Chapter 11: In Which She's Happy

The next morning Alexander was up and about earlier than usual as he relieved the guard outside Isla's room earlier which the guard appreciated since Alexander took his place instead.

In reality, it was those brutal nightmares that kept him up all night after he had gotten Isla safely to her room and made sure the medic cleared her before taking his leave for the night.

By the looks of it, she slept through the night which was good cause she needed all the rest that she could get in order to wear the exhaustion off.

The previous night he had been absolutely terrified for what might have been the first time or if he ever felt that way it wasn't often enough for him to recall that feeling but last night when the lights went off and gunshots were heard with people screaming, running in every which way in their panicky state for a moment he was back hidden behind a rock like a coward that he considered himself for that day while his commarades died through the hands of his enemy.

That day it was his first mission, he was barely 20 at the time and it was supposed to be an easy rescue mission, as easy as thee rescue missions could get at least but things had gone south very quickly when there were suicide bombers in the cave in Baku. He was a kid and his commarades protected him, if not for them he would've been dead that day.

After that day Alexander had been plagued by that horrific memory which drove him to be one of the best seal team marines in the forces but he always blamed himself inside for being too cowardly to help his team.

So last night when the situation got chaotic, the first thought on his mind was Isla, the beautiful girl inside and out who he might have lost of he hadn't acted quick.

He hadn't realised how high the stakes would be when he took up the job but now he realised that he literally had the sweet girl's life in his hands and if anything were to happen to her under his protection, he would never be able to forgive himself.

There was one thing he knew for sure and admitted to himself, he had strong feelings for her but he just didn't know what to do with them or at least not unless he somehow knew that she felt the same way for him.

"Good morning" Alexander was pulled out of his thoughts when Isla greeted him coming out of her room.

"Good morning Miss Gambino" he greeted back formally.

"Seriously Alex, call me Isla, at least when we're alone... Miss Gambino makes me feel very old" she said with a small smile, seeing her stand there in a mint green top and white shorts looking gorgeous as always, all Alexander could do was slightly nod at her request.

"How are you feeling now Miss..... Isla" he questioned hesitantly her name rolling of his tongue with easy making her fully grin at him.

"That's more like it and I am feeling as good as new don't worry although I am definitely famished" she said rubbing her stomach for effects making his mouth twitch slightly.

He was glad she was feeling well. She had been a brave soul last night.

Isla went down for breakfast, she was absolutely famished considering all the running she had done the last night on empty stomach, Alexander followed her close behind.

"Oh Miss! I am glad you're up, your father I mean Mr. Gambino sent a present for you just a few minutes ago, it's right in the lounge" a maid said looking all giddy making Isla confused.

Her father roften sent presents for her but none of the maids got this excited when she received them, they were usually expensive jewellery and hand bags, so what's so new about this present that the maid who was always pestering her to eat something didn't even bother asking her what she wanted for breakfast.

"Uhm... alright Ana, I'll go check it out" she said with a smile.

"Oh, I am so stupid, Fruit yoghurt and pancakes for breakfast?" Ana asked.

"I was wondering when you'd ask, that sounds great Ana, I am absolutely famished" Isla expressed and the young maid gave her a toothy smile.

"Breakfast right up in 20 miss" she said before hurrying along.

Alexander watched the exchange quietly, his posture still and his face blank but eve he wanted to see what got the maid all excited.

They headed to the lounge and sure enough there was a wrapped up big gift box sitting there. This definitely got Isla's attention as she got all excited to see what was in the box and hurried to the table.

The box had a fancy lid that could easily be lifted to look at what was inside and so without waiting another second Isla lifted the lid of the gift box and the squeal she let out had Alexander who was standing at a distance watching her on high alert as he walked closer in quick long strides in order to stand beside her.

Then Isla pulled out a little devil from inside the box.

It was an adorable little puppy, a baby pug. Alexander relaxed only a little as she hugged the puppy close to her holding him by his little paws.

"Oh my god!he soooooooooooo cuteeee!" she exclaimed dancing around with the puppy as he yipped and licked her neck playfully.

Isla was so happy that she felt like crying out of happiness but she reigned down on her emotions as she focused on the adorable little pug looking at her with his big puppy eyes. She couldn't believe that her dad had gotten her puppy.

Alexander watched her as she danced around gleefully, the puppy still in her arms.

It was as if she glowed with that vibrant hue around her, her happiness was contagious, at least to him.

Isla finally let the puppy down and he ran right towards Alexander running in circles around him before climbing up his polished shoes and nipping at his dress pants, playing with him. Alexander stood stoic his posture straight while the dog played around him.

"He likes you Alex" Isla said beaming up at him but only got a nod in acknowledgment from him.

Isla saw the neatly folded paper beside the gift box and picked it up.

It was a note from her dad.

*Just a little present to take your mind of last night's events little moon.
Love,
Dad.*

That was very sweet of him, Isla made a mental note of paying him a visit and thanking him in person properly. He was probably busy right now.

Isla folded the note back carefully and tucked it in the pocket of her shorts before turning back around and facing a stone faced Alex while the little pig tried his best to climb up his leg.

The little puppy's antic made Isla giggle.

She walked towards Alexander and bent down as she picked up the little puppy cradling him in her arms again.

"Hmm.... you need a name boy.... what shall I name you....??" She said cooing at the dog.

"Hmm.... how about Ajax?" The dog didn't respond.

"Alright.... hamburger?" Yet again he paid no attention.

"Hmm.... Ace?" And the dog yipped showing it s approval.

"Alright then Ace!" She said getting the puppy even more excited as he started licking her face, the sight was heart warming.

Isla's eyes had a mischievous glint to them as she turned to Alexander and walked closer to him, standing right in front of him and before Alexander could react she leashes the puppy with the wet tongue on him as he playfully licked Alexander.

Alexander tried to move away but his efforts were in vain as Ace climbed on his shoulder.

Isla was giggling the whole time clapping her hands in glee as she saw her big bad bodyguard struggle with the toy adorable puppy.

Alexander let slip a chuckle at Isla and the puppy, he didn't realise he had done it until he saw Isla staring at him wide eyed.

"Oh my god. You just laughed a little" she stared and Alexander's face went stoic again.

"You have an amazing laugh, you should do it more you know" she said.

She was actually mesmerised by his throaty chuckle enough to make her want to take up a career as a stand up comedian just to be able to hear that masculine chuckle again.

"Miss breakfast is ready" Anna said coming in and Alexander quickly straightened his posture, letting the puppy down and clear his throat.

His stoic face and stiff posture back in place.

"Sure Anna be right there" Isla replied.

"That's one very charming puppy Miss" Anna said.

"He is, now I see what had gotten you all excited, I named him Ace" Isla petted Ace.

Alexander looked down at the puppy accusingly, blaming it for making him act unprofessional but he knew better. It was Isla, it lately always seemed to be her.