Chapter 5: The Long Day

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The day had been long for Tawan, far more intense than she'd expected. Looking after Ira wasn't easy—she was a whirlwind of energy, radiating kindness and warmth to everyone around her. It was no wonder her fans adored her, but to Tawan, it was also a constant source of stress. Every time Ira interacted with fans, Tawan's senses were on high alert, knowing full well how quickly things could spiral out of control.


The situation became a little too real when, during a public appearance, a crowd of fans rushed toward Ira for photos, pushing too hard in their enthusiasm. Before Ira could lose her balance and fall, Tawan was there, catching her just in time. For a moment, their eyes met, and Tawan's heart raced, her face flushing red. She quickly steadied Ira and dragged her away from the chaos, her protective instincts kicking in.


Tawan shot a sharp, warning glare at the fans who had come too close. Some backed off, intimidated by her cold and serious expression. Her mind was clear on one thing: protecting Ira wasn't just a job; it was something deeper. She was willing to do whatever it took to keep Ira safe, even if it meant putting her life on the line.


Now, back in the recording studio, Ira was at ease, working on her new song. As she sang into the microphone, she kept glancing at Tawan, smiling sweetly. Tawan, who usually remained stoic, couldn't help but feel her heart flutter at those glances. She quickly averted her eyes, trying to keep her focus on the task at hand. But the more time she spent with Ira, the harder it became to maintain her distance.


Tawan couldn't stop thinking about the call she had received from Ira's father, Mr. Kraisee Hiranchai, after her interview with Preecha. She had been surprised to be hired immediately, but she soon realized that the job was more than just protecting a rising star. Mr. Kraisee, a powerful figure in the business and political world, had received threats from people wanting to bring him down, and they wouldn't hesitate to target his only daughter. That's why Tawan had been chosen, to ensure Ira's safety above all else.


On the phone, Mr. Kraisee had explained that he'd arranged an apartment for her, just a few floors below Ira's. This way, she could be close by in case of an emergency. Tawan didn't like large, empty spaces, so she was relieved that the apartment was small and practical, unlike Ira's luxurious penthouse. The job was practically a 24/7 commitment, but Tawan didn't mind. In fact, she welcomed it.


She smiled, recalling how annoyed Ira had been that morning when she showed up at 5 AM. Ira had been tired, clearly expecting to sleep in, but Tawan had done her duty, inspecting every inch of the apartment before saying a word. Tawan knew how to take her job seriously—nothing was left to chance, not even Ira's sleeping arrangements.


That morning, after Ira had gone back to bed, Tawan had linked the apartment's security camera system to her device, ensuring she could monitor everything, including Ira's bedroom. She wasn't sure how she felt about that, knowing Ira had so little privacy, but her main focus was ensuring her safety. That's what mattered.


---


Hours later, Tawan was still lost in her thoughts when she felt a presence close by. Ira had quietly approached, standing just inches away, a mischievous smile on her face.


"Ms. Bodyguard," Ira teased softly. "I thought your job was to keep your eyes on me, but it seems like you're daydreaming. I could've been in danger, and you wouldn't even know!"


Tawan stiffened, her cheeks warming slightly. She wanted to smile, to laugh at Ira's teasing, but she couldn't allow herself to break her professional facade. Instead, she looked directly at Ira, giving a firm nod, but saying nothing.


Ira's smile faltered, a hint of frustration crossing her face. She had been trying to get a reaction from Tawan all day, but it was like trying to break down a wall of ice. Still, she didn't give up. As she walked, she'd occasionally stop suddenly, forcing Tawan to adjust her steps, only to laugh softly when Tawan followed her every move.


By the time they left the studio and headed for Ira's Vellfire van, Tawan remained as vigilant as ever, keeping a sharp eye on everything around them. Once inside the van, Ira handed Tawan a keycard.


"Here," Ira said with a grin. "It's for my apartment. I don't want to wake up at 5 AM every day to open the door for you."


Tawan nodded, accepting the card with a calm expression. She had expected something like this. Mr. Kraisee had made it clear that Ira's schedule was unpredictable, and as her bodyguard, Tawan needed constant access to her.


As the van headed back to Ira's apartment, Tawan thought about the conversation she had had with Mr. Kraisee. He had trusted her completely, even giving her a black credit card to take care of Ira's needs, from food to anything else. But his words were sharp, a clear warning: if Tawan ever betrayed his trust, there would be consequences. Serious ones.


---


By the time they reached Ira's apartment, it was late. Ira disappeared into her bedroom to shower, and Tawan used the time to order dinner. When Ira emerged, she was visibly pleased to see her favorite dishes laid out.


"How did you know?" Ira asked, sitting down at the table.


Tawan didn't respond, only shrugging slightly. The truth was, she had asked Preecha, Ira's manager, about her preferences. But instead of explaining, Tawan kept her cool exterior, though she felt a sense of satisfaction at having pleased Ira.


"Join me," Ira said, gesturing to the food.


Without a word, Tawan complied, sitting down across from her. They ate in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. There was something calming about just being in each other's presence. Afterward, Tawan stood up to leave.


"I'll come back tomorrow morning," Tawan said, preparing to head to her own apartment.Ira pouted playfully, clearly wanting Tawan to stay longer, but Tawan resisted. As much as she wanted to be close to Ira, she knew she had to keep her professional boundaries in place. She couldn't let her emotions get in the way.


---


Later that night, in her own apartment, Tawan sat by her monitor, watching the security feed from Ira's apartment. Everything was peaceful. She even saw Ira sleeping soundly in her bed, and for a moment, she allowed herself a small smile. Despite all the chaos of the day, seeing Ira safe and resting put her at ease.


But as Tawan lay down to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder how long she could keep her emotions in check. She had to protect Ira—not just from external dangers, but from her own feelings as well. 


Tomorrow, she thought, I'll do better.

With a quiet sigh, she closed her eyes, hoping for strength to face another day.

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