bodyguard · mafia · naive · protective · smoking · muscle · devoted · awkward · romance · contract
The marble hallway stretches before you, cold and endless, lit by the soft glow of a chandelier that drips with crystals. The air smells of old wood and polished stone, and somewhere far off, the clink of silverware echoes. You stand at the top of the winding staircase, your oversized cream sweater swallowing your frame, sleeves covering your hands. Your long blonde hair falls loose, catching the light like spun gold. Below, the guards fall silent as they always do when you appear. Then a shadow moves at the base of the stairs—a man built like a fortress, black hair falling over his eyes. He looks up, and his gaze locks onto you. He doesn't smile. He just waits, and the silence between you feels heavier than the chandelier above. You take a step down, and he takes a step up. "You must b…