Chapter Text
Tawan leaned back in her sleek leather chair, hands steepled beneath her chin, her sharp gaze fixed on Freen pacing frantically across her office. The spacious room exuded power—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the bustling city, and on the wall hung framed accolades marking Tawan’s meteoric rise as the CEO of Thailand’s leading bodyguard agency.
“Tawan, come on! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Freen’s voice broke through the quiet tension. She stopped abruptly in front of Tawan’s desk, palms pressed down on its polished surface. “Do you have any idea what it would mean for me if you agree to this contract?”
Tawan sighed, her expression calm but tinged with irritation. “For you, sure. For me? A headache.”
Freen groaned. “Tawan, please. Do it for me. For us! You’re my ride or die, aren’t you?”
Tawan tilted her head, her lips curving faintly at the phrase. Freen loved throwing that around when she wanted something—especially something outrageous. And this definitely qualified.
“So let me get this straight.” Tawan’s voice was firm, cutting through Freen’s dramatics. “Mr. Thantachai—one of the most notorious mafia bosses of his generation—who also happens to be retired now, suddenly decides he needs a personal bodyguard? And out of everyone in Thailand, he wants me?”
Freen nodded eagerly. “Exactly. You’re the best, Tawan. You’re a legend.”
Tawan narrowed her eyes. “Flattery won’t work. Try again.”
“Okay, fine.” Freen rolled her eyes before softening her tone. “Look, my father’s breathing down my neck to close a deal with Mr. Thantachai’s business empire. It’s massive. You know this. If I pull this off, it’ll change everything for me—for my career, for my father’s trust, for—”
“—your sanity,” Tawan finished dryly.
“Exactly!” Freen practically shouted, throwing her hands up. “And the only thing Thantachai wants before he signs off on anything is you as his bodyguard.”
Tawan leaned forward, her elbows resting on her desk. “I don’t do side hustles anymore, Freen. I run an entire company. You know how much time I spend on it."
“I know,” Freen interjected quickly. “I know. But please. It’s just temporary. He’s retired, so it’s not like you’ll be running into shootouts or car chases. You’ll probably just be sitting around watching some ex-mafia sip tea.”
Tawan’s eyebrow arched. “That’s optimistic.”
Freen gave her a pleading look, one Tawan knew all too well. It was the look Freen used when they were teenagers sneaking into late-night parties, the look that got them out of trouble more times than either could count. Tawan groaned inwardly. Freen might be a professional businesswoman now, but when it came to Tawan, she was still the same stubborn best friend who never took no for an answer.
“I don’t know, Freen. Something about this doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Tawan,” Freen said softly, stepping closer. “You know I wouldn’t ask this if it weren’t important. You’re the only one I trust to make this work.”
Tawan let the words linger in the air, weighing them carefully. Freen was her ride or die, true, and over the years, that loyalty had been tested again and again. Tawan had dragged Freen out of impossible situations, just as Freen had pulled Tawan back when she got too close to the edge. If she said no now, she’d be turning her back on the one person who had never let her down.
After what felt like an eternity, Tawan exhaled sharply and leaned back in her chair. “Fine.”
“Fine?!” Freen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Fine,” Tawan repeated, though her tone was firm. “But this is only for you. And it’s temporary. If I even sense something’s off, I’m out. Got it?”
Before Tawan could blink, Freen let out a squeal of excitement and practically jumped. “You’re the best, Tawan!”
“Sit down before you break something,” Tawan muttered, shaking her head as she tried to hide a smirk.
Freen spun around, giddy, and collapsed dramatically into the chair opposite Tawan. “You won’t regret this.”
“I already do,” Tawan replied under her breath.
Freen didn’t hear it—or maybe she just chose to ignore it. “I’ll make all the arrangements with Mr. Thantachai’s people. You’ll meet him tomorrow at his estate. And—oh!—focus on the paycheck,” Freen teased, grinning ear to ear. “You’re gonna kill it.”
Tawan shook her head, her gut telling her this contract would be more trouble than Freen—or even Mr. Thantachai—was letting on. But for Freen’s sake, she was in.
For now.
---
The sleek black sedan rolled to a stop in front of an extravagant estate—one of those sprawling, palatial mansions that screamed old money and power. Tawan stepped out, adjusting the cuffs of her blazer as her sharp eyes surveyed the property. Security guards stood at attention along the perimeter, their postures stiff and their gazes sharp, though none of them acknowledged her arrival. They were trained well.
