Chapter 0001

Eden dropped his schoolbag on the ground and turned on his right to another street. He ran and yelled a curse as he hated the leather shoes he wore to go to university this morning. They were uncomfortable as they tightened around his feet, making it difficult to run faster.

"He's there!" he heard the men shout and he turned his head quickly to see them running after him.

"Shit!" he yelled and ran as fast as he could. He turned to enter another street and widened his eyes when he spotted two men coming from the other side. "Lord have mercy," he muttered and slowed down as he looked around. There was no way out this time. The men dressed in black cornered him, and each one of them held a wooden baton in his hand. They approached him slowly, smirking and grinning like psychopaths.

Eden rolled his eyes and let out a deep sigh as he mumbled, "I'm gonna lose the last train because of you,"

"We could always drive you home," one of the men scoffed, "After smashing that head of yours, of course,"

Eden rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes tight to take a deep breath. He had been running for about half an hour, and he didn't get a chance to catch his breath. "Don't you ever get tired of this?" he asked them with a tired voice. "I see you more than my parents."

"If you dare calling them parents," Jack mocked, "They let you drown in debts instead of helping you,"

Eden gulped and looked away. Jack was right. If his so-called parents agreed to help him for the first time, he wouldn't have the loan sharks biting his butt every day.

"Now, let's get on with this," Jack nodded to his guys, who drew their batons, ready to hit their target.

Even if Eden was exhausted, he was still not an easy man. As soon as the men approached, he stretched his arms and dodged their hits successfully. He pulled a baton toward him, and the man holding it ended up with a bump on his head. Eden then lifted his leg and pushed two men to the ground before he quickly grabbed another's arm and nearly dislocating it.

"Do we really have to do this?" he rolled his eyes and sighed, "I don't like to hurt you guys. You always end up with blues and bumps."

"Aren't you such an arrogant bastard?" Jack pulled Eden's university uniform jacket and gritted his teeth, "You're lucky our boss doesn't allow us to use knives, or else I'd have cut that filthy tongue of yours,"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure," Eden looked away and spotted a black car parked at the end of the street. He furrowed a brow and wondered why they were not helping him. He was sure someone was inside. People are such cowards nowadays.

While he was busy looking away, the men nodded to each other, and they were ready to attack him when he pulled one by the collar, and punched his face and kicked the other on the stomach.

"Just because I'm not looking at you it doesn't mean I can't stop you," Eden smirked and finished the last man with a simple hit on the nose, making him lose consciousness. "It was a pleasure tonight... again," he winked at Jack, "I'm hungry, so I gotta go. Ciao!" he waved his hands and left running.

"Catch that bastard!" Jack yelled to the men, who could barely move. "You useless brats! Get up!"

Eden laughed when he turned around and saw the men running after him. They were slow, and some were limping. One of them was still on the ground.

As predicted, the last train left the station, and he had no choice but to walk home. Like every other night, he made sure no one followed him to his street. He was thankful he had the keys in his pocket as the rest of his belongings stayed in the bag he threw somewhere downtown. He opened the door, took off his shoes and took a deep breath once he smelled the familiar scent of his home and heard the cartoon background music.

Eden rested his back against the wall and sighed. Olivia left the kitchen and frowned, "Did they follow you again?" she asked.

Eden hummed and took off his uniform jacket and hung it.

"When will this ever stop?" Olivia whispered-shouted, "I'm tired of this!"

"What about me?" Eden lifted a brow, "Going to university in the mornings and working three jobs after. I'm exhausted."

Olivia inhaled sharply and looked away, "This needs to end, Eden. I don't know, get more jobs or whatever," she crossed her arms, "I can't even go out with my friends, and I have to lie to them every time and tell them I have to take care of Leo. Little did they know, I can't afford a coffee,"

Eden sighed and ran his fingers in his dark hair, "I know, Olivia. Our situation isn't the best but bear with me. A few more years, and it'll be over,"

Olivia scoffed and looks at him in disbelief, "A few more years he says. I might as well go out until I get grey hairs,"

Eden ignored her this time and worked in the living room to find Leo sitting on the couch and watching cartoons.

"Isn't it my cutest little baby?" he jumps on the couch, making the boy laugh. "Papa!"

Eden smiled and rested his head on Leo's little thighs, "Did you have fun at school?" he asked.

"Yes, papa," Leo caressed his hair gently, without taking his head off the TV screen.

Eden hummed, "Did you play with your friends?"

Leo nodded, "We played football," he said with his little voice, "I scored like Messi!"

