Her Bodyguard.

Chapter Four.

♡♡Amelia's Pov ♡♡

A few days later.

The moment I step into my office with my assistant, the smell hits me, thick, suffocating, floral. Roses. Everywhere.

Dozens of bouquets drowning my desk, the couch, even the damn window ledge.

What the...Hudson

My jaw tightens. "Burn them."

My assistant blinks. "Ma'am?"

"Burn. Them."

He hesitates for a second, then starts gathering the flowers with trembling hands, struggling with the ridiculous piles as she heads out.

I drop my bag on the chair, then sat down on my chair, exhaling. Of course it's Hudson. It has to be.

I blocked that bastard days ago, guess he didn't get the message.

Maybe it's time I listen to Emily. A bodyguard doesn't sound so bad right now.

Anything to get that a*hole off my back.

For a long second, I just sit there, trying to slow my pulse. Then I grab my phone and call her.

"Okay," I say the second she picks up, "I'll do it. Get the damn bodyguard."

"Told you so. Besides, i didn't listen when you told me no, i went hunting."she says

I groan, rubbing my forehead. "Just... make sure he's good."

"Oh, you can trust me on that." she says, and I hang up.

Almost instantly, my phone buzzes again.

Unknown Number: Don't you like the flowers?

My blood runs cold.

Hudson wasn't the one who sent this flowers?

It's the stalker again. This stalker has been texting me for weeks now.

Short, creepy messages, sometimes... compliments. The kind that make your skin crawl.

At first, I thought it was Hudson.

But the way and how heavy the text are, no, it's different, it's as if the person watches my every move.

Me: Who the hell are you?

No response. Like always.

I don't even hesitate this time. Block. Delete. Done.

Just like always.

~♡~

The day flies by.

By the time I step out of the building, the air is heavy with evening heat. I dig into my Hermes Birkin as my phone starts ringing.

"Amelia Stone speaking." I say, walking toward my car.

"Hey, baby."

I freeze.

My stomach twists. "What is your problem, Hudson?"

"Woah. Feisty." he chuckles, and I roll my eyes.

"I've made it clear, get off my back. This is never going to work."

"God, your voice..." He groans softly. "You have no idea what it does to me. I miss you so-"

"You have a twisted heart. Selfish and disgusting. I don't miss you. I don't want you. And if you don't stay the hell away from me, I'll file another restraining order."

He laughs.

"You can't leave me, Amelia. We're not done."

The line clicks dead.

"Ugh, bastard!" I hiss under my breath, shoving my phone into my bag as I walk toward my car.

Then I stop.

A car catches my attention, a black sedan parked a few spots away, tinted windows, engine off.

Too still. Too quiet.

The hair on my neck stands. I squint, trying to see through the tint, but before I can, the engine roars to life and the car speeds off.

"What the-" I whisper, my pulse racing.

I climb into my own car, locking the doors. My hands are slightly shaking as I grip the wheel.

Who was that?

Hudson? Or... the stalker?

Gosh, Emily's right. A bodyguard doesn't just sound good right now, it sounds necessary.

I start the engine and drive off, trying not to look in the rearview mirror.

But I do.

And for a split second, I swear I see headlights following.

I think, I'm getting more paranoid.

~♤♤~

The drive home feels longer than usual.

When I finally pull into my building's private parking, I exhale, gripping the wheel with a shaky laugh. "You're being paranoid, Amelia." I mutter, grabbing my bag. "You're fine."

The air in the garage hits me as I step out. It's cold, too cold.

I glance around once more, no headlights, nothing. Just quiet underground garage suburb peace. I sigh.

I take the private elevator straight to my floor.

The moment I unlock my door with my card, I'm about to step inside, but I freeze.

There's a man standing there.

He was tall. And I mean tall, his muscles that look carved from stone, stretching his camo pants and black tank top.

My eyes trail over the tattoos inked down one arm, curling to one side of his chest where the fabric clings tight.

What the hell...

My mouth opens, but no sound comes out.

He stands perfectly still, hands behind his back, posture military-straight.

The air around him feels... heavy, so controlled. Then my gaze reaches his face, and I forget how to breathe.

His jaw are sharp, dark hair and his eyes?? It was the color of steel, cold, unreadable, but piercing and he was looking ahead.

I blink, my pulse kicking up. Snap out of it and stop checking him out!

There's a man in my penthouse.

"H-hey..." My voice cracks. "Who are you? How did you get in here?"

He finally looks down at me. Just one look, and I swear my knees threaten to give out.

His eyes hold no warmth, no emotion, just quiet power.

Wait... why does he look familiar?

"Amelia." he speaks, his voice rough, and deep enough to send a shiver down my spine.

Oh God. The way he says my name, it's like a car - snap out of it!

"Y-yes?" I manage, barely above a whisper.

He straightens even more. "Axel." he says. "I'm your new bodyguard."

I blink. My mind blanks out for a second.

"Wait. What?"

I look at him, really look and that's when I notice the faint scar running along his jaw, the veins on his hands, the faint smell of smoke and leather around him. He's real, too real.

"You can't just be in my house.." I say, trying to sound firm, but it comes out breathy. "Emily didn't tell me you'd-"

My phone starts ringing. I fumble it out, glance at the screen.

Emily. Of course.

I swipe to answer.

"What the hell, Emily?"

Her voice is all laughter. "You're welcome."

"Welcome? You could've told me you were sending a man that looks like he just walked out of a military mission!"

"Oh please..." she says, unfazed. "You told me to get the best, and trust me, Amelia, you're looking at him. He's ex-special forces, trained, silent, deadly, well according to my research and the information he gave me about himself. So, basically your own personal wall of muscle. You're safe now."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I feel ambushed."

"Yeah, but admit it-he's hot."

I glance up, and he's still watching me. Not blinking. Not moving. Just standing there, all muscle and shadow.

My heartbeat stumbles. "Goodbye, Emily."

"Mhmm, sure.." she teases. "Try not to drool."

I hang up.

Axel's gaze never wavers. His voice drops lower.

"Where should I set up?"

"What?"

He nods toward the hallway. "Bedroom's too exposed. I'll take the room across from yours."

I blink again, caught between disbelief and something dangerously close to curiosity. "You're staying here?"

He doesn't answer. Just looks at me.

And somehow, that silence says everything.

I exhale slowly, rubbing the back of my neck. "This is insane..."