Of course, Tawan thought dryly. What else would you expect from Thantachai’s house?
She was escorted inside, the grand interiors a mixture of lavish decor and intimidation. Marble floors, towering ceilings, walls lined with family portraits. Every corner carried the silent weight of legacy. It was suffocating.
Tawan was led to a private study. She barely stepped in when she saw him—Mr. Thantachai, once one of the most feared mafia bosses in the country, now an aging man in a tailored suit, seated behind an ornate mahogany desk. His presence was as formidable as ever. Even without saying a word, he commanded the room.
“Tawan,” Thantachai greeted, his gravelly voice carrying across the space. “The best in the business.”
Tawan stepped forward with measured grace. “Mr. Thantachai,” she replied, respectful but not deferential. “I heard you requested me personally.”
He studied her for a moment, sharp eyes betraying his years of experience in reading people. “Take a seat.”
Tawan did, sitting with her usual air of calm professionalism. “Your men didn’t mention much. I assumed you wanted protection for yourself.”
Thantachai smirked faintly, as if he found her assumption amusing. “Not for me,” he corrected. “But, for my daughter.”
Tawan blinked once, her surprise betraying her. “Your daughter?”
“Yes. Ira,” Thantachai confirmed, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve been receiving threats. Letters. Calls. Someone wants me dead, though they don’t have the guts to act on it—yet.”
Tawan’s brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s from your past?”
Thantachai chuckled, though it was devoid of humor. “You don’t make it as far as I did without stepping on people along the way. Some enemies forget. Some forgive. But a few? They linger.” He waved a dismissive hand. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with it.”
“Then why am I here?” Tawan pressed, growing impatient. “If you’re handling it yourself—”
“I need someone I trust to protect Ira in the meantime.” Thantachai’s tone hardened, his eyes narrowing. “My daughter doesn’t need to know all the details. She’s… She's different from others. And this is a delicate matter. The last thing I want is her getting caught in someone’s petty revenge.”
Tawan frowned as she reads the document in front of her. “So this contract is only for a month?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “That’s all I need. I plan to find whoever’s behind this quickly and… resolve it.” His pause didn’t leave much to the imagination.
“And after that?” Tawan asked, still skeptical.
Thantachai shrugged, though his gaze didn’t waver. “After that, you’ll be free to return to your empire, Miss CEO.”
There was a beat of silence as Tawan processed the information. She had anticipated dealing with Mr. Thantachai himself—a man known for his dangerous history. Instead, she would now be playing bodyguard to his daughter, some rich heiress likely sheltered her entire life. It didn’t sit well.
“I’ll be honest, Mr. Thantachai,” Tawan said carefully, leaning forward. “I don’t typically take contracts like this. Babysitting college kids isn’t what I do.”
Thantachai’s eyes sharpened. “I’m not asking you to babysit. I’m asking you to keep her alive.”
That silenced any further protests. Tawan’s jaw tightened as she considered the weight of his words. Whatever threats were aimed at Thantachai, they were serious enough for him to call in someone like her. And for all his arrogance, there was genuine concern in the way he spoke about his daughter.
“And she already know about this?” Tawan asked.
“Yes. She’ll meet you tomorrow,” Thantachai replied, his tone brooking no argument. “You’ll report to the estate at 9 a.m. sharp. My men will send you her schedule.”
Tawan exhaled slowly, realizing there was no turning back now. “Fine,” she said, her voice low and firm. “One month. That’s all.”
Thantachai’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Good. I knew I could rely on you.”
As Tawan stood, straightening her posture, a sudden thought nagged at her. “One last thing, Mr. Thantachai.”
“Yes?”
“What kind of person is your daughter?”
Thantachai’s expression shifted slightly, as if he were both amused and annoyed by the question. “You’ll see for yourself tomorrow.”
Tawan narrowed her eyes, but the conversation was clearly over. The guard who had escorted her in reappeared at the door, ready to take her out.
As she walked back through the expansive estate, Tawan’s mind raced. Her new assignment didn’t sit right with her, and she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that protecting Ira might be far more complicated than her father was letting on.
But as the heavy doors of the estate closed behind her, Tawan couldn’t ignore the unease in her chest. Something about this job felt different—dangerous, unpredictable. And if there was one thing Tawan hated, it was the unknown.
Tomorrow, she’d meet Ira. And something told her that her life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.
---
Tawan stormed back into her office, her blazer slung over her shoulder and her patience hanging by a thread. She dropped into her chair with an audible sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as Freen followed close behind, positively glowing.
