Chapter 5: The Guard Dog

 

Harper woke up to the best sound in the world: a text notification.

[Bank Transfer: $5,050.00]

Harper sat up in bed, blinking. Why was there an extra fifty dollars? She didn't question it. She rushed downstairs without even washing her face.

In the kitchen, the bowl of fried rice was empty. Clean as a whistle. Stuck to the fridge door was a new sticky note. Sebastian’s handwriting was sharp and elegant, the ink bleeding slightly through the paper.

"Breakfast Request: Pan-seared chicken breast, sliced tomatoes, fresh lettuce, wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla with vinaigrette. And black coffee."

Harper stared at the note. "Chicken... lettuce... tortilla..." She burst out laughing. "Isn't this just a Savory Crepe (Jianbing) but with fancy words?"

He wanted the street food. He just didn't want to admit it. And the extra $50? Probably a tip for the "customization."

Harper hummed happily as she whipped up the "Fancy Jianbing." When Sebastian came down the elevator, the aroma of coffee and toasted wheat filled the air.

"Good morning, Sebastian!" Harper greeted him, her face glowing in the morning sun.

Sebastian paused. He saw her standing there—messy hair tied in a loose bun, wearing a ridiculous apron, looking like a chaotic ray of sunshine. The corner of his mouth twitched upward for a micro-second before he pulled it back down.

"Morning," he muttered.

Harper placed the plate in front of him. "Here is your 'Pan-seared chicken wrap with organic vinaigrette.' AKA, a Jianbing."

Sebastian took a bite. The crunch was perfect. The sauce was tangy. "Not bad," he said, taking a sip of black coffee.

He watched Harper bustling around the kitchen. It was... peaceful. Maybe, he thought, tapping his finger on the armrest, if she stops stealing my batteries, I might actually let her stay.

---

[The Intruder]

The peace was shattered by the doorbell.

Harper checked the video intercom. A man in a sharp grey suit stood outside, holding a briefcase. He looked polished, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"Who is it?" Harper asked.

Sebastian glanced at the screen. His face darkened instantly. "Let him in. He's... a friend. Tell him to go to the study on the second floor."

Harper opened the door. The man smiled at her. It was a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Hello. I'm Julian Vance. Sebastian's old friend."

"I'm Harper. I'm his..." Harper paused.

"His caretaker, I assume," Julian interrupted smoothly, adjusting his glasses. He looked her up and down with a sneer. "It must be hard work. Dealing with a cripple is exhausting, isn't it?"

Harper stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"Don't get me wrong," Julian chuckled, walking past her to the stairs. "I'm just saying, a pretty girl like you shouldn't waste her youth out of pity. Once you see his true temper, you'll leave. Everyone does."

He walked up the stairs, leaving a trail of expensive cologne and malice.

Harper stared at his back. Friend? That man spoke like a snake.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was Liam. "Harper! I saw the security alert! Is Julian Vance there?!" Liam sounded panicked.

"Yes, he just went upstairs."

"KICK HIM OUT!" Liam screamed. "He's not a friend! He's here to mock Sebastian! He does this every month to upset him before the board meetings! Get him out NOW!"

---

[The Confrontation]

Harper didn't hesitate. She grabbed a duster (as a weapon?) and sprinted up the stairs.

As she approached the study, she heard a loud CRASH! Something heavy had been thrown.

Harper kicked the door open. "Sebastian!"

The room was a mess. Papers were scattered everywhere. Julian was standing by the desk, hands in his pockets, looking smug. Sebastian was sitting in his wheelchair, his back to the shattered remains of a vase. His fists were clenched on his knees, veins popping on his pale hands. He was shaking with suppressed rage.

On the computer screen, a video conference was still active. A group of old men in suits were watching the drama unfold.

"Look at you, Sebastian," Julian sighed theatrically, addressing the webcam. "Chairman, do you see? He's unstable. How can he lead the company when he can't even control his temper?"

"Get. Out." Sebastian’s voice was a guttural growl.

"I'm just trying to help you cool down," Julian smirked, stepping closer to loom over Sebastian.

That was the last straw.

Harper charged in like a furious little bull. She shoved Julian hard, catching him off guard. He stumbled back a few steps.

"Don't you dare touch him!" Harper shouted, standing firmly between Sebastian and Julian.

She turned and grabbed Sebastian’s clenched fist. His hand was cold and trembling. She pried his fingers open gently, interlacing her warm fingers with his.

"Take a breath," she whispered to him.

Sebastian looked up at her, his eyes wild and red. But the warmth of her hand anchored him.

Julian straightened his tie, sneering. "A caretaker? You let the help interrupt a board meeting?"

"I'm not just the help," Harper glared at him, lifting her chin. "I'm the one who's going to throw you out."

"You?" Julian laughed. "And what are you going to do? Hit me with a duster?"

Harper looked down at the control panel on Sebastian’s wheelchair. She remembered reading the manual. There was a panic button that summoned the security team instantly. Which one was it? The red one? No, that's the emergency stop. The yellow one?

While she was hesitating, a large, pale hand covered hers. Sebastian silently guided her finger to a discreet black button on the side of the armrest.

He pressed it with her.

Click.

Less than thirty seconds later, the floor shook. The door burst open. Four massive bodyguards in black suits filled the room.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Julian paled.

Harper pointed at Julian. "Trash. Take it out."

Sebastian gave a nearly imperceptible nod to the head guard.

The guards didn't ask questions. Two of them grabbed Julian by the arms and lifted him off the floor like a sack of potatoes.

"Let go of me! Sebastian! You can't do this!" Julian screamed as he was dragged out.

Harper didn't stop there. She followed them.

Sebastian stayed in the room. The video call was still on. A stern voice came from the speakers—his father. "Sebastian, your behavior today was—"

SMASH. Sebastian picked up a heavy paperweight and threw it straight at the monitor. The screen shattered, silencing the voice.

"Sorry," Sebastian whispered to the empty room.

---

[The Kick]

Downstairs, the guards were tossing Julian out the front door.

"You'll regret this! I'm a shareholder!" Julian was yelling, trying to adjust his crooked glasses.

Just as he was stumbling onto the driveway, Harper ran up behind him. She grabbed the arm of a bodyguard for balance, swung her leg back, and delivered a solid, swift kick to Julian’s butt.

"Oof!" Julian flew forward a few meters, landing face-first in the dirt. His glasses flew off. His briefcase smacked him in the head.

Harper clapped her hands, dusting them off.

"And stay out!" she shouted.

She turned to the bodyguards, beaming. "Did you see that? Good hang time, right?"

The terrifying bodyguards looked at the small girl, then at each other. The head guard cracked a smile. "Nice kick, Ma'am."

Up on the second-floor balcony, hidden in the shadows, Sebastian watched the scene below. He watched Harper hopping around victoriously. He looked at his hand—the one she had held. It still felt warm.

"Idiot," he murmured. But for the first time in years, the "monster" wasn't angry.