I forgot to ask the king one damn question, that any logical mind would have asked.

"When do I sleep?"

If 24×7 I am guardian him like his shadow, when do I get the honour of having my beauty sleep?

So here I am staring at myself in the mirror, my eyes have dark circles and I look like a pale ghost.

"Lin! Your majesty is leaving!"

Someone said, knocking the door.
See, this is what I am saying.

They don't even give me 5 minutes of break.

Sighing I finished my business in a hurry and ran down the halls.
Tucking my pistol safely in my waist and adjusting the earpiece in my ear.

I reached the lobby to see everyone gathered there.
Did I miss something?

My eyes fell on a person standing in the centre.
Her blue eyes were hypnotizing and unique.

She cracked a joke and everyone laughed at it.
Okay

Who is this beautiful mystery now?

"Dan! Come here!!"

I heard her exclaiming my way and I turned around.
There he was, looking dashing in that navy blue blazer whose cuffs he was adjusting.

A smile came on his lips as he saw her, ignoring my presence completely.

Making way towards her, he passed me hitting my shoulder in the process.

She hugged him like she was his childhood best friend and that's how friends the seed of jealousy found a place to grow in my heart.

I gulped looking down, not able look at how he smiled seeing her.
When he only scowls at me.

You are disguised Eva! He doesn't recognise you!
Well even if I was not disguised I am sure he will only look at me in detest and nothing else.

"She is beautiful man! All the girls of her kingdom are beautiful"

The bodyguard behind me said to another.

"Shut it man! She is a princess! We can be jailed for even saying that!"

The other said, looking around that no one heard him.

"Oh come on you are such a coward. What about you man? What do you think? Isn't she beautiful"

He said patting my shoulder and calling for my attention.
Is this guy serious?
Just one complaint to Daniel and he will be fired.

I just turned around and gave him my infamous stare.
And you can see him backing off.

"Sorry man...I didn't know it was you Lin"

And that's how I silenced him, but still, the question remained.
She was extraordinarily beautiful and I couldn't refute this.

Today your majesty was going for shopping with your highness princess Zeena.
And me?
I was their driver, bodyguard...you name it and  I am that.

I have ordered the other bodyguard's to guard the entrance of the stores we enter but trust me when I say, it's not enough.

It's like the entire kingdom knows we will be here and they all just want one thing.

To get a glimpse of the couple.

Yes, I did came to know of the arrangement.
They are to be married, and I feel like it's fine now.

I mean it was bound to happen.
Wasn't it?
If not me it had to be someone else and it was she.

And not to forget it was me who rejected and ended all that we shared.
It was me who ruined our perfect relationship.

So he has all the rights to continue with his life and live happily.
I have no right to come back in his life, let alone stop him from loving someone that is not me.

When we can't be together...when I can never reach his standards.
Then why do I keep crying over it?

I have accepted it like a practical person.
I have accepted that my crush was going to get married to someone else and I find nothing wrong in it.

I don't love him?

You may think so but you know what, I no longer care.
I do love him and here I am guardian his own life with my own if it takes.

I don't cry when I see him with her, I work to see him smile.
And my payment is to stare at his beautiful face all night.

I don't care that he doesn't remember me or he has moved in life without me.
I just care to love him being his shadow everywhere.

And I will keep it that way.

I will keep this crush alive in my heart every day, with no expectations in return per se.

"Get Zeena a hot coffee with no sugar"

"Yes, Sir"

I sighed again looking around for a coffee shop in this majestic place which looked more like a maze than a shopping mall.

I will love him all my life because he has my heart stitched to his.
And I will do this without any expectations in return.

I bought them the coffee and I saw him sitting there on his knees, assessing her feet with creases on his forehead.

Her feet in the palm of his hand and I could see the awwws following as people stared and some even clicked pictures.

Straightening I moved closer to them.

"They are tight Zeena! You can't have them"

"But I like them Dan! Please!"

She looked cute with that pour on her face.
Her eyes pleading for his approval.

"Your fingers are sore trying them..how will you wear them?"

"I will! They are so beautiful! "

I stood there waiting for this debate to end.
My eyes scanning for any suspicious activity.

But sadly the only thing I could see was the fangirls and their craziness.
One nearly broke through the barricades and came running towards us.

My eyes widened in surprise and forgetting the coffee in my hands, I just ran towards her in an attempt to block her.

Who knows she can be an imposter?
She can have a gun tucked in her pockets?

Daniel has already seen her approaching, trying not to be rude to his fans he stepped closer.

Is he mad or what?

I stepped between them, blocking her advances.
Holding her from her arm I pulled her back when his voice made a big smile to appear on her face.

