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"Izzy... I was so scared... he... he pointed a gun at me... I thought... I thought I was going to die," Chloe whispered on the other end, her voice choked with fear that still felt so real.
The night wind blowing on the rooftop blew strands of Izzy's hair as she held the phone tightly to her ear. Chloe's sobs broke the silence of the night.
"Chloe, honey, calm down. Take a deep breath. You're safe now. The police are here, right?"
Izzy said softly, trying to calm her best friend, even though her own heart was still beating fast remembering the horrific incident at "Café des Fleurs" a few hours ago. Luckily, several male customers tried to lunge at the man and thwarted his efforts. However, he managed to escape.
"Yes... they're here... they asked a lot of questions... but Izzy... his face... his eyes... I'll never forget it," Chloe whispered, her voice still trembling.
Izzy closed her eyes, trying to banish the image of the man with the shabby hat and the shiny gun from her mind. The events of this afternoon had shaken her more than Chloe knew.
After a while, Chloe began to sound calmer. Izzy continued to speak to her in a soothing tone, assuring her that she was not alone in her fears. After the call ended, Izzy was still standing on the rooftop, staring at the vast night sky. There was a strange feeling that was creeping up on her mind.
Well, this world is not as beautiful as the roses that I have lovingly tended, she thought to herself.
A few hours later, a man stood in the living room of Izzy's condominium. His posture was straight, with a calm yet alert aura that was immediately felt. His jet black hair was neatly arranged, and his dark brown eyes stared at Izzy with an intensity that made Izzy a little uncomfortable. He introduced himself in a low baritone voice,
"Liam Sterling, Miss Moreau. I have been assigned to protect you."
Izzy couldn't help but pay attention to him. Her mind was thrown back to several Hollywood movies she had seen. Seriously, this guy is a bodyguard? Then what am I? Whitney Houston?
Izzy could imagine herself attracted to this man. With his physique that is obviously gorgeous , there would be no woman who would be immune to his charm. If he decides to act charming of course. Luckily this man acted like an iceberg, all business.
Izzy swallowed, trying to act elegant like her image. It would be embarrassing if her mind was caught wandering wildly.
"Excuse me, who hired you, Mr. Sterling?"
"Just call me Liam. Of course your father, Mr. Julian Moreau."
Liam looked at the watch on his right wrist.
"He will be here soon. I happened to be not far from here and decided to come first."
"Just call me Izzy then"
" Isabelle.."
Izzy was a little annoyed hearing her name flow from Liam's lips.
Why did it sound sweet and soothing?
I guess, Isabelle wouldn't be bad either, if he was the one calling me. With that sexy voice of his.
Oh no, Izzy strengthened her determination so that her mind wouldn't wander again.
"Well, Isabelle is okay too, though it's rarely used by people."
The ding of the elevator interrupted Izzy's thoughts
"Okay, wait here a moment, I have something to clear up with my father."
The elevator doors opened, revealing Julian Moreau, Izzy's father, with a look of deep anxiety. Behind him, Eleanor looked worried but tried to maintain her usual composure.
"Izzy!" Dad exclaimed, immediately approaching Izzy and hugging her tightly. His hug this time felt different, tighter and full of fear.
"Oh my God. I was so worried when I heard the news."
"Dad, I'm fine. Liam's here now," Izzy replied softly, pointing to Liam who was standing not far from them, observing the situation calmly.
Dad released his hug and looked at Liam with an appraising gaze. "Thank you for coming so early, Mr. Sterling."
"My job, Mr. Moreau," Liam replied shortly but politely.
Eleanor approached and placed her hand gracefully on Dad's arm. "Julian, we've canceled all our plans for tonight. The most important thing now is to make sure Izzy is safe."
Dad nodded, his eyes returning to mine, his gaze full of sadness and worry.
"What happened this afternoon..." his voice choked, "...it... it reminded me of that night, Izzy..."
Izzy knew exactly which night he was referring to. The night that took her mother's life. Even though Izzy was still very young at the time, the image of her father's sadness and despair was always etched in her memory.
Her mother died from a tragic incident that she was never told much about, only that it was a sudden and unexpected act of violence. Seeing her father, who usually tried to be strong, now looked so fragile made her heart ache.
"Dad..." Izzy tried to reach for his hand, holding it tightly.
"I won't let that happen again, Izzy. I won't lose you too," Dad said in a trembling voice, gripping her hand back tightly.
"That's why Liam is here. He'll be guarding you, day and night. All your activities tonight are canceled. For the time being, I want you to stay in the apartment."
Izzy sighed. Seeing how worried her Dad was, she couldn't argue or refuse the presence of a bodyguard.
While Julian and Eleanor were still discussing further security measures in the living room, Izzy noticed Liam standing a little away, near the window that overlooked the night city view.
His expression was stoic, but there was something different this time. A faint crease formed between his brows, and his jaw seemed to tighten slightly. He took a deep breath, almost silently, and for a moment, his eyes seemed to narrow, as if there was something in the air that was bothering him.
Izzy followed his gaze, but he just stared straight out the window. Then, his eyes returned to her. His expression changed to neutral as if the incident had just an imagination. However, Izzy was sure she had seen it.
Izzy realized something that might be the cause.
The scent of roses.
This apartment, especially the rooftop area and even the remnants of the scent carried by the wind inside, were always rich with the sweet fragrance of the various types of roses in her collection. Izzy had gotten used to this scent to the point that she almost didn't notice it anymore. However, perhaps for someone who was here for the first time, the scent might be too strong.
Izzy observed him again silently. Liam took another short breath, and this time Izzy saw a slight movement in his nose. His gaze briefly swept over the vase of roses on the coffee table, then back to Julian and Eleanor. There was something strange in his reaction to the scent that Izzy found so calming.
Julian and Eleanor finally finished their arrangements. The arrangements for Izzy to be exact. Sometimes Izzy wondered how they could forget that she was here, and was quite capable of managing her own life. Julian then gave Liam some direction.
"Okay, it's getting late. I'll be heading back to our house. Liam, I hope you've arranged for the supplies to be delivered here."
Liam nodded.
"Of course, sir, everything will be ready by early tomorrow morning. What I've brought will be enough for tonight."
What? He's staying tonight? In this condo? Starting tonight?
Izzy's chest suddenly felt tight.
After her father and Eleanor had said their goodbyes, leaving Izzy and Liam alone in the apartment that felt quieter than usual, the awkward atmosphere returned. Izzy watched Liam standing by the window, making sure the doors and windows were locked tightly. His expression was back to being stoic, professional like a mask that was hard to break.
Izzy sighed and walked to the kitchen to make some tea. As she was filling the kettle with water, Izzy felt movement behind her. Liam had moved away from the window and was now standing in the kitchen doorway, watching her with a look that was hard to decipher.
For a moment, their eyes met, and Izzy felt a different intensity again. As if there was doubt or even... curiosity hidden behind his eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, as Izzy turned her face to reach for the cup, she saw him. The movement was so subtle, it was almost imperceptible. Liam's head dropped slightly, and he took a deep breath, this time a little more noticeably. His eyes closed for a moment, and the expression on his face changed. It was no longer the discomfort or annoyance she had seen before, but... a calmness that almost resembled pleasure. The corners of his lips even almost formed a faint smile before he opened his eyes again and put on his flat expression again.
Izzy was stunned. Had she seen things wrong?