๋ก๊ทธ์ธ๊ณต์
Chapter 7
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2024-03-15 23:19:06
๊ด๋ จ ์ฑํฐ
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 8
LIA Turning my gaze towards Grumpy, I tilt my head slightly, my eyes narrowing. "What was that for?" "You had your phone on all this while?" A low growl rumbles from his chest, vibrating through me. I blink, confused. What does having my phone with me have to do with anything? "Yes?" I say, but it comes out as a question. He gives me an incredulous look as if I am supposed to understand his confusing question. The ache in my head intensifies. I open my mouth to defend myself, then shut it back. His sigh hovers between disappointment and frustration. My insides twist, I hate letting him down, or anyone for that matter. "The reason the men were able to find us was because your phone was on." He explains to me with a strained voice. Understanding dawns slowly. I blink once and then twice, feeling very stupid. Well, how am I supposed to know that? I'm not some tech-savvy girl. I don't look at him as I say, "I..." I trail off. "I had no idea. I'm sorry." I promptly switch of
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-16Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 9
LIA Disoriented, I stir awake, and my hand shoots out on reflex, looking for a familiar warmth beside me, and I tense. But then I hear the sound of the shower running from behind the bathroom door drifts my way, and I relax. It's unusual because Karl never showers this early. He is a notorious alarm clock sleeper. Yawning and stretching, I swing my legs over the bed and pad towards the sound of the running shower, slipping past the door of the bathroom. I head straight to the vanity to get ready for my morning routine where I catch a glimpse of exposed pipes in the area an upper vanity should be. For some reason, my brain doesn't process this. Turning the faucet on, I greet Karl with a cheerful, "morning," as I splash water on my face. "What's up today?" I ask. "Why are you awake earlier than usual?" My lips curve into a smile. When he doesn't respond, I add, "Are you heading out of town?" I ask as that is the only time Karl wakes up earlier, but then I will still be the one t
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-18Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 10
LIA "Be safe." I let out in a whisper, but he is already out of the room. My shoulder slumps, my body gradually sliding down the headboard until my back hangs at an awkward angle between the headboard and the bed. Now what? I'm left alone with the one thing that I don't want keeping me company. My thoughts. I stare at the stained ceiling as my mind floats around haphazardly with juxtaposed thoughts as if to purposely punish me. My mind is a dangerous place to be trapped in. My hand trembles, building up to a catastrophe I don't want happening to me right now. I raise myself from my waist, shaking my hands. No. I can't avoid spiraling right now. I jump to my feet, running into the bathroom. Anything to fill my mind. I cringe when I remember I'm still in my dress from two days ago. Suddenly, I feel so gross. A gasp slips out of my mouth when I come face to face with my reflection. I wipe the fog off the mirror with the heel of my hand, then lean closer. I cringe harder
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-19Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 11
NIKOLAI I dig my thumbs into my eyes as Xan talks my ear off. Damn, he is one hell of a talker. "...you are fucking reckless, Nikolai. Taking up an illegal broker's job isn't enough, you have to add a bodyguard to the mix." "I need money, you know that." I groan. "Hannah's bills are piling up.," I tell Xan. "You should have asked me about it," he says. "We are family, Niko. Hannah is also my younger sister and I spend more time with her than you." Yeah, true. He does spend more time with Hannah. Due to my job, I'm mostly out of the country. I just scoff. I'd rather break my legs first than ask anyone for help, not even a friend, I have known for years now. Besides, the recession is hitting everyone hard. Xan barely has his head above the water just like me. I can't do that to him, knowing he won't reject my request. "Okay. Okay." I surrender. Xan won't stop until I give up. He may be a washed-up lawyer, but his argumentative skills are top-notch. "What about what I as
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-20Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 12
LIA The chilling tremor still ripples through me six hours after the incident. Everything happening around me seems like a page ripped out o,f a horror movie. Seeing a decaying dead body wasn't on my list of anticipated things when this year started. Frankly, a lot of things that have happened three months into this year. To be more specific two weeks up to this moment aren't what I envisioned my year would be. I started this year with places I wanted to go and things I wanted to do with Karl. But right now, I'm just glad if I make it through the next morning. I hold the old lady, Sarah as she cries over her daughter. It is an unpleasant, gruesome scene and my heart breaks into tiny pieces for her. Seeing a dead body is one thing. Having to see a mother grieve over her child is a torment on its own. I can never console her no matter how much I try. My quick slip in and out turns into hours. As the crowd starts to form in from of the apartment, I can't bring myself to leave
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-24Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย chapter 13
