Forbidden Love: Falling for My Bodyguard

The air in the estate was serene yet taut, as if a storm was brewing. Deep within its grounds, in the meeting room, Liora sat on the sofa, her delicate fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest. Her gaze, tinged with defiance and questioning, landed on her father, Elias, the mafia leader, who stood by the window with a stern expression.

“So, you hired a complete stranger to protect me?” Liora’s voice was cold, her tone laced with undisguised resistance. “Father, I am not some porcelain doll that needs a bodyguard.”

“This is for your safety,” Elias replied, turning to face her. His sharp gaze softened momentarily with a hint of weariness. “Our enemies are restless, Liora. Your safety is my top priority.”

“But I don’t need this!” she shouted, rising to her feet and throwing her hand in the air. “I can protect myself, and you know it!”

Elias didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he raised his hand, signaling her to be quiet. Soft footsteps echoed from outside the door, and soon it creaked open. A tall figure entered.

The man was dressed in a tailored black suit that exuded both elegance and unyielding strength. His face was chiseled, with sharp, cold features that seemed carved from stone. His deep-set eyes carried an unreadable chill, and his presence was so commanding that it seemed to lower the temperature in the room.

“This is Kaelan,” Elias introduced, his voice deep and authoritative. “From today onward, he will be your personal bodyguard.”

Liora’s eyes swept over the stranger. Her first impression was simple—danger. Instinctively, she took half a step back but quickly straightened her posture, her voice firm and unyielding. “I don’t need a bodyguard, especially someone like you.”

Kaelan remained silent, giving Elias a slight nod of acknowledgment. His eyes, however, fixed on Liora, unwavering and probing, as though assessing her worth. The gaze felt invasive, igniting a spark of indignation in her chest.

“Are you deaf? I said—” Liora began, but her words were cut short by Kaelan’s cold, calm voice: “My job is not to follow your orders but to ensure your safety.”

His voice, much like his demeanor, was icy and oppressive. Liora’s eyes widened in disbelief. How dare he speak to her like that?

“Kaelan, your job is to protect her,” Elias warned. “But don’t forget, she is my daughter.”

Kaelan inclined his head slightly, signaling his understanding but refrained from saying anything more.

Liora, however, was not about to let the matter drop. She stepped closer, her piercing gaze locking onto Kaelan’s. “Since you’re here to protect me, at least tell me—what makes you think you’re qualified? Who are you?”

A faint smirk of derision tugged at Kaelan’s lips. “My identity doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’ll be more effective than anyone else your father has ever employed.”

“Arrogant people usually don’t last long,” Liora sneered

“And foolish people,” Kaelan retorted coolly, “usually don’t even get the chance to last.”

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with hostility. Elias cleared his throat, breaking the silent standoff.

“Liora,” he said sternly, “you need to accept him. Kaelan is no ordinary person, and you’ll soon understand his capabilities.”

Liora turned away reluctantly, refusing to look at Kaelan. Her voice was laced with defiance as she said, “Fine. But if he gets in my way, he’ll regret it.”

Kaelan’s gaze followed her retreating figure, still cold and unfathomable.

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That Evening

Liora stormed into her bedroom, throwing her jacket onto the bed with frustration. She had always hated being restrained and despised anyone who tried to control her. Kaelan, regardless of his skills, was clearly the type of person she loathed most.

Determined to put the infuriating day behind her, she began preparing for bed when a faint sound outside her window caught her attention. Her instincts kicked in immediately. She reached for the drawer by her bedside, retrieving a handgun.

Just as she pulled back the curtains, a tall figure leaped silently into her room from the window. It was Kaelan.

“Are you insane?” Liora hissed, lowering her voice. “This is my room!”

Kaelan ignored her, methodically inspecting every corner of the room. His movements were swift and precise, carried out with an almost mechanical efficiency, as if performing a routine check.

“What are you doing?” she demanded, her patience wearing thin.

“Checking for security vulnerabilities,” Kaelan replied curtly. “Your window locks are too easy to breach. Someone attempted to approach the estate perimeter tonight. If I weren’t cautious, you might not be standing here right now.”

Liora was momentarily at a loss for words, but her pride refused to let her back down. “That doesn’t give you the right to barge into my room!”

Kaelan finally stopped his inspection and turned to face her. His eyes bore into hers with unrelenting intensity. “If you don’t want to die, learn to keep quiet and follow instructions.”

A wave of frustration and disbelief washed over Liora. She had never encountered someone so cold and impervious to reason. His commanding gaze made her feel as though her resistance was futile.

Without another word, Kaelan turned to leave, but not before tossing over his shoulder, “Get some sleep. Tomorrow won’t be easy.”

Liora stood frozen in place, her teeth clenched. This man wasn’t just dangerous—he was insufferable. Yet, despite her anger, she couldn’t deny that his presence had introduced an unexpected thrill into her life.

Even if she didn’t want to admit it, Kaelan had already begun to stir something deep within her, a feeling she couldn’t quite put into words.