ND

heels into the study and followed

he sat calmly at his desk. “You d

as supposed to have a sit-down meeting with my d

osed to have lunc

wasn’t good enough for me. Every father probably had the same thought as him. He

best for me. But it was not that I was asking for

soured in

don’t like him, and I got it the first ti

ost caught me off guard. I

therapist used to tell me. “I am,

nt in your life

appy, I am happy.” I pushed out the sm

who loves you

ed, shaking off the tension in my lower be

things Magnus and I didn’t get along. I couldn’t say I fell for him during that six months relationship. Something was stil

on

utside the windo

our excuse. It won’t make you feel better. When he asked you to move in

m. “I trus

his head. “Have you to

riend. I rejected her call and sent her a quick message instead. I sat on the chair ne

e Reed with me overs

? Those two goons you have ar

s. I will assign someone t

sudden terrifying memory rushed into

I felt Dad’s hand sq

ife. He’s a good and reliable bodyguard

kno

you gonna do f

arters in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Your LH will expa

e when you’re suddenly inter

w those pain again. I knew many things had changed over the

han

ifying, and some blamed my father and me for lacking privacy, for having

. People judged you for a tiny glimpse of the life they s

od. Our relationship is good, and that’s all that matters. I will make it up to you after you

ndon. Call m

ly riding a camel or yachting. Bu

k who it was. It was either Magnus or Ne

my driv

a favor. I wanna make

take care of it. Considering what happened two

den has a rec

distraught. I mean, I didn’t know that man personally. All I got wa

was still f

hose cobalt-blue eyes stared a

and nod if you can hear me.” His

saved my life. He was cupping my face with his big hands as he l

m a word. My sight turned blurry

ave by your side. I promise.” Somehow his w

even say thank you, he was gone. I never saw him again.

lf. I hated that

pes—with hoping he

as s

aware that Dad was watchin

our temporary bodyguard,

meone is more capable

heard that w

ropical island with his girlfriend or happily

e bit curious to kn

in that short vulnerable moment, as if I had turned my life over to him. I gave all my trust,

wa

nt me home to you safe and sound. That’s all. And wh

ioned Linden, I saw the mi

’t know what you’

find closure, I

ly. “I thanked him once and move

not true

I picked up my bag and went to Dad to kiss hi

ove

olm syndrome for captors. I always dreamed of meeting h

. Before I shut the door behind me, I drew

stopped me dead in my tracks. My whole body shivered. My heartbeat echoed in my ear. I

went all slow-mo as I found him as if waiting for me to catch his hand, like the scen

s is im

se of humor because this was a sick jok

horrible experience. To my surprise, I also saw the excitement in his eyes, a small smile curv

he l

rted mode, ignoring my pulse a

d he even looked more attractive in his taper haircut, clean shave, and that sharp, strong jaw as

stantly hit by the manly scent of him. And now all I cou

long as I reached the car waiting for me. I took a few deep breat

n h

u, Stri