Chapter 5. Caught

~Alina's pov~

“If that's what you want, who am I to say no.” Alina surrendered in compliance.

“Good girl. From now on, my life is yours to protect.” Antonio nodded his head with his hands clasped firmly behind his back.

Oh the Irony. How was she supposed to protect the very man she was ordered to kill? It was like fate loved to always pull cruel jokes on her.

She couldn't refuse him. Her fingers trembled only the slightest at what would happen if she refused Don Antonio Alverez. “No no, I couldn't die this way. I'm yet to fulfil my promise all those years ago.  I won't die until I have!” Alina's voice raged a war in her mind. The only thing that made Alina freighted about dying now, is dying without completing her promise.

“Bruno here will brief you on the protocols and see to it that you move into the west wing. Your room will be directly next to mine.” He said, his tone holding an edge of finality to it.

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“Did you hear?” Someone near the kitchen doorway whispered.

“They said she slept with the boss.” Another voice hissed bitterly.

“No, she's a spy. Who else would shoot that man like that?”

The voices mocked and sneered at Alina. Only worsening her headache. She ignored them and continued on her way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. 

Today's going to be a long day. She could just feel it. The thought made her let out a weighty sigh.

The staff moved and created a way for her to pass by, some did it out of envy, some out of fear and some out of adoration at how she climbed the ladder so fast.

“Alina!”

Mira's shrill voice pulled Alina's attention behind her. The timid maid she acquainted with looked kind of relieved and nervous at the same time as she came rushing towards Alina who stood like a statue, stunned.

“I thought you were— what I mean is after yesterday—” she paused, her eyes darting left and right like a mouse before she whispered, “Is it true Don Alvarez made you his personal bodyguard?”

Alina nodded, looking down at the shorter girl. “Yeah he did.”

Mira's eyes widened “woah, that's… that's freaking huge! Nobody ever gets promoted like that. Especially not as a maid”

“Guess yesterday was an exception,” Alina said quietly.

Mira beamed at her. “I'm just glad you're okay, I was worried something terrible would have happened to you.” 

Alina's chest clenched when she realized that yesterday's event must've been traumatic for someone like mira to witness.

“I know, I apologize for worrying you,” Alina said simply, fondling the hem of her sleeve.

Before Mira could respond, a sharp voice sliced through their peaceful conversation. 

“So long for ‘not causing any trouble’ you fucking attention seeker.”

The head maid, Claire, approached with her arms crossed, her heels tapping hard against the floor. Her face was tight with irritation just like her disturbing signature bun, and her lips curled as she looked Alina up and down.

“Don’t think I don’t see through your little act,” Claire sneered. “You think a pretty face and one lucky stunt make you special? Women like you don’t last long here.”

Alina’s jaw flexed but she didn’t respond.

“I’ve seen plenty come and go,” Clara continued, her voice rising slightly. “girls like you who think they've gained favour simply by batting their lashes and spreading their legs, but everyone has their place, and yours—”

“—isn’t for you to decide,” Alina cut into her rambling. Her voice sharp enough to make Claire stop mid-sentence.

The head maid’s eyes narrowed. “You’d better watch your filthy mouth, girl.”

“I could say the same,” Alina replied glaring back this time. She stepped closer, lowering her voice just enough so only Clara could hear. “You can gossip all you want, but if I ever hear you spread lies again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Clara’s face reddened. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Alina tilted her head slightly. “Try me.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension thick enough to choke the air. Then Clara scoffed, turning sharply on her heel and storming off, muttering under her breath.

Mira stared at Alina, wide-eyed. “You shouldn’t have talked to her like that. She’ll make things worse for you.”

“I don't care what the fuck she does,” Alina said, her expression unreadable. 

The rest of the day passed in silence. She shadowed Alvarez, walking a few paces behind him through meetings, and mostly inside his study. He didn’t speak to her much, but his glances said enough. He was still testing her, still deciding whether she was who she appeared to be.

But there was a particular heat that laced his gaze. Sometimes he'd stare a bit too long and turn away smirking coyly. He'd look back at her with darkened pupils like she was a beautiful food art he wanted to admire before gobbling up. 

By evening, when the mansion finally quieted down, Alina walked the long hall to her room. The low hum of crickets filtered through the open window. She closed her door behind her and sank onto the edge of the bed, exhaling for what felt like the first time all day.

Her mind ran through the day — throughout, she felt like she was walking on thin ice and trying not to mess up. She rubbed her temples, trying to steady herself.

That’s when she heard a soft knock on the window. 

Her hand went instantly to her gun, safety off. The curtains created a barrier between her and the other person..

She stood slowly, her back straight, moving toward the window. She slid the curtains open and saw him on the balcony.

“Lukan?”

He slipped inside once she unlocked the glass for him to come in. His eyes looked dark and restless. He grabbed her by the arm immediately, worry etched on his face and nose flaring.

“Are you out of your mind?” he hissed. “Becoming Alvarez’s bodyguard? What the hell are you thinking?”

She yanked her arm free, glaring. “Keep your voice down.”

“No,” he said, voice rising. “You don’t get to tell me to calm down. I told Darius this was insane, I told him sending you here was risky enough as it was, and now you’re practically glued to the man you’re supposed to kill.”

“Now look who's insane. Barging into the enemy's territory and raising your voice like you're batshit crazy.”

“I am crazy Alina. When it comes to you, I can't help it. You could've let him die in the hands of someone else. Darius wouldn't care as long as HE'S DEAD!” Lukan seethed.

“I know what I’m doing, Lukan.”

“Do you?” His voice cracked, for a second his anger subsided and was replaced by something softer. “Because it sure as hell doesn't look like you do.”

Alina folded her arms, trying to steady her racing heartbeat. “You think I can’t handle myself?”

“That’s not the point,” He stopped, swallowing hard. “I can’t watch you get killed, Alina.”

Her chest twisted painfully again at his tone. It made her walls crumble a bit. She suddenly remembered how he used to call her name, so soft, so affectionately like he could take all the burdens from her.

She took a step back, needing space. “I’m not the same person you knew, Lukan. I’m not the girl who you left months ago.”

His jaw tightened. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I stopped caring.”

The air between them thickened with unnerving silence.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she said finally. “If anyone sees you—”

“I don’t care,” he interrupted. “You think I can just sit back while you walk around this mansion pretending to be his protector?”

“Stop being irrational, you'll make us get caught! I’m not pretending,” she snapped. “I’m doing my job.”

“Your job is to kill him,” Lukan said bitterly. “Not protect him.”

“I already have a plan. I know what I'm doing. I know you're to keep an eye on me, but I can't do my job with you breathing down on my motherfucking neck.” Alina's eyes blazed with restrained fury.

Alina’s voice softened. “I’m fine, Lukan. I can handle myself. I always could.”

He studied her face, the tension in his jaw slowly easing. “You shouldn’t have to handle everything alone.”

“I’ve been alone for a long time,” she said, her eyes holding back a swirl of emotions. “It’s easier that way.”

He moved closer, lowering his voice. “You don’t have to be.”

The memory of their last night together came rushing back pretty uninvited.

Alina stepped back, shaking her head. “Don’t.”

“Alina—”

“Don’t make this harder than it already is.”

He exhaled and finally nodded, his expression softening with reluctant acceptance. 

“Just stay alive. That's all I ask.” He slipped out through the window the same way he came in, disappearing into the night.

A knock on the door startled Alina before a figure entered without waiting for a response. 

“Who were you speaking to?” Antonio asked, moving closer to her in long strides.