Our Mysterious Bodyguard

Episode 8 : Call me Bella

Amid the lavish party, surrounded by curious onlookers, Isabella confronted Victoria with a seething question, "Why did you spike my drink?"

Victoria, caught off guard, feigned innocence, "Isabella, I have no idea what you're talking about. Why would I do something like that?"

Isabella, fueled by anger, didn't buy into Victoria's denial. In a sudden surge of rage, she raised her hand, aiming for a slap that carried the weight of her frustration. However, to the surprise of both Isabella and the watching crowd, Damien intervened, firmly grasping her raised hand, preventing the impending strike.

The tension in the air escalated as Isabella glared at Victoria, who maintained her facade of innocence, and Damien who pulled her back.

Damien's voice, calm but authoritative, sliced through the charged atmosphere, Accusations should be handled with care."

Isabella, still seething, reluctantly pulled her hand Damien then proceeded to stand in front of her facing Victoria.

In the pulsating heart of the grandeur-filled party, Damien stood like a sentinel, a protective shield in front of Isabella. His eyes, sharp and discerning, focused on Victoria.

"Victoria, you might recall our conversation in the boutique. I did mention that laying a hand on Isabella would come with consequences," Damien asserted, his voice maintaining a composed yet stern tone.

As the onlookers gathered, a silent audience to the unfolding drama, Damien continued his inquiry. "Now, which hand did you use to spike the drink, Victoria?"

Victoria, caught in the crossfire, remained tight-lipped, refusing to yield any information.

Unfazed, Damien's keen observation came to the forefront. "I'm guessing you used your right hand 'cause you seem to be right-handed," he deduced, pointing to the chain of events. "You used your right hand to try and slap Isabella in the boutique, handed over the spiked champagne glass to Lucas with your right hand, and right now you're currently holding a champagne flute with the same right hand."

A palpable tension hung in the air as Damien's deduction painted a damning picture. The spotlight was on Victoria, and the ball was in her court to either confirm or deny the allegations.

As the tension reached its zenith, the room became a symphony of collective gasps and hushed whispers, the air charged with a palpable sense of anticipation and impending chaos.

Then came a sudden and shocking twist that sent shivers down the spines of the assembled. In a swift motion, Damien grabbed Victoria's right hand and applied calculated force, snapping the bone in Victoria's right hand. The room descended into a symphony of chaos—the guttural scream from Victoria and the resonating shatter of the champagne flute she had been holding.

The collective gasp that followed seemed to echo through the luxurious hall, leaving Isabella shocked and Lucas visibly rattled and the crowd ensnared in a blend of shock and morbid disbelief.

In the aftermath of the unsettling incident, Damien turned to Isabella, his eyes firm. "Let's get out of here," he suggested, and Isabella, still processing what happened, nodded.

They walked through the crowd together, Damien shielding her from curious glances and whispers.

Heading towards the exit, they encountered a quiet retreat, with the crowd naturally making way for them. the night embraced them as they stepped out the door.

As Damien and Isabella departed the event, the crowd murmurs increased in the wake of the dramatic scene.

Among them, Lucas finally grasped the gravity of the situation and hastily pursued them, Rachel, Isabella's steadfast friend, found herself hesitant to approach like Lucas.

As Isabella and Damien walked towards the awaiting car, Lucas quickened his pace to catch up with them. The gravel crunched beneath his hurried steps as he reached out, gently touching Isabella's shoulder to get her attention. In the soft glow of the villa's lights, he wore an apologetic expression.

"Isabella, wait," Lucas implored, his voice carrying sincerity. "I understand this wasn't the night you expected. Let me make it up to you."

"How?" Isabella asked with a raised eyebrow.

" There's a car race at *The Velocity Circuit* tomorrow, around 1 pm. It's thrilling, and I'd be honored if you joined me."

Isabella paused, glancing between Lucas and Damien, who stood by with an unreadable expression.

Lucas continued, "I promise, it'll be a different experience. No surprises."

