The Silent Bodyguard

Cold Orders

The next morning arrived with gray clouds covering the Manila sky.Inside the underground parking area of Lander Corporation, luxury cars were lined up neatly in their designated spaces. The quiet hum of engines echoed softly across the concrete walls as drivers prepared vehicles for the executives who would soon arrive.Standing beside a sleek black luxury sedan was Ethan Cruz.

He wore the same security uniform, but today his role had slightly changed.Today, he would also serve as Sophia Lander’s driver.Ethan carefully checked the car the way he used to inspect delivery vans years ago. He checked the tires, the mirrors, and the engine. It was a habit he had developed long ago — if you were responsible for something, you made sure it worked perfectly.

A few of the company drivers nearby were watching him.One of them whispered to another.

“That’s the new guy?”“Yeah.”“He’s driving Miss Sophia today?”The other driver chuckled.“Good luck to him.”“Why?”“You must be new here. Miss Sophia is impossible to please.”The drivers laughed quietly.Ethan heard them.But like always…

He ignored it.A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened.And Sophia Lander stepped out.

Her presence immediately changed the atmosphere.Employees and drivers straightened up as she walked through the parking area with confident steps. Today she wore a dark gray business suit that made her look even more powerful and untouchable.Her eyes quickly spotted Ethan standing beside the car.

She stopped a few steps away and looked at him from head to toe.“You’re early.”Her tone was neutral.“Yes, Miss,” Ethan replied calmly.

Sophia walked closer to the car.“Did you inspect the vehicle?”“Yes.”Sophia opened the back door but paused before entering.“Let’s see if you can actually drive.”Her tone carried clear doubt.

Ethan simply nodded.“Yes, Miss.”Sophia sat in the back seat without another word.Ethan closed the door and walked to the driver’s seat.As the engine started smoothly, the car slowly left the parking area and entered the busy morning traffic.

Inside the car, silence filled the space.

Sophia was looking through documents on her tablet while Ethan focused on the road ahead.

For several minutes, neither of them spoke.

Then suddenly—“Too slow.”Ethan glanced at the rear mirror.Sophia didn’t even look up from her tablet.“Miss?”“You’re driving too slow.”Ethan checked the speed.They were already within the legal speed limit.But he simply replied calmly.

“Yes, Miss.”He pressed the accelerator slightly.

A few minutes later—“Too fast.”Ethan sloweddown again.“Yes, Miss.”Sophia sighed in irritation.

“You drivers never get it right.”Her tone was cold and clearly critical.Ethan didn’t react.Instead, he focused on navigating through traffic.Sophia watched him through the rearview mirror.

No reaction.No complaint.Most drivers would already be nervous.Some would start apologizing repeatedly.Others would argue.But Ethan simply adjusted the speed without saying anything.

Sophia frowned slightly.Is this man even human?

She crossed her arms.“Turn left at the next intersection.”“Yes, Miss.”The car turned smoothly.

But as they continued driving, Sophia deliberately continued testing him.“Your turning angle is too wide.”“Yes, Miss.”“You stopped too far from the line.”“Yes, Miss.”“You should anticipate traffic better.”“Yes, Miss.”Her criticism continued for almost fifteen minutes.Still…Ethan remained calm.No irritation.No frustration.Finally Sophia closed her tablet with a soft snap.“Are you incapable of defending yourself?”Ethan looked at her briefly through the mirror.“I’m doing my job.”

Sophia leaned back against the seat.“I just criticized your driving for fifteen minutes.”

Ethan nodded slightly.“Yes.”“And you’re not even annoyed?”Ethan answered honestly.“I’ve had worse bosses.”For a second…Sophia was speechless.Then she looked out the window again.

But deep inside, something strange happened.

She almost laughed.Almost.But her expression remained cold.“I still don’t like your driving.”

Ethan nodded calmly.“I’ll improve.”Sophia rolled her eyes.“Just don’t crash my car.”The car finally arrived at another Lander Corporation building where Sophia had her next meeting.Ethan parked smoothly near the entrance and stepped out to open the door for her.Sophia stepped out gracefully.But before she entered the building, she looked at him again.“You’re still temporary.”

Ethan nodded.“I understand.”“If you make one serious mistake…”Her eyes were sharp again.

“You’re gone.”Ethan met her gaze calmly.“Yes, Miss.”Sophia walked inside without another word.

Ethan watched her go.For most people, working under someone like Sophia would be unbearable.

Her personality was cold.Her expectations were harsh.And she showed almost no kindness.

But Ethan simply leaned against the car and looked up at the cloudy sky.Inside his mind, his quiet voice returned.This is still better than giving up.Meanwhile, across the street…A black luxury car was parked quietly.Inside sat Mark Corpus.

His eyes followed Sophia as she entered the building.Then his gaze shifted toward Ethan.

The new guard.The new driver.The new person standing closest to Sophia.Mark smirked slowly.

“Well…”He spoke to himself.“This just got interesting.”Because in Mark’s mind…Anyone close to Sophia…Could become a target.And Ethan Cruz had no idea yet…That he was slowly stepping into a dangerous battlefield.