"The nerve of that woman! I can't believe her" Tara complained walking towards her car.
She took out her car keys and was about to open her car door but Hardin stopped her.
"You can't drive like this" he didn't wait for her to say anything but grabbed the car keys from her hand instead.
"Will you drive me home?" She asked.
"I have to obey our contract, remember your stuck with me 24/7" he replied, pulling her towards the passenger seat, opening the door for her.
She smiled and entered without saying a word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hardin, can I ask you something?" Tara asked, staring at him through the rare view mirror.
"What is it?" Hardin replied.
"Do you think I should get married...to Archie?" She asked an unexpected question, that Hardin abruptly stopped the car.
"What happened?"
"Nothing...but I don't think marrying him would be a right choice" Hardin replied, starting the car again.
How couldn't that question surprise him? He couldn't let her marry someone else while he was around... especially not to Archie.
"But, he would make a great husband, he has the looks, comes from a well off family, and he loves me"
Was she trying to test his patience? Or trying to find out his true feelings by saying all those things?
"He's not the right man for you" Hardin's voice hinted anger.
He was jealous!
Tara just enjoyed seeing his reaction.
"Then who is the right man for me?" This time, she brought her face closer to his.. hoping he'd say someone like himself.
"Keep looking, he's not too far" Hardin's answer wasn't what she wanted, but atleast he was hinting at something.
"Fine, I'll keep.... looking" she replied sadly, leaning back in her seat, pouting like a little girl.
Hardin could see her through the rare view mirror, and smiled, he wouldn't have to worry about her marrying anyone, anytime soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at Montesino Mansion~~~
Archie and his mom and left. Tara's parents had gone to their room. Irene was on her way upstairs but stopped when she heard some maids talking, more like gossiping.
"Did you see Ma'am Tara, she threw another tantrum at the dinner today" one of them said.
"We should all be used to her by now, the princess of the house can do whatever she wants" another replied.
"My main concern was the guest she brought tonight, she never invited anyone to the house or introduced them to her dad....the man was so hot and good looking...do such angel men still even exist"
"If you ask me,I think they're dating... Ma'am Tara has such a nice taste in men, if she has Mr Archie wrapped around her finger, he must also be madly in love with her"one replied.
"It should be obvious by now, Ma'am Tara is so pretty with class...if I were also a man, I wouldn't hesitate to fall for her"
Irene felt so much anger, Tara had ruined the dinner, but they were all still praising her like she was some goddess.
She stormed off to her room and threw everything that was on the table on the floor. She was furious, and remembering how Archie shamelessly confessed his love for Tara in front of everyone, including her dad made her feel worse.
But the fact that they were going to get engaged the next day made her feel slightly better. She calmed herself down before she headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
Meanwhile~~~~~
"You should stop worrying about our daughters hun, they'll be just fine" Tara's mom said to her husband.
"How can I not be worried, Irene is about to get engaged to someone who is in love with her sister and Tara is busy running off with some guy we know nothing about!" He replied angrily.
"About Tara, it's not her first time not sleeping home, you know her....she will do anything she wants and won't bother listening to us, so why bother with her?"her mom was used to her behavior.
"And Irene, she loves Archie, don't you want our daughter to marry into a nice family and to a man she loves"
"That's not the point, Archie lives Tara, she won't be happy in that marriage..... I'm thinking about what's best for our daughter"he replied.
"Well, Irene is old enough to make her own decisions, and she wants to marry him, let's let them do what they want, please"
It was too late to turn back now, everything was already set...the engagement was tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You didn't say that we'd drop by your apartment Hardin, what are we doing here?" Tara asked as soon as the car pulled up at his house.
"Since we're moving in together, it's only fair that I bring my own things right" Hardin replied, as they both got out of the car.
"Don't worry, I won't take long" he added.
Tara silently followed behind him, she added that contract rule, if staying together on purpose, thinking he'd refuse....but he proved her wrong. In fact,he was taking it way too seriously.
"Where's your little brother?" She suddenly asked.
"He....is with his dad" Hardin replied in a sad tone.
"I thought that your parents abandoned the both of you....when did that happen?" Tara continued to ask, staring at his pictures on the wall.
"Turns out that my mom had an affair, and had him, years later, the father came looking for him and took him...just like that" Hardin replied.
His story was just such a sad one.
"It must have been really horrible for you, losing the only family you had left, HC," Tara said, realizing that Hardin had stopped what he was doing.
Hardin's memories came rushing back of the day he lost his little brother. He couldn't help but break into tears..
Tara, feeling so guilty and so sorry for Hardin slowly approached him and hugged him.... to comfort him.
"Hardin, don't worry, I can be your family from now on, you don't have to feel alone anymore" she said softly, caressing his back.
Hardin didn't reply anything, instead he pulled her even closer, tightening his arms around her.
"Thank you, thank you for coming back into my life Tara, you being here is more than enough..."Hardin whispered.
He'd long awaited this moment, to hold Tara atleast once, even for a little while.
If only he could confess his true feelings to her, tell her right there and then how much he loved her, and didn't want her to ever leave again.
"Hardin, if you keep holding me like this, I'll think that you want us to do something else" Tara suddenly said.
Hardin remembered that they weren't yet a couple, his behavior was inappropriate.
He finally let go of her and continued to pack his things.
