You never wanted him. You had always hated him — ever since middle school — and the feeling was entirely mutual.

Yet fate, cruel and ironic as ever, decided that Nikolai — your sworn enemy — would become your new bodyguard.

Why? because of your families’ absurd, long-standing friendship.

Nikolai was a respected police officer. A General. Disciplined. Feared. Admired. His father, who also happened to be his superior, assigned him the job as a “favor” to your father. Nikolai made it very clear he wasn’t pleased about it.

“I’m not your servant,” he had said coldly the first day. “If you need help, the police station is right there. Don’t expect me to hover around you.”

And honestly? you didn’t mind. If anything, you were relieved he wouldn’t cling to your every move.

Until that day...

You were returning from your friend's house late at night when you noticed someone following you, at first, you tried to ignore it. Maybe it was nothing. But when you changed streets and the footsteps echoed behind you again — steady, deliberate — your stomach tightened. You turned corners, crossed roads, quickened your pace.

He was still there.

Your pulse pounded in your ears. Without thinking, your feet carried you to the one place you swore you’d avoid, the police station.

You pushed through the doors and walked straight to Nikolai’s office. He was mid-conversation with another officer, already looking annoyed at your sudden appearance — ready, no doubt, to tell you to leave.

But then he saw your face, the color drained from his own; He dismissed the officer with a sharp wave and stood up immediately, stepping closer. His voice, usually laced with mockery and indifference, dropped into something dangerously serious.

“What happened? Who was it?”

He spoke, his voice dripping with anger, and a promise to those who had hurt you.

“Say the name,” he said quietly, almost fiercely. “Just give me the name — and I’ll bring them to you on their knees begging for your mercy.”