The billionaire's cold heart

Acela stormed into one of her lavish mansions, flanked by an entourage of burly bodyguards. The sound of her heels echoed ominously against the marble floors, a rhythmic reminder of her power.

As she glided past her staff, they bowed their heads, acknowledging their formidable boss. Without a second glance, she entered her bedroom, leaving her stalwart guards outside.

Today was no ordinary day; there had been yet another assassination attempt by her rivals. At just 27 years old, Acela was the wealthiest woman in the county, and such threats were perilously routine for her.

She sank onto her bed, allowing her maid to release her legs from the suffocating grip of her high heels, granting her the sweet relief she craved.

"You're all lucky nothing happened to her!" The voice of Sebastian, her legal guardian, bellowed from the other side of the door, his frustration palpable.

Acela rolled her eyes. She had grown accustomed to the danger that lurked around her. To her, this was just another day in her tumultuous life.

With a sudden crash, the door swung open, and in walked Sebastian towering 6-foot man with dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes who scanned her form for any sign of injury.

"I'm fine, Sebastian," she said, not bothering to meet his worried gaze, her eyes still closed as she leaned back to indulge in a moment of silence.

He observed her, recognizing the weight of her thoughts. It was clear that today's threat was trivial compared to the horrors she'd faced three years prior.

Sebastian lowered himself to her side, the protective figure she had always relied on. He was the only one she trusted completely, having stood by her side after the tragic loss of her parents.

His fingers brushed through her hair, melting away her tension with each soothing stroke. "Leave us," he ordered the maid, who quickly departed, sensing the intimate moment they shared.

"It's alright, sweetie. You're safe now," he murmured, his voice a gentle balm to her frayed nerves. Acela remained silent, but every word registered in her mind.

Acela was not one to be silenced; she had a lot to say, but her life had shifted dramatically ever since her parents died and her innocence was violently stripped away by an unknown assailant.

Now, she was a fortress clad in ice, having dismissed all her male servants and only accepting Sebastian's presence for her protection during this chaotic time.

With a sudden burst of resolve, she withdrew from his shoulder and opened her captivating green eyes to meet his. "I'm fine."

Throwing on some casual clothes, a snug pair of shorts and a crisp white top-she stormed into her dressing room, eager to shed the constraints of her earlier attire.

Sebastian's jaw dropped; each time he laid eyes on her, he was reminded of her breathtaking beauty. He had known her since childhood, their bond forged in innocence and loyalty, and now, as her protector, he was determined to shield her from any harm.

"I'm getting you a new bodyguard," he declared firmly.

Silence enveloped the room, and he knew she was weighing her options. Her safety was his top priority, and he wouldn't hesitate to hire the entire male population if that's what it took to keep her safe.

"It's your choice, Sebastian," she replied as she emerged from the dressing room, the embodiment of casual elegance.

Sebastian's heart raced-how could anyone be so alluring, even in such simplicity? He had been with her family for as long as he could remember, his loyalty unwavering.

As she settled onto the bed and opened her laptop, completely engrossed in her work, he rose to his feet. "I'll have a maid bring you dinner," he said, planting a light kiss on her head before stepping out.

💟💟💟💟💟

Meanwhile, in another part of town, a man sat behind a sleek desk, his eyes glued to the screen of his computer. He appeared to be in his forties, the charismatic leader of an elite agency known as 'PROTECTORS.' They were the last line of defence when all seemed lost, a team renowned for making the impossible possible.

Just as he was absorbed in his work, his phone rang, breaking the focused atmosphere.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hi, am I speaking with Avram?" a voice on the other end chimed.

"Yes, who am I speaking to?" he replied.

"My name is Sebastian. I need your services. Someone I treasure has just had an attempt made on their life."

"Is this person a relative?" Avram inquired.

"Yes. She's my boss."

"Ah, a woman," he remarked, intrigued.

"Yes. What's your fee?"

"We discuss terms only in person once we understand the situation."

"Done."

The call ended as he placed his phone back in its position.

"Nadia," he called.

Seconds later, the door opened, and a woman walked in.

"Set an appointment for Mr. Sebastian."

"Yes, sir."

💟 FEW DAYS LATER 💟

Sebastian sat directly opposite Avram. He had come highly recommended. He had heard so much about Avram's agency, and if anyone could protect her, he believed one or more of his agents could.

"So, Mr. Sebastian, have you gone through the terms of our arrangement?" Avram asked.

Nadia, his secretary, had sent over the files via email, so he had taken a moment to glance through them.

"Yes, I have," Sebastian replied.

"Good. Now, a part payment will be given to the agent assigned to your protectee. Once the threat has been dealt with, the remaining payment will be made to our agency."

Sebastian nodded in understanding.

"Now, I only have one request: I want the best of the best."

"Then, Mr. Sebastian, you've come to the right place. Here, we provide nothing but the best."

"Good!"

"Andreea," Avram called, speaking into the landline in his office.

•••••••

As Andreea walked in, Sebastian suddenly felt a chill. If he didn't know better, he would say the devil was standing just a few feet away from him.

Not that the man was ugly; far from it. His mere presence sent shivers down Sebastian's spine.

He exuded power. Though he had been standing silently for several minutes, it felt like an eternity. Sebastian wanted nothing more than to disappear from the room.

This man was like an unmovable wall. He wore no smile. His expression was completely devoid of emotion, which unnerved Sebastian.

He had requested the best, but he hadn't expected someone like this.

"Mr. Sebastian, meet Andreea-one of the best," Avram introduced.

Sebastian contemplated extending his hand for a shake, but given the man's intimidating demeanour, he thought better of it and simply nodded.

"Here you go," Avram said, handing Sebastian a file containing the details of his protectee.

Sebastian accepted the file but didn't look at it.

"That's all for now."

💟💟💟💟💟

Acela was in bed when she heard the horn of Sebastian's car. He had informed her about bringing in a new bodyguard, and she guessed this was it.

"They're all the same," she thought. She didn't bother getting up from bed, knowing that he would likely bring the so-called bodyguard into her room. After all, that was what they were paying for.

Minutes later, her door opened, and Sebastian walked in, accompanied by a man. No, not just a man-a wall-who stepped into her room.

This man showed no expression. His face was utterly blank, and he wasn't smiling like her previous bodyguards always did when they saw her.

No, this one was different. His hands were clasped behind his back as he scanned her room with a cold stare.

Stepping aside, Sebastian made the introduction.

"Meet Acela. Acela, this is Andreea, your new bodyguard."