{ •The Pharaoh's Curse • } RE4 LEONSKENNEDY FF

Arrogant diva

———-─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───———-

Amaris' POV:

Amaris woke slowly, the weight of sleep still clinging to her, but it wasn't enough to keep her in bed. She pushed herself up with a practiced motion, the sleek lines of her body shifting gracefully beneath the silk sheets. The morning light filtered in through the expansive windows of her penthouse, casting soft shadows on the polished floors. She always woke up early; a habit she couldn't shake, no matter how late she stayed up.

Her apartment—more of a fortress than a home—was high above the city, its vast space filled with the warmth of her personal style: chic, minimalistic, and refined. She moved through it without effort, the heels of her slippers silent on the hardwood as she made her way to her private fitness room. It was her sanctuary, her place of focus and peace.

With a soft touch, she powered up the system and classical music filled the room, the strings of the cello creating an immediate calmness in her mind. Amaris stood in front of the mirror, mentally preparing for her Pilates session. She had always prided herself on her flexibility, not just in her body but in her approach to life. Her morning routine was precise, each movement fluid and deliberate as she stretched her body, feeling the tension from the past few days start to melt away.

But despite the calm music and the familiar stretch of her muscles, her mind was restless, a swirling mix of thoughts that kept drifting back to yesterday. Her gaze flicked to the sleek walls of her room, but her thoughts wandered. She couldn't help it.

Flashback to Yesterday:

Amaris stepped off the private jet and was immediately hit by the cool air of the DC terminal. As always, she carried herself with an effortless elegance, every step calculated to exude confidence. Her long, dark hair cascaded around her shoulders in waves, framing her sharp features. Her outfit—a tailored black coat and sleek heels—drew attention from everyone in the airport, but she didn't care about that. She wasn't here for admiration.

She was here for one person.

Ashley.

Amaris hadn't been there when Ashley needed her most. She had been in Russia, handling a bioweapons disaster, far from her best friend. When she'd heard about Ashley's kidnapping in Spain, it had taken everything she had not to drop everything and fly to her side. But duty called. She had to finish what she started. Now, here she was, stepping onto American soil at the behest of Ashley's father, the U.S. Defense Secretary, to be her protector. But the resentment was still there. The frustration that she hadn't been by Ashley's side.

Instead, the rookie cop from Raccoon City had taken that place.

Leon S. Kennedy.

The name alone was enough to make her skin prickle with annoyance. She'd heard the stories—an ex-cop turned government agent who'd somehow survived more than one disaster, but a man with a long list of flaws. He was an alcoholic, emotionally scarred, and she knew enough about his history to know that his troubled past didn't make him the ideal protector. He didn't belong on this mission. Not when Ashley's safety was on the line. It angered her, especially knowing that Ashley would have to rely on him instead of someone who truly understood her. Someone like Amaris.

With a soft sigh, she shook off her irritation and focused on the task at hand. She was here for Ashley. She couldn't waste time on something so trivial as Leon.

Amaris spotted her as she exited the terminal, a flash of blonde hair among the sea of travelers. Ashley. It was hard not to smile, to feel a sense of relief wash over her. She had missed her so much. Despite all the gruff exterior Amaris had, the softer parts of her only truly showed when she was around Ashley. The moments where she wasn't the cold, calculating agent, but just a woman who cared deeply for her best friend.