Chapter 2

On my first day on the job, Sophia asked me to keep her company while she went luxury shopping.

She tried on a dress and spun around in front of the mirror.

"Do you think Nathan would like me in this?" she asked.

"I can't really say what he likes, Ms. Quinn," I replied.

Her smile dimmed slightly, and she picked up an even sexier, backless gown, holding it up against herself.

"How about this one? Do men, oh, actually, I mean, women like you, think this style is more attractive?" Sophia asked.

"My personal preferences aren't really relevant, Ms. Quinn. I'd suggest you ask Mr. Reed himself," I said calmly.

Her face finally went stone-cold.

"Seriously, you're no fun at all. Can't you even say one flattering thing? I just don't get what Nathan sees in you," Sophia scoffed.

"Is it really all about that icy poker face and your tough-girl routine?" she threw in with a sneer.

When it was time to pay, Sophia made a show of piling all the massive shopping bags into my arms on purpose.

She herself just grabbed a dainty little handbag. "Claire, take care of these for me, will you?

"Handling this much stuff must be nothing for a pro like you, right?"

I kept a straight face, my stride unwavering, not a hitch in my breathing.

Back in training, hauling weight for miles was just another Tuesday. Compared to that, this load was barely worth mentioning.

Sophia's irritation only deepened as she watched me handle everything without breaking a sweat.

The next day, Sophia called her friends out for some fancy coffee.

The whole time, she just couldn't stop fishing for gossip, trying to dig up anything she could about me and Nathan.

"Claire's the one Nathan trusts the most. They're never apart," she said, stirring her coffee, the jealousy clear in her tone.

Her friends all giggled behind their hands. One of them asked, "Sophia, what are you so worried about?"

Another said, "Everyone knows Nathan only has eyes for you. He's been waiting for you for years."

Someone else added, "She's just a bodyguard—like she's gonna cause any real trouble."

Sophia sighed, "You guys just don't get it. In web novels, this up-close bodyguard thing is literally begging for drama.

"And come on, don't you think she just has that look? Like she's totally the seductive type who could snatch someone away."

I was hanging back at a polite distance, but thanks to my earpiece, I caught every word of their little gossip session loud and clear.

Stone-faced as always, I nudged my earpiece like it was no big deal.

It was an occupational hazard. I was extra sensitive to all the chatter around me.

It was not like I was trying to spy or anything.

One of Sophia's friends looked me up and down. "She's got that special look, you know? Total hot commodity these days. Sophia, you'd better keep an eye on her."

Sophia shot me a look that spelled out challenge and warning.

I just looked away, playing it cool as ever.

Scanning the street, my eyes fixed on a black car that had been lingering outside way longer than normal.

Instinctively, I furrowed my brows.

Something about that car just didn't sit right with me.

By the third day, Sophia was ramping up her antics.

She insisted on heading out to the riverfront in the middle of the night, just to get some fresh air.

She claimed it was all about "finding artistic inspiration."

I reminded her, "Ms. Quinn, it's really not safe to head there at this hour. I suggest you call off the trip."

Her brows arched sharply, eyes flashing with irritation.

She shot back, "Oh, so now I can't even decide where to go? What are you—my bodyguard or my personal prison warden?"

"I'm just letting you know the risks," I replied, keeping my tone even.

"I'm going, and that's final. Are you just trying to slack off? I'll tell Nathan you're not doing your job," Sophia snapped.

That night, we ran into a couple of drunk punks.

I took them down without breaking a sweat.

Each movement was quick and clean.

Sophia went sheet-white with fear, but by the time I turned around, she was already putting on a brave face, pretending nothing rattled her.

"Not bad, I guess. At least you didn't make me look stupid. But don't expect me to say thank you. This is literally your job," she said, trying to sound tough.

I shook out my wrist. "Just doing my job. Glad you're safe, Ms. Quinn."

But in my head, I was already running the numbers.

It was a late-night, high-risk mission.

I figured I should put in for some hazard pay.

And I'd have to bring it up with Nathan later.