Guarding the Rose: The CEO's Secret Duty

I'd just entered the elevator when a tall figure followed me in, his long legs closing the distance between us easily. I instinctively clutched the umbrella tighter.

Lorcan followed me for quite some time.

I had to cross a wide street to get to the delicatessen where they sold pastrami sandwiches. The green light of the pedestrian crossing lit up, and without paying any attention to the people around, I headed toward the street across from mine.

The rain got heavier, ruthlessly splattering against my umbrella. More puddles began to form on the road, and even my sandals were soaked.

Suddenly, a large truck burst forward, the puddles spraying as it drove past them. I stood frozen under the umbrella like a deer in headlights.

The next moment, I felt a gust of wind behind me. Someone had lunged for me, his warm, strong body wrapping around me as we hit the ground and rolled to safety. The rain soaked through our clothes as we clung to each other.

There was red in the rainwater.

A loud ringing filled my head as I lay on the ground. I propped myself up slightly and found Lorcan lying prone as well, blood trickling down his body.

I peeled the strands of hair clinging to my face, shivering with the cold as I leaned over and picked up my phone. Without wasting time, I dialed 911.

"Why are you crying, Tessa?" Lorcan asked, his eyes suddenly opening as he flashed me a smile. "I'm not dead yet, you know."

The rainwater merged with my tears as I held him, propping him up. I snapped, "I'm not crying!"

A smile played on his lips, his heavy-lidded eyes closing. Terrified he'd fall asleep, I held him and kept talking to him. "Why did you run over, Lorcan?"

He chuckled, only to cough out a mouthful of blood. "Because I… am your bodyguard… of course."

I tasted the rainwater. It was salty.

The surgery went well. Lorcan pulled through the critical stage, but remained unconscious for now. The doctor couldn't give me a straight answer on when they expected him to regain consciousness.

I gaped at the man now lying in the hospital bed. He looked as brusque as ever, though his brows were still tightly knitted.

My mind turned blank. Countless emotions, most of which were inexplicable, built up within me until they threatened to carve my neck out.

It was a bittersweet feeling.

Callum entered the room then with a paper bag. "Here, Tessa. Get changed before you catch a cold."

"Okay…" I opened the bag to find my clothes from back in high school nestled within. I lifted my gaze to Callum, waiting for an explanation.

"No, it's not what you think!" Callum quickly defended himself. "I was in such a hurry and came across these clothes in his car. He'd stored them for years. I thought they were just regular spare clothes he often used."

Just then, I felt emotions crawl through the crevices in my heart, which wrenched at the thought of it. In the end, Lorcan went back on his word, for he was unconscious for a long time.

He'd promised to take me to see Sabrina in half a month, but he didn't wake up when it was time for us to call in our orders.

The doctor also mentioned that if Lorcan did not wake up, he'd live like this forever.

I'd been so terrified that the tips of my fingers turned white.

I moved out of the hotel and into the VIP hospital room. In the quiet of the evening, I opened the window and let in the evening breeze.

If I had to be honest, Lorcan was far better-looking than the celebrities on the internet. He was full of masculinity, with strong, chiseled features and luscious lips. He also sported a very attractive build.

I propped my chin up in my hand and subconsciously reached out to touch Lorcan. He was soft in some places and hard in others, his skin hot under my fingers.

I blinked and felt the blood rushing to my face.

There was a sweet-sounding snort that came from the door, startling me so much that I turned to look at the visitor.

"My, my, Tess, are you only capable of doing something so depraved and pathetic?" The woman took off her shades and mask, revealing a face that was both familiar and not.

It was none other than Sabrina.