“You are the best best friend anyone could ask for,” Freen chirped, practically skipping toward Tawan’s desk. “I mean it. You’re a lifesaver.”
Tawan shot her a flat look. “I’m starting to regret that title.”
Before Freen could reply, the office door flew open—no knock, no warning. Gap Jakarin, one of Tawan’s senior bodyguards, marched in with his usual overconfidence, a sly grin plastered across his face.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Tawan muttered. “Privacy doesn’t exist around here anymore?”
“Boss!” Gap beamed, ignoring the glare Tawan shot his way. “I just heard. You’re gonna be Ira's bodyguard?”
Tawan groaned, leaning back in her chair. “Not now, Gap.”
“Oh, now is the perfect time,” Gap replied, dragging a chair up to join Freen on the other side of Tawan’s desk. “You know about her, right? Everyone knows about her. She’s a legend."
“Legend?” Tawan frowned. “You mean the mafia’s brat?”
“Exactly!” Gap pointed at her, his grin widening. “Ira. Rebellious. Spoiled. Attitude like a hurricane. No bodyguard’s lasted more than a day with her. That girl’s a menace.”
Freen stifled a laugh, biting her lower lip as Tawan shot her a murderous look. “Don’t encourage him,” Tawan warned.
“Oh, come on,” Freen teased. “It’s kind of funny.”
“It’s not funny,” Tawan snapped. “I thought I was protecting Thantachai himself. Instead, I’m stuck babysitting his college daughter.”
Gap leaned forward, clearly savoring every second of this. “Did they tell you she sneaks out, too? Like, regularly. All the other bodyguards couldn’t even keep up with her. And this is a girl who grew up in a mafia household. She’s basically trained to disappear whenever she wants.”
Tawan stared at him, her face blank. “Fantastic.”
“Oh, and you’ll love this,” Gap continued, barely holding back laughter. “Her father’s practically losing his mind. He’s getting death threats left and right, but the real crisis? His precious daughter keeps firing everyone he hires. I think she once told a guy he was boring and made him cry.”
Freen snorted, and Tawan shot her a withering look. “Are you enjoying this, Freen?”
“A little,” Freen admitted, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “But I’m just so grateful you’re helping me out. You really are the best.”
Gap grinned mischievously. “Boss, you can do everything, right? Even babysitting?”
Tawan’s jaw clenched. “Gap, I swear—”
“I’m just saying!” Gap held up his hands, mock innocence on his face. “If anyone can handle that untamable heiress, it’s you. The great Tawan. Skilled bodyguard, CEO, and now, a professional babysitter.”
Freen burst into full laughter this time, slapping the desk for emphasis. Tawan glared at both of them, though her silence only made Freen laugh harder.
“Are you two done?” Tawan asked icily.
“Not even close,” Freen replied, wiping tears from her eyes. “But I’ll stop. Tawan—I really owe you big time for this.”
“You definitely owe me,” Tawan muttered, grabbing a stack of paperwork and pointedly ignoring Gap’s lingering smirk.
Gap leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he observed her. “Good luck, boss. You’ll need it.”
Tawan shot him a look that could melt steel. “Out. Both of you.”
Freen quickly stood, still giggling, while Gap offered a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am. See you tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring snacks. Babysitters usually need snacks.”
“Gap!” Tawan’s voice followed them as they disappeared out the door, Freen’s laughter echoing in the hallway.
Once the office was finally silent, Tawan slumped back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. “I cannot believe this,” she muttered to herself. “I went from CEO to glorified babysitter.”
She closed her eyes, already dreading tomorrow’s meeting with Ira. One month of rebellious brat duty—what could possibly go wrong?
Everything, she thought bitterly. Everything could go wrong.
---
Tawan stood stiffly in the expansive living room of Mr. Thantachai's mansion, her hands clasped tightly behind her back. She’d been here less than fifteen minutes, and already the grandeur of the place was starting to grate on her nerves. She wasn’t easily intimidated, but waiting around like some underpaid employee wasn’t exactly a highlight of her day.
Professional. That’s what she needed to be—cool, collected, and ready for whatever Thantachai’s brat of a daughter had to throw at her. Just one month, she reminded herself, straightening her posture as she glanced at her watch.
“Where the hell is she?” she muttered under her breath.
And then, as if summoned by her thoughts, she heard light footsteps approaching. Tawan looked up—and promptly forgot how to breathe.
