The Silent Bodyguard

Ethan's First Test

The afternoon sky above Manila had turned darker, heavy clouds slowly gathering as if a storm was preparing to arrive.Inside the elegant lobby of the Lander Corporate Tower, employees moved quickly between elevators and offices, each focused on their work. The polished marble floors reflected the soft lighting, giving the building an atmosphere of luxury and authority.Outside the building, Ethan Cruz stood beside the black sedan, waiting patiently.Sophia had been inside for almost an hour attending a meeting with several investors and board members. As her private security guard and now her temporary driver.Ethan remained alert even during the quiet moments.His eyes scanned the area.Parking entrance.Lobby doors.People walking in and out.Years of struggling in life had trained him to be observant. When you grow up with little protection, you learn to protect yourself.

And now…He had to protect someone else.

Suddenly, his earpiece buzzed.“Ethan, Miss Lander is coming down,” Ruth Garcia’s voice said.

“Understood,” Ethan replied calmly.He walked toward the entrance and positioned himself near the door.A few seconds later, the elevator opened.

Sophia stepped out, followed by two executives who were still discussing business matters.

“Miss Lander, the investors are expecting the financial report tomorrow,” one of them said.

“You’ll have it tonight,” Sophia answered coldly.

Her tone made it clear the conversation was over.

The executives quickly excused themselves and walked away.Sophia continued walking toward the car.Ethan opened the door for her.But before she entered, Sophia paused.She looked around the parking area briefly.Then she looked at Ethan.

“Drive to the main office.”“Yes, Miss.”She sat in the back seat again.Ethan started the engine and drove out of the parking lot.The sky had grown darker now, and rain began falling lightly against the windshield.Inside the car, Sophia leaned back while checking messages on her phone.Then suddenly a loud engine roared behind them.

Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror.A black SUV was approaching fast.Too fast.Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly.Most drivers slowed down in the rain.

But that SUV was speeding directly toward them.

Sophia noticed the slight change in Ethan’s expression.“What is it?”Ethan answered calmly.

“Nothing yet, Miss.”The SUV suddenly switched lanes and came dangerously close to their car.

Its headlights flashed aggressively.Sophia frowned.“Is that driver crazy?”Ethan didn’t respond immediately.His eyes stayed on the mirror.The SUV moved again.This time directly behind them.

Too close.Something felt wrong.Ethan slowly adjusted the steering wheel and changed lanes.

The SUV followed.Sophia noticed it too.“Are they following us?”Ethan spoke quietly.“Possibly.”

Sophia sat up straighter.“Possibly?”The SUV suddenly accelerated again and tried to overtake them.But instead of passing.It swerved toward their lane.Sophia’s eyes widened slightly.

“What the...”Ethan reacted instantly.He turned the wheel smoothly, avoiding the sudden move while keeping control of the car despite the wet road.

The SUV sped ahead, then slowed again.Clearly trying to block them.Sophia’s voice became tense.

“Who are they?”Ethan kept his focus on the road.

“I don’t know yet.”Rain started pouring harder.

The road became slippery.The SUV suddenly braked hard in front of them.Ethan reacted immediately.He steered slightly to the right and accelerated just enough to pass the SUV before it could completely block them.Sophia grabbed the seat instinctively.“Are you trying to race them?!”

Ethan remained calm.“I’m trying to avoid them.”

The SUV attempted to follow again.But Ethan quickly turned into another street, using the narrow roads and traffic to create distance.After several turns, the SUV finally disappeared behind them.

The rain continued pouring heavily.Inside the car, silence filled the space.Sophia slowly released the seat she had been gripping.Her heart was beating faster than usual.Ethan drove steadily now.

Calm again.As if nothing unusual had happened.

After a moment, Sophia spoke.“Was that an accident?”Ethan thought carefully.“I don’t think so.”Sophia’s expression hardened.“You think someone sent them?”Ethan didn’t answer directly.

But both of them already had the same thought.

Mark Corpus.Sophia leaned back slowly.Her eyes turned cold again.“That man…”Ethan glanced at the mirror.“Do you want me to report this to the security team?”Sophia shook her head.“No.”

Her voice was firm.“I’ll deal with Mark myself.”

Ethan didn’t argue.The car continued driving through the rain.Finally, Sophia spoke again.

“You handled that well.”It wasn’t praise.But it wasn’t criticism either.Ethan nodded slightly.

“I’ve driven in worse situations.”Sophia looked at him through the mirror.For the first time…She saw something different.Confidence.Not arrogance.

Not fear.Just quiet confidence.Still…Her expression remained cold.“Don’t misunderstand.”Ethan waited.“That doesn’t mean I trust you.”Ethan answered calmly.“I didn’t expect you to.”Sophia looked out the window again.Rain continued sliding down the glass.For years, she had pushed people away.Built walls.Trusted no one.But today…

For a brief moment on that dangerous road…

She had relied on someone.And she didn’t like how unfamiliar that feeling was.Meanwhile…Across the city…Inside a private office filled with expensive furniture…Mark Corpus sat comfortably in a chair while a man stood nervously in front of him.

“You failed,” Mark said calmly.The man lowered his head.“Sir… the driver was skilled. We couldn’t block them.”Mark smirked slightly.“Interesting.”

He leaned back in his chair.“So the new guard can drive too.”Mark looked out the window toward the city skyline.“Ethan Cruz…”He spoke the name slowly.“Let’s see how long you survive protecting her.”