A Knife on His Lap|| Bodyguard AU

Dinner at the Patel's

~Alexie Ivanov~

Annoyed, pissed, and tired – these were the adjectives that would perfectly describe my day. Except for one instance, the rest of my day seemed to have been ruined thanks to an encounter with a certain someone. It was all thanks to Nari that a glimmer of sustenance remained in my day.

On the drive back, I watched on my monitor as Nari hopped around all the way from the central foyer to the gardens, then to the garden. I had never imagined a youngling like her would show keen interest in a hobby that I had picked up a few years back to bring some solace into my life. The way her eyes glimmered in excitement made me smile.

Although I was a bit worried about the stairs, to my relief, she opted not to go there. The house stretched out over a five thousand square feet area, with an additional two thousand for the garden. For her tiny legs to cover so much ground in a matter of hours marveled me, indicating her will to explore—a good sign, I suppose. She was slowly opening up to the new space, and the positive indications she gave also had a correlation with her healing, both physically and mentally.

Deciding to go to the supermarket to pick up some things of her liking to cook, a distant memory suddenly popped into my head. It was the first time I had been invited to dine with the Patel family. Back then, having recently landed on this continent, the country's language was still a bit haywire for my young mind to grasp. Mr. Patel had picked me up from the boarding school, excited and giddy about something extravagant his wife had cooked for us.

He charmed me, telling me about the exquisite nature of Indian cuisine and how he had won over his American wife to love it too—and, he assured me, I would too. I was undeniably excited about the food, but another excitement also bubbled in my heart: the prospect of meeting his daughter.

Despite the fact that the girl was seven years younger than me, I held high anticipation about meeting her. If her father, though I would never admit it to him, had charmed me to this extent, what about her? Many thoughts rushed through my head—would she have the same intellect as my mentor? Would she be as proficient with emerging technology like her father? Would she be an adept conversationalist, much like her father?

We arrived at his modest abode, and I marveled at the two-bedroom apartment. At that time, it may have seemed humble for a middle-class professor like Mr. Patel, but considering my own humble origins, it felt quite expansive. Sensing my awe, Mr. Patel encouraged me to enter, and we were warmly welcomed by his wife. If ever there was a goddess in this world, she stood before me. I can vividly recall her inviting smile as she guided me into the warmth of their home.

Any initial reservations I may have harbored dissipated upon entering their cozy space, reminiscent of my own home back in Russia. In fact, when I had envisioned Nari's room, this welcoming atmosphere was the initial image in my mind.

From behind her mother's legs, I noticed two large doe eyes gazing up at me from below my line of sight. That was the moment I first laid eyes on Nari. In an instant, all preconceptions about intellect, charm, or anything else gave way to a new feeling I had never experienced before, blossoming in the depths of my heart. It was a sensation of warmth and giddiness, as if her gaze alone could melt me. Strangely, I found myself not wanting her eyes to leave me. Perhaps I stared at her for too long, for I witnessed her shy blush and the way her long lashes covered eyes that sparkled like stars.

A compelling urge surged within me—I wanted to make her look up. I yearned to tell her not to hide those orbs from me. However, my daydream was abruptly interrupted as Nari's mother shielded her daughter, an uncertain smile on her lips as she spoke, "I'm sorry, Alexie. Nari is a bit shy with strangers."

Did her protective stance irritate me? Certainly. Did I feel a desire to gently push the woman aside and catch a glimpse of my angel? Absolutely. However, even I wasn't foolish enough to rebel against the protective goddess who happened to be the mother of my cherished angel.