"Leave her"

I looked at him in horror.
Doesn't he care about his safety?

"But-"

"Leave her Lin!"

His voice was dangerous, making me lose the grip on the girl instantly.

It hurts.

His tone, his stare, it pierced straight through my heart.

"I just want an autograph and a photograph your highness!"

She said bowing in respect to which he nodded and asked her to step forward.

My heart started beating faster... it's not safe...she can hurt you...she looks innocent but you never know about a person's intentions.

I can't let this happen.
I have to check her at least.
Her jacket has something...I can see the shape.

So I did what I had to.

Placing my hands on her jacket pockets and trailing them lower to her short pockets.
I checked her of any weapon.

"Lin!!"
Your majesty said but I ignored him.

The thing in her pocket was some stupid makeup stuff.
Satisfied I stepped back, clearing her way but she had something else in her mind.

"How dare you!!"

Her eyes were now fixed on me along with everyone else's in the shop.
What now? What did I do now?
They are looking at me like I committed a murder.

"How dare you touch me !! You pervert!!"

What?
Pervert?
Oh sh**! I am a man!
No wonder.

"I...."

I couldn't say much, she stepped towards me and before I could say something I felt it.

She had snatched the coffee from my hands and thrown it on me.
The heat burned my chest and I could feel the boils forming.

My breathing stopped for a second as I realized just what the hell happened.

No one moved.

They stared like I was at fault and few even chuckled at this.
My anger was getting out of control as I felt the hot liquid wet my insides.

My anger was still my Achilles heel and if you pressed it, only God knows what I will do.

Grabbing onto her wrist tightly, I held the hand that dared to throw the coffee on me.

I get it that I was wrong for checking her but throwing burning hot coffee on someone is not an answer to it.

Her furious eyes were replaced by fear as she realised how strong my grip was.

"Bitch!"

I said at her face increasing the pressure at her wrist.
It was going to leave a bruise for sure and I didn't mind a bit.

"Lin stop"

Came his cold voice but I didn't.
My anger needed a vent out and it couldn't find any right now.

There was a reason people feared me, and truly speaking it was because of my very weakness of inability to control my anger.

When I didn't stop, I felt a much harsher grip on the wrist of my hand holding her.

I looked up at the owner of the hand to see your majesty staring at me with raw anger.
His eyes daring me to continue.

I left.

Left everything, my grip, my anger.
Everything on seeing those oceans of blue.

My steps retreating, but his grip remaining.

Everyone looked at me, their eyes accusing me of now molesting a woman.
Her eyes were fearful of me and your majesty.

He looked disappointed in me.

Leave.
Run.
Go away.

My insides screamed and that's what I did.
Pulling my hand from his grip I ran away from there.

My eyes desperate to search for a washroom as everywhere I was going, those stares followed.

Entering the washroom, banging the door shut and locking it, I stood in front of the mirror.
My breathing coming out heavy as I assessed the damage in the mirror.

The jacket I wore protected my identity but not the damage.
Below it my t-shirt was all wet and the tape I wore on my chest was visible.

Removing it slowly, It felt like I was peeling my own skin.
Tears burned my eyes but my hands refused to stop.

Finally, when the fine piece of clothing was removed, I saw the real damage.

Blisters on my chest and neck.
My skin was all red and I was sure the worst was yet to come.

Taking in deep breaths, I tried numbing the pain.
My chest felt like a hot pan and my eyes a crying pool.
Wetting my clothes under the tap, I looked back at my hazy face and just wondered.

What did I do to get this?

....................................................

1 hour

The time I spent in that washroom trying to soothe the burning pain.
And when it did, I couldn't tape my chest to hide it.

Not knowing what to do, I found a big stole in the drawers and decide to drape it over my jacket.
Coming out of the washroom I didn't waste a second to run towards the car and escape this place.

When I thought I reached the car, my eyes fell on the figure casually leaning against the car and scrolling his phone.

Seeing me approach he looked up and my footsteps slowed down.

His eyes fell on the cloth covering me and his expression changed.
I pressed the cloth tighter, trying to hide my identity.
His eyes didn't leave my chest, instead, they moved higher to stare at the blisters visible around my neck.

"Lin"

He spoke but I ignored, eager to sit inside the car and drive back home.
I was going to sit at the driver's side when he stepped forward and blocked it.

My confused eyes meeting his determined ones.

"You sit. I'll drive"

He said as his eyes judged my ability to drive with a burning chest.
I merely nodded and handed him the keys.

He was driving and I sat next to him, silence stretching between us as usual.
I realised he was not driving back home and my worry resurfaced.

He read the expression on my face and answered.

