Under Her Protection

Chapter 2

Minji POV

I glance at my alarm clock. Midnight. I need to be up in four hours. Hyein gave me Ms. Pham's schedule for the week, and I know she has a 6 AM workout with her trainer tomorrow. That means she'll be leaving her apartment at 5:30, and I need to be there by 5. Yet here I am, wide awake.

I just can't get her out of my head. I hadn't expected her to be so... magnetic. That brief encounter had been a clash of wills—and that I had expected. She was a stubborn, guarded pop star who seemed determined to test me. She'd challenged me with every word, her eyes sparking as if daring me to prove her wrong. I've been around difficult clients, but with her, it felt like a game, one that went beyond mere words or tests of skill. It was as if she was pushing to see if she could unsettle me, and as much as I hate to admit it, she did. Her defiance struck a nerve I didn't know I had.

I sigh and pick up my phone, scrolling aimlessly through articles and messages that should hold my attention. But my mind drifts back to her. To the way her presence filled that room, vibrant and electric, with a lingering scent that sharpened every one of my instincts. I'm trained to control myself in all situations, to maintain a professional wall no matter who I'm working with. And yet, the second our eyes met, it felt like something broke through. That one unguarded moment—her eyes, sharp and almost daring, locking with mine. The way her omega scent seemed to seep into my senses, throwing my instincts into disarray. But that's just how an alpha reacts to an omega's scent... isn't it?

I drop my phone beside me, rubbing a hand across my face. I've worked with a lot of clients—public figures, celebrities, plenty of other omegas—but this feels different. She's different. More complex. Something about her has me on edge, and I can't afford that. Not on my first assignment with her. I close my eyes, forcing myself to take steady breaths, willing myself to push away any lingering feelings. She's my assignment, nothing more.

But my thoughts keep drifting back. If she's already in my head this much after just one meeting, how am I going to handle this in the long run? I've got to find my footing with her, or I'm going to lose sleep every night. And right now, I can't afford to lose focus. I'll prove to her that I'm more than capable.

***

I arrive at Ms. Pham's apartment building right on the dot at 5 AM. The city is still wrapped in the quiet hush of early morning, the streets empty except for the occasional car passing by, the neon lights of storefronts flickering like tired eyes. The building is sleek, modern—an expensive, exclusive address that practically screams luxury.

Haerin, Ms. Pham's driver, won't arrive for another hour to take her to her session with the trainer, so I use the time to conduct a quick sweep of the area. The lobby is pristine, marble floors gleaming under the recessed lighting, the kind of place where you're expected to speak in whispers. But as I circle the perimeter, making mental notes, I spot the vulnerabilities. A blind spot near the service entrance, where the cameras don't reach; a poorly positioned camera in the lobby that gives an awkward, incomplete view of the elevators; and a lack of security personnel on the early shift. It's almost as if they're relying on the building's status to protect it, assuming no one would dare try anything here.

But I know better. So I make a mental note to circle back later and address these gaps in security. No one gets complacent on my watch. Not with her. Not while she's my assignment.

By the time I make my way back inside, Haerin still hasn't arrived, and the building feels as quiet as a tomb. I head to the elevator, scan my keycard, and press the button for Ms. Pham's penthouse. As the doors close, I feel a strange tightness in my chest. The smooth hum of the elevator feels off somehow—slower, almost as if it's dragging me up against my will. It's not the kind of reaction I'm used to. My mind races as the floor numbers tick upward. I'm...nervous.