Her guard softened, and Isabella considered the invitation. "Well, I suppose a car race does sound intriguing. Alright, I'll come, Lucas."

A subtle relief washed over Lucas's face as he nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Isabella. Tomorrow, then. Get home safe."

As Isabella and Damien finally entered the car, Lucas lingered for a moment, watching them drive away.

The sleek car glided through the city's nighttime streets, its hum accompanying the subtle tension inside. Isabella glanced at Damien, still processing the unexpected turn of events at the party.

"Damien, breaking Victoria's hand was extreme," Isabella remarked, her voice reflecting a mix of concern and curiosity. "I mean, I get that she did something terrible, but that... that was brutal."

Damien's eyes remained focused on the road, his expression unreadable. " Miss Isabella, people like her need to understand the consequences of their actions. It's not about being brutal; it's about making them think twice before crossing certain lines."

Isabella sighed, her gaze drifting to the passing city lights. "I just wasn't expecting that. You're not like any bodyguard I've ever seen or heard of."

Damien smirked a hint of amusement in his voice. "Well, Miss Isabella, get used to the unexpected. In my line of work, conventional methods often fall short. Sometimes, you need to be unconventional."

The car turned a corner, and the conversation hung momentarily in the air. Isabella couldn't shake off the intensity of the situation. "unconventional you say. What else should I expect?"

Damien's lips curved into a half-smile. "Miss Isabella, it all depends on the circumstances. I adapt to the situation. My goal is to keep you and your sister safe, no matter what it takes."

---------

Lucas reentered the vibrant chaos of the villa, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Victoria. The flickering lights and lively chatter seemed almost surreal after the unexpected turn of events. Spotting Rachel amidst the crowd, he approached her with a sense of urgency.

"Rachel," Lucas said, his voice cutting through the hum of the party, "where's Victoria? I need to talk to her."

Rachel, who had been observing the aftermath with a mix of curiosity and concern, met Lucas's gaze. "She left," she replied, her tone tinged with a hint of sympathy. "Probably went to get her hand treated. It looked pretty bad."

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing to comprehend his next course of action.

In the crisp night air, Lucas once again went outside the villa, determined to find Victoria and get to the bottom of the chaotic situation.

He spotted an alert security personnel named Marcus standing by the entrance, and without wasting a moment, Lucas approached him.

"Marcus," Lucas began, his voice carrying a sense of urgency, "did you see a girl leave the party with a broken hand? Her name is Victoria Montgomery."

Marcus nodded, recalling the distinctive scene. "Yes, I did, Mr. Harrington. She left in a bit of a rush. Want me to find out where she went?"

Lucas's jaw tightened as he weighed the importance of his next move. "Yes, Marcus. Please find out where she went, and let me know immediately. It's important."

-----

In the opulent Archers mansion, the atmosphere shifted as Isabella and Damien stepped into the lavish foyer. Isabella's eyes glimmered with genuine appreciation.

"Damien, thank you for everything tonight," she expressed, her formality softening.

"Is my job Miss Isabe..."

You can call me Bella." Isabella interrupted.

Caught off guard, Damien hesitated, unaccustomed to such familiarity. "Miss Isabella, I—"

"Come on, Damien," Isabella interjected, her tone playful. "Let's drop the formalities. Just Bella is perfect when we are alone"

A subtle smile emerged on Damien's face as he acquiesced. "All right, Bella."

Suddenly they were interrupted by Alex who stepped out into the foyer with surprise flickering in her eyes.

"Did I miss anything exciting?" Alexandra inquired, her gaze shifting between Isabella and Damien.

Isabella, maintaining a composed demeanor, simply replied, "No," With a quick nod, she gracefully made her way inside the mansion.

Damien, lingering for a moment, exchanged a brief look with Alexandra. However, his stoic expression gave away little, and without uttering a word, he followed Isabella into the opulent surroundings of the Archer residence.

Alexandra left momentarily puzzled and took a moment to collect herself before trailing behind them.