Falling For My Bodyguard||Julia Jones

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The sun peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in a palette of hues of orange and gold. In a penthouse overlooking the city, Julia Jones sat casually on the sofa, sipping her morning coffee and scrolling through her phone.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, interrupting her peaceful routine. She placed her coffee on the nearby side table and rose, walking over to the door with a hint of curiosity.
As she opened the door, her manager, Mark, stood on the other side, his cheerful expression contrasting with her still-sleepy one.
"Morning, sunshine," he greeted, his smile wide.
Julia raised an eyebrow at his unusually bright demeanor, especially for this time of the day.

"Mark," She replied, a touch of skepticism in her voice, "To what do I owe the pleasure so early in the morning?"
Mark entered the penthouse, making himself comfortable on the sofa Julia had just vacated.
He gestured for her to join him.

She took a seat on the chair across from him, her eyes now fully awake and slightly wary. Mark was known for his knack for unconventional solutions and unexpected announcements, but he did his job well.
"Listen, Jules," he started, his tone shifting to a more serious note, "I've got a proposal for you."
Julia settled back into the chair, preparing herself for whatever surprising proposition was about to come. "Alright, let's hear it," she said, her voice steady despite the curiosity building within her.
Mark leaned in, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of determination and concern.
"Given your recent public image," he began, choosing his words carefully, "and the unwanted attention you've been attracting, I've been thinking..." He stopped for a moment, gauging her reaction.
Julia's shoulders tensed slightly at the mention of her public image. She had become somewhat accustomed to the downsides of fame, but the constant scrutiny still weighed on her at times.
"Thinking about what exactly?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of anxiety.
Mark scratched the back of his neck, a somewhat apologetic look in his eyes.
"As per my recommendation, I've decided we should assign a personal bodyguard for you," he said, bracing himself for her reaction.
Julia's eyebrows shot up, surprise painting her features. "A bodyguard?" she echoed, almost taken aback by the unexpected suggestion. "Isn't that a bit extreme? I mean... I can look after myself in most situations."

Mark held up a hand to soothe her concerns. "Look, I know you're capable, and we both know you can handle yourself," he reassured her, "but the public presence you've got these days, well... it sometimes attracts the wrong kind of people. And I'd rather take precautions than regret it later."
Julia paused for a moment, considering his words. The thought of having someone constantly watching over her was strangely unsettling.
"Who... who exactly do you have in mind for this job?" she asked, reluctant acceptance in her voice.
"Well," Mark said, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, "I've managed to secure the services of a really good guy, named Luca Matthews. He's got an impressive resume, and he's very discreet. I think he's the best in the business, and he's ready to start as soon as you give the green light."

Julia leaned back in her chair, a mix of skepticism and resignation flickering across her face. "And you're sure he's good?" she asked, her voice laced with a touch of doubt.
Mark leaned forward, trying to reassure her. "Trust me, Julia," he said, his tone earnest. "Luca is the real deal. He's a former military guy, and he's handled celebrity clients before. He knows the ins and outs of the business, and he's extremely effective. You're in good hands with him."
Julia took a deep breath, mulling over the decision. She wasn't particularly thrilled about the idea of having someone constantly in her space, but the notion of added security was somewhat tempting. "Okay, Mark," she caved, "I trust you. If you say he's the best, I'll give him a shot."
Mark nodded his head, a hint of relief mixed with satisfaction on his face. "Great," he said, a faint smile crossing his features. "I'll arrange for Luca to come over at the end of the day. He'll go over the plans with you and provide 24/7 security."
Julia, still not fully convinced about the idea, nodded slowly. "How old is this Luca guy, by the way?" she asked, curiosity slipping into her tone.

"Luca's 25," Mark responded, "He may be younger than some of the other bodyguards you've had, but don't let that fool you. His skills and experience are top-notch." He leaned forward slightly, a trace of a wry smile on his lips. "Younger guys tend to be a bit more flexible and adaptable to different situations, you know?"
Julia let out a half-sigh, half-laugh, still somewhat hesitant but trying to find some humor in the situation. "Yeah, well, as long as he's not some kid right out of high school." She quipped.
Mark chuckled, standing up from the sofa. "Don't worry, I wouldn't arrange someone who wasn't experienced and qualified. You'll see when you meet him later today."
Julia nodded, accepting the answer for now. "Alright," she said, a hint of determination in her voice, "I trust your judgment on this, Mark."
Mark smiled reassuringly, walking towards the door. "You won't regret it, Julia," he reassured her, hand on the doorknob.
"Luca will be here at 7 PM for the introduction. I'll let myself out. Toodles."

Julia watched him leave, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation as the door closed behind him.
As she sat in the quiet of her penthouse, thoughts swirled in her head about the incoming bodyguard who would soon become a constant presence in her life.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Great," she muttered to herself, "Just what I need – a babysitter." But, despite her grumbling, a small part of her wondered if Luca would be as good as Mark had promised. Her mind lingered on the thought of the young bodyguard that would soon enter her life, and she decided to try and preoccupy herself with something else until 7.

As the hours passed, Julia tried to distract herself with various tasks, but the looming appointment with Luca was never far from her mind. By the time the clock struck 7, her nerves were on edge, a mix of curiosity and reluctance brewing inside her.
Just as promised, the doorbell rang promptly at 7. Julia took a deep breath, straightening her clothes and putting on a casual but composed expression before making her way to the door.
As she opened the door, her eyes fell upon the man standing before her. The first thing that struck her was his youth. He couldn't have been older than mid-20s, like Mark had mentioned. But there was something else about him, some kind of aura that indicated a maturity beyond his years....