LIA My thoughts spiral as I stumble down the stairs, Grumpy's footsteps echoing closely behind me. My heart beats so violently against my ribcage that I fear it might explode. My breath comes in short, ragged gasps, tearing through my lungs. My legs feel numb as they drag in the direction Grumpy leads me, like a robot. The faint sound of footsteps manages to cut through the roar of my blood, each step of the men grows nearer and nearer. I can almost feel their presence gaining on us. We are going to get killed, and it will all be my fault. I can't follow simple instructions and I cannot not be dumb. If only I had stayed in the hotel room if only I hadn't helped the woman, if only I hadn't foolishly let a reporter take my interview. I have done some pretty dumb things in my life, but this...this tops everything. Not to mention that our lives depend on this. Grumpy knows what he is getting into and is getting paid to protect me, but if he ends up dead, his blood will be on m
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-24Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย chapter 14
LIA Everything happens faster than I can keep up. With each passing day, it feels like I'm drowning. I just lost my father and it doesn't help that I have cameras shoved to my face every angle I turn and I'm not left alone to mourn him properly. I have nodded my head more times than I can count, and now, a permanent ache tortures my neck. I've had my back patted more than I like, and I've been looked at with sad, pitiful eyes that make everything much worse. I'm not alone throughout the process. My stepbrother, Gareth and my father's good friend, Uncle Stanley are here too. But for the most part, I feel so lonely and burdened. Grumpy left the moment we arrived at the hospital that day, without a goodbye. I knew his job here was done since he brought me safely to New York, but a part of me wished he had at least said goodbye to me. Now, I'm in the hall where my father's memorial will take place. To me, everything seems rushed, but as Gareth has said, it is to get the medi
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-27Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย chapter 15
NIKOLAI When I applied for the waiter's job hired for Leo Rodriguez's memorial, I told myself it was because of the payโit wasn't. Deep down, it was because of the daughter of the deceasedโmay his soul rest in perfect peace. I had been curious about Lia, and seeing her on TV hadn't helped. Each broadcast only made my curiosity about her welfare grow, and her stiff, controlled appearance made me want to see her more, even though I had no reason to. So here I am, taking up a job I don't necessarily need, carrying a goddamn tray because I want to see Lia for myself. My eyes have been on her since the moment she arrived in a mid-length black dress, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder. She has a smile on her faceโa fake smile that not many people notice, but I do. It looks like she is barely keeping herself together. I watch her interact with a few people before entering into a small room by the corner with her brother. My eyes are currently boring into the door when she
์ต์ ์
๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-04-01
์ต์ ์ฑํฐ
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 65
NIKOLAIThe phone trembles in my hand, and I clench it so hard my knuckles ache as I fight the urge to hurl it across the room. My pulse drums loud and fast in my ears, each beat stoking the frustration, the doubt, and the guilt.Yes, Iโm going to tell Lia Iโm quitting. But not tonight. Not after everything that has happened. And not because I care about her more than Hannah.Screw Xander for even saying that. Screw him for daring to throw that accusation in my face. As if everything Iโve done, and every decision Iโve made havenโt been for my sister. Every damn sacrifice, how I live my life has been for my sisterโs sake. Every time I think of doing something, the first thing that crosses my mind is how itโll impact her.Everything has been heavily influenced by my sisterโ.Right. That isnโt entirely true. I have made a decision solely for me before. Just once I made a decision, and I didnโt think about my sister, but my selfish self. Accepting the job from Lia was the only time I wasn
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 64
NIKOLAISigning the contract with Lia was a selfish decision. I knew from the start that the pay wouldnโt cover my sisterโs hospital bills, but I still went for the job. Now Iโm paying the price for that decision.For the past one week, Iโve taken on some of the most dangerous jobs Iโve ever accepted. The kind of jobs that put me inches away from death. Jobs that used to give me a thrill and make me feel alive in some twisted way. But now, I canโt say the same anymore. Because the thrill no longer fuels me, rather it unsettles me. Every time Iโm on the edge of life and death, I find myself hesitating. The adrenaline I used to love now feels more like a sick twist in my gut and it makes me want to turn and run, to protect myself.My sister makes me feel fearless. For her Iโm ready to face anything, come hell, or high water. But itโs different when it comes to Lia. She makes me want to back down and avoid risks. Because every time I think about facing something that could end me, thereโs
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 63
LIAPanic kicks in, pressing me forward until I burst into the kitchen. Relief washes over me as I see him, right there.Nikolaiโs changed out of his soaked clothes, though his hair still glistens with drops of water, the dark strands occasionally sending a bead sliding down his neck. He's wearing those low-rise pants that hug his hips, and a fitted tee stretched over his frame, showing just enoughโฆ no. I shake my head and dart my eyes away. This isnโt the time to be ogling him; Iโm here to confront him.When I shift my gaze back towards him, heโs looking at me over his shoulder, and the tiniest smile pulls at his lips before he looks away, or notโฆ Iโm just imagining things. Nikolai isnโt smiling at me.โFeel better?โ His voice pulls me back to the moment as he turns fully, his eyes skimming over me with that subtle, unreadable appraisal.โYes,โ I answer and sneezes immediately, disproving my answer.โClearly not.โ He stops right in front of me, holding out a steaming cup. The space
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 62
