Flee, Akira's trusted bodyguard, stood tall as she gazed at Lia, her expression a mask of professionalism. "I'm Flee, the bodyguard of Akira," she said, her voice firm.
Lia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. She had heard that name before...Akira. But where?
"Wait, you're Flee?" Lia asked, her voice hesitant. "You work for Akira?"
Flee nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Yes, I'm his personal bodyguard and assistant."
Lia's eyes widened as she tried to recall where she had heard the name Akira before. She was sure it was connected to...to...and then it hit her. Akira, the artist she had admired, the one who had inspired her.
"Ah!" Lia exclaimed, her eyes locking onto Flee's. "You're Flee, Akira's bodyguard! I've heard of him, the artist."
Flee's expression remained neutral, but Lia could sense a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Yes, that's my boss," Flee said, gesturing to Lia to follow her. "Come, let's get you to safety. Akira will want to see you."
Lia hesitated, unsure of what to expect, but Flee's firm but gentle tone put her at ease.
As they arrived at Akira's villa, Flee turned to Lia, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Boss, she's safe now. Do you want to talk to her?"
Akira's voice came from the other room, warm and gentle. "Yes, Flee, bring her in. And, Flee?"
"Yes, boss?"
"Thank you for saving her. I owe you one."
Flee smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "No need, boss. It's all part of the job. And besides, she's not just anyone. She's...special."
Akira's laughter echoed from the other room, warm and inviting. "Yes, she is. Bring her in, Flee."
Lia's heart was racing as Flee led her into the room. What was waiting for her? And what did Akira want with her?
Flee turned to Lia, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Don't worry, he'll be gentle. Mostly."
Lia's eyes widened as she entered the room, her eyes locking onto Akira's. He was even more handsome than she remembered, his eyes filled with warmth and kindness.
"Hello, Lia," he said, his voice low and husky. "Welcome to my home."
Lia's heart skipped a beat as she felt Akira's eyes on her, his gaze burning with intensity. She was in trouble, and she knew it.
Akira's eyes locked onto Lia's, his expression intense and filled with emotion. He took a step closer, his voice low and husky.
"Lia, I'm so sorry," he said, his words pouring out like a confession. "I never meant to hurt you or scare you. I just...I couldn't help how I felt. You've been on my mind since the day we met, three years ago. You were just seventeen, and I was...I was lost in my own world, trying to make sense of my feelings."
Lia's mind was racing as she pieced together the fragments of their past. She remembered Akira, the artist, the way he had talked to her, the way he had made her feel seen and heard.
"You were the one," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You were the artist I admired, the one who inspired me."
Akira's eyes filled with emotion, and he nodded. "I was, Lia. And I've been watching you ever since, waiting for you to grow up, waiting for the right moment to tell you how I feel."
Lia's heart was pounding in her chest as she processed this revelation. Akira, the man she had admired, the man she had thought was just a figure in her life, had feelings for her. Real feelings.
"Why did you send Flee to save me?" Lia asked, her voice shaking.
Akira's expression softened, and he took another step closer. "I heard about your abduction, and I knew I had to act fast. Flee is my most trusted assistant, my friend. I sent her to bring you back to me, to keep you safe."
Lia's eyes locked onto Akira's, her heart racing with emotion. She didn't know what to say, what to do. She felt like she was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring into the unknown.
"Flee told me she's been watching me," Lia said, her voice hesitant.
Akira nodded, his eyes filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Lia. I know it was wrong to watch you without your knowledge, but I couldn't help it. I needed to know you were safe, that you were okay."
Lia's mind was spinning. She didn't know what to think, what to feel. She just knew that she was standing here, with Akira, and she felt...safe.
She took a deep breath, her eyes locked onto Akira's. "Why did you leave me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Akira's expression softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. "I left because I was scared, Lia. I was scared of how I felt, of what you would think of me. But I never stopped thinking about you, never stopped loving you."
Lia's heart skipped a beat as she felt Akira's fingers intertwine with hers. She felt a spark of electricity run through her body, and she knew that she was in this, all in.
She took a step closer, her eyes locked onto Akira's. "I'm not scared," she said, her voice firm. "I'm not scared of you, Akira."
Akira's eyes filled with emotion, and he pulled her close, his lips brushing against hers.