The Bodyguard (GxG)

The search

Emily paced back and forth in her room, her heart pounding as she replayed the events of the morning. It had started as any other day, but when she went down to the kitchen, she found her father reading a letter, his expression grave.

"What's that?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Her father handed her the letter without a word. As Emily read it, her heart sank.

**Dear Mr. Langston...** The words blurred together as she processed the meaning. Mia had resigned—effective immediately.

Emily's hands shook as she finished reading. "She just... left?"

Robert sighed heavily, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It seems so. She didn't say goodbye to anyone, just left this letter."

A wave of emotions crashed over Emily—guilt, anger, and a deep, aching sadness. She had pushed Mia away, and now Mia was truly gone. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She couldn't let it end like this, not without trying to make things right.

"I need to see her," Emily said, her voice resolute. "I need to explain—"

Robert looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and caution. "Emily, maybe it's best to give her some space. She made her decision."

But Emily shook her head. "I can't just let her go like this, Dad. I need to at least talk to her."

Without waiting for a response, Emily grabbed her car keys and headed out the door. She knew where Mia had gone—her grandparents' house. Emily had heard Mia talk about the place before, a small, peaceful cottage in the countryside. It was where Mia always found solace.

The drive felt longer than it was, every mile filled with thoughts of what she would say, how she would explain herself. By the time she reached the small cottage, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape.

Emily approached the front door with trepidation and knocked softly. After a moment, the door opened, and she was met by the kind, weathered face of Mia's grandmother.

"Hello, dear. Can I help you?" the older woman asked with a gentle smile.

Emily swallowed, trying to steady her nerves. "Hi, I'm Emily. I was wondering if Mia is here. I... I need to talk to her."

Mia's grandmother's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of concern crossing her features. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm afraid Mia isn't here."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. "She's not? But I thought—"

"She left a few days ago," her grandmother explained, her voice soft. "She didn't say where she was going, just that she needed some time alone."

Emily felt a cold chill run down her spine. "She didn't tell you where she was going?"

The older woman shook her head. "No, and it's not like her to leave without a word. I'm worried about her."

Panic began to set in. Mia was gone, truly gone, and no one knew where she was. The thought of Mia being out there alone, dealing with everything she was going through, made Emily's heart ache. She had to find her, to apologize, to try and make things right.

"Do you have any idea where she might have gone?" Emily asked, her voice almost pleading.

Mia's grandmother looked at her with a sympathetic smile. "Mia has always loved the mountains. She used to go there to clear her head, especially when things were tough. If she's anywhere, I'd start there."

Emily nodded, her resolve hardening. "Thank you. I'll find her."

As Emily got back into her car and headed toward the mountains, she couldn't shake the fear gnawing at her. Mia had left without telling anyone, retreating into herself in a way that made Emily realize just how much she had hurt her. But Emily was determined. She wasn't going to give up, not when Mia meant so much to her.

The road ahead was uncertain, but Emily knew she had to try. She owed Mia that much, at the very least.