The Agent's Blood

Chapter 8

Evander was used to waking before dawn. His body was trained to stay alert, even moments after falling asleep in the arms of the woman he loved.

He smiled, gazing at Elena's beautiful face, still lost in sleep. He never tired of admiring her. She was a gentle, graceful soul who shook his entire world, his heart, and his mind. Not a moment passed when he didn't think of Elena. No matter how busy he was, no matter what storms raged in his thoughts, Elena was always the calm that made him surrender.

Just like last night, he couldn't resist his surging desire and possessiveness. The thought of the woman he loved belonging to someone else, honestly, was unbearable. Just imagining Elena standing at the altar, as she had at their engagement party yesterday, made his heart rebel in anger, let alone if...

Evander closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, calming the ego and ambition swirling in his chest. When he opened them, he saw Elena's innocent, pure face in sleep, utterly captivating. Her skin, glowing with natural oils, without a trace of makeup, looked beautiful and fresh.

"My God, I'm truly in love with you, Elena!" Evander whispered. He desperately wanted to kiss her naturally pink, innocent lips, but he feared waking her. So, all he could do was bite his own lip, a mixture of adoration and frustration.

Slowly, Evander got up, moving carefully so as not to disturb Elena.

As he stood, the blanket wrapped around his body fell away. Evander glanced at Elena, she was still sound asleep, eyes tightly closed, in the exact same position.

Evander sighed deeply. He walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

Unbeknownst to him, Elena smiled in her sleep.

***

After waiting for Evander to leave the room, Elena opened her eyes. She saw Evander wasn't there, he was probably gone to make her some food.

Elena stared at the ceiling of her room. A smile bloomed on her lips, her cheeks flushing red, as she thought about what had happened last night.

His touch, and how Evander had treated her last night, made her fall even more deeply in love with that soldier. She could still smell Evander's scent on the pillow and even on her own skin.

Ah, she already missed her bodyguard.

The sound of shod footsteps approached from outside the room, and Elena quickly closed her eyes again. She deliberately pulled back the blanket to tease Evander, then pretended to still be asleep.

She heard the door open. The footsteps faded, but Elena felt a subtle movement nearby. There was a slight shift on the bed, Evander seemed to have sat down beside her.

Elena's heart pounded with anticipation. The blanket she wore had slipped down to her chest, revealing her thighs. Her body shivered, feeling Evander's gaze upon her.

But what happened next disappointed Elena. Evander simply adjusted the blanket, covering her body.

"Just sleep, Miss, don't be naughty!"

That made Elena finally unable to hold back her laughter. She pulled the blanket over her face, laughing bashfully.

"If you're awake, please shower! I've brought you breakfast," Evander said, knowing she had been awake since he entered the room.

Evander moved to leave, but Elena quickly caught his hand.

"Wait a moment!" she said in her sleepy voice.

Evander felt his ears tingle at the sound. He imagined Elena whimpering and moaning in his arms last night.

It disturbed him.

"Get up, Miss! You also need to leave soon because Madam has been calling me asking about you," Evander said. He wasn't making it up, Victoria had indeed been calling him all morning.

With a few sharp words, reminding him of his position as a bodyguard.

Elena's mood immediately shifted upon hearing this. Slowly, she released Evander's hand and nodded in agreement.

"Just a little longer," she said lazily, turning her face away.

"Miss," Evander called.

Elena turned back. "Yes? What is it?" she asked.

Evander didn't answer right away. He looked at Elena, then smiled.

"I like seeing you smile," he said, which made Elena freeze, her cheeks blushing deep red.

Evander's hand rose to gently touch Elena's cheek. "Thank you!" She whispered.

Elena blushed, nodding as she nervously bit her lip. She chuckled softly, unable to hold Evander's gaze.

"So beautiful!" Evander praised, making her bend her head even further, her face beet red.

"I will always be there for you, don't forget that, Miss!" Evander said, reaching for Elena's chin, lifting her face so their eyes met.

Elena was silent, looking at Evander's face. Smiles formed on both their lips. Finally, Elena leaned in and briefly kissed Evander before getting out of bed and walking into the bathroom.

Without a stitch of clothing on.

Evander shook his head, chuckling softly at her.

***

Elena went home first before heading to her boutique, just to calm her mother, though she really didn't want to.

Victoria was already waiting in the back pavilion. The woman seemed to be enjoying tea and watching their gardener prune her beloved rose bushes.

"Good morning, Mother," Elena greeted, coming from the connecting foyer.

Victoria turned, her brow furrowing in displeasure when she saw Evander enter as well, escorting Elena. He understood.

"I'll be out front if you need me, Miss," Evander excused himself, nodding respectfully to Victoria.

Elena turned and nodded, watching Evander's back until he disappeared behind the wall. When she straightened her head again, Victoria was watching her intensely.

The girl swallowed.

"I'm just here for a moment, I'm going to the boutique," Elena said with a faint smile.

Victoria still didn't speak, her eyes scanning Elena from head to toe and back again, as if searching for something missing from her daughter. This made Elena tense, her heart beginning to pound with panic.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Elena asked, trying to act natural.

Victoria let out a long sigh. "Nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were alright!" she replied, taking a sip of her tea.

Elena frowned, hearing this.

Her mother didn't even care about her feelings regarding this arranged marriage. Victoria hadn't once asked for her consent.

"Aren't you going to ask how I feel?" Elena said, her voice trembling, her eyes starting to water.

Victoria seemed unfazed. She looked at Elena calmly.

"You want me to ask how you feel?!" Victoria asked, her gaze turning sharp. "And don't you want to know how embarrassed I am hearing gossip about my daughter having a special relationship with her bodyguard?!" Victoria's voice rose an octave.

Elena fell silent, her hands clenched. She wanted to scream and say that it was true. But she kept thinking of Evander's fate if that happened.

"Make sure that rumor is a lie, and I'll let him stay here!" Victoria threatened harshly.

Elena's tears began to fall.