Jack

“You don't expect me to apologize to you, do you?” I questioned Donnie as we were about to leave the house.
The night before had been a horrible one for the both of us. After I'd told Donnie not to see her friend Lisa Lemonde again, she'd ripped me a new one for judging Lisa based on her father's sins.
Donnie then spent the next hour telling me how Lisa had helped many times, and how close they were. I suspected the stories were a bit exaggerated, but I kept that opinion to myself.
To punish me, Donnie had played 90s hard rock the entire night, ensuring I hadn't slept a wink.
Today, she was in a maxi dress billowed around her body, making her look more delicate than she was. Her beautiful green eyes were hidden behind designer shades. A little part of me hoped she was wearing shades because she hadn't slept a wink too.
Obviously, Donnie was giving me the silent treatment because she ignored me and opened her sporty little Mustang. She got into the driver's seat and started the engine.
I'd barely entered the passenger seat when she sped out of the compound.
While on the way to Donnie's college, uncomfortable silence reigned in the car. I tried to live with it, but for some reason, I couldn't. Which was surprising, because I loved to brood in silence.
“You know it's rude to ignore people.” I scolded Donnie.
She turned on the radio, and a K-pop song blared out of the speakers. I switched off the radio and crossed my arms, “I'm sorry, Donnie. I shouldn't have told you to cut Lisa off, but I'm your bodyguard. I thought she was shady, and I informed you. That's what your father pays me to do.”
Donnie snorted, “Don't apologize to me, apologize to Lisa when we get to campus.”
Donnie's voice was barbed and her words unforgiving, but my brain didn't seem to mind. It sent signals to my facial muscles, and a smile tugged at my lips.
“Why should I apologize to Lisa?” I baited Donnie, knowing she'd tear into me again, “I didn't say anything to her.”
“But you did to me, doofus.” Donnie cursed without taking her eyes off the road.
“And I apologized to you, just now.” I pointed out.
Donnie turned to glare at me.
“Keep your eyes on the road, Donnie.” I laughed out loud.
She turned her face to its former position and ordered, “First of all, you're not allowed to call me Donnie. Secondly, you still have to apologize to Lisa.”
Our little discussion ended when she entered the college's gates and parked at the students' park.
Donnie took off her seat belt and was about to get out when I placed a hand over hers. Donnie hastily retracted her hand as though I were a leper.
I growled under my breath at her act. So she was a rich little princess. That gave her no right to be a snob.
“Do you have anything to say?” Donnie cleared her throat and looked away. She probably couldn't bear to be in the same space as me.
And to think I had tried to joke with her during the ride.
You forgot your place Jack, never do that again, I warned myself.
“Yes, stay close to me at all times, and avoid coming in contact with a lot of people.” I told her coldly, “I can't do my job perfectly in open places.”
Donnie wrinkled her cute little nose, “That sounds like an excuse to me. How do you think daddy will react when he hears your little excuse?”
I was done with her, so I said as slowly as I could, “Don't test me on this, Donatella!”

*

“So, I demanded that he apologize to you.” Donnie concluded indignantly to Lisa. We were in front of their faculty library. The ladies were sitting on a bench and 'catching up' before they started their academic activities for the day.
And I wasn't surprised when Donnie told Lisa what happened the night before. I stood in front of the bench and glared at any passerby who stared at the women for a bit too long.
“Jack!” Donnie called my name, “Apologize to Lisa now.”
I sighed and turned around to face them. If I didn't apologize to Lisa, Donnie would bug me until I was forced to capitulate. It would be better for me to get it over with.
I looked at Lisa, who beamed at me, her skin a dark tone of honey in the sunlight. She was pretty, and was probably a heartbreaker.
“Ms Sinclair, I'm sorry for what I said about you.” I apologized sincerely.
“Behind her back!” Donnie interjected.
“Behind your back.” I repeated to Lisa.
Lisa's smile widened until her perfect white teeth were on full display, “S'okay, Jack. You can call me Lisa.”
“Hold up!” Donnie nudged Lisa, “Don't go forgiving him easily.”
Donnie pulled off her shades for the first time that morning, and just like that, my heart rate tripled. There were circles under her eyes, and they were red-rimmed, but it did nothing to mute the beauty of her eyes. They glowed in the sun like precious jewels, and I couldn't seem to look away.
When Donnie shielded her eyes from the sun, the spell broke and I shook my head. Luckily, the women didn't notice me staring.
“Now, Jack,” Donnie huffed imperiously, “You hurt Lisa's feelings real good.”
“No, he didn't.” Lisa said, which earned her another nudge from Donnie.
Continuing as though she hadn't been interrupted, Donnie pointed at a little florist shop opposite the library, “Lisa will consider forgiving you if you get her flowers from there.”
I rolled my eyes, “That's ridiculous. I'm not getting her flowers to apologize. This isn't the eighteen-hundreds.”
Donnie smirked at me, “I see.”
I doubted she saw anything at all, “What do you see?”
“You feel that apologizing to a woman with flowers emasculates you. I get it, believe me, I do.” Donnie sighed with mock-sympathy.
I inhaled with exasperation and frustration. Donnie was getting into my head, and from the evil smile on her face, she knew this.
“That's not true. I don't feel that way.” I vehemently denied it.
“Prove it,” Donnie pointed at the florist's shop again.
“Fine.” I narrowed my eyes in warning, “Don't leave this place. I'll be back as soon as possible.”
I walked briskly to the florist's little shop and met the florist, who turned out to be a talkative but nice kid who ran the business to support himself.
I bought a single stalk of a red rose and walked out of the shop after leaving a generous tip for the boy.
Outside, I was greeted by an empty bench.
“Shit! Donatella played me,” I cursed.