Chapter 4
1082 Words
“ZARELLE, YOU BI*CH!”
I started laughing before I even got to the window.
There was only one person in the world who would stand outside my house and scream my name like that without a single ounce of shame.
I pulled the curtain aside, and there she was—Lyssara. One hand on her hip, the other shielding her eyes from the sun as she squinted up at my window like she owned the place.
“You’re dramatic!” I called down, shaking my head.
“And you’re slow!” she fired back instantly. “Are you going to let me in or should I keep announcing your name to the whole neighborhood?”
I laughed under my breath. “Wait there.”
I didn’t even bother checking my reflection. I just turned and rushed out of my room, my steps quick, my heart oddly excited—not just because she was here, but because I knew exactly why she had come.
The moment I opened the door, she walked in like she had been waiting her whole life for it and threw her arms around me.
“Baby,” she said, squeezing me tight, “I’ve missed you.”
“I saw you two days ago,” I laughed, hugging her back.
“Still,” she pulled away, her eyes scanning my face carefully, “you look suspicious.”
“Suspicious?” I raised a brow.
“Yes,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Like someone who’s hiding something.”
I rolled my eyes, but I grabbed her hand anyway. “Come upstairs.”
She didn’t argue.
She followed me immediately.
The moment we stepped into my room, she paused, then slowly turned in a full circle, taking everything in like she was inspecting a crime scene.
“Alright,” she said finally. “Where is he?”
I leaned casually against the door. “Who?”
She turned her head slowly and gave me a look.
“Don’t do that,” she said flatly. “The bodyguard. Where is he?”
I laughed softly and closed the door behind us. “He’s working.”
“Working where?” she pressed, already moving toward the window.
I walked past her and dropped onto the bed, crossing my legs like I had all the time in the world. “Probably outside. Or somewhere around the house.”
She pulled the curtain slightly and peeked out.
“I don’t see anyone,” she muttered.
“You’re impatient,” I teased.
She turned back to me slowly, her expression suddenly serious.
“Zarelle,” she said, “you described this man like he was carved out of stone. Tall. Built. Quiet. Dangerous. If he looks even half as good as you said, I need to see him with my own eyes.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that touched my lips.
“You’ll see him.”
She walked back and sat beside me, her curiosity practically vibrating off her.
“Tell me everything again,” she said, lowering her voice like we were about to share a secret. “From the moment he arrived.”
I hesitated for just a second.
Then I told her.
How I saw him step out of the car.
How he moved—controlled, steady, like every step had purpose.
How he barely spoke.
How his presence alone felt… heavy.
“And when he shook your hand?” Lyssara asked quietly.
I swallowed.
“It felt…” I paused, searching for the right word. “Different.”
She raised a brow. “Different how?”
I shook my head slightly. “I don’t know. Just… like he was holding himself back.”
Her expression shifted.
“From you?”
I didn’t answer.
Because that was exactly what it felt like.
Before I could even think of what to say next—
A knock came at the door.
Soft.
But firm.
Both of us froze.
My heart skipped.
Another knock.
Same rhythm. Controlled. Intentional.
Lyssara’s eyes widened as she slowly turned to me.
“Is that him?” she whispered.
I stood up slowly, my pulse suddenly louder in my ears.
“Stay quiet,” I murmured.
Each step toward the door felt heavier than the last.
I reached for the handle… paused for just a second… then opened it.
Vaelor stood there.
Close.
Closer than I expected.
For a moment, everything stilled.
His eyes flickered over me… then briefly to Lyssara behind me… before returning to my face.
“Miss Zarelle,” he said calmly. “Your father asked me to inform you that he’ll be leaving in an hour.”
His voice was steady.
Controlled.
Professional.
But his eyes—
His eyes weren’t as calm.
Lyssara stepped forward slightly behind me, her tone light, almost playful.
“Oh,” she said, pretending innocence. “So this is the famous bodyguard.”
Vaelor didn’t react.
Not visibly.
But I caught the slight tightening in his jaw.
“Yes,” he replied.
Simple. Direct.
Lyssara moved a little, circling just enough to look him over properly.
“Wow,” she muttered under her breath. “You were not exaggerating.”
I shot her a warning look.
She ignored me completely.
Vaelor’s gaze returned to mine.
“Is there anything else you need, Miss?” he asked.
Something about the way he said it…
It didn’t feel like a simple question.
It felt like there was more behind it.
I held his gaze.
“No,” I said softly. “I’m fine.”
A pause followed.
Long enough for the air between us to shift… to thicken.
Then his eyes dropped.
Just slightly.
To my lips.
For a second.
A very brief second.
But I noticed.
And the moment stretched—because he realized I noticed.
Lyssara cleared her throat loudly, breaking it.
Vaelor straightened immediately, his posture snapping back into place like nothing had happened.
“I’ll be downstairs,” he said.
He turned to leave.
But just before he walked away—
He leaned slightly closer.
Close enough that only I could hear him.
“You should keep your curtains closed.”
My breath caught.
“Why?” I whispered.
His eyes darkened—just a little.
“Because not everyone who watches you does it for protection.”
Then he walked away.
Just like that.
Leaving me standing there—
Heart racing.
Mind spinning.
And suddenly wondering…
Who else had been watching my window?
- Writer