"We are going to the hospital. You need immediate medical attention"

My hands started shaking in anxiousness, we can't go to a hospital.
They will know I am a girl.

What do I say?
Hell! Coming with him was a bad idea!

"No"

I managed to say and he looked at me in confusion.

"Lin you are-"

"No!!"

I spoke louder and bit rudely this time.
Eager for him to just drive back home.

I heard him sigh and he just said fine.
But all way long, I could see him taking small glances at my expressionless face.

Trying to solve my mysteries.

...................................................

Throwing the irritating tape and the long-sleeved t-shirt on the floor, I enjoyed some fresh air touching my wounds.

Roaming around in my room in my spegady, I enjoyed my 2 hrs of break.

Putting on some relaxing music, I laid down on the sofa and closed my eyes.
But who said I will find my peace.

Cause his blue eyes were again intruding my sleep.

Knock

What now?
I groaned in irritation.

Knock

"Lin! Your majesty called for you!!"

Of course, your majesty has no other work but to irritate me to death.

"Okay!!"

And that's when I got up, put on some loose hanging clothes and went towards his room.

The door was already open and he was casually sitting on his bed, his eyes fixed on the papers in his hand.
The top buttons of his t-shirt were open and the tie was lying on the bed beside him.

I stood in front of him, I could tell he assessed my presence but he refused to show it.
And then he asked me a question.

"Lin. What you did today cannot be excused.
Touching a girl without her permission and that also when hundreds of cameras are turned towards you.
Do you know what that means?"

I just shrugged my shoulders in indifference.
He got up from his seat, not happy with my response.

Stepping closer, I could feel his anger in waves around me.
Why is this man angry all the time?

"You are being shown on every damn news Chanel in my country.
And you know what they are calling you?
The molesting bodyguard"

I looked up and he met my eyes.
My emotionless face burning his anger further.

"Do you have any sense of respect for women? How can you do such a thing!"

Does she have any humanity?
Throwing burning hot coffee on strangers.

I wanted to say but I kept silent.

"See Lin. You are not just any bodyguard. You are my bodyguard. The Royal King's bodyguard dammit! Your actions reflect upon me!"

So that was what he was only concerned of?
His reputation.

He held my shoulders, making tingles to explode all over my body.

"Lin. I respect you for being so diligent of your work. But next time you go around doing such a stunt. Listen to me first"

I nodded and in response, he nodded.
Stepping back he left my shoulders and I could finally breathe.

I thought I was dismissed but he surprised me.
Asking me to sit and join him for a drink.

"You are not going anywhere anyway. Your duty is here only, guarding me ."

He pulled out a bottle of some expensive whiskey and poured it in two glasses.
I tried stopping him but he already filled the glasses.

"Loosen up a bit man. It's cold outside plus Christmas is approaching"

"It calls for some celebration"

He was being too friendly today. Does he have a favour to ask me?
What is it?

He sat on his seat, with one leg placed on the other.
Motioning me to join him on the seat in front of him.

The fireplace was making his room warmer and cozier and I couldn't help enjoy some of it.

I sat and picked up the glass, a bit reluctant at first.
Knowing my tolerance level, I will be a goner in 2 drinks for sure.

"I hope it doesn't hurt as bad as it looks."

He said, pointing to my neck and I closed my top button feeling conscious.

"No"

I managed to stay, focussing my eyes on the fireplace.
His face had a mischievous look as he smiled at my reply.

"Yes or no"

"Are these the only words you can say, Lin? I am sure you can do better"

I adjusted uncomfortably in my chair, not knowing what to say.
Not saying anything for another few minutes, we enjoyed the silence.

The warmness of the fireplace was soothing.
And we both were sitting there enjoying our drinks in the company of each other's comfortable silence.

His eyes shifted from the fireplace to me and they remained.
Minutes passed and he still stared like it was the most casual thing to do.

I was feeling nervous under his stare and I gulped the drink in my hand, my only escape.
It was his third drink and I didn't realize when I was 2 drinks down.

"Your eyes"

He whispered and my heart stopped.
His blue eyes boring holes into my brown ones.
Trying to unveil their mystery.

"They....they are..so..."

His voice slurred and I guess he is drunk.
His words coming out crooked and unorganized.

"Nothing"

He again said and this time he was going to grab the bottle to ease his pain when I stopped him.
Holding its top before he could, I held the bottle in my hands.

"Hey...man...that's... cheating...you can't...Lin..give..it.man..."

I moved my head in a no and a smile came on my lips.
I remember the last time something like this happened and my smile widened.

"It's enough... stop..or I'll drink it all"

As soon as he registered my words the smile dropped from his face.
His eyes held pain and I realized what I did.