LIAThe words Iโve kept buried seem to boil up inside of me. Words of hurt, longing, heartache that has twisted itself deep, when even I can barely reach it. I want to scream at him. I want to demand answers, force him to tell me why he disappeared, why he left me here to be mad with worry, clawing through days that stretched endlessly without him.But as he stands there, with softened face and eyes weighed with something unsaid, looking at me like he hasnโt shattered my world, like he hasnโt been gone for a week without a trace, like I wasnโt shell of myself because of his absence, like I havenโt been teetering on the edge, the words slip away. Every line I rehearsed in the mirror all vanish. My voice fades under the weight of his gaze and his silence.Tears spill over before I can stop them, mingling with the rain that lashes down, soaking me to the bone. The chill seeps into my skin, but the burn of his stare holds me still, locked in place.The world feels muffled, just the sound
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 61
LIAGetting ready for work doesnโt take long, and in no time, Iโm pulling into the parking lot of ROQ.Kate is already at the entrance with her attention laser-focused on the tablet in her hand until she spots me. She and I have met in the middle ground and have agreed that she wonโt jump in step beside and scare the living daylights out of me, she stays in my line of sight.As I approach, her eyes shift past me, darting through the lot. She doesnโt have to tell me who sheโs looking for. I feel the same, though I doubt it runs deep for herFinally, her gaze snaps back to me, and with a quiet nod, she says, โGood morning, maโam.โI nod in acknowledgment, too weighed down to respond.โHave you been able to reach him?โ she asks. I shake my head, trying to hide how much Iโm affected by Nikolaiโs absence. But Kateโs eyes narrow, noticing more than I wish she would.โI wonder where Grumpy is.โI halt abruptly in my steps, making Kate tilt her head slightly toward me. โIs something wrong?โ
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 60
LIAI havenโt heard from Nikolai in a week, and it feels like my worldโs been stuck on pause. Scratch thatโlife hasnโt just paused. Itโs slowed to a dull, gray crawl.The day he disappeared, I sensed something was wrong. I tried to get through to him every way I knew how. I called him more times than I can count, sent message after message. Eventually, his line stopped going through, so I left voicemails, each one more desperate than the last. But I got nothing. Not a single reply.Even though my project has been moving faster, and my week has been busier than ever, Nikolai is still there, at the back of my mind. Heโs everywhere I look, his presence in every corner of my apartment.I water his flowers religiously, telling myself heโll be back. After all, our contract still has four months left. Nikolai is responsibleโheโd never just leave without finishing what he started. Yet, with each day that passes, Iโve been forced to make up new excuses for why he hasnโt called, why he hasnโt c
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 59
NIKOLAIโI donโt repeat myself,โ I groan out.She lowers the can and wipe her mouth with the back of her hand, her expression unbothered. โIโm waiting until Hannah wakes up. I want to see her.โโYou wonโt be seeing her when she wakes up. Leave.โ My voice is flat, final. But Blake, as always, presses on.โAnd whyโs that?โ She tosses the empty can into a nearby bin with a loud clatter and crosses her arms.โBecause I said so.โShe coughs out a rough scoff. โItโs been ages since I saw her. I miss her. So, Iโm seeing her whether you like it or not.โ โAnd then leave again?โ My voice comes out as a bitter hiss, laced with disdain. I shake my head slowly. โIโm not putting Hannah that emotional stress again.โ The thought of watching her disappointment is unbearable; having to explain, once more, why one of her favorite people is walking away with no real reason. Thereโs a reason itโs only me and Xander in her life now.Blakeโs jaw clenches. โDonโt act like I left by choice. I had no other op
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 58
NIKOLAII donโt how I managed to ride my bike from the apartment to the hospital, but I did. In a blur of speeding through intersections, narrowly missing cars, and racing against dread. But somehow, Iโm here, breathless and disheveled as I burst through the sliding doors of the hospital. The sterile smell of antiseptics stings my nostrils, but I barely register it, the frantic drumming in my chest drowning everything.A flash of someone in scrubs brushing past me jolts me back into the moment, and I nearly collide with him. "Watch it!โ I snap, already halfway down the corridor, not waiting to hear his indignant mutter behind me.The air grows thick as I approach Hannahโs room, every step heavier than the last. My heart is pounding, and as I reach for the door handle, the simple act of pushing it open feels like an eternity.Nausea rolls over me when Iโm greeted with eerie emptiness and no sign of Hannah. No. No. This canโt be happening. This canโt fucking be real. Hannah canโt beโn
Protecting The Heiress ย ย ย Chapter 57
NIKOLAIโWhatโs it?โ I say with a raised brow.โDidโฆ I do something wrong?โ Her voice is quiet, her fingers fidgeting at her side.โNo.โShe swallows hard and her throat bobs.โThen why?โโWhy what?โโWhy have you been acting strange?โ each word drops slowly, almost as if sheโs afraid of what my answer might be. โLike I did something to piss you off.โI almost scoff. Lia couldnโt piss me off even if she tried, but Iโm not about to say that to her face.โYou didnโt piss me off,โ I say simply, folding my arms.Her gaze drops for a moment before she meets my eyes again, her expression tinged with worry. โI... I know I did some embarrassing things yesterday. One thing in particular thatโs probably pissed you off.โMy brow furrows. I canโt think of anything Lia could have done to irritate me when she was drunk, but now that she mentioned it, Iโm curious. โWhich is?"She draws in a shaky breath and squeezes her eyes shut briefly as the words tumble out. โIโm sorry for... for asking you to h
