Her Protector (Faye gip)

25

After cupcakes, rainbows, here comes some storm.

—-

Faye stood in the center of a sophisticated private dining room, feeling an unusual tightness in her chest. The place was lit warmly, with chandeliers casting soft glows on the meticulously arranged table. A bouquet of white roses sat in the middle, representing her pure intentions. Yet, despite her carefully curated setting, her hands still trembled slightly. After all, this wasn't just a business meeting — it was something much more significant.

For days after the event, Faye had done everything in her power to make it up to Yoko. The Hermes bag was just the beginning — a tangible gesture that arrived promptly the morning after, earning a chuckle and a teasing remark from Yoko, "Well, at least you know how to apologize, Ms. Malisorn." But it didn't end there. Faye became more attentive than ever, catering to Yoko's every whim, pampering her as though her entire world revolved around her girlfriend.

Even though Yoko had assured her she was fine, Faye knew she couldn't rest until she had done more to solidify what they had. And that's what led her here today — sitting in front of Yoko's parents,

Yoko's father, Mr. Lertprasert, sat with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze weighing Faye's every movement. Beside him, Mrs. Lertprasert's expression was gentler, but even she couldn't completely mask her anticipation. The soft candlelight flickered across the table, reflecting off Faye's wristwatch—the one Yoko had given her, the one she couldn't stop fiddling with whenever she was nervous. She took a steadying breath, then glanced up, determined to face them with everything she had.

"Faye, we're listening," Mr. Lertprasert said, his voice steady but edged with a seriousness that made Faye straighten her posture immediately. "Why don't you start by telling us what exactly you want?"

"I want to marry Yoko," Faye said simply. Her tone was firm, resolute, but when her eyes softened and she glanced down, a hint of a smile played on her lips. "I'm not here to just say the words, sir. I'm here to make a promise. I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you and to her how much she means to me."

Mr. Lertprasert's brows lifted slightly, as if appraising her sincerity. "And why should I believe that, Faye? You know better than anyone that Yoko can be...difficult." There was a hint of teasing in his tone, but the underlying concern was real. "She's headstrong, stubborn, and... to put it bluntly, a spoiled brat."

"I know," Faye murmured, letting out a soft chuckle as she dropped her gaze, fiddling absentmindedly with the watch strap. "She's a handful. But she's also... everything to me. I've seen all of those sides to her—the difficult and the beautiful. And I love every single part. Yoko is stubborn, yes. She's reckless and complicated, but she's also so full of life and love." She looked up, her eyes brightening as she spoke. "She's fierce, passionate, and when she loves, she loves completely."

Mrs. Lertprasert leaned forward slightly, her expression shifting from curiosity to something softer. "What are you trying to say, dear?"

"I'm saying that she's my person," Faye said quietly, her fingers still lingering over the cool metal of her watch. "She might be spoiled, but I'd spoil her a thousand times over just to see her smile. I'd give up everything to make her happy, to keep her safe. It's not a duty to me—it's a privilege. She's not just the woman I love; she's the woman who changed my life. The one who made me want to be better, for her and for myself."

Mr. Lertprasert didn't respond immediately. His gaze stayed fixed on Faye's face, reading the emotion in her words, the conviction in her tone. After what seemed like an eternity, he sighed softly, leaning back in his chair.

"You know," he began, voice low but steady, "when I first assigned you to be her bodyguard, I wasn't just looking for someone to protect her physically. I was looking for someone strong enough to handle her spirit. I thought, 'If anyone can tame that wild streak in her, it's Faye Malisorn.'" A faint smile tugged at his lips. "But what I didn't expect was for you to fall in love with her."