Chapter 23 - Protect Amanda?

While occasionally being dragged into battles against powerful beings from another time and space, Amanda saw Christopher on the sides. Rather, he was constantly tailing her. It reached a point that Amanda was already accustomed to his presence.

Amanda was starting to feel that he was... already part of her daily routine.

Nonetheless, the fact that she agreed to see him after their trip to Karoo island, it meant one thing to Christopher; that he can continue to chase her.

One afternoon, while taking her lunch break, Amanda returned from the Antarctic, still in her restaurant uniform.

Abasi had sent her beneath a large iceberg that blocked a path for a cruise ship. The ship had momentarily lost control of its engine and could no longer redirect its route to avoid the ice.

It was bound for a disaster and Trisha, the master of the heart instantly felt the fear in the passengers aboard. They could not allow another Titanic tragedy to happen.

Amanda had swiftly melted the iceberg while Taara, the master of the wind, tried to push the ship away from the big block of ice. After successfully aiding the vessel against a possible collision, Abasi returned Amanda at the back of the restaurant.

Fortunately, she carried her work under the sea where her clothes remained intact. She only needed to dry them swiftly before anyone noticed she was even soaked.

As she dried her clothes, mist formed as the water evaporated into the air, Amanda's eyes had slightly glowed in red.

"Amanda." She turned around and saw Tracy, her colleague, looking for her. "I could have sworn I checked this area earlier." Tracy looked around, figuring out how she could have gone past Amanda. "Where the heck have you been?"

"I - I was just here. From behind the mobile trash bin? I was arranging the trash," Amanda said while pointing to a pile of trash bags.

"Hmmm... Strange. Anyway, Andrew needs you. It's my time to take a break. Christopher and his cronies are back. So we have customers," said Tracy before signaling Amanda to follow.

Amanda shook her head. Christopher had brought her to work that day, yet here he was again at lunch.

Getting inside the restaurant, she saw him with his sister, Cassy, and the same group of friends he had brought in weeks ago, Zack and Kyle. She took their orders and helped at the kitchen before returning with their food.

"It's nice to see you again, Amanda. My, you look so radiant," said Christopher's sister.

Amanda forced a smile at her compliment as she handed the food. She said, "Thank you, and enjoy your food."

Just as she was about to leave them with their meals, Christopher grabbed her hand and asked, "Have you taken your lunch?"

She looked back at Andrew, her boss, before answering, "I already took my break."

"You didn't eat, did you?" He asked with a frown.

"Um. I'll eat in the kitchen." Barely a whisper, she softly said.

While she planned to steal a few minutes of work to grab some food, Christopher wanted her to have a proper meal. He called for Andrew and said, "Hey Andrew. Since we are ordering a lot of food and will pay for beers later, can Amanda join us just for thirty minutes?"

Andrew could not say no to Christopher. Technically, he and his household had recently increased sales for the restaurant. He could only allow Amanda, provided that she still took care of any incoming customers.

The truth was the beef sandwich he ordered was for Amanda and he quickly cut it in fours the second she sat down. Giving her the plate, he said, "Take off your gloves when you eat."

He practically checked on her every minute, making sure was eating right. If anything, Christopher had previously observed how Amanda neglected to eat on time.

Christopher's care for Amanda did not escape the eyes of his friends. While his sister did not mind and supported him, Zack and Kyle had reservations.

When Amanda returned to work, Kyle said, "I don't know about this Chris. Are you going to wage war against your father?"

"Yeah, if he finds out you are dating a commoner from this world, he is going to go crazy," Zack was left to comment.

"I've already decided. I will invite Amanda to our home," Christopher revealed. "As a requirement to take over my father's empire, I will marry. I will make Amanda my bride."

The three of them, including Cassy, were blown away.

"Brother, are you sure about this?" Cassy asked. "I like Amanda and how she affects you, but that would mean you'll need to protect her for life. You'll constantly be looking over your shoulders and watching over her."

"What is wrong with Diana, anyhow?" Zack asked with his eyes wide open.

Christopher's brows drew together, thinking about the woman whom his father wanted him to marry. He said, "What's wrong with Diana? She is short-tempered and too full of herself."

He first looked to find Amanda. She was taking orders from another table. Only then did he add, "Besides, I don't love nor appreciate any of Diana's character."

"Well, I don't like her either," said Kyle. "I'll help you, man. I'm with you. If you like Amanda so much, I'll help you protect her. She doesn't look frail anyhow. We can teach her to defend herself."

Cassy smiled and put a hand to her brother. He said, "Chris, brother. You've always looked out for me. Then, I suppose I will help you convince, father."

Christopher acknowledged that he would bring danger to Amanda by choosing her. However, he could not help it. The way he felt for her was too overwhelming. After more than a week of spending most of his time with Amanda, he had already concluded, she will be that the woman next to him while leading his family's empire.

"You can start by teaching her how to fight," remarked Cassy.

He nodded and said, "I most likely will. But before that, I need to properly ask her.... to go down that road with me."