Your Guardian

Chapter 6: Tension Beneath the Surface

Tawan had barely slept after the argument with Aira the night before. She lay awake, replaying the conversation in her mind, trying to understand why Aira's frustration had affected her so deeply. It shouldn't bother her—she was just Aira's bodyguard, hired to protect her at all costs. But seeing Aira upset made something inside her ache in a way that felt far too personal.

Now, in the early morning light, Tawan stood in the kitchen, quietly preparing breakfast. She wasn't sure how to fix things, but she hoped starting the day with something familiar might help ease the tension. Aira's manager, Somchai, had mentioned once that Aira loved Thai omelette with cheese, and Tawan had made a mental note of it. She carefully plated the dish, adding a glass of chocolate milk to the tray, knowing Aira preferred to drink milk in the mornings.

Tawan set the table, her movements deliberate, trying to calm the anxious thoughts running through her mind. She knew her role—protect Aira, follow orders, don't get emotionally involved. But the lines felt blurred now. Wasn't it her job to care, at least in some way? Or had she crossed a boundary without realizing it?

As she finished setting the table, Tawan glanced at the clock. Aira would be waking up soon. She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the tension that still lingered between them. She just wanted to make things right, even if she wasn't sure how.

Aira stirred in bed, her body still heavy with the emotions from the night before. The argument with Tawan had left her feeling unsettled, and she wasn't sure how to process it. She had spent most of the night tossing and turning, her thoughts spiraling between frustration and something deeper—something she wasn't ready to confront yet.

She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind replaying the conversation. Why does this keep happening? she wondered. I just want things to be normal, but every time I get close to her... I can't stop these feelings. I don't even know what to do about it.

Aira sighed, rubbing her eyes. "She's just doing her job," she whispered to herself, though her heart wasn't convinced. "But why does it feel like more?"

She let out another breath and pushed the covers off, knowing that staying in bed wasn't going to help. You're being ridiculous, she told herself. Just get through the day. One step at a time.

The smell of food drifted through the air, familiar and comforting. Aira blinked her eyes open fully, recognizing the aroma immediately—Thai omelette with cheese. Her favorite. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but it quickly faded as the weight of her feelings settled back on her chest. As much as the gesture touched her, the tension between her and Tawan still lingered, unresolved.

Pushing the blankets aside, Aira got out of bed and padded into the kitchen. There, she found Tawan standing by the table, already having set the food—complete with a glass of milk, just the way Aira liked it. The sight made her heart flutter momentarily, but the memory of their argument quickly pulled her back to reality.

Tawan glanced up as Aira entered, her face carefully neutral. "Good morning," she said, her voice softer than usual. "I made breakfast. I thought you might like it."

Aira hesitated, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. On one hand, she was genuinely happy that Tawan had made her favorite breakfast—it was a thoughtful gesture that showed how much attention she paid to Aira's preferences. On the other hand, the unresolved feelings from last night kept her from fully appreciating it. Her heart wanted to soften, but her mind kept reminding her of the distance between them.

"Thank you," Aira replied quietly, her tone polite but lacking the warmth she wished she could convey. She sat down at the table, looking at the perfectly made omelette and the glass of milk. For a moment, she felt a flicker of happiness, but it was quickly overshadowed by the reminder that things between her and Tawan were still strained.