Eden watched his eyes shine with excitement, and he let out a laugh, "Really?!" he exclaimed, "Do we have the next greatest footballer here?"

"Yes!"

Olivia scoffed, "Do you think it's time to be laughing?"

Eden frowned and left the couch to follow her to the kitchen, "Seriously, what is wrong with you?!" he asked, "Leo has nothing to do with this, okay? Don't speak like that in front of him,"

"That's exactly this," Olivia said, "He has to do with this,"

Eden looked at her in disbelief, "Are we doing this again?" he asked and looked behind to make sure Leo was busy watching his favourite cartoons. "Leo is a child. If you had to take it on someone, take it on us, okay?" he asked, pointing at them, "We did this. That night, we decided not to put a condom."

Olivia gulped and looked down, pressing her lips tight to stop her tears from falling. "How stupid of us!" she cried.

Eden sighed and pulled her toward his chest before he caressed her back, "It was a wrong decision, indeed, but we had little Leo, didn't we? You can't tell me it's not the best thing that happened to us,"

Olivia rested her chin on Eden's shoulder and looked at Leo sitting in his usual corner on the couch. He let out little chuckles as he watched cartoons and his eyes would widen and brighten.

Olivia sniffed and nodded her head, "You're right," she whispered, making Eden smile and kiss her temple gently. "Now, now, let's cook some dinner and get some sleep, okay?"

"Okay,"

The next morning, Eden had class until ten, so he was in charge of dropping Leo at school before heading to university. Olivia started at eight.

"Goodbye, little prince," Eden kissed Leo's cheek and watched him bow to his teacher before he ran to his friends. He smiled and felt grateful to have him in his life. No matter the difficulties he and Olivia were experiencing, Leo's arrival was the reason why they stuck together. From staying up late at night, to running to the hospital, they endured everything for years. But time flew by, and now, the baby was an adorable five-year-old boy.

Eden ran to catch the bus that dropped him at the university. He left a text to Olivia, saying that he dropped their child at school and that she should pick him up if she finishes classes earlier,"

When the bus stopped, Eden got out and headed to the Business School campus. But before he climbed the stairs, someone called him. They didn't say a name, but he knew it was directed at him as he was the only one there.

Eden turned around and saw a car — the same black car from yesterday. He furrowed a brow and waited until the window opened fully. A man with bright white hair appeared, wearing a three-piece suit that must cost five times his debt.

"Hello, young man," the man's deep voice sent chills over his body. He was wearing a three-piece grey suit that must have cost more than Eden's mere existence. The watch around his wrist was from a famous luxury brand. This man smelled like money from head to toe.

"Do I know you, sir?"

"I don't believe so," the man said, "Unless you're from the head families,"

Eden frowned as he had no idea what he was talking about.

"I saw you yesterday, fighting those men," Eden nodded as he already knew. "That was quite the show," the man said, "Impressive,"

"Thank you, sir," Eden said, still unsure about what he wanted. "But how did you follow me here?"

"I recognised your uniform yesterday," the man replied, "My son studies here too,"

Eden hummed, "And?"

"I need someone with your skills," the man said, "I always make sure to get the best men for both my company and my family. You are a university student, so you must be about the same age as my son," he paused to eye Eden. "His bodyguards never finish a week by his side," he added, "He needs someone to end his child play."

"And you think I could do that?" Eden lifted a brow as he scoffed internally. As if it was not enough to take care of one child.

"I believe you can," the man replied.

Eden sighed and took a look at his watch. His class was about to start in less than ten minutes, and he needed to hurry inside. "Uh, sir, your offer is kind, but I'll have to decline as I don't think I'm up for this sort of job,"

The man, as if he guessed Eden would answer this way, nodded to one of his men. He handed him a black box which he opened. Eden widened his eyes at the number of bills inside.

"I guessed the men from yesterday are loan sharks," the man said, "So, five grand a month. Is it enough to cover your debt?"

Eden gulped and let out a laugh as he could not believe the amount of cash he mentioned. He thought about how his life would be after paying his debt. He would finally drop the night jobs and come back early to study and play with Leo. He could also go on dates with Olivia and bring back the good old days.

Eden cleared his throat and looked at the man with a smile, "It's more than enough, sir,"

The man nodded proudly, "Good. I'll send one of my men to pick you up after you finish your classes. He'll drive you to the mansion, and there you can meet my son."

👔

Here is the prologue for you! As you might have already guessed, this will be a BOSS X BODYGUARD story! Hope you'll enjoy it!

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