Chapter 1

The man in the bulletproof vest narrowed his eyes, focusing on the target ahead. He wasn't just reading the breeze, but also factoring in the target's movement and sound hundreds of meters away.

The rhythm of movement, the sound, the seconds before...

Bang!

The shot was fired.

"Yes!" Evander Sinclair exclaimed, satisfied, clamping his fist in relief at hitting the target.

Someone patted his shoulder, grinning broadly, having apparently appeared out of nowhere.

"Your long-range shooting is getting better, Evan. Keep it up!" the figure commented proudly.

Watching his protégé grow into a top-notch soldier filled him with awe.

The one being praised cracked a thin smile.

"Did you keep practicing even during your day off?"

"I still need to get used to doing it in the dark, Commander. It's nothing," the man replied, feeling a bit awkward receiving praise for just doing his job.

The Commander nodded. "As a soldier, getting complacent is a habit to avoid. Good you're aware of that."

If you could hit long-range targets, you'd have more than just that skill; special forces like Evander were trained to be well-rounded.

Shooting in the dark, for instance, was a whole different level.

"How's your assignment at the blue building? Any trouble there?" the Commander asked suddenly.

Evander's expression changed upon the spontaneous question, and he stored his weapon. "It's been okay, sir."

"You don't like it there?" the senior probed.

"Yes, I like it there, sir!" Evander replied firmly, then looked dejected a moment later.

"Then?"

The Commander was curious, placing his hands on his hips as he scrutinized his prized soldier.

Why did Evander seem hesitant when asked if he liked his assignment?

"You were guarding VIPs, right? Any issues? Suspicious activity?" The Commander gave his junior a chance to air his grievances, hoping Evander would be honest.

Unfortunately, Evander didn't want to dwell on it, shaking his head as he exhaled, then answered resolutely, "No, sir. Everything's fine, under control."

Evander Sinclair, a soldier tasked with guarding high-ranking officials as head of the special forces, was struggling.

It wasn't the enemy that made his job tough; it was something else.

"Evan!" the Commander shouted before he could return to duty.

With a firm expression, he commanded, "Remember! Don't get emotionally involved in this mission. Got it?!"

Emotions.

Evander couldn't say much. He just tried to shield himself, staying cold and detached around everyone.

His mission this time was going to be different from any military mission.

***

Watching Elena dressed like a princess after attending a state function made Evander question the thumping in his chest.

Was this normal?

Was this okay?

"Will there be an entourage?" Elena whispered, asking her personal guard with the imposing build.

Evander replied curtly, "The President sent extra security to ensure you get home safely, as a thank you."

Elena pouted, scrunching her face in annoyance. She hated the commotion created just to escort her home.

As if she were some important person.

"What's the point? You're here, aren't you?" she quipped, rejecting the special treatment not everyone got. "Ugh, this trip is going to be exhausting."

"Want to ditch the entourage, miss?" Evander suggested, his expression flat.

Feeling like someone was on her side, Elena smiled happily.

Evander was the best of the best!

"Can you really get us out of this entourage?" Elena asked, sitting cutely in the car, mesmerized by her handsome guard.

A second later, she got her answer.

"Rest. We'll leave in a minute," Evander said, answering her doubt without hesitation.

Evander knew his actions would cause chaos, with everyone panicking over the VIP's disappearance, but he wouldn't regret it.

For Elena.

The woman who hated being the center of attention, who never got to rest due to endless duties as a high-ranking official.

"Captain," Elena whispered, her eyes closing, her voice indicating exhaustion. "I want to sleep a bit."

"Why do I always feel sleepy around you?" the woman in white rambled, curling up comfortably near the man. "Is it because I'm comfortable around you?" She said.

She added, almost asleep. "Or is it because I love you?"

Evander coughed at the woman's words, foreign words that shouldn't be said so easily.

Didn't Elena realize what she'd just said?

Why was it so easy for her to confess her feelings to Evander, someone who shouldn't receive such a declaration?

Besides being skilled in combat and using weapons, Evander was also an excellent driver, which made him the Commander's trusted choice for guarding the Montgomery heir, Elena Montgomery.

Elena mumbled, struggling to distinguish reality from dreams. "How long did I sleep?" she asked curiously.

Evander glanced briefly, guessing Elena would be shocked if he told her she'd slept for over two hours.

Alistair Montgomery was a respected former Armed Forces Commissioner; her daughter was a VIP, and security involving Elena was always top priority.

"Two hours, miss."

"You're kidding!"

For two hours, Evander figured everyone must've been frantic searching for the missing VIP.

"I want ice cream," the woman looking fearfully at Evander piped up.

Her eyes pleaded for permission. "Can we stop? We're already running late, right?" Elena added, still wheedling.

Since they were near a park, Elena asked to stop for ice cream. Evander wanted to refuse, couldn't afford another breach.

But seeing her charge's sad face, he relented.

At the park, they did nothing but eat ice cream, each lost in thought.

Elena chattered between licks. "Thanks, Captain. For helping me escape, letting me sleep. And for the ice cream."

Being with Evander never disappointed her.

"No need to thank me. I'm just doing my job," Evander replied coldly, the tough soldier persona firmly in place.

The figure sitting next to him pouted, vexed. "I'll thank you anyway."

"Oh, Captain," Elena suddenly asked seriously. "May I know what kind of woman is your ideal?"