A Knife on His Lap|| Bodyguard AU

Have a safe trip

~Alexie Ivanov~

A soft groan escaped my lips as I stretched my limbs, tousling my hair. Today, or rather tonight, marked the beginning of my journey to Paris, where I would be anchored on a yacht in Cannes. Does it sound like a fantastic vacation? Not quite. I wasn't just a mere guest at a yacht party; I was also the captive under constant surveillance. Shedding my sweats, I opted for an early morning – or, rather, a late-night – shower, embracing the cold and calming water, just as I preferred.

A persistent buzz echoed in my mind, imploring me to reconsider, to stay by her side. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to do so. The last thing I wanted was for her dependency on me to overshadow her own will, rendering her a mere shadow of herself. I was determined not to turn her into a liability, not just for me but for her own well-being.

I was acutely aware that what she craved most was independence – the freedom to be her own person, unaffected by the influence of her parents or even myself. Each time I witnessed her enchanting smile or heard the soft cadence of her voice calling my name, I reminded myself that my role was that of a temporary guardian. I was placed beside her for a mere year, tasked with the sole purpose of shielding her from the dark forces pursuing Mr. Patel.

Following the car chase, a surprising calm settled, and no other incidents transpired. Despite my strong desire to unravel every detail concerning Lie Mein Zhang, the imposed restrictions made it challenging for me to pursue a Council member actively. It seemed highly improbable that she acted alone; the money-hungry woman wasn't the type to target a teenager without a motive.

"Still, it doesn't add up. It's like something's missing," I muttered under my breath while preparing to leave. Slipping into a puffer jacket over a cozy tee, I slid my leather Timberland boots under a pair of sturdy cargo pants.

Descending, I ensured the security system for the upper floor was properly activated before proceeding down. The stairs in this house were intentionally designed to creak, serving as a simple self-alarm that would provide ample time for me to prepare for any potential intruders. Glancing up once more and checking the monitor on my watch, I confirmed, "Yup, it's on."

The security system was primarily in place for Nari rather than to ward off intruders. I had a particular concern about her venturing upstairs alone. Although one day I intended to teach her about it, now seemed too soon for such lessons.

Silently, I traversed the halls, attempting to check on the girl in her room. It was still 1:25 in the night, and I was hesitant to disturb her sleep, especially since we had bid our goodbyes the night before. Yet, a part of me yearned to catch a glimpse of her one last time before my week-long departure. Although she had assured me of a video call, the constant monitoring situation I was in left me uncertain about our communication.

My steps came to a halt in the foyer when I spotted her petite figure, peacefully dozing on the sofa with Nyx curled up next to her lap. It appeared she had been waiting for me, and though it was a small gesture, it resonated profoundly with me. In all my travels, I had never experienced anyone seeing me off or offering well wishes for the past fifteen years. The last farewell I received was from my father, who tearfully bid me farewell as I departed from Russia to America. Since then, I had become my own caretaker.

"Nari," I softly called out, still hesitant to disturb her slumber. In an instant, she startled awake, a bit groggy, but her eyes sparkled as soon as she saw me. It was a small gesture, yet it felt like a throb in my chest. I didn't quite understand this newfound feeling, but involuntarily, my facial muscles twitched, and a small smile formed on my face.

"Alexie!" she exclaimed in excitement, almost skipping her way towards me. Without hesitation, her head was buried in my chest. The warmth emanating from her, coupled with the sweet scent of vanilla and mango, enveloped my body in a state of relaxation. I didn't want to move; I didn't want to leave the comfort of her warmth. In fact, I wished I could stay enveloped in it forever. However, I couldn't allow myself that luxury, as I was merely a protector. Swallowing hard, I gently pushed the girl away, her hazel eyes piercing into mine as a sheepish, drugged laughter escaped her lips.