Under His Protection

“Have you been to the desert in Dubai? We should go there during the summer, we would have all the fun driving and racing in G wagons” she shouted.

“Yeah, that would be great. It’s been a long while since I drove this fast, I could use an appropriate boost of adrenaline”

“I would race you Cory, I bet you can’t win me in a car race. I have been driving sports cars since I was 8!”

“Oh great, who knows, I have a good deal of luck with me. I never lose a race”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Nope”

Cory gunned the car up to high heavens until the car started shuddering violently.

“you are going to kill us” Jasmine shouted happily again.

When they got to the cinema, a man in an Italian suit welcomed them in.

“Welcome Ms. Grant, just as you have asked, a private cinema for you and your boyfriend”

They giggled like kids, the cinema was scarcely lit, and it had the ambiance of a mournful place of worship. In a corner, there was a huge table, a table full of all the expensive food Cory had ever seen.

“Let’s eat up, there is Yammarita, grilled fish, lobsters, oysters, crabs, and more” Jasmine said giggling and clapping her hands. Cory had never seen her this happy before. She was glowing and radiating joyfulness, a joyfulness known with only kids. He took a long stare at the food and decided he would be sick eating them. He took a bite of the salted prawns and felt nauseous.

“I think I would stick with the fish instead,” he announced.

“Me too,” Cory said, still smiling and bubbling.

They ate playfully, with Jasmine stealing his food. He took hers too and she fought back. Cory took a clandestine look at the large cinema hall and saw Damien had taken position with the other guards, he loved what he saw, and he continued eating.

They saw a Movie together and Jasmine snuggled up to him, soon she was asleep. Cory lifted her in his arms, she stared a bit and went on sleeping, her breath oozing noiselessly from her small nose.

When they got home, he met Lisa wide awake, he whispered a greeting to her, and she acknowledged. Cory placed Jasmine down gently on her bed, yet she did not as much as move a limb.

The next day she gave a press conference despite that she had promised not to give one. The room was packed full to its capacity with correspondents with huge microphones and sophisticated cameras. She gave the salutations amidst the shattering flashes of cameras.

“I once had the privilege of speaking to children, both old and young, one would find that it is clear that getting educated is the biggest wish of the younger generation. In my days as a sophomore at the prestigious Harvard College, I observed, albeit subtly, that many of my mates once had the notion that a university education was for the elite. As a fact, many young Americans think a University education is above their reach. My Alumna once thought she would never have a university education, as her mom was so unable to fend for her from the meager amount she made working different shifts at casual jobs, but she won a free scholarship and her life changed forever. Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘The greatest gift given to a child is his education. It allows him to stand boldly in the face of oppression with this in mind, we have provided provisions to sponsor the education of not less than 200 Children yearly to university level”

Jasmine paused and soon, questions projected like missiles from reporters. There was so much noise but she pointed at a petite lady.

“MS. Jasmine, you did not mention in your speech why you chose eastern San Torino as the base of your scholarship project”

“Thanks. Yeah, eastern San Torino is known all over California as the poverty capital of the United States. So the reason is not farfetched”

“Does this mean there won’t be a chance for kids in communities like southeast Norton, New London, and Peace Haven?”

“We have all of these plans in mind and we hope they will soon come into reality”

“Excuse me, ma’am, I have a different question. It's been a long while since Mr Grant came into view, and there have been rumors of his death…….”

“Alright, that would be all for now ladies and gentlemen. Good day,” Cory came to Jasmine’s aid.

“why not just ask politely about my dad instead of the poorly designed reverse psychology” Jasmine asked rhetorically on the way home.

Cory was practicing usually his stance one very early morning, he had woken up that morning to check on the men on guard. Damien was doing a good job keeping the snipers alert. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes again. EMMMMMMM OOOOOOOO he went again and did his pushups for the last time.

“Would you do that thing for the rest of your life?” Jasmine asked from behind him.

“Yeah, till I have no strength anymore. Sylvester Stallone is over 60 and he still does his workouts” he replied to her.

“Alright, what do you think about owning a private island in Miami?”

Cory was not in the least surprised; with his bodyguard job, he also acted unofficially as a purchase adviser. She asked him about buying a new Gulfstream jet, a yacht, a new boat, and other luxurious things.

“If it wouldn’t affect your finances, then why not?”

“I spoke with my brokers and accountants and I was told I could afford to be lavish” she explained. Her Afghan breed cat, Gloplet, meowed maliciously and she picked it up.

“Look who is here? It’s the regal and beautiful doo-doo. Want some milk baby? Let’s go have some” she said fussily as she walked towards the elevator.

Cory could not understand why people fussed over cats. He thought cats were independent and never needed anyone’s help fending for themselves.

Suddenly, he felt a movement around the shrubs in the house. He was not taken aback. He tip-toed slowly towards the place the sound came from. He knew if it was something serious like an intruder, the snipers would have sedated it.

He thought it could be a snake or a deer, he crawled nearer and nearer till he was close. Suddenly, about three squirrels jumped off chirping fearfully.