CHAPTER ELEVEN

Raymond buttoned up the crisp white shirt Amelia had bought him three years ago. She always seemed pleased when he wore the clothes she picked out.

Yet, as he adjusted the collar in the mirror, an unsettling image crept into his mind—Sophia.

Why her?

His jaw tightened. He couldn't afford to be distracted. Amelia was returning today, and whatever strange tension had been brewing between him and his bodyguard needed to end.

He needed it to.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. He turned, and there she was.

Sophia stood in the doorway, her usual confident smile in place. "Are you ready, sir?" she asked, her voice smooth and professional. "The car is waiting, and we should leave now if we want to meet Miss Amelia on time."

For a split second, his heart betrayed him, skipping a beat. He quickly looked away, composing himself.

"Let's go," he said, brushing past her.

His mother was in the living room watching TV. She glanced up, eyes warm with affection. "Off to pick up Amelia?"

"Yes, Mum," he said, bending to kiss her cheek.

She studied him for a moment. "You look like you didn't sleep well. Nervous about seeing her?"

He forced a smile. Something like that.

Outside, Sophia opened the car door for him. As he slid into the seat, he caught sight of her neatly styled hair.

Was she trying to look good for him?

The ridiculous thought annoyed him. He shook it off and turned his gaze out the window as they drove through London's familiar streets.

The silence stretched between them until Sophia finally spoke. "My brother's graduation is this Friday, so I'll be away for the weekend. I've arranged for Thomas to cover for me."

"That's fine," Raymond replied, his voice clipped.

The tension in the car was palpable.

As they approached the Queen's residence, the grand architecture loomed ahead, its pristine elegance never failing to impress.

Sophia parked near the side entrance. And there she was.

Amelia Grande.

She was stunning, as always—her posture poised, her golden hair swept into an effortless updo.

She smiled as she approached the car. "Right on time, Raymond."

"For you, I'd always be on time," he replied, kissing her lightly before helping her into the car.

As they drove off, Amelia animatedly discussed the upcoming event, her voice filling the car.

But Raymond barely heard her. His gaze flickered to Sophia in the front seat, her expression unreadable as she focused on the road ahead.

And for the first time, he wished she wasn't so good at hiding her emotions.

***

Dinner at the Smith estate was nothing short of extravagant.

Amelia delicately placed her fork on the side of her plate, a satisfied smile curving her lips. "Oh, darling," she cooed, "this roast pheasant is simply divine. It's almost as if I've been transported back to my Buckingham Palace days. The precision, the richness of flavours—it's perfection."

She turned to Will and Joyce, beaming. "The caviar is as rich as the one served at Windsor's private soirées. And the truffle-infused mashed potatoes? They remind me of the dinner I organized for the Duchess."

Mark Smith leaned forward, fascinated. "Tell us more about your time at the palace. What's it really like?"

Amelia's eyes gleamed with nostalgia. "Oh, where do I even begin? Life at the palace is... a world apart. Everything is steeped in tradition. Perfection is expected, not requested. Even the Queen herself was involved in the smallest details—menus, seating arrangements, floral choices. Nothing was left to chance."

She sighed dreamily. "The mornings were a flurry of activity, staff moving like clockwork. Afternoon tea was more than just a break—it was a ritual. Every event, every meal, carried centuries of history with it. It was an honour to be part of something so grand."

She turned to Raymond, eyes soft. "And now, I get to bring that magic into our life together."

Joyce beamed. "With your wedding next year and Prince Harry and Meghan likely attending, I want it to be the most remarkable event in British history."

Amelia nudged Raymond playfully. "Why do I feel like I'm the only one nervous about this?"

Will interjected, "By the way, have your parents returned from Korea?"

Amelia laughed. "Oh, you know them. After Korea, they went to Africa, and now they're off to India for research on Buddhism. My dad's posts on the topic went viral, and he's eager to explore further."

***

Later that evening, Raymond walked through the estate's lush gardens, Ryan at his side.

"You barely paid attention to Amelia's endless chatter," Ryan noted, smirking.

Raymond sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what's happening to me, Ryan. Ever since I saw Sophia fight in the boardroom during her interview, I haven't been able to get her out of my head."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "You really need me to spell this out for you?"

Raymond frowned. "Spell what out?"

"You have feelings for Sophia."

Raymond froze. "No. No way. Maybe I'm just... physically attracted to her. We did kiss in the warehouse during the Manchester project."

Ryan scoffed. "Sex is hardly something you've been deprived of. Besides, Sophia doesn't strike me as the type to be reckless."

Raymond clenched his jaw. "I don't have feelings for her."

Ryan shook his head. "You're confused because this is new for you. Normally, women chase after you. But Sophia? She's different. She makes you chase her without even trying."

Raymond sighed, looking defeated. "What do I do?"

"You do what's expected of you. Marry Amelia. Sophia is your bodyguard, nothing more."

Raymond didn't reply. Because deep down, he wasn't sure if that was true anymore.

***

The next morning, as Sophia checked the car, a shadow loomed behind her.

Thomas.

His smirk sent a ripple of unease down her spine.

"I saw what happened between you and Raymond in the warehouse," he murmured.

Her pulse spiked. She kept her expression neutral. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Thomas chuckled. "You sure about that? Because I have CCTV footage."

Her breath hitched. Damn it.

"Are you sleeping with him?" he pressed.

She forced a laugh. "No. The kiss was a mistake. He hasn't even mentioned it since. Now, can you give me the footage?"

Thomas leaned in. "Why don't you ever look at me like that? Is it because Raymond is rich?"

Her stomach twisted. Where was this going?

Thomas grabbed her waist. "I'm more your level. Raymond is out of your league. Don't you think?"

She snapped.

With one swift move, she shoved him back, eyes blazing. "Don't you ever touch me again."

Thomas smirked. "So when Raymond kissed you, that was fine, but I'm disrespectful?"

Sophia's voice was ice. "Because his was consensual."

Thomas sneered. "So you like him, then?"

She didn't reply. She simply locked the car door with force and walked away.

She wasn't about to let anyone control her.

Especially not Thomas.

And maybe… not even Raymond.