Amidst Crime and Shadows | Soren

CHAPTER ONE: Roads Intertwined Loey Padilla, a seasoned entrepreneur residing at the top echelon of the cut-throat business world, found herself suddenly entangled in a web of danger and uncertainty. As the CEO of a prominent technology company, she was no stranger to fierce competition and relentless rivals vying for dominance. Yet, upon receiving a series of unsettling threats from an unknown source, Loey knew it was time to take prompt action. One evening, as she departed a business meeting and journeyed back home, she spotted a curious sight - a black car that seemed to be tailing her closely. At first, she dismissed it as an odd coincidence and attempted to shake off the nuisance through a series of complex route modifications. However, her attempts were futile, as the mysterious vehicle persisted in trailing her, unearthing her every twist and turn. As Loey's anxiety heightened with each passing second, she found her worst fears materialising. Upon starting to navigate another sudden turn, a chilling realisation came into view - the black car had accelerated and collided into the rear of her own mode of transportation, sending them both careening into chaos. Despite her disoriented state and mounting injuries, Loey never lost sight of her goal - she had to survive and confront her aggressor head-on. However, the tragic loss of the driver she had close to heart for so many years shook her to her very core - the guilt gnawing her insides like a parasite. With the dust gradually settling, Loey awakened from her state of stupor and found herself lying on a hospital bed, tending to her injuries. Despite her disappointment at having allowed the situation to escalate to such a perilous point, Loey resolved to rise above the situation and persevere through her adversities. It was only then that she came to understand her necessity for a dedicated protector, one who could safeguard her and her company at any cost. She had phoned her assistant, Mara Vilani and tasked her with such a significant job. As such, Loey released a public summons for applications, which ultimately led her to cross paths with Soren Cooper. The formidable individual radiated an aura of clinical professionalism while simultaneously possessing an ethereal charm that Loey found difficult to comprehend. Nevertheless, she immediately felt confident that Soren was the perfect candidate to fulfil the role of her bodyguard and thwart her nemesis. — Despite her exceptional empathy and her ability to sense a person's true character from just their aura, Loey Padilla found herself in a unique position where she was unable to fully grasp the essence of Soren Cooper. The mysterious bodyguard was an enigma, exuding a level of professionalism and closed-off demeanour that was both admirable and concerning. Regardless of the impressive reputation that had preceded him, Loey was cautious, unable to fully trust him or gauge his true intentions. She had never experienced such difficulty in reading another individual, leaving her both intrigued and troubled. With the weight of the looming threat hanging over her head, she refused to blindly trust anyone. Soren followed Loey as she guided him through the bustling halls of the towering skyscraper that housed her company. The 19-story structure teemed with employees from a myriad of departments, but it was the researchers occupying at least nine floors who were the true heart of the operation. Their knowledge of the years-long project was vital to the success of the company, and they, more than anyone else, needed to be protected. Soren was chosen to helm this team of bodyguards, not least because he was one of only a few individuals who possessed the necessary skills to safeguard such valuable assets. Loey trusted him implicitly and, with him at the helm, her entire team could rest easier knowing they had a capable protector watching over them. Soren possessed a certain aura that commanded attention wherever he went, a quality that attracted not just admiration but also jealousy. His chiselled features, imposing frame, and enigmatic demeanour seemed almost heavenly, as if they had been meticulously sculpted by the divine hand of creativity. The women in his presence were captivated, drawn to his charismatic energy like iron to a magnet. Even the men, once intimidated by his presence, were now subdued by the sheer power radiating from him. Loey felt a sense of pride and privilege to have secured the services of such a singular individual, one who brought with him a sense of awe and wonder, leaving all around him in humble awe. Loey invited Soren to a more comfortable setting, gesturing for him to take a seat on one of the couches near her. As Mara brought them their cups of tea, Loey asked Soren his insights into the state of the company. Soren's response took her by surprise. "It must be hard to be a woman," he stated, his tone blunt yet insightful. No one had ever spoken to Loey with so much honesty before, and she found it refreshing. “I know,” Loey let out a sigh before taking a sip of her tea. “I can’t do anything now but protect my assets. I need them to stay protected because this is the very sole reason I built this company from the ground up. And I would like all the help I could get.” “Do not worry your mind. Whatever your intention may be, I’ll be here.” Loey couldn't help but appreciate Soren's sincerity - despite his seemingly unemotional demeanour, it was clear that his words carried a weight and truthfulness that few others possessed. She