Mr. Bodyguard

Part V

As Andrea strolled along the beach, the evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and red, casting a warm glow over the sand. Lost in the serenity of the moment, she noticed a figure on a bench, his piercing green eyes gaze fixed on her from afar. Andrea felt flutter in her stomach for a moment as their eyes met but then she quickly looked away, feeling self-conscious.

Intrigued, Andrea continued her walk, the rhythmic sound of waves providing a soothing backdrop. After a few minutes, the mysterious guy approached her, a friendly smile playing on his lips. He was tall and his mid long thick brown hair dancing through with the gentle blew of the evening wind. His body shape was almost the same as Xavier but a little smaller. As he stands in front of her, he introduce himself as Gabriel Montego.

Andrea was thinking about where she had heard the name Montego before but she was taken aback by his sweet charm and confidence, she tried to keep her cool. They struck up a conversation, the ebb and the flow of words merging seamlessly with the gentle lull of the ocean.

Amidst the conversation with Gabriel, the new acquaintance, Andrea's gaze flickered to a distance where Xavier stood, an intense watchfulness in his eyes. A subtle unease crept over her features, catching Gabriel's attention. Concern etched on his face, Gabriel inquired if everything as alright.

Andrea hesitated, the weight of Xavier's presence lingering in her mind. Eventually, she confided in Gabriel about being under constant surveillance, her father's choice of protection manifesting in the form of Xavier, her vigilant bodyguard. Andrea then replied with a faint smile to Gabriel's inquiry.

"It's just that my father insisted on having a bodyguard around, and Xavier tend to be a bit overprotective."

Gabriel intrigued, responded, "Overprotective bodyguard and mysterious beach encounters, quite the combination. Your father must really care about you."

Andrea nodded, her eyes momentarily glancing back at Xavier, who maintained a vigilant distance.

"Yes, he does, but sometimes it feels like I'm living in a gilded cage."

Gabriel sensing her conflict, shared a sympathetic smile, "Well, maybe now is a chance to step outside that cage, even if just for a moment."

As they continued to talk, Andrea found herself opening up more to Gabriel in a way she hadn't with someone else in a very long time. She told him, about her struggles with being a successful businessman's heiress and how it had affected her relationship in many ways. Gabriel listened intently, offering words of encouragement and support. Telling her how he understands what she was feeling because he was at the same position as she does right now.

Andrea felt a little bit of connection with Gabriel even though they just met half minutes ago but she couldn't explain it in words. She knew that she shouldn't be getting too close to a stranger, but she couldn't help but feeling drawn to the guy in front of her.

As the sky is getting darker, they exchange number and said their goodbyes after. Gabriel also promised that he'll show her around the city and introduce her to some of its hidden gems tomorrow. Andrea felt butterflies in her stomach at the thought of spending more time with him.

As she was on her way back to the house, Andrea couldn't shake the feeling that something was changing inside of her. She had always been so guarded and closed off since the tragic incident happened when she was a kid, but Gabriel had managed to break through her defences in a way that no one could ever do. She knew that she needed to be careful, but she also knew that she couldn't deny the way she felt about him.

***

As Andrea entering the house, she found Xavier in the living room, engrossed in his phone. His eyes lifted as she walked in, mix of curiosity and a hint of something unreadable in his expression. Meanwhile, Andrea try to ignore his presence and walk straight to the kitchen for a bottle of water.

"Who was that guy you were talking to on the beach a moment ago, Andrea?" Xavier asked, breaking the silence.

She hesitated for a moment then decided to share, "His name is Gabriel. We just start talking. No harm done." She replied then take a gulp of water.

Xavier, still fixated on his phone, raised an eyebrow, "Just talking? Seemed like more than just a normal talking to me by the look at it."

Andrea found herself more frustrated with Xavier's constant presence. Andrea couldn't help but felt suffocated by his overbearing presence with this kind of conversation.

Andrea, a touch defensive, retorted, "Why do you care, Xavier? It's not like we're breaking any rules."

She then walk to the living room, standing there in front of him with her arms folded. Xavier put his phone down and look straight at her with question mark on his face. Andrea sigh.

"Look, I appreciate what my father is trying to do here, but I don't need a babysitter to keep looking for me and tell me what to do or not to do. It's not like I was born yesterday. Anyway, he is not the bad guy. At least he doesn't look like one. Can't you just give me some space?"

Xavier stood up and looked at her sternly and said, "Little Miss Andrea, I understand your frustration, but your safety is my top priority. I can't just let you wander around unprotected. Also, he might not look like a dangerous guy but who knows what he will do while we're not looking right?"

Andrea sigh again and rolled her eyes. Started to feel annoy. "There you go again. You started to sound like my father and I don't want that here, while I'm enjoying my moment of being away from my father and you're not even my brother or, even better, my boyfriend okay. So stop acting like you're in control of me."

In an unexpected turn, Xavier's demeanor shifted. He stood up, walk towards her and with a sudden intensity, he pinned her against the wall. A hint of jealousy smoldering beneath the surface of his feelings. It left Andrea in shocked. She quickly closed her eyes.

"Open your eye and look at me" He sounded angry that she didn't dare to open her eyes.

"Look at me, Andrea."

Her eyes widened as he called her name out softly. Then, she slowly turn her head, looking straight at the man in front of her. She can see there's a fury burned in his eyes and a turbulent storm of emotions.

In that charged moment, the boundary between protector and protected blurred, replaced by a magnetic force pulling them closer. Their breaths mingled, a collision of heated exchanges and unspoken desires.

As Andrea attempted to step away, Xavier grab her wrist, and with swift motion, he pulled her into an embrace. She can feel his warm breath brush against her neck from behind. She tries to push him away but his grip is too strong that she surrendered helplessly staying wrapped in his arms.

He murmur against her ear in a low voice, carried a possessive undertone, "You're mine, Andrea,"

A mixture of confusion and desire stirred within her. Andrea turned to face him, challenging but intrigued.

"I don't belong to anyone, Xavier."

He leaned in, his lips dangerously closer to hers, "Maybe. Then if that's impossible, no one can have you too. Not even Gabriel."

The heat of his words sent shivers down her spine. The moment teetered on the edge of something intense as their lips almost met, but a sudden interruption shattered the fragile connection. Xavier's phone rang, stark intrusion into the charged atmosphere. Andrea seizing the opportunity, pushed Xavier away and bolted to her room.

The door slammed shut and she locked herself in, the rapid beating of her heart echoing in the confined space. Confusion enveloped her as she paced the room. The whirlwind of emotions left her torn between the forbidden desires ignited by Xavier and the boundaries that defined their roles.

In the quiet solitude of her room, Andrea grappled with the uncharted territory of her feelings, wondering if the magnetic pull between them could withstand the storm of conflicting emotions.

To be continued...