Her Silent Protector

Chapter 2 The heiress and the watchman

GABRIEL'S POV

I crouched low, concealed in the dense foliage at the edge of the Hacienda dela Cerna. The air was still, heavy with the scent of damp earth. My gaze swept across the grounds, vigilant. Through my binoculars, I spotted her: Maria dela Cerna, heiress to the dela Cerna fortune, astride a powerful stallion, urging it to a full gallop. She rode with the effortless grace of a seasoned equestrian, a blur of movement against the backdrop of the sprawling estate.

Don Alejandro, her father, a business magnate with hotels and restaurants spanning the globe, had become a client of our agency a few months prior. A series of death threats had prompted him to seek our protection, for both himself and his only daughter. "I'll pay whatever it takes," he'd declared, his voice thick with desperation, "to ensure the safety of my child."

A familiar pang of longing twisted in my gut. I couldn't help but remember my own family, ripped apart by the violence that had fueled my path to becoming a shadow, a ghost in the world. The memory stung, a reminder of the price I'd paid for the skills I wielded now.

The pounding hooves grew closer. "Hey...ya...he...ya!" Maria's voice carried on the wind, laced with exhilaration. "Faster, Sakay! Leave them in the dust!"

I lowered my binoculars, my eyes finding hers. Even streaked with sweat and dust, her beauty was undeniable. The messy look, the untamed energy, it only amplified her allure. A wave of unexpected appreciation washed over me. It had been a long time since I’d felt this way about a woman. Talagang sa anak pa talaga ng kliyente mo ha! BAWAL! My inner voice screamed. She’s different. Hindi mo dapat pagnasahan! "Okay, fine! Whatever!" I retorted to myself, the internal struggle already lost.

"Miss, wait!"

"Ma'am, slow down! It's dangerous!"

"Miss, where are you going? Return to the villa!"

My men’s frantic shouts echoed across the grounds. Tss, for one girl… I mentally chided them. They trailed behind her, kicking up a cloud of dust, a comical yet frustrating sight.

Satisfied that the surrounding area was secure, I decided to move. Darling, my own horse, was tethered beneath the shade of a large acacia tree. I untied her, swung into the saddle, and set off after the chaotic procession.

At the dela Cerna grounds…

"Hey, hey...Darling, stop," I commanded, and my mare obeyed instantly. "Good girl, Darling," I murmured, stroking her head.

Dismounting, I signaled to a dela Cerna groundskeeper.

"Take Darling back to her stable," I instructed, handing him the reins. "Feed and water her, but don't bathe her. She might catch a chill." I added, "And whatever you do, don't let anyone else ride her, especially not a woman." Darling had a temperamental streak, particularly with women.

"Yes, sir," he replied obediently.

"Here," I said, offering him some money. "Get yourself a snack. There's more if you follow my instructions."

"Sir, you're too kind," he stammered, scratching his head.

"Don't mention it," I said, pressing the money into his hand. He bowed his thanks and led Darling towards the stables.

I walked towards the villa's main entrance, where Jacob, one of my men, intercepted me.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"In the study, sir. Don Alejandro left instructions for you to join him there upon your return."

"Good, I have a report for him anyway," I replied. "How's it going?" I asked as we entered the villa.

"I'm about ready to give up on that girl, sir. It hasn't even been a week, and I'm already worn out," he complained, rubbing his neck.

"This is the job we signed up for, Jacob. Bear with it," I said, clapping him on the back.

"SIR, YES, SIR!" he responded with a salute.

We were about to enter the study when my phone buzzed. CELESTE flashed across the screen. Who the hell is Celeste? I dismissed the call, but the caller persisted. I signaled Jacob to go ahead.

"Who's this?" I answered coldly.

"Why so cold, baby? Want me to warm up your night?" a flirty voice purred.

"Sounds tempting, but I'm busy," I said, dropping the call.

As I was putting my phone away, it buzzed again. A message notification.

"MEET ME TONIGHT AT ALING TASING’S DINNER. AMBER TOLD ME YOU’RE IN SANTA MANICA. I TRAVELED THIS FAR JUST FOR YOU." It was from Celeste.

"Damn you, Amber," I cursed my sister silently. "You and your matchmaking schemes."

Another message popped up.

"Hey bro, Celeste is persistent. That's why I gave her your number. I saved her number on your phone the other day. She's the girl I told you about, the one who’s crazy about you. She’s been bugging me at work because you haven’t called her…hehe. Good luck. Love you." It was from Amber.

Damn. I sighed. "Palay na ang lumalapit, tukain mo na," my inner voice urged. Okay, fine! I hadn't been with a woman in months. Why not?

"8 pm sharp," I typed and sent it to Celeste. I pocketed my phone and reached for the study door just as it swung open, revealing a scowling Maria.

"Step aside," she commanded.

I moved, my gaze following her as she ascended the stairs.

Whoa, Wala siyang amor sa iyo, hanggang tingin ka lang! My inner self teased.

Haha! Damn, my ego just took a hit! I thought, amused.

My men emerged from the study.

"Don't follow her," I instructed. "There's no exit on the second floor. Cut your numbers in half. Half of you can rest, the other half take the perimeter. Rotate shifts." I commanded.

"Yes, sir," they said in unison. I nodded and entered the study.

I cleared my throat, trying to get Don Alejandro's attention as he was massaging his temples. He looked up, a hint of worry etched onto his normally jovial face.

"Mr. McLennon," he said, offering a smile as he lifted his head.

"I'm here because my men said you had something to tell me," I said.

"Uh, that…" he hesitated, his brow furrowed, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape route.

"Anything bothering you, Don Alejandro?" I asked, stepping closer. "If someone sent you death threats again?"

"No, Mr. McLennon… I'm torn. Was sending Maria to the city the right decision? Isn't it more dangerous to expose her to our business?" He looked at me, a plea in his eyes.

"Whatever you do, Don Alejandro, I and my men promise to ensure your safety, especially your daughter's," I said, my voice firm, a reassuring tone. "That's our job. We're here to protect you both."

He nodded, a visible relief washing over him. "Thank you, Mr. McLennon. That's what I wanted to hear from you," he said, his mood lightening up.

"It's our job," I said. "Anyway, sir, I have here two watches. They're not ordinary watches, because I've installed a tracker in them. It may seem like an invasion of your privacy, but it's necessary for your safety," I said. "The two watches are connected to mine." I showed him my watch, extending my wrist so he could clearly see it. "Hoping for your full cooperation," I added.

"No problem, Mr. McLennon," he said.

He took the watch from me and put it on. "It's activated once it touches your skin. Make sure you wear it all the time so the chip I installed doesn't deactivate," I instructed him. "It's waterproof too, so it won't easily break." He nodded in understanding as I spoke.

"That's all, sir. If you don't have any more questions, I can leave," I said.

"Thank you so much, McLennon," he said, his voice sincere. "I feel much better knowing you're on the case."

"As I said, it's part of our job," I said and then turned to leave.

I paused at the door, my eyes catching a glimpse of his worried expression. He looked back at me, a flicker of unspoken anxiety in his gaze. He was a wealthy businessman, but underneath it all, he was just a father, terrified for his daughter.

"Everything will be alright, Don Alejandro," I said softly, meeting his gaze.

He nodded again, a small, grateful smile gracing his lips. I turned and left, the weight of his worry clinging to me like a shroud. I knew this wasn't just a job anymore. I was tasked with protecting his daughter, and with every passing moment, I felt myself becoming more and more entangled in their world.

HAPPY READING ♥️

_TAGILOCOSNAK