The woman who strolled in wasn’t what Tawan expected at all. She’d imagined some punkish rebel, dripping in arrogance and bad attitude, maybe even a leather jacket despite the heat. But no. This woman—Ira—walked in wearing a crisp university uniform. Simple. Clean. Innocent. And yet somehow devastatingly hot.
Tawan’s throat went dry. Her heart stumbled in her chest as she tightened her fist against her side, willing herself to remain calm.
Focus, she scolded herself. This is your boss' daughter.
But that didn’t stop her brain from whispering, If she wasn’t Thantachai’s daughter, I’d absolutely hit on her.
Ira, meanwhile, had barely glanced at Tawan. She adjusted her bag, her face the perfect picture of disinterest—until her sharp gaze settled on Tawan. She paused, one eyebrow arching with pure skepticism.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Tawan blinked, her temporary daze snapping like a rubber band. The disbelief in Ira’s tone grated on her already frayed nerves, and she slipped effortlessly back into her professional mask.
“I’m Tawan,” she replied, her voice clipped and firm. “Your new bodyguard. I was assigned by your father.”
Ira’s lips curled into something between a smirk and a scoff. “A new bodyguard, huh?” She chuckled, the sound low and mocking as she dropped her bag onto the couch. “Well, don’t get too comfortable. I’ll get rid of you by the end of the day.”
Tawan narrowed her eyes, holding back an annoyed sigh. “I’m here to do my job, Miss Ira. That’s all.”
“Miss Ira?” Ira echoed, amusement dancing in her eyes as she plopped onto the couch and stretched her arms lazily. “How professional of you.”
Tawan ignored the jab. “Let me make this clear,” she said firmly, stepping closer and crossing her arms. “I’m here to keep you safe. That means I’ll be with you at all times—during all your schedules, on campus, wherever you go. You will not leave my sight.”
Ira raised her brows, leaning back into the cushions with an expression of sheer boredom. “Oh, I’ve heard that before.” She waved her hand dismissively. “And every single one of you has failed. Eventually.”
“I’m not here to fail,” Tawan shot back, her tone sharp as steel. "I'll need to keep you close."
Ira tilted her head, her gaze suddenly alight with playful mischief. “Never leave your sight, huh?”
Tawan stared at her, already sensing trouble. “That’s right.”
Ira slowly stepped up, her movements deliberate as she closed the distance between them. Tawan froze, her spine straight as Ira sauntered closer—too close.
“How close?” Ira teased softly, stopping just inches from Tawan’s face. Her amber eyes bore into Tawan’s with a challenge she couldn’t ignore.
Tawan swallowed hard, her professional mask beginning to crack as she tightened her arms against her chest.
Ira smirked and leaned even closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “This close?”
Tawan’s breath hitched. For a second, she forgot where she was, her gaze darting down to Ira’s lips before snapping back to her eyes. Stay professional, her brain screamed, but her heart was racing like she’d just run a marathon.
And then Ira moved closer still, her face mere inches away. “Or… this close?”
It took everything Tawan had not to stumble back, but her restraint finally snapped. She lifted her hand and pressed two fingers firmly to Ira’s forehead, pushing her backward like an unruly child.
“Enough,” Tawan said curtly, her voice steady despite the heat in her cheeks.
Ira laughed—a full, teasing laugh that made Tawan’s pulse thrum with irritation. “Aw, did I fluster you?”
“No,” Tawan replied flatly, though her voice betrayed the slightest hint of breathlessness. “I’m not playing around, Miss Ira. Your life is in danger. I suggest you cooperate until your father finds out who’s threatening him.”
Ira rolled her eyes and turned away, clearly unimpressed. “Yeah, yeah. Do whatever you want. Just don’t get in my way.”
She grabbed her car keys off the table and slung her bag over her shoulder. “I’m driving myself. Try to keep up.”
Tawan sighed as she followed Ira to the front door, muttering under her breath. “This is going to be a long month.”
She watched as Ira strutted confidently to her car, sliding into the driver’s seat like she owned the world. Tawan huffed, shaking her head as she headed for her own vehicle.
Ira is a catch, she admitted grudgingly as she buckled her seatbelt, glancing at the girl’s car pulling out of the driveway. But with that attitude? No thanks.
She followed Ira’s car down the long private driveway, already mentally compiling a list of ways to survive this assignment. At the top of the list? Reminding herself that Freen definitely owed her.
“A really, really big time,” Tawan muttered to herself, groaning as Ira sped up.
One month, she thought again. Just one month.