bodyguard ; kth

17 ; she's my client

the roller-blinds raised up with a sharp, snapping noise. i quickly moved around the room, picking up my clothes from the floor. my head was banging from every end. there were so many thoughts, threatening to burst out of my brain.

i heard a soft groan from aera and turned around to see her waking up. she lifted the sheets to cover her naked body. i caught her eyes when they landed on me. her facial expressions changed when she looked at me. i should be in bed with her. instead, i was frantically pacing around the room, trying to get dressed.

after a while, she asked, "what are you doing?" i looked away from her, trying my best to ignore her as i picked up my socks and shoes.

"taeby?" she called out again.

i sighed and looked at her. she had confusion in her eyes which ultimately broke my heart with what i'm going to do.

"aera...i don't want to be confused," i muttered while slipping my socks on. she furrowed her eyebrows and replied quietly, "confused? what do you mean?"

i lifted my head and spoke sternly, "you pay me to protect you, that's what i do." aera started looked even more confused. she pushed herself to sit upright, pulling the bed sheets up to cover herself more.

"what's going on? did i do something wrong?"

"no," i snapped, picking up my shoes. "then what?" the female frowned, eyeing my movements. "i want to keep straight in my head what job i'm doing," i said, finishing up with my shoelace and stood up.

"and what is that? making me feel like shit?" aera said as tears started forming in the corner of her eyes. i saw this and slightly panicked. quickly, i apologised, "hey, i'm sorry. this is all my fault."

"don't apologise. just tell me what's wrong," she asked, attempting to wipe her eyes. i let out a deep sigh and responded, "you didn't do anything. it was me. i got involved with my client."

something snapped in her after i said those words. aera's eyes widened and her mouth gaped open in shock.

"client?!" she yelled loudly, "i'm just your fucking client?!"

"of course you're my client! what else would you be?" i yelled back, not holding back.

she gasped at my words, obviously hurt. "what else do you think? i'm definitely more than just a client. you said you liked me!"

"i made a mistake, okay?"

"what mistake?!" aera raised her voice louder, gripping onto the bed sheets in anger. i could tell she was about to explode any minute. i grabbed my jacket from the coach and looked at her.

"i told you already. i...i can't protect you like this," i said while looking at her body. she let out a scoff and looked away from my eyes.

there was a long pause, only the sounds of our heavy breaths filled the air. she looked deflated as she looked down at her lap. i continued staring at her, feeling completely lost.

"you...you said you liked me," aera said after a while. she spoke so quietly, i almost didn't hear. but i did, and it broke my heart in so many different ways. this was all my fault.

"you said you liked me," she said a little louder, continuing to avoid my eyes. i remained quiet, looking at the jacket in my hands.

then...the trigger went off.

"you said you liked me!" she finally screamed, looking at me with wide eyes. her scream caused my body to flinch in shock. i watched as she grabbed a pillow and threw it in my direction. i stepped to the left and it missed me.

"you fucking said you liked me so we kissed all night long. you held me so tightly while you were asleep. i became the happiest person in the world because i thought, for once in my life, someone likes me for me! not because of my fame or money. i thought...i found someone who would never leave...but look at you."

i stared at her while i stood by the door, jacket in hand and was ready to leave.

tears flowed down her cheeks, causing her lips to quiver. i didn't say anything, knowing this was a bad idea.

"i'm sorry...but i can't be distracted when there's someone trying to kill you," i said quietly. aera frowned and wiped her eyes, saying, "so that's it? i go back to being your client?"

"you were always my client... and if you can't live with that then just fire me," i spoke as i opened the door, walking out.

"fuck you, taehyung," was the last thing i heard before i slammed the door.