The morning sun gently kissed the bedroom as I turned to look at Chak. He was still sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He looked so calm, so unlike the cold and intimidating man everyone else saw at the office. Just watching him like this made my chest tighten.
I moved carefully, trying not to wake him as I slipped the blanket aside. But before I could stand, a warm hand softly wrapped around my wrist.
His sleepy voice, still deep and rough, broke the quiet.
"Where do you think you're going?"
I turned back to him with a small smile.
"Downstairs… to make breakfast."
"Not yet," Chak murmured, pulling me back into his arms with a gentle but firm tug.
"Stay with me. Just five more minutes."
Five minutes. With him, it was never just five minutes. But how could I say no when he looked at me like that?
I nodded slightly, a soft laugh escaping me as I relaxed into his embrace. His warmth, his steady heartbeat… I didn't want to leave either. Absentmindedly, I let my fingers play with his hair, the soft strands curling around them.
Chak's five minutes turned into ten, and I knew if I stayed any longer, I'd never leave.
"Chak," I whispered, reluctant. "I really should go make breakfast."
His eyes fluttered open, locking on mine with that dangerously intense gaze—even half-asleep.
"You're not going anywhere… not until you do something first."
"What?" I asked, pretending not to know, though my heart was already racing.
For a few moments, I just stared at him. His eyes. His lips. His slightly messy hair. Then I leaned closer, my voice soft against his ear.
"Good morning, Chaky."
I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his arms pulled me tighter again.
"Good morning, my artist."
His words sent a rush of heat through me, leaving a tingling warmth in their wake. Damn him for saying things like that so casually.
I finally managed to slip out of his embrace and stood, my fingers brushing over my lips before I grabbed my clothes.
"Now I really have to go," I said, more to convince myself than him.
---
Downstairs, I started preparing breakfast for Chak. The sound of soft footsteps made me glance up.
"Morning," Anamarija greeted. She looked slightly sleepy but still somehow elegant in her light blue long-sleeve shirt and matching blue pants.
"Good morning," I replied. "Did you sleep well?"
"I could've slept longer," she admitted with a faint smile and let out a small yawn.
Moments later, Kit and Taeng burst into the kitchen, both far too energetic for this hour.
"Good morning," they said in unison.
"Morning," Anamarija and I echoed.
"What's for breakfast?" Taeng asked, already eyeing the counter with interest.
"Kit and I are making pancakes," he declared proudly.
"And I'm making a hot sandwich and smoothie for Chak," I added.
"I'd like pancakes too," Anamarija said, her eyes lighting up playfully.
"Alright," Taeng replied, grinning as he started preparing the batter.
Chak entered the kitchen a little later, his presence immediately silencing our chatter. His calm yet commanding gaze swept over all of us.
"Before anyone eats pancakes, you're all going to have a smoothie first."
His eyes lingered especially on me and Anamarija.
I fought the urge to sigh. Of course. Chak always had these rules about breakfast—no sweets until you had something healthy first.
Anamarija looked at him, clearly caught off guard. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, Chak's sharp look shut her down instantly. She turned to Kit and whispered,
"Is he always like this?"
Kit chuckled softly.
"He doesn't let anyone close to him have sweets for breakfast. Healthy stuff first."
I placed the smoothie glasses in front of everyone. None of us looked particularly excited about drinking them. I tried not to make a face, but… was it really necessary every single morning?
Chak noticed, of course. He always noticed.
"If you don't drink it, you'll be eating nothing but vegetables for the next seven days."
Anamarija's eyes widened.
"I'd rather drink it," she said quickly.
"Smart decision," Chak replied with the faintest smile—one I wasn't sure was meant for her or for me.
I sipped my smoothie under his watchful gaze, feeling his eyes on me like laser beams.
Finally, when the glasses were empty, he nodded.
"Now you can have pancakes."
We all reached for the stack with a shared sense of relief.
As we ate, Anamarija spoke up,
"Slovenian pancakes are different. They're thinner, and we make a liquid batter to pour on the pan. Then we spread jam, chocolate, or honey inside and roll them up."
"That sounds delicious," I said honestly. "I'd love to try them someday."
Anamarija smirked at me, then glanced at Chak teasingly.
"You could… but I'm not sure he'd allow it."
Chak raised an eyebrow at her, calm as ever.
"You can make them today."
That caught me off guard. Chak? Letting us have something sweet outside his rules?
Taeng smirked.
"I still think Thai pancakes are better."
"Don't judge until you've tried ours," Anamarija shot back with a playful grin.
Before the conversation could go further, Chak's voice cut in, calm but firm.
"Finish up. We need to head to work."
---
The car ride was quiet. I glanced at Anamarija beside me. Chak's voice broke the silence.
"Anamarija. While we're at the company, you'll go by Bella. I don't want anyone knowing your real identity yet."
Anamarija nodded.
"Alright. I understand."
"I'll treat you like everyone else there," Chak added smoothly.
"Fair enough," she replied calmly.
