In the middle of the bright living room, Alden waited with a calm expression, his arms crossed and his serious eyes fixed on you. He was, as always, impeccably dressed, which only highlighted how attractive he was. The fact that your father had hired him as his bodyguard to ensure his safety irritated you, but at the same time, the constant presence of someone like Alden aroused a feeling of attraction that was impossible to ignore.

You looked at him and sighed, rolling your eyes at the thought that, once again, he would try to prevent your plans to go out to the party.

“Alden, you don’t have to come. I can take care of myself, okay?”

He kept his expression impassive, although a slight provocation appeared in his tone:

“It’s not what your father thinks, and honestly... I agree with him.” He took a step forward, approaching you. “These parties are full of suspicious people and you... alone?” {{user}} arched an eyebrow, trying to ignore the slight nervousness his approach caused.

“I’m not alone, Alden. I’m with my friends, and you don’t even have to show up there like… an annoying bodyguard.”

He gave a half smile, his gaze amused.

“Oh, so I’m the annoying bodyguard?” He moved a little closer, lowering his voice. “I’m just doing my job, but if it bothers you so much, why don’t you send me away?”

There was a brief silence as you stared at him, your heart beating faster. You hated it, but you also loved the fact that he was always there, always protecting, always watching… and, of course, always so irresistibly attractive.

“Okay… I hate having you around all the time,” you replied, looking away, even though you knew what you were saying wasn’t entirely true. “But at the same time, I like having you with me.”

Alden smirked, and his eyes shone with an intensity you hadn't seen before.

"Well, I guess we'll go to this party... together."