Falling For My Bodyguard||Julia Jones

6

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Recap:
(Julia kept her secret close to her heart, hiding her growing affection for Luca from everyone, save for one person - her friend Lia. In a moment of weakness and needing to confide someone, Julia admitted her budding feelings for her bodyguard to Lia.

Lia, as a close friend, was understanding and supportive. She listened as Julia explained her complicated emotions, offering advice and a shoulder to lean on. But she also reminded Julia of Luca's profession and his stoic demeanor, warning her against pursuing anything that could complicate their working relationship.)
6

The next day, Julia found herself with a day off from filming - a rare break in the relentless routine. As she woke up that morning, the realization that there would be no filming, no work today, felt like a breathe of fresh air.

She stretched out in bed, the sheets rustling gently, and couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. A day to herself, no media, no crowds, no scripts to memorize. Just the prospect of a day unburdened filled her with a sense of unexpected joy.

Julia descended the stairs, anticipating the usual sight of Luca in the hall, but this time something was different. She didn't engage in their usual banter or even greet him. A strange shyness had overcome her, the product of her newly-discovered feelings. So instead, she moved silently past him, a cup of coffee in her hands, not uttering a single word.

Luca, sensing her unusual silence, turned to look at her as she passed. His expression was almost quizzical, his eyes watching her with a hint of curiosity. But he too, didn't say anything, his usual detachment preventing him from inquiring about her silent demeanor. Instead, he returned to his own thoughts, his gaze following her until she disappeared into the living room.

Luca's face was unreadable, betraying none of his thoughts or feelings. His expression was as stoic and cool as ever, his eyes sharp and observant. Julia had gotten used to this detached demeanor, yet it still puzzled her. She often caught herself idly wondering what he was thinking, or if anything at all went through his mind.

But always, his face remained unchanged, a mask of cold indifference hiding any hint of what lay beneath.
Julia sipped her coffee in the living room, the silence of the house and the coolness of Luca's demeanor weighing heavily on her. She mentally chided herself, knowing it was foolish to hope for anything more than the professional relationship they had. Yet, despite her attempts to subdue it, the flicker of her crush still remained, a small flame in her chest that refused to be completely extinguished.

After a few moments of internal debate, Julia decided the silence was becoming too much. Putting down her coffee cup, she walked into the hall where Luca stood, his cold expression still in place.

"I have a day off today," she informed him, her voice steady but holding a hint of nervousness. "My friend Lia is coming over later."

Luca's face showed no change, no reaction. He merely nodded in acknowledgment of her statement and asked, "Do you need me to do anything?" His voice was cool and flat, betraying no hint of emotion.

Julia's heart fluttered at his response, even though she knew she shouldn't let herself react. "No, I don't think so," she replied, trying to match his cool demeanour. "We'll just be hanging out, chatting. You can... do whatever you normally do."

Luca's eyes flicked over her for a moment, his gaze hard to read. "I'll be here if you need anything," he said, his voice as steady as ever.
Julia felt the flutter in her heart again, his simple words affecting her more than she'd care to admit.

"Thanks," she said, her voice betraying a slight crack. She quickly turned away, hiding the flush on her cheeks, and retreated to her room. The brief interaction had left her feeling more bewildered than before, her feelings for Luca more conflicted than ever.