He remembers.

I was repeating what I said and did that night at his rooftop.
Unintentionally and the pain of what we shared came pack with full thrust.

Not caring about the repercussions, I placed the top of the bottle at my lips and gulped down the burning liquid.

Tears streamed my cheeks as I realised what we shared, and what all that's lost.

His eyes were fixed on mine as I did so, his hands busy swirling the liquid in the glass.

"Hurt in love?"

He questioned and I nodded, desperate to finish this bottle.
He didn't stop me, just nodded and continued to accompany me.

"Fu** this sh** called love"

I said and he chuckled at this, his beautiful smiling face making me desperate to touch him.
I wish he could smile like this on seeing me again.

Seeing the real me 'Eva' again.

Those kissable lips were smiling at me and those oceans of blue staring.

The amber reflection of the flames in his eyes was making his oceans of blue light up in fire and I couldn't help dozing off into the world of his dreams.

....................................................

Your majesty sat there for another half an hour.
The drink was long forgotten and it's effect not at all evident.

His eyes fixed on the closed ones of his bodyguard's who was in deep slumber.
His head on the sofa and legs uncomfortably tilted to one side.

You majesty couldn't help it any longer.
Moving towards the unconscious body, he scooted down next to his level on the sofa.

His hands moving the hair from his forehead, to clearly see the face he sees in his dreams every day.

Her skin under his touch ignited the spark that has remained subdued for so many years.
His fingers lingering on her cheeks.

He couldn't help it anymore, gulping his saliva, he slowly removing the fake beard with which she tries to hide her identity every day.

She stirred in her sleep but he knew she wouldn't be awake anytime soon.

He knew her tolerance and the amount she gulped today, will keep her unconscious for another 8-9 hours straight.

She instead scooted closer to his touch, enjoying the warmness of his fingers on her skin.

He smiled and removed the fake beard altogether.
Her striking features making his insides to flutter with happiness at once.

He couldn't help to take his eyes off those kissable lips he had devoured every day.

They were inviting him like an addiction from which he can't stay away.

Protesting with his insides he was debating when his eyes fell on her blistered neck.

The very reason he planned all this, to get his little mouse inside his den and to tend to her wound that she herself wouldn't care to.

Opening the buttons of her loose t-shirt, he proceeded not caring about anything.
He removed her shirt completely with only the spegady remaining.

His stomach twisted in a sickening pain on seeing her wounds.

Her neck and chest were all red.
With small blisters covering them completely.

Imagining the pain she had to go through for this, he clenched his fists in anger at that stupid girl.

Molesting? If only this world knew of his guard's gender and her pureness.

Going towards his cupboard and taking out a soothing antiseptic cream from there, he again sat next to her while pulling her head on his lap.

The transparent cream would do its function and his stalker will not even know it.
Being his only motive of using it.

As his fingers skilfully moved over the burns, she stirred again but still didn't wake up.
Once done with it, he couldn't help staring at her beautiful face.

He twirled her small locks in his fingers and hated the fact that she had cut her long beautiful hair.

She didn't smell like blossoms now instead you can smell the soil in her.

But who said he hated it?

He loved the fragrance of rain mixed with soil, the one you smell before the rain approaches.
And his stalker's fragrance was just like that.

Natural and pure

Picking her up and laying her on his bed, he placed small feathery kisses along her neck and jawline.
Enjoying her touch that he had missed since so long.

Pulling up the quilt till her waist, he finally gathered enough courage to move back from her.

After all, he wouldn't be able to answer her if hickeys automatically appear on her neck the next day.

But there was one thing he could definitely do without her knowing .

Moving closer to her, he held her face in his palms.
Her breath got mixed with his and he closed his eyes in pure bliss.

Crashing his lips onto her unresponsive ones, he sealed the night with his love and care.

He didn't hate her, he never could.
He only tried doing it and even he knew he will never be successful.

"If you think I will forget these eyes of you,think again stalker for one can never forget one's own reflection.

The second I saw myself in your eyes,I knew it was you"

He said to her with a smile of content on his face.
Kissing her forehead and closing the buttons of her t-shirt.

He laid next to her, hoping to stare at her face for the entire night.

Today he was going to do her duty and guard her till she slept peacefully.

Occasionally twirling her small locks, he was going to enjoy her touch till the sun breaks through.

He was going to live these 5 years without her in his arms,by just staring at her tonight.

..............................................

Your eyes remind me of your betrayal,
Your touch ,a reminiscece of the past.

But now when I have you in my arms,I can't help pull you closer so that no one can tear us apart.

....................................................