Chapter 4: The Ruthless Introduction

Amelia was known for her grace and poise. She carried herself with an elegance that was hard to miss and a vision of elegance. She had a captivating beauty, and dark eyes sparkling with intelligence and a hint of mischief and with a long, ebony hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, framing her delicate face perfectly.

She was fiercely independent and incredibly strong-willed, and had a fire that refused to be extinguished, a spirit that shone brighter in the face of adversity.

“Where's Amelia, Roxanne?” Amelia's father asked his wife.

Mrs. Roxannne Laurier looked up from the book she was reading, her eyes meeting her husband's. “She's in her room, dear.”She replied, her voice soft. “She said she needed some time alone to think.”

Amelia's father nodded, concern etched on his face. “I hope she's alright,” he said, his voice filled with worry. “This whole situation... it's a lot for her to handle.”

Roxannne placed her book down, her gaze steady on her husband. “She's stronger than you give her credit for,”she said. “Amelia can handle this. She just needs to adjust everything.”

“Roxanne, let's hire a personal bodyguard for our daughter's safety while we are still preparing for Amelia and Raize's wedding,”Rodolfo suggested.The thought of Amelia being in danger was something he couldn't bear. Even though she somehow put her daughter's life in an unfavorable situation.

His mind filled with thoughts of what could go wrong. He thought about the anonymous threats, the media attention, the competitors who might want to harm his family.

She had been thinking about the anonymous threats, the unsettling call she had received. It was clear that she needed to take some precautions.

Amelia and Rodolfo were staring at each other.

“A bodyguard?” Roxanne asked, her voice filled with concern. “Rodolfo do you really think it's necessary?'

Rodolfo nodded, his decision already made. “Yes, darling. I think it's the best way to ensure our daughters safety right now. Besides, it's not just about Amelia. It's about our family, our business.”

A heavy stillness that seemed to envelop everything. Amelia sat in the middle of it all, her thoughts as tumultuous as a stormy sea.

She replayed the recent events in her mind, trying to make sense of it all. The arranged marriage, the sudden media attention, the anonymous threats - it was all too much, too fast.

The silence was both a comfort and a torment. It gave her space to think, to process everything. But it also amplified her fears, her doubts.

She looked around her room, her sanctuary. The familiar surroundings brought a sense of comfort, a reminder of who she was amidst all the chaos.

Amelia suddenly remembered the gift from Raize he was given to Amelia years ago. Perhaps it could provide her some solace, some comfort amidst the chaos. She rummaged through her drawers, her closets, looking for something - anything - that could help her make sense of her feelings.

Then, her hand brushed against an old photo album. She pulled it out, dusted it off, and opened it. Inside were memories of happier times, of simpler days. Photos of her with her family, her friends, and yes, even with Raize.

As she flipped through the pages, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She remembered the laughter, the joy, the love that these photos represented. And for a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in these memories.

Back then, she fell in-love with Raize but Raize threw her feelings into the dirtiest river; the scar of her first love still remained.

She found a picture of her and Raize, taken during happier times. They were laughing, their eyes sparkling with youthful innocence and love. Looking at it, Amelia felt a strange mix of emotions. She traced her fingers over the photo, a small smile playing on her lips. Maybe, just maybe, they could find that happiness again.

Maybe they could make this work.

But Amelia needed a change of scenery. She had been cooped up in her room for hours, her thoughts her only company.

She quietly opened her door, careful not to wake anyone. The house was silent, everyone else already asleep. She moved silently through the corridors, her steps light.

“Where are you going, Ma'am?” The man's voice was deep and resonant, the kind that commanded attention without trying. Causing Amelia to jump in surprise. She hadn't expected anyone to be awake at this hour.

She finds where the voice came from, turning in the direction of the sound. Her eyes landed on a tall figure standing a few feet away, partially hidden in the shadows. It was the new bodyguard her father had hired.

He stepped into the light, his posture relaxed yet alert. His face was stern, his eyes focused on her. “I'm here to ensure your safety, ma'am,” he said, his voice echoing in the quiet night.

He was speaking into a walkie-talkie, his voice barely audible. She could make out the words 'all clear', followed by a series of numbers - a code, perhaps.

He noticed her watching and quickly ended the call, his eyes meeting hers. “Just checking in with the team, ma'am,”he explained. His voice was steady, unyielding, like a rock against the crashing waves. It was the voice of someone who was used to taking charge of making decisions.“Routine security protocol.” He added.

Her eyes wide with surprise. “Are you... are you my new bodyguard?” she asked hesitantly.

The man nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, ma'am. I was assigned to your detail this evening,” he said, his voice steady. “My job is to ensure your safety.”

Amelia was silent for a moment, processing this new information. She had known her father was hiring a bodyguard, but she hadn't expected him to start so soon.

She turned around to see one of the new security personnel hired by her father. 'I'm just going for a walk in the garden,” she explained, trying to keep her voice steady.

By grace to his movements, a fluidity that spoke of his training and experience. He moved with the precision of a predator, each step measured and purposeful.

Amelia started walking but then, she stopped. “You don't need to follow me.”

The constant presence of the bodyguard made her feel like she was under surveillance.

The bodyguard paused, his expression serious and hard to swallow. “Don't be too hard headed,” he said.

She looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “Excuse me?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I'm not being hard-headed. I'm just asking for a little space.”

The bodyguard looked at her, his expression was hard,” your father is my boss not you, ma'am!” The bodyguard smirked, his tone matter-of-fact. "He hired me to ensure your safety, and that's what I intend to do."

Her emotions are a mix of frustration and embarrassment. She wasn't used to being told what to do, especially not by someone who was technically her employee.

She turned to face him, her eyes flashing with anger. “I understand your duty,” she said, her voice sharp. “But I also have a right to my privacy. I'm not a child, and I don't appreciate being treated like one.”

The bodyguard was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he nodded, his voice calm. “I apologize if I overstepped, ma'am,” he said. “I'm here to protect you, not to upset you. I'll make sure to respect your privacy moving forward.”

Her footsteps echoing in the quiet night. She didn't look back at the bodyguard, her mind too full of thoughts and emotions.

The bodyguard watched her go, a sense of unease settling in his gut. As Amelia sat on a bench, she looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkling brightly. In the tranquility of the night, Amelia found a sense of calm, a momentary escape from her worries.

It was just a quick first interaction with Tyler and Amelia, but she couldn't deny the fact that she felt something towards him.

Maybe not totally a love but somehow longingness for something even her, cannot categorize what it is.