When we reached the company, Chak stopped the car near the drop-off point.
"Get out."
Anamarija looked at me as we stepped out and Chak drove off.
"Why did we get out?" she asked softly.
"He doesn't want anyone suspecting anything," I explained.
We said goodbye to Taeng and Kit. Anamarija tilted her head slightly.
"Where are they going?"
"They work at LF Lab," I said.
"Ah, okay."
---
As soon as we entered, I could feel eyes on us. Whispers spread quickly. I glanced at Anamarija. She walked confidently, but her fingers fiddled with her bag strap—an unconscious sign of nerves.
When we reached my desk, she sat down next to me. Before I could say anything, my phone buzzed.
"All employees must gather in front of the meeting room in five minutes. I have an announcement."
It was Chak.
We split up to gather the staff. A few minutes later, everyone was assembled, murmuring. Anamarija remained seated until she noticed everyone else standing. She quickly rose, smoothing her pants nervously.
Then Chak entered. Silence fell instantly. His presence demanded it.
"Good morning, Mr. Chak," the staff chorused.
Chak's cold gaze swept over the room before landing on Anamarija. He gave her a small nod. She hesitated but stepped forward.
Her hands were clenched. I could tell she was nervous.
"This is Bella. She will be with us for the next ten days. Treat her with respect. If anyone harms even a single hair on her head…"
His voice dropped into ice.
"…you will answer to me. And you will be fired."
A chill ran through the employees.
"Yes, sir," came the unified reply.
Chak turned to Rattan.
"Rattan, with me. Everyone else—back to work."
His gaze briefly landed on me.
"Niran. Coffee. Now."
"Yes, sir."
I hurried to make his coffee, my thoughts a mix of pride and nerves.
When I placed the cup on his desk, Chak gave me a small nod.
"Stay here," he said.
Then to Rattan:
"While she's here, I want you by her side at all times. Don't let her out of your sight. Whatever she needs, make sure she gets it. Keep her away from the media. If Orasa shows up, make sure she doesn't see her. When she's with me, you won't need to follow her."
"Yes, sir," Rattan replied with a small bow.
"Why though?" Anamarija asked suddenly. "Why do I need a babysitter? I can take care of myself."
Chak's gaze met hers—calm, unreadable.
"I don't want anything happening to you."
She sighed softly.
"Alright. What am I supposed to do all day then?"
"Whatever you like. We don't have many English documents, but you can review those. Or help Niran. Or explore the company."
"Understood," she said quietly.
Rattan added,
"So… I'll be with you all the time, Miss."
"Great," Anamarija replied, but I noticed the slight roll of her eyes.
Chak's gaze shifted to me.
"Niran. Make sure she feels comfortable here."
"Yes, sir," I replied quickly.
But inside, I couldn't shake a strange tightness in my chest.
When we reached my desk, I sat down and tried to focus on the screen in front of me. But my thoughts were scattered, my ears tuned to the quiet conversation happening next to me.
Anamarija took the seat beside mine, her eyes drifting toward Rattan, who stood like a statue at her side—stoic, unmoving, his posture perfect.
She leaned closer to me and whispered with a hint of frustration:
"I still don't get why I need a bodyguard. Nothing's going to happen to me here."
Before I could answer, Rattan spoke up calmly, his tone polite but firm:
"Mr. Chak is concerned for your safety, Miss."
"Concerned?" she repeated, her brows knitting.
"Concerned about what exactly?"
Rattan's expression didn't waver.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you the details, Miss. My orders are simply to stay by your side at all times."
I pretended to be absorbed in my work, but my fingers hesitated over the keyboard. Chak really went this far? Just what is he worried about?
Anamarija's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"So… what are you working on?"
I glanced at her, catching the faint curiosity in her expression.
"I'm covering for a colleague this week. Chak gave her time off and placed me in her role."
I let out a small laugh, though it felt a little forced.
"I honestly wish he'd picked someone else for this."
She tilted her head slightly, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. Leaning closer, she whispered:
"Or maybe he just wanted you closer to him."
Her words caught me off guard. Heat crept up my neck as I forced a nervous laugh.
Anamarija then turned her attention to Rattan, who was still standing like an immovable pillar.
"You know, you can sit down. There's no need to stand the whole time."
Rattan shook his head slightly, his voice unwavering.
"Thank you, Miss, but I'd prefer to stand. It allows me to react faster if needed."
She blinked at him in surprise and let out a soft laugh.
"React faster? We're in an office. What's going to happen? Someone attacking me with a stapler?"
Rattan didn't even flinch at her teasing.
"It's my job to be prepared for anything, Miss. Even in an office, unexpected situations can arise."
Anamarija rolled her eyes playfully and looked back at me.
"Is he always this serious?"
I chuckled and shook my head.
"Pretty much. But trust me—you get used to it."
Before I could refocus on my work, the shrill ring of my phone made me flinch slightly. I picked up the receiver, and Chak's deep, familiar voice came through.
"Come to my office."
Before I could even respond, he hung up.