MY PERFECT BODYGUARD 2 CHAPTER TWENTY ONE CONFRONTING DANGER

Richard and Emmanuel engaged in hand-to-hand combat training, their arms wrapped with bandages. The training session was both challenging and intense, with punches landing and dodges executed skillfully. Emmanuel's progress was evident as he made it difficult for Richard to gain an advantage.

Richard's agility became apparent when Emma attempted to shove him, only to have Richard swiftly dodge and execute a leg tackle, causing Emma to land on the ground with a pained "Ouch."

"I almost thought I had you there," Emma remarked.

"Well, you didn't," Richard replied, extending a hand to help Emma up.

"I have to give it to you; you're a fast learner," Richard acknowledged. "It took me almost three months to reach an average level in combat, but you've managed it in just weeks. If you keep this up, you might even surpass me."

"Don't flatter me enough, let's go again," Emma retorted, squeezing his hands in readiness for round two. Richard stood his ground, preparing for another round, when Nina intervened.

"Hey, Richard, I think I have bad news," Nina called out, prompting Richard and Emma to rush to her direction as she disappeared into the room.

"What's this?" Richard inquired as he took the iPad from Nina's silent grasp. Reading the message, he was rendered speechless, feeling frozen with disbelief.

Emmanuel snatched the iPad from him and read out loud: "Prime Tech Wonder Princess Linda Jim to Wed Mariano's Wonder Kid."

"OMG, that's one hell of a headline," Emmanuel exclaimed.

Richard's disbelief deepened as he sank onto the couch, his mind swirling with thoughts. "I definitely wasn't expecting that," Richard murmured.

"Everything is happening so fast. Can't she at least tell that these people are up to something?" Nina expressed her frustration.

"Well, you don't have to blame her. I mean, her parents are all dead, no family, no relations. She's all alone. I think anyone in her shoes would do the same," Emmanuel defended.

"What do you mean she had Richard?" Nina fired back.

"Well, Richard didn't always like staying with her if we're real with ourselves here. Richard is my best friend, but that doesn't mean I should side with him even when he's wrong," Emmanuel countered, turning to Richard. "How many times did she write a letter to you? I've even lost count because I can actually remember it was a lot of times. But what did you do? You didn't reply. You just shoved the letter into your shelf."

"What's your problem, Emmanuel? You're not helping out here," Nina expressed her frustration.

"I know I'm not, and I'm sorry I'm not helping the situation. But Richard, you should know you could have prevented this. Now her life is in danger. Once this Franklin guy marries her, all her property, her assets, and everything will be gone to him," Emmanuel added, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Richard, short of words, stood up from the couch. "I need to head out and think," he said quietly as he disappeared inside. Emerging moments later, he wore a jersey and stepped out.

Making his way to the veranda, Richard sank into deep thought, the weight of the situation heavy on his mind.

As he was lost in thought, Richard took a deep breath as Nina approached. "Can I sit with you?" she asked.

"No, I need some time alone," Richard replied firmly.

"That was a rhetorical question," Nina retorted as she sat down beside him. "I think I know how you feel."

"You think you do. Something so bad that you don't think you can ever forgive yourself," Nina stated empathetically.

"Well, I don't think I actually did something bad. She kept on reaching out to me, but I couldn't reach back," Richard confessed. "Emmanuel was right. If anything ever happens to Linda, it's my fault."

"I might not be here, and I might not know a lot about your relationship with her. But I have known you as someone who doesn't just do things without a reason," Nina reassured Richard. "After hearing your story about your adventures with Linda, I can say that you had a reason for not reaching back. And I also want you to know that there is still time for redemption. The wedding is next week, and we can still do something about it. So don't give up yet, there is still hope," she said, tapping Richard's shoulder.

"Let me go talk to my boyfriend," Nina said as she stood up and left.

After staying outside, Richard came in to find that food was already prepared. Emmanuel approached him and shook his hand. "I'm sorry for saying those things, Emma apologized."

"You were right though, and I'm glad you said it," Richard replied.

"Well, I'm glad you listened," Emma said as they burst into laughter.

As they started eating, they planned out their next steps. "So, what's the plan now?" Emmanuel asked.

"Well, because of a lot of security around Linda, I don't think meeting her will be easy," Richard said. "So, we have to meet her at the wedding, try to convince her of the situation, and then take her away before the wedding starts."

"I don't know, Richard. Last time you tried to talk to her, she called the cops on you, and you almost died. What makes you think she won't do that again?" Nina expressed her concern.

"This time she won't see me coming, and now we have about 75 army drones," Richard asserted confidently.

After crafting the plan, they enjoyed themselves until the D-day of the wedding. Richard, Emma, and Nina drove to the scene and observed from the outside.

"So, it's a court wedding. They sign each other's papers and confine the properties to each other. That's one hell of a plan," Nina remarked as she used her binoculars to view the inside.

"Now let's find out where Linda is. Laura, can you take about 15 drones across the rooms upstairs to scan for Linda Jim?" Richard instructed the AI.

"Of course, I can," Laura responded. Immediately, 15 drones emerged from above and surrounded the hotel as they began scanning.

"Richard, Drone 9 found a view of Linda Jim," Laura reported. "She's 19 years old, CEO of Prime Tech Company, and the only daughter of Jim."

"Can I see her through the camera?" Richard requested.

"Of course, you can," Laura replied as the camera feed showed Linda and her makeup artist in the room.

"That's enough for me," Richard said as he suited up in his uniform resembling that of a plumber.

"Laura, please help me strike the pipe of the bathroom," Richard commanded. Immediately, the drone shot at the pipe, causing it to start overflowing.

The manager of the hotel was in tears after witnessing the outburst. "Oh my god, what am I gonna do?" he said, panic evident in his voice.

Immediately, Richard, dressed in his plumber uniform, spectacles, and a face cap, approached him. "You need a plumber to help you with that," Richard suggested.

"Thank goodness, of course, I need one," the manager exclaimed in relief.

Richard went upstairs to Linda's room and started fixing the issue, staying alert for when the makeup artist would leave.

After a long minute, the makeup artist left, and Richard immediately entered the room.

"You are a lot of things, but dumb. I never expected that," Richard said.

Linda looked at Richard, realizing it was him. "How did you get past the bodyguard?" she asked.

"Well, isn't it obvious?" Richard replied, raising his hand with a pair of pliers. "But that's not why I'm here. Marrying someone that you met two months ago, are you nuts?" Richard asked incredulously.

"At least he was here making better than you," Linda fired back.

"I'm not here to exchange words with you, but I have to tell you this: these people aren't after your heart or your love. This Franklin guy isn't who you think he is," Richard replied solemnly.

"Here we go again," Linda said with frustration. "Why can't you just let me have some peace, Richard?"

Richard brought out a picture of the Falcon Fraternity men. "Have you heard of these people before?" he asked.

Linda shook her head, indicating no.

"Well, these guys tried to kill Cynthia. They also tried to kill me and my friends. Do you know why?" Richard questioned.

"Why do I care?" Linda retorted.

"What's wrong with you?" Richard asked angrily.

"What's wrong with me? You're the one that needs to answer that question," Linda said again.

"Please, Linda, can you just listen to me? These guys want to kill you if they marry you, so they can take over the company. They're not interested in you; they're interested in the company. You can save yourself by just following me. Let's go as far as possible until today goes by, and I will break everything down to you," Richard pleaded.

As Richard was trying to convince Linda to follow him out, Nina called him through the pod. "Hey Richard, I think we have some problems. The Falcon Fraternity is here, and it's not looking good. They are armed with big guns, and there are about 100 of them here."