Blaze found himself standing before the imposing door to Mr. Jaxon's office, his hand hesitating over the polished knob. Its surface bore a stern warning, etched with precision: "Authorized Personnel Only - Mr. Jaxon."
Victoria, the woman he was sworn to protect, her steps silent but her presence palpable. Her penetrating gaze caught Blaze by surprise as he turned to meet her eyes.
"Blaze, what on earth are you doing?" Victoria's voice, tinged with concern, cut through the tense air, her brow knitting with worry.
"Oh, I thought Mr. Jaxon called me to meet him here," Blaze replied evenly, his demeanor unwavering yet respectful.
She shook her head, her expression a mix of apprehension and resolve. "You can't go in there, Blaze. My father orders are absolute. Even I, dare not enter without his explicit permission."
Blaze's gaze lingered on Victoria, the silence thickening between them like an unspoken question.
Victoria placed a gentle hand on Blaze's arm, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through him. "Blaze, you have to trust me. My father might seem mysterious, but he has his reasons. We have to respect his boundaries."
Reluctantly, Blaze withdrew his hand from the door, masking his true intentions behind a warm smile. "I understand, Victoria. I'll follow orders."
Victoria smoothed the creases of her dress, her fingers twitching with anticipation.
"Anthony," she begun, her voice soft yet determined. "Could we perhaps take a small detour? I'd like to grab a coffee, and perhaps pick up a few things. It won't take long, I promise."
Anthony's brow furrowed slightly. He had a plan meticulously laid out, one that required precision timing and minimal deviation. But Victoria's request tugged at his heartstrings, reminding him of her humanity amidst the shadows of their world.
"Victoria," he replied, his tone cautious and hesitation can sense in his voice.
Her eyes pleaded with him, her sincerity shining through. "Please, Anthony. A little coffee break won't hurt, will it?"
He hesitated, torn between mission and compassion. Finally, he relented with a resigned sigh. "Alright, Victoria. It's my duty to protect you after all."
Victoria and Anthony passed through the ornate gates of the majestic mansion, the weight of its history palpable in the air.
Anthony guided the car along the winding road, his grip on the wheel steady and sure. Victoria sat in the backseat, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that he couldn't quite ignore.
As the car rumbled along, Victoria couldn't shake the feeling of being drawn to Anthony. There was an aura of mystery about him, an enigmatic charm that piqued her curiosity.
Arriving at the coffee shop, they were enveloped by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Nestling into a cozy corner, Victoria and Anthony faced each other. She couldn't shake the curiosity that had been gnawing at her.
"Anthony," Victoria began softly, her fingers tracing patterns on her coffee cup, "there's so much about you that I don't know. Can you share some of your past with me?"
Anthony's gaze flickered, a shadow passing over his features before he replied with a practiced smile. "Oh, you know, nothing much to tell. Just your average upbringing, nothing noteworthy."
But Victoria sensed there was more to the story, a hidden truth lurking beneath the surface. She pressed on, determined to unravel the mystery shrouding her companion.
"Come on, Anthony," she persisted, "there's something you're not telling me. I can sense it. Was there something in your past that you're trying to hide?"
Anthony's mask slipped for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face before he quickly regained his composure. "Victoria, you're reading too much into it. Let's just enjoy our time here, shall we?"
"Hmmm... just tell me about yourself then. What's your story?"
Anthony felt a flutter of nerves at Victoria's direct question, her beauty captivating him in a way he hadn't expected. But he managed to keep his composure, taking a sip of his espresso before responding.
"Well, where do I begin?" he chuckled, trying to mask his nervousness. "I guess you could say I'm just a normal guy trying to navigate through life."
Victoria's eyes danced with interest as she leaned in closer, hanging onto his every word. "I'm sure there's more to it than that," she insisted, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Do you have someone that you love?"
Her question hung in the air, momentarily causing Anthony to freeze mid-sip. He coughed lightly, trying to regain his composure as a blush crept up his cheeks. Victoria couldn't help but chuckle softly at his reaction, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Looks like I caught you off guard," she teased, a playful grin playing on her lips. "Was it something I said?"
He chuckled nervously, grateful for the diversion as he set his coffee cup down carefully. "You could say that," he admitted, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "I suppose I wasn't expecting such a direct question."
Victoria's laughter filled the air, "Well, I've always been a firm believer in cutting straight to the chase," she replied with a shrug. "Life's too short to beat around the bush, don't you think?"
"You're absolutely right," he agreed, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
She remembered that she should buy Anthony clothes so that Nicholas won't teased him anymore about his styles.
They headed to the mall but there are too much people today.
Despite the bustling crowds at the mall, Victoria remained undeterred, her determination to help Anthony find the perfect clothes shining through. With a reassuring smile, she linked her arm through his, guiding him through the sea of people with ease.
"Don't worry, Anthony," she said cheerfully, her voice cutting through the chatter of the crowd. "We'll find you something stylish in no time."
Anthony couldn't help but be impressed by Victoria's unwavering resolve, her presence by his side offering him a sense of comfort amidst the chaos. With each step they took, he found himself falling for her even more.
As they browsed through racks of clothing, Victoria's keen eye for fashion proved invaluable, her suggestions earning nods of approval from Anthony.
Together, they sifted through shirts and trousers, debating colors and styles with playful banter. With renewed resolve, they joined the queue for the fitting rooms.
Her arms laden with bags filled with new clothes for her bodyguard Anthony. She go to the counter to pay the clothes she'd choose for him while Anthony looking around in a distance.
He waited for a moment but his heart sank. Victoria was nowhere to be seen.
"Victoria?" he called out into the crowd, her voice tinged with concern.
No response.
Panic started to rise within him as he scanned the area, searching for any sign of Victoria. He get his guard up and readying himself to the possibilities that may happen.
"Victoria!" he called again looking each and every side
Just when he was starting to call her, he spotted her weaving her way through the throngs of people, having some food in her hands. Relief flooded through him, and without a second thought, he rushed forward and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"Victoria! you know that it's not good when I'm not on your side," Anthony exclaimed, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
Victoria chuckled, returning the hug with equal fervor. "Sorry, I get hungry!"
They broke apart, and Anthony took a step back to look at her. Victoria's beauty never failed to captivated by him, and her infectious smile lit up her face.