Chapter One: The Price of Protection
Sandra Lee stood at the towering glass window of her office, the city lights twinkling below like a scattered constellation. At twenty-eight, she commanded LeeTech, a company her parents had built from the ground up. Their sudden death two years ago in a supposed car accident had thrust her into the role of CEO, a position she'd embraced with both trepidation and fierce determination. But the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her sometimes, and the constant pressure from competitors eager to snatch LeeTech away kept her on edge.
That's why he was here. Leonard Cohen. Her bodyguard. A silent, watchful shadow who had been a constant fixture in her life since she was a gawky teenager. He was everything she secretly desired: strong, intelligent, and undeniably handsome, with eyes that seemed to hold a universe of secrets. She had a crush on him since then.
But Leonard was also a master of distance. His professionalism was impenetrable, his demeanor always cool and detached. He treated her with respect, but never warmth. It was a carefully constructed wall, one Sandra had never been able to breach. She knew he was just doing his job, protecting her as he was paid to do. But sometimes, late at night, when the city was quiet, she wondered if there was something more behind those guarded eyes.
"Miss Lee," Leonard's deep voice cut through her reverie. He stood just inside her office, a figure of controlled power. His dark suit accentuated his broad shoulders and lean frame. "The board meeting is in five minutes."
Sandra sighed, pushing aside her personal thoughts. "Thank you, Leonard."
He inclined his head, his gaze sweeping the room with practiced efficiency. "Everything is secure." It was a statement, not a question. He was always like this when it came to her security.
As she walked to the conference room, Sandra couldn't help but glance at him. The way he moved, silent and deliberate, spoke of a man who was always prepared, always in control. It was both comforting and frustrating. She wanted to know him, to understand the man behind the impenetrable facade.
The board meeting was a battlefield. Isabelle Moreau, CEO of a rival tech company, Moreau Industries, was pushing for a hostile takeover. Her arguments were veiled in polite language, but the aggression was clear. Sandra parried each thrust, defending LeeTech with the same ferocity her parents had instilled in her.
After two grueling hours, the meeting adjourned. Sandra felt drained, the weight of the company pressing down on her. As she walked back to her office, Leonard was a silent presence at her side.
Once inside, she collapsed into her chair. "That woman is relentless," she muttered.
Leonard remained standing, his expression unreadable. "Moreau Industries has been aggressive in its acquisition attempts."
"I know," Sandra said, running a hand through her hair. "But I won't let her win. This company is my parents' legacy."
"Then you must be prepared to fight," Leonard said, his voice flat. "And you must accept the necessary protection."
His words hung in the air, a reminder of the price of her position. The price of success. The price of having Leonard in her life, always close, yet always distant. And Sandra wondered if the price was worth it, or if she was destined to always yearn for something she could never have.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Miss Lee, there's someone here to see you," a voice called from the hall.
"Send them in," she replied, shaking off her melancholy. The door opened, revealing Dominic Rossi, Leonard's right-hand man, who wore a concerned expression.
"Sandra, we need to talk," Dominic said, stepping inside and closing the door with a significant glance at Leonard.
"About what?" Sandra asked, her brow furrowing. Leonard's posture shifted slightly, the air thickening with the unsaid.
"Isabelle's not just after your company," he revealed, his tone low. "There are rumors of something bigger—a coalition with other CEOs who want to strength their grip on the tech market. They see you as a threat."
"And what do they think they can do?" Sandra's heart raced. The thought of losing everything her parents had built was terrifying.
"They might try to undermine your position. Scandal, misinformation. They've got resources and connections. We need to act fast." Dominic was direct, and Sandra appreciated his frankness.
"I can take care of myself," she asserted, but as the words left her mouth, she recognized the irony in her own bravado. She felt the familiar weight of vulnerability pulling at her.
"Perhaps, but that mindset can be dangerous. This isn't just business; this is personal." Dominic's gaze darted to Leonard, an unspoken understanding simmering between them.
"Then what's our next step?" Sandra asked, her voice steadier than she felt.
Leonard moved closer, finally breaking the silence that had hung between them like a tightrope. "We need to strengthen your security. Increase surveillance. You can't let your guard down."
As he spoke, Sandra felt a mix of annoyance and comfort. She hated relying on others but knew he was right. "Alright, let's do it."
Dominic nodded, and Leonard stepped back, allowing Sandra a moment of clarity amid the chaos.
"And Leonard," she added, looking more deeply into his eyes, "stay close. I need you."
For a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze, a hint of what lay beneath the surface. But just as quickly, the wall returned, cool as ever. "Always."
And as the city lights twinkled beyond her window, Sandra realized the stakes were higher than ever, not just for her company but for her heart. The price of protection was beginning to take on a much heavier meaning.