After a few weeks, Kia's initial frustration gradually subsided. The awkward silence between her and Daniel, punctuated only by the routine of her daily commute, became a new normal. She began to accept the professional distance they maintained, a distance that, paradoxically, felt safer than the vulnerability of their shared intimacy, an intimacy that was uncertain. Was it even a mutual intimacy or a molestation?
She didnt know but decided to keep it as a molestation that she would forever be ashamed of . The unspoken question of her father's insistence on Daniel's continued presence remained, but it no longer consumed her. She had returned to the familiar rhythm of school life, and in the quiet predictability of Daniel's silent companionship, she found a strange sort of peace.
Agatha, feeling a pang of concern, said, "Kia, something seems different between you and Daniel. The animosity is gone, but now there's a distance, like you're strangers. It's sad to see my couple drifting apart."
Kia ate her food unconcernedly. "There was never anything between Daniel and me," she replied, rising abruptly to return to her class. "He's just my bodyguard."
Agatha slumped against the table with a heavy sigh. Then, remembering Kia's autonomy, she decided to stop interfering. During class, Kia was suddenly summoned. To her shock, it was Zack. "Speaking of the devil," she growled inwardly, following him outside.
He presented her with a bouquet of red flowers. "Only for the queen," he said, smiling.
Kia sighed dramatically. "The last time we saw each other, Tana found us. I thought that was the end."
Zack shook his head, taking her hands. "Of course not! You're the one I love. Tana… I just needed her help with my work. I promise."
Kia was about to reject him, her refusal forming on her lips, when a plan solidified in her mind. A smile bloomed on her face. "Of course. You're right. I love you too, and I want to be with you forever."
Zack was overjoyed, pulling her into a hug, which she returned. He didn't know she was setting a trap.
"Then can we date?" he asked, anticipation shining in his eyes. Kia nodded, eliciting another ecstatic hug. "Then let me drive you home today, and take you to and from school every day from now on!" He wanted to be with her constantly. While he planned to keep their relationship private, he longed to be with her and intended to tell her as much. When she nodded again, he tried to explain his desire for discretion, and when she nodded yet again, he kissed her.
Kia was surprised, but didn't pull away or reciprocate fully; she prevented his tongue from entering her mouth throughout the prolonged kiss. When they broke apart, Zack gently brushed stray strands of hair from her face, gazing at her adoringly. He held her hand, savoring her warmth.
"Okay, I have to get back to class," she said, smiling. She turned to leave, but collided with Daniel, who hadn't been facing them. Her heart leaped; she wondered how long he'd been there.
She swallowed hard, deciding to ignore him, but a swarm of unanswered questions buzzed in her mind long after the final bell. Even as the school day ended, they lingered. She kept wondering what he was thinking, if he would corner her tonight, in some secluded spot, and issue another warning as he had in the past. The memory of his serious words, "You're mine," flooded back, fueling her anxiety. Yet, when it was time to leave, he was nowhere to be seen, neither he nor his car. Zack picked her up, dropped her off with a kiss, and departed.
Kia noticed his car at home, and Daniel was there with the other guards, chatting quietly amongst themselves. She frowned, and when the guards saw her, they bowed respectfully, as did Daniel. She nodded, opening her mouth to call Daniel, but he turned and left. Was he angry? Upset with her?
She entered the living room. Her parents were away on vacation, and her brother was on a business trip, leaving her alone. But… she wasn't entirely alone in the mansion. Before leaving, her parents had instructed Daniel to remain with her, while the other bodyguards were stationed in various rooms on the lower floors.
Following the attack that had nearly convinced her parents of her demise, security had been drastically increased. Kia bathed and then descended for dinner. Daniel was already seated at the table, as was his custom since her parents left. She inhaled deeply, sat down, and began to eat, focusing intently on her food. Her plan was to leave as soon as she finished, before he could question her. To her surprise, however, he left without a word after eating . In fact, she hadn't even noticed his departure; his exit was completely silent. She found herself staring mockingly at the empty chair. It seemed her wishful thinking—that he was still the man he once was—was nothing more than that. He simply didn't seem to care.Sighing, she finished her meal and sought momentary solace with Agatha. The lingering sting of Daniel's indifference, his abrupt departure, still echoed in her heart.
"He doesn't seem to care anymore," Kia said, feeling lost. After her words, she suddenly wondered why she was even discussing Daniel's behavior.
"Didn't you say you have nothing to do with each other? If he doesn't react, isn't that good enough?" Agatha countered, a mental eye roll easily imaginable.
"Oh, do you wish him to react?" Agatha pressed, causing Kia to panic. "Of course not, how could that be?"
"Then why are you complaining about him not reacting? I think you actually want him to react," Agatha declared, seemingly satisfied with her conclusion."No, definitely not," Kia exclaimed, startling Agatha slightly. Agatha rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. You're right; I was wrong. You don't want him to react."
Kia pouted, her mood a mystery. Without a goodbye to Agatha, she abruptly ended the call and slumped onto the bed. Unconsciously, she drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, the first thing she saw was Daniel, meticulously arranging her uniform and setting breakfast on the table. Startled awake, she sat up. Noticing her, he turned, his expression devoid of emotion. "Miss, please take a shower. You're already late for school," he stated.