Her bodyguard

Beneath the surface.

Crossing lines:

Dina sat alone in her room, staring blankly at the dimly lit walls. The air felt heavy, her thoughts entangled in a web of confusion and regret. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd crossed a line-one that blurred the boundaries between protector and protected , duty and desire.

The door creaked open, and Jackson stepped in, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Dina. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice carrying the usual calmness but with an undercurrent of concern.

Dina turned her head slowly, trying to mask her inner turmoil with a smile. "Just thinking," she replied, her voice betraying her attempt at nonchalance.

Jackson took a step closer, his brow furrowing. "You know, if you keep this up, you're going to burn yourself out. Harriman might be intense, but you can't let it get to you like this."

She sighed deeply, leaning back into the plush cushions of her chair. "It's not just Harriman. It's everything. I feel like I'm losing control of everything around me-my emotions, my decisions...even my own safety."

Jackson sat on the armrest of the chair, close but not intruding. "You've always been in control, Dina. Even when things were chaotic, you've been the one steering the ship. Harriman's just...another wave in the storm."

Dina chuckled bitterly. "A wave that's dragging me under."

There was a knock at the door, and Marcus peeked in, flashing his usual charming grin. "Am I interrupting something serious? Because it looks like we could use a mood change in here."

Jackson rolled his eyes, but Dina nodded. "Come in, Marcus. Maybe a distraction is exactly what I need."

Marcus entered with a light-hearted swagger, carrying a tray of drinks. "I thought we could all use a little refreshment. Nothing like a good drink to clear the mind, right?"

Dina took a glass, her fingers brushing Marcus's hand for a moment. She noticed the way his eyes lingered on her, always with that playful spark, unlike Harriman's intense, brooding gaze. "Thanks, Marcus. I guess we could all use a break from...everything."

As they sat, the tension in the room gradually lightened, but it was merely a veneer over the deeper issues simmering beneath the surface. Dina couldn't help but notice how Jackson kept an eye on her, protective yet understanding, while Marcus maintained his flirtatious charm. Yet, her thoughts kept drifting back to Harriman, to the way he looked at her before he left, the storm in his eyes.

She knew she needed to talk to him. To set things straight. To figure out where they stood. But could she face him without unraveling further? Without exposing the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide?

Suddenly, Ronen burst in with his usual upbeat energy. "Whoa, serious vibes in here, huh? I come bringing news. And by news, I mean I eavesdropped on Harriman's brooding session downstairs. He's pissed."

Dina's heart skipped a beat. "What did he say?"

Ronen shrugged, her expression caught between amusement and concern. "Something about needing to clear his head. Said he might take some time off."

Jackson's eyes narrowed. "That's not like him."

Dina felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "I have to talk to him."

Marcus leaned forward, his teasing demeanor gone. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Dina? You know how he gets."

But Dina was already standing, her decision made. "I have to try. I can't let this fester any longer." She took a deep breath and headed for the door, leaving the two men watching her go, each with their own thoughts and worries.

As she made her way through the corridors, she felt the weight of every step, the anticipation building with each passing second. When she reached Harriman's door, she paused, her hand hovering over the handle. She could hear the faint sound of his footsteps pacing back and forth inside.

Taking another deep breath, she knocked. "Harriman? It's me, Dina. Can we talk?"

There was a moment of silence, and then the door swung open. Harriman stood there, his face a mixture of frustration and something else-something deeper. "What do you want, Dina?"

She met his gaze, steady and unwavering. "I want to understand. I want to know what's going on in your head."

He stared at her for a long moment before stepping aside, allowing her in. "Fine. Let's talk."