Undercover in the Ivy League

An Unexpected Encounter

Ethan walked briskly across the university quad, his eyes discreetly scanning the surroundings as he kept Sophia in his peripheral vision. She was talking animatedly with a few classmates near the entrance to the law building, completely unaware of the layers of security that her father had silently woven around her. It was a typical day on campus—until Ethan spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

His heart skipped a beat when he recognised the man striding confidently towards the university's main building. It was Colonel James Morgan, one of his former mentors from the military. The Colonel was known for his stern demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, qualities that had earned him the respect of everyone who had served under him, including Ethan.

The Colonel was here to give a guest lecture on leadership and discipline in military life, a talk that was open to students interested in military careers. Ethan hadn't expected to see him, and he certainly hadn't expected the Colonel to see him.

Ethan quickened his pace, hoping to avoid an encounter, but it was too late. Colonel Morgan’s sharp eyes had already zeroed in on him.

“Collins!” the Colonel barked, his voice carrying across the quad. “What are you doing here, son?”

Ethan winced inwardly but maintained a calm exterior. He turned and approached the Colonel with a forced smile. “Colonel Morgan. Good to see you, sir.”

The Colonel clasped Ethan’s hand firmly, his grip as strong as ever. “What’s a soldier like you doing at a university? You didn’t strike me as the academic type.”

Ethan glanced around cautiously, making sure no one was paying too much attention to their conversation. He lowered his voice, leaning in slightly. “I’m on a mission, sir. Undercover.”

The Colonel’s eyebrows raised in curiosity. “A mission? Here?”

Ethan nodded subtly, his eyes darting towards Sophia, who was still engrossed in conversation with her friends. “Yeah. That girl over there,” he said, jerking his chin in Sophia’s direction, “I’m her undercover bodyguard. It’s a special assignment.”

Colonel Morgan looked over at Sophia, then quickly back at Ethan, a smirk playing on his lips. “Undercover bodyguard, huh? That’s a new one. And here I thought you were done with babysitting after our last mission.”

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “Trust me, it’s more complicated than it looks. But, sir, please don’t make direct eye contact with her. She can’t know who I really am.”

The Colonel’s smirk turned into a genuine smile. “Got it. Don’t worry, Collins. Your secret’s safe with me. But I’ve got to say, this is the last place I expected to see you.”

Ethan sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibilities. “Yeah, well, duty calls, sir. Her father’s pretty protective, and she doesn’t even know I’m here to keep an eye on her.”

Colonel Morgan clapped a hand on Ethan’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’ve got your hands full, that’s for sure. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you. Good luck on the mission, Collins. I’ll be around campus if you need anything.”

“Thanks, sir. I appreciate it,” Ethan replied, grateful for the Colonel’s understanding.

As the Colonel continued on his way, Ethan took a deep breath and resumed his watch over Sophia. The brief encounter had been a reminder of his past life—one filled with clear-cut missions and straightforward objectives. This assignment, however, was different. It was messier, with emotions and personal connections tangled up in his professional duty.

But Ethan knew one thing for sure: he would do whatever it took to protect Sophia, even if it meant navigating the challenges of both the academic world and the complexities of his own growing feelings for her. As he watched her laugh with her friends, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. It was worth it.

Sophia glanced over at him, catching his eye for a brief moment. She offered a friendly wave, which Ethan returned with a nod. Little did she know, she had a guardian far more invested in her safety than she could ever imagine.