Bodyguard | #TheWattys2024

Stupor

[Unedited]

Dove wouldn't stop tossing and turning in the bed. She couldn't help, but think of him. She wondered how he was doing, and gazed down at the promise ring on her finger.

Was she ready to be married? Was she ready to be his wife? There were so many unknowns, although she loved him, he was still a mystery to her.

Soon, she'd fallen back asleep, exhausted from her thoughts.

"Dove... Dove you have to wake up, you're going to miss the sunrise."

Her eyes snapped open to see a fully dressed, Devon looking down on her from above.

He gently wrapped his arms around her, and picked her up bridal style.

"Bu–but wait, i'm not dressed." She looked down at her attire, all she had on was her white, spaghetti strapped night gown.

He smiled down at her reassuringly, "You look fine don't worry."

He carried her down the stairs and out the back door towards the garden. Before them were two chair,  an easel, and art supplies.

He was going to paint her portrait now?

Devon sat her down gently onto the chair facing away from the stunning backdrop. The sun was just about to rise, and he wanted to capture this moment. He'd do his best in the little time they had.

—

"Devon, I don't know what to say..." she tried holding back tears looking down at the portrait.

Is this really how he saw her?

She couldn't lie to herself, her and Devon's relationship had its rocky start, but to think the he didn't hate her at all was a reassuring thought. Maybe he did want to be her friend.

Devon nervously laughed, he may have gone a little overboard. In reality, the girl had tried her best to stay conscious, but ultimately had fallen asleep in her chair during the portraiture. So, he had painted her from memory.

"What are you two doing up so early?"

The two turned to see Devon's mother calling from the master bedroom's balcony. She smiled adoringly at the two. She knew how much her son had cared for the girl, and had secretly hoped the two would end up together.

As stubborn as her son was, he wasn't stubborn when it came to matters of the heart, it was obvious he was in love with the girl. He always had been.

—

He woke up in a stupor. His heart ached, it still aches...
His Dove was gone.

There was a loud knock at his office door. He let out a loud groan as he threw the liquor decanter, listening in satisfaction as it shattered on impact with the wooden door.

"I see you're still the same since I've last seen you, brother."

His eyes snapped upwards

"Don't worry, i'm here to help, you know I loved the girl long before you did."

Although, he hadn't seen his step brother in over 3 years, he couldn't say he was surprised to see him at his door. Word had likely trickled down its ranks, that the Principessa (Princess) was no longer in her castle.

If she was gone Candor would want to know why.

"Who let you in, Candor?" He grunted. His voice grew harder, he hadn't spoken to anyone since the girl's departure. There was no need to speak when a simple glare here and scowl there would get his point across.

He watched as his younger brother slowly entered the room.

The two were complete opposites. Candor was strong, yet lean. His golden hair rivaled his older step brother's black locks.

While a smile never ceased to grace his face, the older brother was known for his brooding, chilling demeanor.

"Giovanni, told me you might need my help..."

He would cut his own tongue out before he ever admit that he needed his younger brother's help in anything.

Most especially, because he shipped Candor to Madagascar on a 10-year term mission in order to keep him away from his girl.

He was hoping to have married the girl and had three kids by the time his brother returned.

"Is that so?" He replied.

Candor was incredibly talented. He was a polyglot, who had mastered over 7 languages by the time he was 15. He was also the organization's fastest hacker.

By the time he was 18, he was placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's watch list. His tongue was sly, and he prided himself on being 3 steps ahead of his opponents.

Sadly for Candor, he would always be 10 steps ahead of him.

"I know who attacked them." Candor spoke out rightly.
Unbeknownst to his older brother, before his departure, Candor took measures on himself to keep an eye on the girl.

"You're wasting my time, Candor." He replied. It didn't take him long to realize the Spanish Mafia was after them.

The longer he spent going back and forth with his brother over useless information, the longer it would take to bring Dove home safely.

"I have reason to believe Rio Sánchez is involved."

Veins protruded from his head, "Are you insane? Rio Sánchez is dead!" He hated that name, absolutely hated it.

He even hated hearing it from her mouth. Rio Sánchez was a weak guard with nothing to show for himself except the disgraceful legacy he left behind him.

He could've sworn he had sent the entire Sánchez family to their graves...

As much as he enjoyed watching his brother succumb to his own anger, Candor understood the weight of his words. This was a new found revelation for the Capo.

Though skeptical, Candor knew deep down his brother believed him.

—

Author's note:

Hi lovelies, long time no see! So sorry for the delay, your girl was looking for love in real life *deep sigh*

I'm looking through my notes, in which, I've mapped out the progression of this story. I'm astonished at the themes I initially planned for this book, man the truth is madder than fiction. #BWWM and #BlackLove being two major ones.

Themes of obsession and delusion will begin to come to play, and overarching themes like man versus God, will unfold over time.

Also! Lately, i've been seeing so many readers add Bodyguard to their lists and i'm so happy about it!! Please continue to read, vote, comment and support! 🤍

Please continue doing y'all thing, and as always, God bless you and keep you.

- 🕊️