The Agent's Blood

Chapter 9

Evander was quick to open the car door the moment Elena stepped out of the house. The girl seemed to be holding back tears, and once she was inside the car, they began to fall. Evander promptly got into the driver's seat and, without another word, drove Elena away from the house. It looked like Elena and Victoria had quite the argument inside.

Evander remained silent, observing Elena in the rearview mirror, allowing her to cry.

"Are we heading straight to the boutique, Miss?" Evander asked.

Elena took a deep breath, then shook her head without speaking. Evander understood. He drove the car straight onto the freeway, extending their journey.

Silence.

Elena gazed out the window.

"My mother threatened me," Elena finally said.

Evander glanced at her in the mirror, listening intently. Elena's eyes then met Evander's, their gazes locking through the rearview mirror.

"I can't, Evan," Elena whispered, her voice breaking, and fresh tears streamed down her face.

"Mrs. Victoria is doing what any mother would want, of course she wants her daughter to live a prosperous and secure life—"

"I don't want you to leave!" Elena cut him off, her eyes fixed on Evander, filled with sorrow.

Evander's jaw tightened at her words.

"If I refuse, Mom will replace you, and I don't want that!" Elena exclaimed, her voice a suppressed scream, "What will become of me if you're not here?!"

Again, a feeling of powerlessness consumed her. Evander, too, felt his chest tighten, facing the harsh reality.

Passing a rest area, Evander steered the car in. Once parked, he briefly got out and returned a short while later with bottled water. He opened the back door and offered it to Elena.

"Drink this," he said, not forgetting to twist open the cap and insert a straw.

Elena took it. Moments later, she seemed to feel a bit relieved as the water cooled her throat. Evander left the car door open, standing nearby, vigilant. Elena sat with her legs stretched out from the car.

For a while, they remained silent, letting the gentle breeze wash over them. The rest area itself was quiet, with few vehicles entering.

"What am I supposed to do, Evan?" Elena asked, staring blankly at the concrete ground beneath her. She then looked up at Evander.

"Do you love me, Evan?" The question slipped from Elena's lips.

Evander turned abruptly, and seeing Elena's wistful gaze, his heart ached. He then crouched down by Elena's feet, looking into her eyes.

"You have no idea how much I wish I could have you entirely, Miss," Evander said, swallowing bitterly. Victoria had clearly issued a stern warning and threatened him.

"But I'm sorry, I can't do it," he continued, bowing his head, unable to meet Elena's gaze.

Elena choked back a sob.

"I can get through anything as long as you're by my side, Evan," she stammered through her tears, "I just want to see you always here!"

Evanser broke down, unable to hold back his own tears any longer.

"Me too!"

Elena stopped crying and looked at Evander. He reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks, then offered a bitter smile.

In the end, they had to endure and accept everything, just to stay together. A great sacrifice they had to make, simply to be able to look at each other like this. To see one another and find strength in each other at the end of the day, washing away their wounds together, and enduring, who knew for how long.

***

That afternoon at Elena's boutique, Evander had just opened the car door for Elena. They were about to head home when a sleek black car glided into the boutique's driveway. They paused for a moment, curious to see who had arrived.

Julian stepped out of the car, which immediately made Elena tense, casting a panicked look at Evander. It was as if she was pleading for help, signaling to Evander not to let Julian take her away. Evander gave a slow nod and a faint, reassuring smile.

Julian grinned broadly as he walked closer.

"Good afternoon, darling," he greeted, immediately wrapping his arm around Elena's waist and kissing her cheek.

Evander averted his gaze at the sight.

Elena offered a faint smile, crossing her arms over her stomach.

"I want to take you for our wedding dress fitting, what do you say?" Julian asked enthusiastically.

"But I'm tired today," Elena gently refused, feeling uneasy about going with Julian.

Julian instantly frowned in displeasure. He glanced at Evanser, who stood a short distance away, waiting with the car door open.

"Let Elena stay with me, you can go home early, Captain!" Julian said in a commanding tone.

Evander stood upright, looking at Julian.

"Excuse me, sir, I am assigned to accompany Miss Elena wherever she goes, and her safety is my responsibility!" Evander countered.

Elena immediately smiled at his words, but her smile quickly faded when she saw Julian watching her.

Julian scoffed.

He had heard rumors about his fiancée's closeness with her bodyguard. Initially, he hadn't paid much attention, dismissing it as mere gossip. But this time, he sensed there truly was something between Elena and Evander. However, it was too soon to draw any conclusions.

Besides, all he cared about was that his marriage to Elena should happen soon.

"You can follow us if you wish!" he snapped, smiling wryly as he pulled Elena's waist with a slight jerk. The girl looked startled and instinctively grabbed Julian's stomach.

Evander clenched his jaw, battling his emotions. He yearned to grab Julian by the collar and punch the man for his insolent behavior.

But he was merely a bodyguard here. And Julian felt he had more right to Elena as her fiancé. Evander saw Elena, her face pale, holding back tears.

Julian snorted a laugh, seeing Evander remain silent. He then seized Elena's hand and forcibly made her get into his car.

"Please treat Miss Elena gently, sir!" Evander admonished, unable to bear Julian's seemingly rough and coercive manner.

Julian slammed Elena's door shut, then walked towards Evander, stopping so close that their shoes almost touched.

Julian tilted his head back slightly, looking up at Evander, who was several inches taller. He stared into Evander's eyes with an angry, condescending gaze.

"She is my fiancée, so she is already mine, and soon we will be husband and wife," Julian said in a low, cold voice, "What right do you have to tell me what to do?!"

Evander met Julian's gaze without flinching.

"My duty is to ensure Miss Elena is safe and unharmed!" Evander stated.

"Anyone who hurts her will have to deal with me!" Evander declared, then lowered his head slightly, meeting Julian's gaze with a cold, sharp intensity.

Julian couldn't help but swallow. Of course, he had heard of Evander's reputation, he was the best in his unit and had an impressive military record. But Juliam felt his own power surpassed Evander's.

"Stay in your place, Captain! Don't cross the line!" Julian hissed.

"Surely you know, power is everything!" Julian added, winking with a condescending laugh. He patted Evander's cheek before turning and getting into his car.

Evander balled his fists, suppressing his emotions, and through the car window, he saw Elena looking at him with pleading, tear-filled eyes.