Her Bodyguard.

Chapter One.

♡♡Amelia's Pov ♡♡

"Good morning, Ms. Amelia." the maid greets politely as I step into my father's villa.

"Where's my father?" I ask, as I move deeper inside.

"He's in his office. He's been waiting."

Of course he has.

He'd called me in the middle of a meeting, saying it was urgent.

I'd left early.

I reach his study and pause, drawing in a long breath before pushing the door open.

"Hey, Dad-"

My words die instantly, as my breath catches in my throat.

My steps falter. Sitting across from my father is the one person I swore I'd never see again.

Hudson.

The hatred I thought I buried claws its way back up, raw and venomous.

"What are you doing here?" The venom in my voice surprises even me.

Hudson's lips curve into that smug, practiced smirk, the one that used to charm me, the one I now despise.

And before I can even throw another word, my father's voice cuts in.

"Now, now, Amelia.." he says, calm and commanding as ever. "That's no way to talk to your fiancé."

I blink. "Excuse me?" My brows lift. "Fiancé? What are you talking about, Dad?"

"You and Hudson.." he continues, like this is some kind of family meeting, gesturing toward the asshole ex of mine lounging in the chair like he owns the place "you two are engaged, aren't you?"

Just hearing that, makes my blood boil.

Three months. It's been three months since I walked out on this lying, cheating bastard, and my father is acting like it never happened.

"No.." I say sharply. "We're done, Dad. Over. I told you, we broke up three months ago."

My glare cuts to Hudson, but that smug, unbothered smile stays plastered on his face.

My father rises from behind his desk, moving to stand in front of me.

"Whatever... misunderstanding you two had, you're adults. Fix it. Don't throw away something....important over little quarrels."

I just stare at him, disbelief twisting in my chest.

Is he serious?? Didn't I tell him the reason why two months ago? And now he is saying...that?

"Talk it out with Hudson." he adds sternly. "He's the best man for you. Think about your future."

Best man? My future...with him??.

I almost laugh. He can't be serious, this has to be some kind of sick joke.

He gives me one last heavy look, one that screams, fix this, before walking out, leaving me trapped with the last person I ever wanted to see.

The moment the door clicks shut, I turn my glare on Hudson.

"Are you insane? What the hell are you doing here?"

Hudson stands slowly, adjusting his suit jacket like he has all the time in the world.

His eyes sweep over me, lingering too long, and that smug smirk stretches across his lips again.

Three months ago, maybe I would've flushed under that look. But now? He's nothing more than a pest I can't seem to get rid of.

"Amelia, I missed you." he suddenly says, his tone dripping with fake sincerity.

I don't even blink. The boredom in my eyes says enough.

"What are you doing here, Hudson? We broke up." I fold my arms across my chest, a barrier between us.

His gaze drops anyway to my cleavage, hungry, and I catch it instantly.

"My eyes are up here, you freak."

"You broke up with me, sweetheart." he says smoothly "but I didn't."

The arrogance in his voice makes my hands tremble from anger. I want to slap that smug grin off his face.

How the hell did I ever fall for a man like this? Was I blind the entire time?

"Are you insane? You cheated on me, Hudson. With my assistant. Who does that??"

His jaw ticks. "I have needs, Amelia. I'm a man."

A man? No. He's a monster wrapped in an expensive suit.

When he reaches for me, I step back. His hand misses by inches, but the look in his eyes changes, darker, meaner, hungry and I don't care.

"Don't touch me and Save the excuses." I shoot back. "Not that same tired line about needs again."

"Amelia, baby, I'm sorry, okay?" His tone softens, "Let's go back to how things were. I miss you. I miss us."

"well i don't." i bite out. "Read my lips: f**k you. Take your needs elsewhere. I'm done."

Does he actually think I'm a fool? To fall for that stupid talk again?? Cheating on me with other girls hurts and i keep forgiving him, but my assistant??

I turn to leave, but his hand clamps around my wrist. The grip is harsh, bruising, sending a sting of pain up my arm.

"Let me go!" I hiss, but he yanks me back, dragging me flush against his chest. His breath is hot against my ear, unwanted.

"God, you've gotten even hotter, Amelia..." he murmurs, his fingers digging into my arm.

"That feisty, cold side of you?" His lips brush my hair as he inhales. "It always does things to me."

Before I can shove him away, his mouth presses against the hollow of my neck, revolting.

I shove him back, the disgust burning in my chest. "You're crazy." I snap at him angrily.

He tilts his head, a predator's smile curling across his face. "Of course I'm crazy... for you." His tone drops, dark and possessive. Then his smile fades. "And you will marry me, Amelia."

"No." The word comes out firm and steady, even though my pulse races.

I won't let him see fear.

He laughs, low and scary, the sound crawls down my spine like a threat.

So fast, his hand shoots out, gripping my jaw and forcing my face toward his.

His hold is harsh, his eyes burn with obsession, that twisted belief that I belong to him.

"Yes, you will." he growls. "Listen to me, Amelia. If you refuse, I'll ruin your father. I'll destroy everything he's built, his company, his name, his pride. Watch it all crumble because of you."

My chest tightens and my breath falters.

"And I've seen the records.." he continues, "His company's bleeding. I'm the only one who can save it. So no, you don't get a choice."

With everything in me, I shove him back harder this time. My lungs burn, my heart slams against my ribs.

"You're delusional if you think a threat will make me love you again." I hiss. "It's over, Hudson. Get that through your thick skull."

He laughs again. "Threat?" His smile spreads, unhinged. "Oh, Amelia... you have no idea how far I'll go, to have you in my arms again."

He steps closer. I retreat until my back hits the door.

The air between us feels thick and suffocating, i can feel the room is closing in.

"Listen to me..." His voice drops, "I will have you. Completely. Even if I have to break every obstacle in my path to get you."

My stomach knots, fear and fury tangling together. His eyes don't waver. He means every word.

My throat tightens at his words. Panic coils deep inside me. I swallow hard, trying to steady my breathing.

He leans in and presses a quick, mocking kiss to my cheek. The touch burns. I wipe it away instantly, disgust twisting in my stomach.

"You still smell the same." he murmurs, voice rough. "Still untouched."

My skin crawls. This isn't the man I once loved. This is someone else, entitled, dangerous, unhinged.

A man who truly believes he can bend the world, bend me, to his will.

"I will never be yours, Hudson." my voice trembling but steady enough to let him know.

He exhales, the mockery gone, replaced by something colder. "Why do you have to make this so difficult, Amelia?"

"I'm not." I bite back. "And I regret ever forgiving your cheating ass before, but not anymore. We're done, Hudson."

His eyes darken. "We're not done. We will never be done. You will be mine, and I'll make sure of that."

"I'd rather die than marry you." I spit out. "I will never be yours, not in this life, not in the next."

For a moment, his face hardens.

Then, quietly, he says, "We'll see."

He opens the door and walk out. The soft click of it closing echoes like a verdict, final and cold.

I stand there frozen, my pulse roaring in my ears.

Only when the silence sinks in do I let out a shaky breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" I whisper, the words barely audible.

The weight of it hits me, the man I once loved, now a stranger I can't even look at without feeling sick.

I hate the memory of how it all started.