President's Daughter's Bodyguard-Chapter 20: The Lie Between Them
Chapter 20: The Lie Between Them
Danielle was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the folded dress on the chair like it was some demon ready to eat her. ๐ฏ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ต.๐ฌ๐ธ๐
"Iโm not going," she said finally. "You can tell whoever ordered you that Iโm not stepping anywhere near that place."
Theo was standing near the window, watching her reflection in the glass. "You donโt have a choice, Danielle." He wrapped his arms around his chest.
"I do," she replied quickly. "Iโll run away if I have to."
He turned then. "Run where? You think disappearing will solve anything? You already tried that."
She looked away, jaw tightened harder. "That was different."
"No," Theo was correcting her, walking closer until his shadow fell over her knees. "It was the same. You wanted to escape pain. You thought death was easier than facing it. And now youโre saying youโll run again instead of seeing your father. Itโs the same pattern."
Danielleโs throat burned. "You donโt know what itโs like seeing him. He looks at me and all I see is control. Expectations. Fear. I donโt want that again."
"You tried to end your life because you thought he was gone. You probably cried too. Now heโs alive, and you want to pretend he doesnโt exist?"
She hated that he used logic. Hated even more that it made sense.
"I just..." she muttered, her voice starting to crack. "I donโt know how to look at him and not feel like a mistake."
Theo sighed through his nose. "Then look at him and remember that heโs your father. Whatever else he is cruel, cold, powerful, heโs still the man who gave you a reason to live once. You owe yourself closure, not fear."
Danielle clenched her fists. "Youโll be there?"
"Every second," he said.
Her shoulders fell. "Fine. But if he starts shouting, Iโll walk out."
Theo smirked. "Then Iโll make sure he doesnโt."
The next morning came too early. Danielle stayed under the blanket long after Theo had already packed his things for the trip. When she finally got up, she moved around the room like an irritated ghost.
Theo noticed, but didnโt comment. He was used to the silent treatment by now.
While she brushed her hair, she caught him watching her from the mirror.
"What?" Danielle asked, annoyed.
"Nothing," he replies. "Just making sure youโre not planning another escape."
She rolled her eyes. "Youโre not funny."
"I wasnโt joking."
That made her pause. Then Danielle sighed and changed the subject. "Does he know about... the report?"
Theo stopped. "No."
"You hesitated."
"I said no."
But the tone was off. Danielle caught it immediately. "Youโre lying."
"You asked a question. I gave you an answer. Leave it."
"Theo, tell me the truth. Does he know what happened to me?"
Theoโs jaw tightened, but he didnโt say anything. That was all the answer she needed.
"You said he didnโt. You promised me!"
"I said he doesnโt know everything," Theo corrected her. "Thereโs a difference."
She blinked, stung. "You lied."
Theo looked away. "I protected you."
"From what?" she demanded.
"From breaking again. If you knew he already knew, you wouldโve done something reckless. You always do when youโre cornered."
"I trusted you."
"You still can."
"No, I canโt...You treat me like a child."
He gave a humorless smile. "No, I treat you like someone who forgets sheโs alive until someone reminds her."
That shut her up.
Danielle turned away first, picking up her bag.
"Youโre cruel, Theo," she said quietly.
He didnโt disagree. "So Iโve been told."
They didnโt speak much after that. Theo followed her to class every single day. He didnโt trust how calm things had been since the article broke.
Students whispered when they passed. Danielle heard words like "bodyguard," "that guy from the gate," "is she dating him?" She ignored them, but her cheeks were giving it away anyway.
They giggled.
From outside the glass wall, Theo wasnโt watching the girls, but Jackson, who had just entered the hall.
Jackson saw Theo too. His grin was all provocation.
"Well, well," he said loudly. "The guard dog returns."
"Still barking for attention, Jackson?"
"You think youโre funny?"
Theo shrugged. "I think Iโm wasting my breath."
That made Jacksonโs jaw twitch. "Youโll regret crossing me."
Theo took one step forward, just close enough for Jackson to catch his stare. "I already did once," he said. "Didnโt hurt much."
The words landed like quiet blows. Jackson sneered and turned away, shoving through the door.
Jackson went to Danielleโs desk. "Miss me?"
Danielle ignored him.
He chuckled under his breath. "Pretending Iโm not here wonโt save you."
"Jackson, acting like a little bitch wonโt make your pickle get bigger. So please, Iโm trying to learn here."
"..."
Well, there it was...Danielle hit the nerve again, and Jackson couldnโt tolerate it. He gritted his teeth so hard, even Danielle could hear it.
"Save them. You might need them when Theo breaks your jaw."
"What did you just say?" Jackson glared at Danielle who was uninterestingly looking at Theo.
Jackson somehow caught her glance, and something crossed his mind, โso heโs your new boy toy, huh?โ
And when the day was finally over, a long black car pulled by the campus gates. Theo let Danielle get inside first, then he joined.
"Itโs been a while, Danielle. The president is excited to see you," Frank greeted her.
"Yeah, me too..." Danielle lied, looking through the window.
"Itโs going to be a two hour ride, miss Danielle. Please rest."
"Theo is the one who needs to rest. He doesnโt sleep these days."
Frank looked at Theo, and immediately noticed his pale skin. "Youโre not supposed to look this weak, Theo. I will get someone to replace you."
