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Author: Presh Starr
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Emily sat in her office, the city’s hum barely filtering through her closed windows. Her gaze drifted to the exquisitely wrapped package resting on her desk, an unexpected arrival earlier that morning. She had spent most of the day ignoring it, too preoccupied with other things and, if she was honest with herself, slightly unnerved by its mysterious appearance. But as evening settled, the curiosity became too much to bear.

She traced her fingers along the smooth paper, the faintest smile forming as she admired the delicate gold ribbon tied around it. It was beautiful, almost too beautiful, and she felt a small thrill of anticipation as she pulled the ribbon loose and peeled back the paper. Her breath caught as the cover of a rare, leather-bound book gleamed in the dim light. The title was one of her favorites, a novel she had reread countless times during some of the loneliest nights of her life.

Yet, it wasn’t just the book that stole her breath, it was the sight of her initials, ele
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    The air outside was cool and refreshing, the perfect escape from the crowded, bustling event inside. Emily wrapped her arms around herself, watching the city lights shimmer in the distance, her mind drifting back to simpler times.She heard footsteps approaching and, turning, found herself face-to-face with Blake, who flashed her a familiar, easygoing smile.“Well, if it isn’t my favorite runaway,” he teased, holding out a glass to her. "Thought you could use a little break."Emily’s lips curled into a smile as she took the glass. “You know me too well, Blake.”“Let’s just say I know a fellow escapist when I see one,” he replied, chuckling. He clinked his glass against hers, his gaze warm and relaxed. “Besides, you always seem to find the best view.”They stood in silence for a moment, taking in the glittering skyline before them. There was something comfortable about the quietness between them, as if they’d known each other much longer than they had.“So, what’s going through that br

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    As the night deepened, a quiet intensity filled the air between Emily and Blake, charged with something that felt almost forbidden. Emily was acutely aware of Blake’s gaze, his eyes never quite leaving her, as if every laugh, every movement, every quiet breath mattered to him. She looked away, focusing on the city lights far below, but even then, she couldn’t shake the magnetic pull between them.“It’s strange, isn’t it?” he said finally, his voice breaking through her thoughts.“What’s strange?” she replied, keeping her tone light, though her heart pounded a bit faster.He leaned closer, his face only inches from hers, his breath brushing against her skin. “Seeing each other like this after all these weeks… in a way we never did before.”His words sent a thrill through her, but she shook her head, deflecting. “You make it sound like we were destined for some grand reunion.”Blake chuckled, a low, warm sound that seemed to wrap around her. “Maybe we were. Or maybe I’m just here to mak

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    Emily tossed and turned all night, her mind looping back to the evening with Blake. His touch, his words....everything had felt so effortless, so unguarded, that it had taken her by surprise. And yet, here she was, lying in bed, wrestling with her own resolve.The memories of their conversation were fresh, lingering in her thoughts with an intensity she hadn’t expected. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so freely, the last time she’d allowed herself to feel anything beyond the walls she had meticulously built around her heart. But she couldn’t ignore the pang of guilt that tightened in her chest, reminding her of Tyler.She sighed, running a hand over her face as she sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. The room felt quiet and still, almost too empty. She reached for her phone, instinctively drawn to Tyler’s contact, but hesitated before dialing. What would she even say? The last thing she wanted was to stir unnecessary drama.But why had she let Blake g

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    Celine stood in the dim light of her bedroom, surrounded by the remnants of a life she felt was crumbling around her. The remnants of her recent clash with Roy echoed in her mind, his angry words replaying like a broken record. “I regret marrying you.”The bitter taste of humiliation mixed with her frustration as she threw clothes into her suitcase with hasty movements. Each piece of fabric was a reminder of her failed marriage, a marriage she had been so desperate to cling to, only to be pushed away by the very person she thought would be her ally.As she zipped up her suitcase, a wave of anger surged through her. Roy had been nothing but a disappointment. She had sacrificed so much for him, and what had it earned her? Late nights alone, a husband who came home drunk and bitter, and the realization that she was married to someone who would rather drown in a bottle than face her. “What a pathetic excuse for a husband,” she muttered under her breath.With one last glance around the roo

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    Ava stormed away from the set, her heart pounding in her chest. The vibrant chatter of the crew faded into a dull roar as she stepped outside, seeking refuge from the chaos. She leaned against the cool brick wall of the building, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the city, but all Ava could see was the lingering image of Emily’s smug smile.How dare she stand there and act like she’s superior? Ava thought, clenching her fists at her sides. I won’t let her win.The confrontation had thrown Ava off balance. She was used to being the center of attention, the one everyone admired. But Emily, with her effortless charm and confidence, seemed to steal that light with ease. Ava needed a plan—a way to remind everyone, including Tyler, just who she was.Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from her mother.We need to talk. Your father is getting impatient about your marriage plans.Ava sighe

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    Emily sat on the edge of her bed, the cool sheets feeling foreign against her heated skin. The confrontation with Ava replayed in her mind, the echoes of their words lingering like an unwelcome ghost. Ava’s confidence had been almost infuriating, a sharp contrast to the self-doubt that plagued Emily since the moment she’d walked in on her sister with her fiancé.Emily ran a hand through her hair, frustration simmering beneath her skin. How dare Ava come into her world, flaunting her self-assuredness like it was a badge of honor? “Who does she think she is?” Emily muttered under her breath, pacing her room, her mind racing.Her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and felt her stomach drop. It was her mother, Mrs. Hudson. The last person she wanted to hear from right now. Emily hesitated but finally answered, bracing herself for the storm that was sure to follow.“Emily,” her mother’s voice dripped with a sweetness that sent shivers down her spine, “I ne

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  • MY BODYGUARD, MY LOVER    87

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  • MY BODYGUARD, MY LOVER    82

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