"Where did he go?" Kia wondered, shocked by Daniel's sudden disappearance. Despite her anger towards the bodyguard's audacity, she desperately needed his protection now. She ran ahead, calling out his name, but her voice echoed through the desolate landscape, unanswered.
"How could he vanish?" she thought, scanning the barren surroundings. There was nowhere to hide, yet Daniel had disappeared.
Kia searched for what felt like an eternity, but as the darkness closed in, fear took hold. Defeated, she retreated to the car, its smoke-filled interior now a lesser evil.
"It reeks," she muttered, covering her nose. The chill of the night seeped in, and she shivered.
Sliding into the driver's seat, Kia cursed Daniel repeatedly, wishing him an unforgiving demise. She hugged herself, trying to find comfort in the silence. But as the stillness stretched on, her loneliness grew, and with it, her fear.
The darkness outside seemed to press in, amplifying her vulnerability. Kia's breath caught in her throat, and she strained her ears, waiting for any sign of rescue.
Just as she thought the silence would consume her, a faint rustling echoed through the night, sending a shiver down her spine.
Kia sat up abruptly, her heart racing. She looked towards the noise, and a silhouette slowly emerged from the darkness. Her heartbeat quickened, and she swallowed hard, preparing to defend herself.
Just as she tensed, a familiar face materialized before her. Daniel walked towards her, opened the door, and gazed at her with his signature calm, stony expression.
Their eyes met, and Kia's initial fear gave way to relief. Without thinking, she pounced into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Where were you?" she sobbed, her voice shaking. "You left me alone, and I was so scared!" Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him.
Daniel waited patiently until her tears subsided. "I don't mind the hug, but my shirt is getting quite wet," he said, his tone light.
Kia snapped back to reality, remembering she was supposed to scold him, not hug him. Feeling embarrassed, she pushed him away and slapped him twice without restraint.
Daniel didn't flinch, and their gazes locked. Kia's tear-stained face made her look vulnerable yet captivating. Daniel broke the stare, saying, "The car broke down. We can't go back right now."
" Now what?" she asked but Daniel ignored her question.
" Come out." he said but she refused yet at the end, despite her resistance, Daniel pulled her out of the car and retrieved her bag from the back seat. He offered his hand, but Kia shrugged him off.
" Are we going somewhere" she asked.
" I guess." he replied
"How did the car break down suddenly?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Isn't it in good condition?"
Daniel's gaze met hers. "Mechanical failure, I guess."
Kia's expression turned serious. "Why did you leave me alone? That was unprofessional, Daniel."
Daniel's eyes flashed with intensity as he pinned her to the car, making her yelp in surprise.
"To settle a score with you," he whispered, his face inches from hers.
"What do you mean by 'settle a score' with me? I should be the one settling scores with you!" Kia yelled, her anger boiling over.
"You know what? After today, you don't need to be my bodyguard anymore. Get fired or stay away from me!" she spat, her eyes blazing.
As she turned to leave, Daniel grasped her arm, holding her in place. "When we had sex, you pretty much enjoyed it and begged me for more," he said, his voice low and even. "Now, you're trying to dispose of me?"
Kia's face burned with embarrassment and surprise. This was the longest sentence she'd ever heard Daniel utter, and it was a complaint, no less.
She stared at him, her voice firm. "That was a huge mistake. Please take it to your grave. And don't worry, after today, we won't be in touch anymore."
With that, she pushed him away and entered the car, sitting back stiffly.
Daniel joined her after a moment, and an uncomfortable silence stretched out between them.
Kia stared ahead, her mind clouded by regrets and discomfort. The weight of her disappointment settled heavy in her chest. Dumped by her boyfriend and then giving her virginity to a bodyguard who broke all the rules - worst of all, one who lacked status.
Agatha's words echoed in her mind: "Kia, the guy is hot. Him being your bodyguard is a waste of time. Why don't you try playing with him?"
Kia recalled Agatha's mischievous grin and playful tone. Kia wasn't one to cry over spilled milk. If Daniel had a good status, she wouldn't mind giving him a chance. His attractiveness made it hard to ignore him, especially after their intimate encounter.
She sighed, and Daniel's deep voice broke the silence, "I've already called your father. Another car will arrive soon." The soft rustle of his clothes accompanied his words as he shifted in his seat.
Kia turned to him, curiosity sparking. "Why are you unlike other bodyguards? Why aren't you afraid of offending us?" she whispered.
Daniel's eyes remained closed, his head tilted back. "Because I am me, and I'm not a servant." His calm demeanor was soothing.
Kia raised an eyebrow. "You're a bodyguard. How are you different from a servant?" Her gaze traced the sharp lines of his jaw.
Daniel responded, "Because I don't follow rules, and my job is to ensure you're not hurt, not to serve you." Conviction laced his words.
Kia scoffed, "Yeah, right," her tone dripping with skepticism.
The new car arrived, its tires crunching on the gravel outside. Then they were driven back.
Upon arrival, Kia noticed her anxious family waiting in the living room, illuminated by the warm lamp glow. She reassured them she was fine, enduring her mother's questioning and checking. Her mother's gentle touch on her forehead was comforting.
After a doctor's visit confirmed she was just cold, Kia retreated to her room, enveloped by her bed's softness. She drifted off to dreamland.
The next morning, Kia woke up late, deciding to stay home and catch up on schoolwork. She spent the day immersed in books and her laptop, taking short breaks for meals. The aroma of jasmine tea invigorated her.