The Bodyguard

Chapter 14

Emma Swan was applying some makeup on her face after doing her hair in a pretty elegant bun. She was staring at her reflection in the mirror, getting ready for that night's Moonlight Gala. It was an important business event that was held every year with the purpose of making deals, getting new contacts and associates and have some fun with people of the "high society".

Emma attended such events not only because she loved to wear beautiful dresses and eat the fancy food, but also for the fact that she was David Swan's daughter. Her father was a recognized man across the country, he owned a lot of successful companies and was very important for that. David had retired from those things lately because of some health reasons, so he only worked at home and some times in his main office in Colorado, but he was not that into business anymore. Which is why, in some way, Emma's presence was required.

As soon as Emma finished with the makeup, she walked to the window and gazed at the outside. The medium sized garden was dark except for the lights inside Killian's little house.

Killian Jones... That name echoed in her mind every day, always making her feel certain emotions that she had never felt before. But those feelings remained a secret still, and she was planning to keep them that way.

She quickly stepped away from the window and tried to trail away from her thoughts as she put on her high heels. Walsh came out of the bathroom wearing an elegant tuxedo and his hair combed in a nice way.

"So how do I look?" he asked.

"Great as always!" Emma answered happily, expecting to receive a compliment on her beautiful appearance as well. "What about me?"

"Good," he simply said. "We should get going, we might not get in time if we leave later."

Walsh walked out of the room leaving Emma alone. She heaved a sigh of disappointment before grabbing her purse and stepping out of her bedroom as well.

Killian looked down at his watch before taking one last look at himself in the mirror. Even though he was just attending as a bodyguard, the event makers had established several dressing codes for everyone, so he had to wear an elegant suit too. He quickly closed the door to his little house and headed to the residence, ready to leave to the Moonlight Gala.

Just when he was crossing the living room he saw the most beautiful and gorgeous woman walking downstairs wearing a strapless olive colored dress. Killian couldn't help grinning, feeling completely mesmerized by her.

When she reached the last step, Emma was face to face with her bodyguard, who wouldn't take her eyes off her.

"What?" she asked Killian with a small grin.

The Irish guy found it hard to speak but managed to find the correct words just in time.

"You look beyond ravishing, Swan," he told her in such a beautiful way that it touched Emma's heart and soul. She was not very used to receive such compliments, so listening to Killian's words was like music to her ears.

"Thank you," she replied slightly blushed. "You don't look that bad either."

Killian chuckled before both of them walked outside and got in the car, where Will Scarlet drove them and Walsh to the hotel where the gala was being held.

~•••~

The place was filled with men and women dressed in their best clothes, drinking champagne and relishing the variety of food. Walsh and Emma chatted with some friends of his while Killian stood in one of the room's corners, keeping an eye on her.

Just then, the bodyguard saw familiar face between the crowd: a man with a strange look in his eyes holding a cigarette in his left hand. Killian had seen him before during the night Emma and her friends went out for some drinks at the fancy bar downtown. Killian had felt suspicious about his presence that time but thought it was only a false alarm when the man left the building without doing anything concerning.

However, seeing him at the gala again was starting to feel as a not so good hunch for Killian. Discreetly, the bodyguard walked to where Emma and Walsh were and asked to have a private word with them.

"Excuse us," Walsh told his friends before the three walked away. "What is it, Killian?"

"Have you seen that man before? The one standing next to the window holding a cigarette."

Emma and Walsh moved their heads at the same time, analyzing the man carefully.

"I haven't," Walsh stated. "But he doesn't seem to be a business man, I can assure you that."

"He doesn't look familiar either. Why?" Emma replied.

"That man was present the night Belle, Ruby and you went to the bar. I watched his weird attitude for a while but concluded that it was nothing to worry about."

"Why didn't you tell me about it when we were there?"

"I didn't think it was the proper moment since you were... it doesn't matter," Killian quickly said, not wanting to go into details with Walsh standing there. "It's alright, I'm gonna try to make some discreet investigations and determine if it's just a coincidence to see him here."

"Okay, thanks, Killian," Emma said.

"Let us know if you learn something about him," Walsh continued before Killian nodded his head in agreement and left their side.

He stood some feet away from the man in the light brown gabardine and observed him for a while. The man was all by himself and doing nothing but sit down and have a drink. It was a business gala, all guests went there to make deals and talk with others, but that man did none of that.

That was the moment when Killian decided to get more information by getting closer. However, by the time he reached the table, the man was gone. He had disappeared as fast as he had arrived.

Killian was having that odd hunch again. Something was going on, and it wasn't just a coincidence.

Meanwhile, Walsh went to talk to some Chinese businessmen whereas Emma took a bite of one of the mint chocolates from the table.

"What a surprise to see you here," a man behind her said as Emma quickly recognized the arrogant voice. "So, how's my favorite and only niece doing?" the man told her with a pinch of sarcasm.

Emma turned around as she forced a smile.

"Hello, James"

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Darlings! Guess who has just finished her exams?! Wahey!! 😆🎉 I did well thankfully, and now I'll have time to update more often 💕

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