Chapter 2

The next morning, Serena walked downstairs in a cream blouse tucked into fitted black trousers, her heels clicking softly against the polished wooden floors as she made her way toward the dining room.

She was still annoyed by the conversation with her father the night before. The threatening note had been enough to make everyone in the house treat her as though she were made of glass, and she hated every second of it. She was twenty-five years old, not a child. She could take care of herself.

A maid approached and offered her a cup of coffee.

“Good morning, Miss.”

“Morning.” She had barely taken a sip when Richard Whitmore entered the room, his assistant close behind him.

“Good. You’re already awake.” Serena looked up from her cup.

“I’ve been awake for an hour.” she muttered.

“I’d like you to meet someone.” Her brows drew together.

“I already know what this is about.” Richard ignored the protest and glanced toward the entrance.

“You can come in.” A pair of polished black shoes appeared first, followed by long legs in perfectly tailored black trousers.

The man who stepped into the dining room was tall enough to make almost everyone else seem small, his broad shoulders filling the doorway before he walked inside with calm, measured steps.

He wore a fitted black suit without a single wrinkle, a crisp white shirt, and a black tie that matched the serious expression on his face.

His dark hair was neatly cut, his jaw clean-shaven, and his sharp features carried a quiet confidence that could not be bought.

He stopped a few feet away.

“Damien Cole,” he said, his deep voice calm and steady. “Good morning, Miss Whitmore.”

Serena slowly looked him over from head to toe. Well… at least her father had hired someone pleasant to look at.

She folded her arms and waited. Usually this was the part where a man noticed her, stared a little too long, smiled, tried to impress her, or even forgot what he wanted to say.

Damien simply nodded once. Nothing more. His eyes met hers for barely a second before moving away, as if she were no different from anyone else in the room.

Serena blinked. That was it? No awkward smile. No compliment. Not even a second glance. She narrowed her eyes. Interesting.

Richard stepped between them. “Damien will be responsible for your safety from today onward.”

“No.” The answer came so quickly that both men looked at her. “I said no yesterday, and my answer hasn’t changed.”

“I’m not asking.”

“And I’m not agreeing.” She snapped.

Richard sighed patiently. “Serena…”

“I don’t need a bodyguard. I can protect myself.”

“No, you can’t.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “I’ve handled everything just fine until now.”

Richard’s expression hardened. “No. You’ve pretended everything was fine until now.”

Silence settled over the room. Serena looked away first. She hated when he was right.

“I’m not having this discussion in front of him.”

“Then let’s continue it in my office.” Without waiting for an answer, Richard turned and walked out. Serena shot Damien one last look before following her father upstairs.

Richard’s office smelled faintly of old books and expensive leather. The moment the door closed behind them, Serena folded her arms across her chest.

“I don’t want him.”

Richard walked behind his desk. “His name is Damien.”

“I don’t care if his name is Damien, David, or the King of England. I don’t want a bodyguard following me everywhere.”

“He isn’t following you.” She let out a short laugh.

“No? Then what’s he doing?” She asked.

“Keeping you alive.” He said.

“Dad.......”

“I’m serious.” He cut her off.

“So am I.” She stepped closer to the desk. “Do you know how embarrassing this is? Everywhere I go, people will think I can’t even leave my own house without someone babysitting me.”

“This isn’t about pride.”

“It’s exactly about pride.”

“No.” Richard met her eyes without flinching. “This is about the man who has been threatening my daughter for months.”

Her shoulders stiffened. “He hasn’t done anything.”

“He tried.” Her lips parted. “You almost convinced yourself that what happened outside the house wasn’t real.”

“It was one mistake.” She said.

"That is not mistake and you know, the stalker us getting more bolder" her father said.

The room fell quiet. Richard rested both hands on his desk.

“I’ve spent my whole life building this family and everything we have. Money can be earned again. Businesses can be rebuilt.” His voice softened. “You…” He looked at her for a long moment. “…you can’t.”

Something inside Serena tightened. She looked away before he could see it.

“I’m not going to spend the rest of my life hiding.”

“I’m not asking you to hide.” He said gently.

“Then what are you asking?”

“I’m asking you to stay alive.”

She let out a frustrated sigh. “I still don’t want him.”

“You don’t have to.”

Her head snapped toward him. “What?”

“You don’t have to like him.” Richard picked up a file from his desk. “You only have to let him do his job.”

“And if I refuse?”

His answer came without hesitation. “You won’t.”

She stared at him. “You can’t force me.”

“No.” A small smile crossed his face. “But I can make one thing very clear.” He closed the file. “Damien Cole is staying.”

Serena clenched her jaw. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then she turned on her heel.

“Fine.” Her voice dripped with annoyance. “But don’t blame me when he quits.”

Before Richard could respond, she pulled the office door open and walked out, letting it slam behind her.

As she walked down the hallway, a slow smile spread across her face. If her father wouldn’t send the bodyguard away… she would.

Nobody lasted long around Serena Whitmore when she decided she didn’t like them. She had chased away tutors, personal assistants, drivers, even one of her father’s business consultants had resigned after only two weeks. A bodyguard wouldn’t be any different

“Oh, Damien Cole” she murmured to herself as she descended the staircase.

"Let’s see how long you survive.” She muttered with a smirk