renny.”

“You can’t even see properly, sir. No offense.”

“None taken. With his size and color, I can see him clearly.” Zoren chuckled as he got up from his seat. “Moreover, I’ve raised him. I am his father, and as his father, I can tell his mood. I know how to calm him down. Not to mention, that neighborhood is too quiet… it’s deafening.”

The bodyguard assessed the confident look on Zoren before he yielded. If his employer said so, then there was nothing they could do. After all, Zoren simply wanted to take Renny for a walk. Having said that, Zoren walked out of the mansion with the leash in his hand. It was as though he was simply out to take a little dog for a walk.

Since the panther was huge, the pickup they were going to use was already prepared outside the residence. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

10:39

366 Angel

“I think it’s better if he stays inside,” Zoren remarked, staring at the back of the pickup. “Renny might jump out and run past us instead.”

The bodyguards looked at him with a flat expression. ‘Didn’t he say Renny was well–behaved and wouldn’t do something like that?‘

“Let’s use a bigger vehicle,” he snapped his eyes at the closest bodyguard. “Can we?”

“Yes,” the bodyguard nodded and cast his colleagues a look.

With that, the other bodyguard quickly

—

away to get a bigger van to use. While waiting, the

bodyguard cast his eyes down on the panther and then at the big cat’s master. To be fair, the panther didn’t scare them. Their boss

was fearless and never feared such wild creatures. However, she never took any of them as pets for reasons she didn’t want any more

pets.

– Penelope

–

‘Speaking of pets… ‘the bodyguard studied Zoren’s face. ‘I think she mentioned her first wild pet is also a black panther.‘

“Am I being watched now?” the bodyguard’s thoughts halted upon Zoren’s inquiry.

“No, sir.”

This was the second time Zoren asked this question tonight.

“Are you sure?”

“Do not worry about your security, sir.” The bodyguard nodded reassuringly. “No one can sneak past the first line of our defense without alerting us.”

Zoren rocked his head. “I see.”

“Why are you asking, sir?”

“I am supposed to be dining with Miss Miller,” said Zoren nonchalantly. “I didn’t plan to let anyone know that I saw through their ploys.”

“Ah.” The bodyguard nodded in understanding. “Do not worry about that, sir. Miss Penelope wouldn’t send us if we didn’t know what to do.”

The corner of Zoren’s lips curled up. “She did send her best team to me.”

“We are not just her best team, sir.”

“Hmm?”

The bodyguard studied Zoren and wanted the latter to know that Zoren deeply owed Penny. Hence, he decided to give out a bit of information about them.

“We are her only team,” the bodyguard stressed. “We work directly for her, the ones in charge of her security and keeping her privacy safe.”

Deep lines appeared between Zoren’s brows as he faced the bodyguard squarely. “What’s your

name?”

“It’s…” the bodyguard hesitated, lowering his gaze, not excited that this day had come. “It’s

Anwalt

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366 Angel

“Angel?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re a man?”

“…” The bodyguard frowned. ‘Is it necessary to ask that, sir?‘

“My parents thought of me as an angel when I came into their lives, sir,” he explained, his face twitching. “That is why they named me Angel.”

Zoren’s expression didn’t change, but he pressed his lips tighter. ‘His parents didn’t want him.‘

“I see.” Zoren nodded and took a deep breath. “Very well, Angel, since you’ve revealed information I’m certain Miss Penelope didn’t want me to know, may I ask another question?”

“As long as it is something I can answer, sir.”

“If you are Miss Penelope’s direct guards, who is guarding her now?”

The bodyguard went completely quiet, his expression solemn. When he answered, his tone was heavy and meaningful.

“No one.” A glint flickered across Angel’s eyes as his jaw tightened briefly. “She sent us all here, leaving herself open.”

“Tomorrow, you are fired,” Zoren replied in the same solemn tone. “Go back to her.”

“I’m afraid you can’t do that.”

“And why can’t I?”

“She’s the only one who can fire us,” Angel replied. “Even if you fire us, we’ll keep following you.”

Zoren cocked his head back and rubbed his chin. “That’s not in our contract.”

“But it is in ours.”

“You have separate contracts?” Zoren inquired, but this time, he didn’t get a response. “I see you cannot say more than that.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Very well. I’ll talk to her tomorrow, then.”

Angel tilted his head slightly to the side. “Weren’t you meeting her tonight, sir?”

“What made you think of that?” Zoren furrowed his brows, sensing the genuine confusion from Angel,

“Well…” Angel scratched his inked temple with his index finger. “Because Miss Penelope lives close to your destination.”

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