The Bodyguard (GxG)

The silence

The days after the event were marked by a noticeable shift in Mia's behavior. She kept her distance from Emily, avoiding any unnecessary interactions and limiting their conversations to the bare minimum. The memory of Emily making out with another woman was still fresh in her mind, and it fueled a growing sense of resentment and hurt that Mia couldn't shake.

Emily, sensing the change, tried to reach out to Mia, but each attempt was met with polite indifference or curt responses. Mia's usual warmth and attentiveness were replaced by a cold, professional demeanor, as if a wall had been erected between them.

At first, Emily tried to brush it off, telling herself that Mia was just busy or distracted. But as the days passed, the silence became impossible to ignore. Emily began to feel the sting of Mia's withdrawal, and it unsettled her. She missed the connection they had shared, the easy conversation, and the subtle glances that spoke volumes. Now, all of that seemed to have disappeared, leaving only a void.

One evening, after another day of distant silence, Emily decided she couldn't take it anymore. She found Mia in the kitchen, preparing a simple dinner. The tension in the room was palpable, and Emily hesitated at the door before speaking.

"Mia, we need to talk," Emily said, her voice tinged with frustration.

Mia didn't look up from what she was doing, her expression unreadable. "About what?"

"About whatever it is that's going on between us," Emily replied, stepping closer. "You've been ignoring me, and I want to know why."

Mia's hands stilled, and she finally looked up, her eyes hardening. "I haven't been ignoring you. I've just been doing my job."

"That's not true, and you know it," Emily shot back, her voice rising. "You've been distant, cold. Ever since that night at the event, you've been avoiding me."

Mia sighed, setting down the knife she was holding. "I'm just trying to keep things professional, Emily. That's what we agreed on, remember?"

Emily's frustration boiled over. "But it's more than that! You're shutting me out, and I don't understand why. If this is about what happened at the event, then we need to talk about it."

Mia clenched her jaw, her emotions finally bubbling to the surface. "What's there to talk about? I saw you with that woman, Emily. You didn't even care that I was there. You just went ahead and—"

"And what? Had a good time?" Emily interrupted, her tone defensive. "That's who I am, Mia. I told you from the beginning that I'm not one to settle down, that I enjoy being free."

Mia's eyes flashed with anger. "And what about what we shared? Was that just another moment for you, something to forget as soon as the next person comes along?"

Emily faltered, her bravado slipping as she realized the depth of Mia's hurt. "No, Mia. It wasn't like that. What we shared meant something to me, but I didn't think..."

"You didn't think it would hurt me," Mia finished for her, her voice quieter now, tinged with sadness. "But it did, Emily. I've been trying so hard to keep things professional, to respect the boundaries we set, but seeing you with someone else—so soon after everything we've been through—was too much."

Emily's heart sank as she saw the pain in Mia's eyes. "I'm sorry, Mia. I didn't realize..."

Mia shook her head, cutting her off. "I can't do this, Emily. I can't keep getting close to you, only to be reminded that you don't feel the same way. I need to protect myself, and right now, that means keeping my distance."

Emily's eyes filled with regret as she took a step closer. "Mia, please. Don't shut me out. I didn't mean to hurt you."

But Mia had already made up her mind. She stepped back, putting more space between them. "I need time, Emily. Please understand that."

Emily felt a sting of rejection as she watched Mia turn away, returning to her dinner preparations. The silence between them was heavy and suffocating, and Emily realized that she had taken Mia's feelings for granted.

As she left the kitchen, Emily felt an unfamiliar ache in her chest, a loneliness that had nothing to do with being alone. The connection she had with Mia was slipping away, and she wasn't sure how to fix it—or if it could be fixed at all.