"What's wrong with him, he didn't like me and now... he's grateful that I'm here" Tara thought to herself.
"Did he finally start liking me?" Her mood changed in an instant.
"Let's go, I'm done here" Hardin said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Archie's house~~~~
"Mom, how could you decide my engagement without even consulting me?" Archie complained.
"Son, I know what is best for you...and right now, I know it's not Tara Montesino" his mom replied.
"What do you think, that I'll just let this slide and get engaged to someone who I don't love" Archie said, he was clearly furious.
"It's what you have to do, listen...I'm your mother and you'll do whatever I tell you to" his mom shot back at him.
"We'll see about that" Archie said, before he walked away to his room and shut the door.
"If she won't stop this engagement, it's only right for some mess to happen...and stop it from happening"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Tara's House~~~~
"This will be your room Hardin, you can feel comfortable here" Tara said, showing him her guest room.
"Do you like it?" She continued to ask.
"I like it" Hardin replied, scanning the room. Tara's taste was truly exceptional.
She had an eye for only the best.
"Feel free to change anything you don't like," Tara said.
But there was nothing to change, it was all perfect.
"I'll let you settle down, goodnight Hardin" she continued to say.
"Goodnight, but Tara, don't hesitate to call me if you need me," Hardin replied.
His voice was full of concern, he meant what he was saying.
"I'll call you" Tara went out and closed the door behind her.
His words were getting to her, he was just too convincing. If she wasn't careful, she'd do something she'd regret later.
It was really going to be a long night..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning~~~~~~
Tara slept soundly in her warm and comfortable bed, she wasn't planning on waking up if it weren't for her phone ringing.
Her dad was calling.
"Dad?" She said as soon as she picked up, she was still half asleep.
"Good morning Tara, you didn't even bother calling me last night...seems you don't need your dad anymore" he replied.
"No dad, that's not it, I forgot to call you..I'm sorry" She apologized.
"If you really want my forgiveness, you'll come home today to your sister's engagement party" her dad said.
"Engagement? Irene is getting engaged?" Tara was wide awake now.
"Yes, and the whole family has to be here, Tara please come, and don't think about throwing a tantrum" her dad warned.
"I'll come with Hardin daddy, thanks for telling me... goodbye" Tara said before she hung up...not even waiting for his reply.
She didn't have to worry about Archie anymore, her efforts didn't go in vain. She was more than happy.
She got off the bed and went to the living room, Hardin as usual had already woken up...and made breakfast, but he wasn't in the kitchen. He was outside.... working out. He wore a grey vest, black shorts and black shoes. Tara stood by the window and watched him closely, he had sweat on his broad chest she could clearly see through his wet vest, but it only made him look hotter than he already was.
Her face flashed red, as she watched him...
"Ma'am Tara, how long do you plan on watching me like that?" Hardin asked without looking towards her....she could sense her presence.
"Would you mind if I watched?" Tara replied, walking towards him.
"I don't mind at all" Hardin said, before he stopped his workout to take some water.
"Umm...today's my sister's engagement party, I would like it if you came with me" Tara stared right into his eyes.
"Even if you didn't ask, it's my job to come with you, wherever you go" Hardin replied.
"Perfect. Then let's head somewhere first"
After having their breakfast, they changed their clothes and left. Tara took him to her own personal designer...to buy luxury suits for Hardin and the best outfit for herself. She planned to outshine the bride to be.
She wore a black short, tight fitting dress, along with black heels. Black was her favorite colour. Along with her hair made into small but beautiful waves and make-up,some jewelery her outfit was excellent, Hardin couldn't keep his eyes off her.
He watched her from a distance, while she fixed herself in the mirror.
"Ma'am Tara, you got yourself a hot bodyguard...and he can't keep his eyes off you" her makeup stylist whispered.
"Where did you find such a fine young man? You'd make such a great match if you two were a couple"she continued to say.
"If only we were..." Tara thought to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Later
AT THE MONTESINO MANSION~~~~~~~
"Thanks for coming"
"Welcome"
Tara's parents welcomed the guests who were invited to the engagement party.
"Congratulations on your daughter's engagement Mrs Montesino"
"Irene is surely lucky" her guests praised Irene.
Irene was still in her room getting ready...she wore a white v neck dress, with a sparkling diamond charm around her neck....with some make up and silver heels. She eventually came out of her room and went downstairs.
At that same moment, Tara arrived as well..and like she'd planned, most of everyone's attention was on her...and Hardin behind her...he was a magnet for women, he stood out amongst the other male bodyguards present for the other elites.
"The elder daughter will get engaged today, what about the younger one"
"My son would be a great match for Tara"
They begun to whisper, as they passed by.
"Congratulations on your engagement Irene,I'm so happy for you" she said, as soon as she reached her.
Everything was going fine, with the guests enjoying the snacks and drinks... until a group of seven armed men in black showed up, wearing masks...
"Everyone stay down!!" They fired bullets in the air, and most of the ladies screamed, getting to the floor.
It was a set up! They'd come in without security noticing.
Hardin's first reaction was to pull Tara closer to himself.
"Hardin, what's going on?Have they come to kidnap me again" She asked, clearly scared.
"Nothing will happen to you as long as I'm here" he reassured her.
"Everyone, just stay quiet...we'll leave once we're done with our work" the men said.
It was a mess created at the engagement party...