Your Guardian

Chapter 1: Shadows Before the Stage

The city skyline sparkled in the distance as Aira sat in her dressing room, surrounded by her team, preparing for another sold-out concert. The energy in the air was electric, but her mind was far from focused on the performance. Ever since the unsettling threats had started—phone calls, letters, people lurking outside her home—she had become uneasy. It wasn't just the life of a celebrity anymore. There was something darker, something more dangerous, trailing her.

"Somchai," she called out, her voice cutting through the hum of the room, "what's the status on the new security detail?"

Her manager, Somchai, who was already pacing in the corner, stopped and turned to her. "We're working on it. I've interviewed a few candidates, but none of them are what we need. You're a high-profile target now. We need someone who's not just here for show but to protect you from real threats."

Aira sighed, knowing he was right but not liking the reality of it. Over the past few months, her life had shifted from one of stardom to one laced with shadows. What had once been fan mail and harmless gifts had turned into unsettling messages, photos of her in places no one should have known she'd been, and vague, but menacing, threats.

At first, she had brushed it off, telling herself it was part of the price of fame. But deep down, she knew it was more than just overzealous fans. It wasn't until her father had confided in her about the enemies he'd made over the years—men tied to organized crime, politicians who had lost fortunes due to her father's dealings—that she realized how deep the danger went.

"There's no easy way to say this," Somchai continued, his face grave, "but some of your father's old allies and enemies are starting to see you as a way to get to him. You're not just in danger because of your fame, Aira. You're in danger because of who you are—his daughter."

Aira's stomach clenched. She had always known her father had a complicated past, but he had kept much of it hidden from her. It wasn't until recently that whispers of his connections to powerful, dangerous people had started surfacing in the media. Rumors of underworld dealings, political payoffs, and alliances gone sour.

"The messages we've received aren't just from crazed fans anymore," Somchai added, pulling out a folder from his bag. He handed it to her, and as she flipped through the pages, Aira felt her blood run cold. They were filled with details—photos of her in public, watching her every move, and chilling letters that referenced her father's past enemies by name.

One in particular stood out—a cryptic message that had arrived the week before, referencing her father's betrayal of a crime syndicate leader years ago. It was a message from someone who knew her father, someone who had the resources to track her down and harm her.

"This one came from the Eastern Syndicate," Somchai said, his voice dropping. "They have deep connections. The kind that don't send empty threats."

Aira's heart raced as she stared at the words, the threat far too real for her to ignore now. She had always been a rising star, adored by millions, but now, she was a target. A pawn in a game much bigger than herself.

"Your father has tried to keep you out of this mess," Somchai added, "but it's catching up. And it's only a matter of time before someone tries to get to him through you."

Aira leaned back in her chair, closing the file. It was suffocating to think that her father's world—one she had barely touched—had now become her own nightmare.

"Fine," she said quietly, though every fiber of her being hated admitting it. "But make sure whoever you choose knows how to blend in. I'm not walking around with a bodyguard who looks like they belong in a war zone."

Meanwhile, Tawan stood silently by the concert hall's perimeter. She was only there as a last-minute replacement for her friend—a favor she hadn't thought twice about when asked. Her focus was on Aira's father, whom she had been assigned to protect for the evening. The job was simple, but Tawan's instincts always told her to stay on alert. Danger rarely announced itself.