trusted that Soren meant exactly what he said and knew that he would do everything in his power to honour his words and support her. His reliability and unwavering dedication were traits that Loey valued enormously, and they only affirmed her decision to hire him as her protector and ally. Mara, taking a seat beside Loey at the table, began to share the results of her investigation, the snacks she had brought with her untouched. "It was no easy feat to find out who was behind the car crash," she began, "but I have managed to narrow down the list of potential suspects to just three individuals." Mara, an expert in her field and a trusted ally of Loey, had access to a broad spectrum of connections, allowing her to gather valuable intelligence from those in the know. Loey had grown close to Mara over the years, treating her like a younger sister and developing a deep trust between them. They relied on each other, and Loey appreciated Mara's ability to uncover information that would have otherwise remained hidden. “We have Alexia - your former business partner who has always held a grudge against you since she left the company and took many clients with her. Alexia is known for her cutthroat tactics and is suspected to have hired a hitman to target Loey's car. Then we have Thomas - Loey's ex-boyfriend who is still obsessed with her and has made several attempts to get her back. He has shown up at her apartment unannounced and sent her threatening messages when he was drunk on multiple occasions. And lastly Liam - Loey's business rival, who has always been determined to bring her empire down. He has been known to resort to underhanded tactics to get what he wants and is suspected to have hired a saboteur to damage her car's brakes. However, if you ask me, it has got to be either Alexia or Liam since they’re tied to your business. Thomas isn’t really a threat even if he tried. I only included him because of his recent outbursts.” Soren nodded, thinking to himself. “Thank you for this very useful information…?” “O-oh, Mara. My name is Mara. Nice to meet you, Soren.” Mara, on the other hand, possessed an aversion towards romantic attachments and relationships, as all her previous encounters had been unfruitful. Soren, however, held a unique appeal that left Mara mesmerised, even if it left her with mixed feelings. Despite his reserved nature, Soren was quite a sight to behold, and his allure was undeniable. Loey, too, was aware of Mara's growing attraction towards Soren, a notion that made her uneasy, to say the least. “Mara. You did a good job.” “T-Thanks?” Soren's gesture took both Loey and Mara by surprise, as neither of them had expected such a sudden act of kindness from the stoic bodyguard. “Here,” he took a chocolate bar and offered it to Mara. “For doing a good job.” Mara's face flushes with embarrassment as she feels as though she has been reduced to nothing more than a mere dog, rewarded with a token of appreciation for her efforts. Despite the initial sting, Mara feels her heart warm as she realises that Soren's actions are not meant to be perceived as demeaning but rather as a token of gratitude for her hard work. “You’re weird, Soren Cooper,” she blurted out, unable to hold back the words. Soren simply nodded his head, as if this wasn’t the first time he’d been called that. “So I’ve been told,” he said casually. The conversation shifted to their work, with Soren asking Mara for access to the files so he could do his own research. Mara obliged, knowing that Soren’s help was invaluable for solving the mystery behind the car accident. As the two women looked at each other, feeling their hearts flutter at Soren’s words, they knew their lives were in the hands of an unusual man. He was quiet, reserved, and yet his words carried an unexpected weight. His determination to protect them was unwavering, and it left both Mara and Loey feeling a sense of comfort and security that they hadn’t felt in a long time. Loey, a curious woman who had always been fascinated by the world around her, had never been able to stifle the questions that constantly plagued her mind. So, when she found herself surrounded by an enigma like Soren, she couldn't help but be drawn in. "Soren, how about we know more of you?" She asked, offering a suggestion that seemed to both pique her curiosity and put Soren's mind at ease. "Like your hobbies and such. Since we'll be together most of the time, I ought to know what my bodyguard likes, yes?" Soren's response was brief, but Loey knew it all too well. He was a stoic man who never delved into his personal life. But she was determined to break down that wall and get to know him better. "Why?" Was all that came out of his mouth, leaving Loey feeling disappointed and frustrated. But she refused to let that dampen her spirits. She was a woman who believed in the power of relationships and knew that her work would be all the more efficient if she knew more about the people she worked with. "Because, us working together merits a more personal relationship. I don't treat the people who work for me just as people who work for me. I treat them as family." Loey's words seemed to sink in, but Soren couldn't bring himself to say anything. He was used to keeping his personal life separate from his work life and didn't know how to respond. But Loey was adamant about getting to know him better. With an awkward laugh, Mara, who was feeling equally as dejected, left the room. She understood the nuances of the situation, but she couldn't help but wish she knew more about Soren as well.