FIRST DAY AS HIS BODYGUARD

Shawn and John occupied a table near Grandma Ria, who held court in her cherished head family chair. Standing beside John was Alex, his presence looming like a shadow. John felt his discomfort grow, and with a tinge of irritation, he snapped, “I don’t like anyone standing here while I eat. Just leave!”

“Sorry,” Alex said, his voice a mixture of surprise and annoyance, before he stepped out into the hallway, fuming silently. “This idiot has no idea how to fend for himself. I'm just doing my job, and he treats me like a nuisance.”

His thoughts spiraled into frustration until Shawn called him back, inviting him to rejoin the dinner. Reluctantly, Alex returned to the dining room, finding only Shawn remaining. The gesture was warm, and Shawn encouraged him to dig in.

The food was exquisite, and Alex savored each bite as he regained his composure. When he finished, Shawn gave him a subtle nod to follow. He led Alex on a brief tour of the house before stopping at a door. “Here’s your room. You might want to rest up; your job as a bodyguard is going to be demanding starting tomorrow.” With that, Shawn left and gently closed the door behind him.

Once alone, Alex locked the door and quickly scanned for hidden cameras. Satisfied there was no threat, he slipped into the bathroom. Moments later, he emerged as Anna, reverting to her true self.

Meanwhile, John was lost in his study, grappling with memories that had haunted him for years. He felt time slipping through his fingers since that day everything had changed. His life had become a whirlwind, and though he tried to regain control, the chaos was relentless.

Suddenly, John found himself in a vivid dreamland filled with echoes of a life he longed to reclaim. He and Anna were entirely unaware that their destinies were about to collide once more, with secrets lingering in the shadows—truths that could reshape everything.

At three in the morning, John jolted awake, drenched in sweat from nightmares that had plagued his existence for 15 long years. The recurring horrors filled his ears with cries, screams, and desperate pleas for help.

“Why do I keep facing these nightmares?” he ruminated. “Why isn’t she here? Why does no one answer my cries for help? If they had, we would’ve been a family—the one I always dreamed of.”

Restlessness filled him, making sleep feel impossible, so he emerged from his room and descended the stairs to his study. He sat at his desk, the glow of the computer screen illuminating his weariness as he threw himself into work.

At five a.m., Shawn entered the study and found John engrossed in his work, his eyes betraying the torment of another sleepless night.

“Is it that dream again?” Shawn asked, concern lacing his voice. “What will it take for it to stop? Shouldn’t you see a therapist?”

“I’m not crazy,” John replied, his voice raw with emotion. “If I knew how to stop it, I would. These memories are a constant torment, Shawn. I want to forget, but it’s like they’re tattooed in my mind.”

Shawn empathized with John's haunting past and had vowed to help him uncover the truth, but progress had been painfully slow. They fell into silence, each man overwhelmed by the weight of their circumstances.

After a moment, John broke the stillness. “What’s the status of the investigation I tasked you with?”

Shawn straightened, determination flickering in his eyes. “I’m making headway. The final reports will be ready soon. I genuinely hope this time we find what we’re looking for.”

Another wave of silence enveloped the room as they returned to their work, the only interruptions being the rhythmic tapping of keyboards, the scratching of pens on paper, and the rustling of sheets—a symphony of two men wrestling with their demons, fighting to uncover the truth hidden beneath layers of pain.

At the crack of dawn, Anna stirred awake and slipped into her morning routine, preparing for the day ahead. Disguised and ready, she exuded an air of mystery. As Alex descended the stairs, he was greeted by the cheerful presence of John’s grandmother, Ria, who was settled in the dining room.

"Good morning, ma'am," Alex said, his voice polite and bright.

With a warm smile, Grandma Ria replied, "Good morning, Alex! How did you sleep last night? I hope you found everything to your liking."

Alex nodded appreciatively, about to slip away when Grandma Ria's inviting voice halted him. "Why don’t you join me for breakfast?"

Grateful for the invitation, he sat down to savor her delicious meal. It wasn't long before John and Shawn emerged from the study, joining in the cozy breakfast atmosphere. Shawn had already given Alex a mission: to prepare the car for their departure right after the meal.

By 9 a.m., John arrived at his office building, where the staff was bustling with energy, fully engaged in their morning tasks. He took the private elevator to his office, flanked by Alex and Shawn.

As Shawn commenced his usual briefing about the day’s agenda, a surprising twist unfolded: another person stepped out of the elevator alongside them. It was unusual for anyone other than Shawn to share the private lift with John.

Once inside the office, Shawn took charge. "Allow me to introduce Alex. He’s our boss's bodyguard. Remember, without his go-ahead, no one is permitted to enter the office. Please ensure everyone on each floor is aware of this." With that, Shawn stepped out, leaving Alex on duty.

The staff quickly got to work, diligently passing along Shawn’s message. Now, whenever someone sought entry into the office, they first sought Alex's permission.

Lunchtime rolled around, and the atmosphere shifted when a striking woman entered the office. Dressed to impress with bold makeup and an alluring figure, she seemed oblivious to Alex’s vigilant presence. With a confident stride, she reached for the doorknob, but before her fingers could make contact, Alex interjected, stopping her in her tracks.

She became furious and exclaimed, "Who the hell gave you the right to stop me? Do you even know who I am?" She attempted to slap him, but he blocked her hand and responded politely, "Sorry, miss, I don't know who you are, but you are not allowed to enter the room without checking in and identifying yourself."

The woman grew even angrier and said, "What do you want to check? Are you trying to touch me? You're crossing a line. I have to teach you a lesson." With that, she raised her hand again to slap him, but suddenly the door opened.

John emerged from his office and looked at the woman and his bodyguard. "Why is there so much commotion outside?" he asked.

The woman replied, "Baby, this man is trying to touch me and is asking me to identify myself. He is also stopping me from entering your room."

John recognized the type of woman she was—a gold digger, someone who saw men only as a means to wealth and status. He believed that every woman in the world was after money and would stop at nothing to get into the bed of a man who could offer it. His face remained impassive, but he didn’t say a word. Instead, he simply motioned for Alex to allow her inside, his cold gaze betraying nothing.

Anna stood there, stunned by the scene unfolding before her. According to the briefing her boss had given her, John was supposed to despise women. But here he was, not only allowing the woman to enter, but also giving her a murderous look. 'What’s going on?' she wondered. Why the sudden shift in behavior? Was this man as unpredictable as the rumors said?

The staff, however, seemed unfazed by the scene, accustomed to John’s strange dynamics with people. Without a second glance, they returned to their work, as if nothing had happened.

Anna, still seething, couldn’t help but feel disgusted by him. This man... he claims to hate women, yet he constantly deals with them. He’s shameless. And then—why did my boss make me disguise myself as a man? Why must I stay hidden behind this mask? Her mind raced with frustration. I can't stand him.

Anna loved her natural girl look, the way it made her feel confident and true to herself. But sometimes, for her missions, she had to disguise herself as a man. It was part of the job, but it didn’t mean she enjoyed it. Deep down, she always preferred to be herself—her real self.

Why? Maybe it was because her father often told her how proud he was to have a daughter like her. Or perhaps it was because her mother always doted on her, pampering her with little acts of love—like braiding her hair or trying out new hairstyles. Those moments meant the world to her.

As she stood there, her mind drifted to those memories. 'Miss you, Mom. Love you, Dad.' Her heart ached for their warmth, their support, and the simplicity of those precious moments when she could just be Anna.