MY PERFECT BODYGUARD CHAPTER THIRTY TWO :THE RESCUE AND THE MAP

In the morning, Richard and Linda got ready to return to their mission. Since they had arrived in the village with limited clothing, only the few items Richard had managed to purchase, they packed everything into a single bag as they tidied up the room before leaving.

"Are we sure we have enough gas in the bike?" Linda inquired.

Richard shook his head, replying, "No, we'll have to head to the filling station to top it up, but that's our last bit of cash," he added, gazing at their dwindling resources.

As they left, they made a beeline for the filling station. While on the road, Richard couldn't help but notice how Linda was holding onto him, her touch making him feel strangely nervous. Her head rested on his back, a level of physical closeness he hadn't experienced with any girl before.

After driving for hours, they finally reached the city bus stand, but they had run out of gas. They managed to push the bike as they walked.

"Let's find a place to hide the bike and then make our move," Richard suggested.

Linda was taken aback, "What? We need a contingency plan for when we reach my dad's house."

Richard inquired, "So, what's your plan?"

Linda thought for a moment, "I have a friend who lives nearby. I could ask her for some cash, and we can also fetch more gas for the bike."

"Alright, ma'am," Richard said, agreeing to her plan as he followed Linda while pushing the bike alone.

Upon reaching her friend Stella's house, Linda was taken aback by Stella's emotional reaction. Stella ran to her as fast as her legs could carry her, nearly causing Linda to lose her balance.

"I can't believe it's you! They told me that you're dead, but I couldn't believe it until I saw your body," Stella said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Linda, aware of the danger she was in, responded, "Well, here I am, and to be honest, it's not safe for me to stay here for long. Please, don't tell anyone that you saw me." She emphasized the need for secrecy in a hushed tone.

"I really missed you too, Stella. That's why I came to see you," Linda expressed her feelings.

Then, Linda asked her friend for a favor, "Can you lend me some cash, at least $100? I need it for something important."

Stella, eager to help, replied, "Of course, I can." She went inside to fetch the money for Linda.

While they waited, Richard approached Linda and remarked, "Here you are with a lot of friends. To be honest, I envy you."

Linda was surprised, "Why would you envy me?"

Richard explained, "Well, I don't have many friends like you do, especially ones who can lend me money anytime.

Stella handed Linda the money, and then she asked, "Who's this?" pointing at Richard.

As Richard was about to introduce himself, Linda quickly intervened, saying, "He's my boyfriend, and we're running away together. His name is Richard."

Richard, slightly surprised by her declaration, tried to signal to Linda, but she continued.

Stella responded with a smile, "Wow, it's nice to meet you. Linda doesn't really have time to date guys, so she must have chosen you for some special reason. Please make sure she's alright."

Richard assured her, "I will make sure of that," and he exchanged a glance with Linda, who smiled in response.

Stella then turned to Linda and offered her condolences, saying, "I'm so sorry about your dad. How are you coping?"

Linda replied, "I'm doing fine, thanks to Richard. Just promise me that you won't tell anyone I'm here."

Stella suggested, "Why not come and leave with us?"

Linda shook her head, "You know I can't, Stella. I'm sorry, but I hope you understand."

Linda and Richard bid farewell to Stella and proceeded to purchase gas before embarking on their journey to Linda's house. While on the road, Richard couldn't help but inquire about why she had introduced him as her boyfriend.

Linda explained her reasoning, "I didn't want anyone to find out about our situation or hear about how my dad appointed you to me." Did I make you feel uncomfortable??

Richard responded honestly, "Not really. It was just surprising."

They continued their journey with Richard at the wheel, heading towards Linda's house as he drove a bit faster.

Upon reaching Linda's house, they were surprised to find it empty and locked. Richard asked, "Do you have any keys?"

Linda replied, "Not really, but follow me. Let's go through the backyard."

As they followed Linda, Richard offered her a lift, helping her jump over the fence, and then he followed suit. They found themselves in a sprawling compound with swimming pools and indoor games—a level of luxury that Richard hadn't experienced before.

They noticed an entrance at the back of the yard and decided to investigate. However, their exploration took a dangerous turn when they encountered two armed men inside the building. The men pointed their guns at Linda and issued a chilling warning: "If you move, we'll shoot."

Linda raised her hands, pleading, "Please, don't shoot me." The situation had taken a perilous turn.

The situation had taken a horrific turn as one of the masked men attempted to assault Linda. While the men discussed their sinister intentions, Richard took advantage of the alternative way upstairs that he had noticed.

As the masked men approached Linda, one of them suggested a disturbing plan, saying, "Why finish her off so soon? She's so beautiful; it would be a waste. Let's take it one after the other."

The other man agreed, and the first one forced Linda onto the couch, trying to tear her clothes. In the midst of the terrifying ordeal, Linda screamed and shouted, "Let me go, you son of a bitch," as she desperately struggled to break free.

In a moment of desperation, just as Linda was nearly about to give in, Richard sprang into action. Swiftly and decisively, he smacked one of the assailants on the head with a baton, causing the man to fall to the ground.

The other attacker attempted to use his gun, but Richard was faster. He skillfully disarmed the man by striking him with the baton, causing the gun to fall from his hand. With remarkable agility, Richard then confronted the second assailant, evading the man's attack and delivering a powerful kick to his head, followed by a finishing punch to his face. The assailant slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Both men were now on the ground, incapacitated, and the immediate threat had been neutralized. 

After neutralizing the attackers, Richard quickly pushed their weapons away and rushed to comfort a distraught Linda, who was in tears. He expressed his apologies for being late, and Linda, relieved and grateful for his rescue, allowed herself to be comforted.

With a comforting hug, Richard helped Linda to her feet and suggested, "Let's get you something else to wear."

Once Linda had changed into different clothing, she went to a framed photo of her mother. Richard complimented her, saying, "Your mother is very beautiful. I now know where you got your beauty from."

Linda smiled but shared her pain, saying, "My only pain is I never got to have any memory of her. Growing up without a mom is the worst."

As they continued their search for resources and information, they discovered a substantial amount of cash hidden in the frame. Linda packed the money into their bag. They then proceeded to her dad's library and retrieved the map, which was essential for their mission.

With the map in hand and the resources they had collected, they made their escape, leaving behind the incapacitated attackers.