Chapter 3

  Aurora’s POV

  

  I woke up feeling groggy, the morning sunlight slipping through the cream-colored curtains of my bedroom. My head ached faintly, probably from staying up too late reviewing presentations. But that wasn’t what made my mood dip further this morning.

  

  Today, my bodyguard was officially starting. And as much as I appreciated my family’s concern for my safety, the idea of someone shadowing my every move didn’t exactly thrill me.

  

  Still wearing my satin robe, I shuffled into the bathroom to freshen up. A splash of cold water on my face helped slightly, but the thought of a stranger living under our roof was more sobering than refreshing. I tied my hair up into a loose bun and padded downstairs.

  

  The scent of fresh croissants and scrambled eggs greeted me before I even stepped into the dining room. My mother was already seated, sipping her tea, while my two older brothers, Jason and Alex, bickered softly over sports news on one of their phones. Dad sat at the head of the table, calm as ever behind the morning paper.

  

  “Good morning, baby girl,” he greeted with a warm smile.

  

  I kissed each of them on the head—an unbreakable ritual no matter how grown up I insisted I was. “Morning, everyone.”

  

  We ate quietly for a while, the tension in the air palpable. I knew it had to do with the man I hadn’t met yet—the one now living in our house because of the stalker incident. Just the thought of it made me sigh.

  

  After breakfast, I stood up to go back upstairs and get dressed for work, but Dad cleared his throat. “Hold on a second, Aurora.”

  

  I paused mid-step. “What is it?”

  

  “He’s here,” Dad said simply.

  

  I blinked. “He’s… what? Already?”

  

  “He arrived late last night and got settled in the guest wing. We didn’t want to disturb your sleep. He’ll be accompanying you to work today.”

  

  I exhaled heavily, not ready for this. “Can I at least go get dressed first?”

  

  Before anyone could answer, the door behind me opened, and footsteps padded softly into the dining room. Everyone’s eyes turned toward the newcomer.

  

  I turned slowly—and almost choked on my own breath.

  

  The man standing in the doorway wasn’t at all what I expected. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sleek dark hair and piercing steel-gray eyes. Dressed in a fitted black suit with the poise of someone who had been trained to command a room without even trying, he was stunning in a way that was irritating.

  

  Why did he look… familiar?

  

  “Aurora,” Dad said, “this is Adrian Blackwell, your personal security detail. He’s been thoroughly vetted and comes highly recommended.”

  

  Adrian’s gaze met mine as he stepped forward and offered his hand. “It’s a pleasure, ma’am.”

  

  I hesitated for a second before giving him a curt handshake. “Welcome, Mr. Blackwell.”

  

  I didn’t care how attractive he was—he was here to do a job, and I had no plans of befriending him.

  

  “I’ll be ready in ten,” I said curtly, then walked past him and up the stairs, not bothering to look back.

  

  Fifteen minutes later, I descended in my dark navy blouse and fitted skirt, heels clicking against the marble floor. Adrian stood by the front door, stoic and unreadable. Without a word, he opened the door for me and followed me out to the car, unlocking it and opening the passenger side.

  

  He then took the driver’s seat like it was second nature.

  

  “This is going to take some getting used to,” I murmured as he pulled out of the driveway.

  

  We’d been on the road for only five minutes before I finally broke the silence.

  

  “I swear I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

  

  His grip on the wheel was firm but relaxed. “I don’t think so, ma’am. I’m certain we’re meeting for the first time.”

  

  His voice was deep and smooth. Annoyingly calm.

  

  I turned my head and studied him for a second. “You have one of those faces, I guess.”

  

  He glanced at me briefly. “Perhaps. But I would’ve remembered meeting someone like you.”

  

  My brows arched. “Excuse me?”

  

  “I just meant… you’re striking. It would be hard to forget.”

  

  I blinked, surprised. It wasn’t the compliment itself but the way he said it—controlled, deliberate, like he meant every word but was testing my reaction.

  

  I crossed my arms. “Don’t get familiar. I’m your employer. You’re here to do a job, not flirt.”

  

  He nodded once, eyes back on the road. “Of course. My apologies, ma’am.”

  

  The rest of the ride was silent, thankfully.

  

  Once at the office, the familiar comfort of routine kicked in. Everyone greeted me warmly, and I nodded as I passed, slipping into my role as the boss’s daughter and department lead at Black Enterprises. My assistant, Clara, was already waiting at my door with the day’s schedule in hand.

  

  I could feel Adrian behind me, always at a respectful distance, yet somehow still impossible to ignore.

  

  Clara and I settled into the office. I thanked her, then noticed Adrian standing silently by the door, arms folded. He looked… solid. Professional. And yet my brain kept trying to recall where I might’ve seen him before.

  

  I needed a distraction.

  

  I grabbed my phone and called Zach.

  

  He picked up immediately. “Finally! You’ve been dodging my calls.”

  

  “I’ve been busy,” I said, a bit too quickly.

  

  I was hoping a conversation with my boyfriend would distract me from the frustrating curiosity over Adrian Blackwell. But as I listened to Zach ramble on about last night’s party and his gym routine, my eyes kept drifting back to the tall figure in black by the door.

  

  What was wrong with me?

  

  There was a knock. Adrian stepped aside, blocking the entrance.

  

  “It’s Zach,” he said over his shoulder.

  

  I sighed. “Let him in.”

  

  Zach entered, looking irritated already. “So this is the new guy?”

  

  “His name is Adrian,” I said, sensing where this was going.

  

  Zach walked straight up to Adrian and glared. “Stay away from her. Got it?”

  

  I facepalmed. “Zach!”

  

  Adrian, ever composed, simply raised a brow. “Understood.”

  

  The condescension in his voice was obvious, but he kept his cool.

  

  Zach turned to me. “I don’t like this. You don’t need him around.”

  

  “I didn’t choose this either,” I snapped. “It’s for my safety.”

  

  Zach walked back over and tried to kiss me, but I leaned back, not in the mood after his childish outburst.

  

  He frowned. “What?”

  

  “I have work. We’ll talk later.”

  

  Frustrated, he left with a muttered “Fine” and left.

  

  I glanced at Adrian. He had that smirk again, the one that said I’m not impressed.

  

  “Something funny, Mr. Blackwell?”

  

  He shook his head, his tone neutral. “Not at all, ma’am.”

  

  I hated how his presence lingered, how my mind kept drifting back to him, how my body noticed every time he moved or spoke. But I couldn’t afford distractions. Not from someone living under my roof.

  

  And certainly not from someone I barely knew.