Like A Child
SARAH
“I want you to know… I love your brothers,” he started.
I almost groaned. Not this again, I thought, biting the inside of my cheek. I braced myself.
“They’re my sons. My heirs. But you, Angel…” He paused, his fingers brushing the crown of my head. “You are the most important person in my life.”
I swallowed, not sure how to respond. It was heavy, unexpected and yet somehow, it hurt. I didn’t know why. Maybe it was the way it came out like a confession. Maybe it was the way he said it so plainly, so sincerely, that it made me feel like a child again. Like I was both special and burdened by it all.
I rolled my eyes slightly. He pretended not to notice.
And just like that, he stepped away. “I just wanted you to know that,” he said, and something about the way he said it stung.
That ache, that weird ache, settled in my chest. Like when you remember something sad but can’t explain why it’s sad at all.
He cleared his throat and the moment dissolved, his posture shifting back into his usual composed self.
“I know Ryan doesn’t want me there,” he said, businesslike again. “And he doesn’t want bodyguards hovering either. So, your guards will drive you, but they’ll wait in the parking lot. Just in case. Like I said before, if anything happens, say the word.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he wasn’t finished.
“And one more thing.”
I sighed, wary already. “Dad…”
He held up a hand. “Just hear me out. I’ve arranged for someone to follow you.”
“What?” I almost stood up from my chair. “No. Absolutely not....”
“Wait for it,” he said, holding my gaze now, firm. “He’s not a guard. He’s been enrolled at the university. He’s just a student like anyone else. No one will question him. Not even Ryan.”
“Dad,” I protested again. “This is....this is insane.”
He stepped closer again. “This is between me and you. Do not tell Ryan about this. I’m not taking any chances with your safety.”
I looked away from him, at the mirror again. His words rang louder in my head. I didn’t know what to feel. Safe or caged?
When I went to join my father for breakfast, I was surprised to find that Ryan was already there. They had started without me. No one had come to get me, and for a second, I wondered if that was on purpose. But the moment I stepped into the room, my father’s voice filled the space warmly.
“There is my angel.”
I walked towards him, kissed both of his cheeks as was our little tradition, and sat beside him, placing myself directly across from Ryan.
“Good morning,” I said, politely.
“Good morning, Dad’s angel,” Ryan replied.
I froze. The words caught me off guard. Was it a joke? A jab? A flash of jealousy? Just regular old dry humour? I couldn’t tell. I didn’t know how to react.
“Ryan,” my father snapped.
“I was just joking,” he said with a shrug, offering what might have been a smile. Or at least some kind of vague imitation of one. It wasn’t quite real, and I could tell he wasn’t really invested in it either.
We continued with our breakfast, the atmosphere slightly tense but not hard or unbearable. Once finished, Ryan pushed his chair back and stood up.
“Come on,” he said to me. “Let’s go.”
But before I could respond, my father cut in.
“Actually, I think we’ll just follow you behind.”
Ryan narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“She’s coming with her bodyguards.”
“We already talked about this,” Ryan said.
“They’re not going to come in. But after the tour, you can go wherever you want. Leave her with the bodyguards.”
“Really?” Ryan asked, looking amused now. “So you trust your guards more than you trust me?”
I could feel the room tighten, like a string being pulled too hard.
“I never said that,” my father said, trying to keep his voice even. “You have work today, and you know the only reason I allowed you off it is because you’re taking her on that tour. I want you back to work ASAP.”
The two of them stared at each other in some silent battle I wanted no part of.
“Whatever,” Ryan muttered, then turned on his heel and walked outside.
My father turned to me and took my hand, guiding me gently to the door. He helped me into the back of the car and adjusted the seat like I was still his little girl. Then he stepped back to have a quiet word with the bodyguards.
I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but the look in his eyes told me enough. He was probably threatening their entire bloodline if anything happened to me. The two guards nodded quickly, their faces solemn, before climbing into the front seats. I was alone in the back, the car already rolling out of the gates.
Of course, I had been talking to Cullen since I woke up today, and he’d pretty much got me semi-addicted to my phone. But anyway, I already told him about the plans: going with Ryan to the university for a tour. I remembered to carry my phone in my bag, and as we drove there, I decided to take it out and chat with Cullen for a few minutes. Just to keep myself preoccupied, to brace myself for whatever awaited me.....spending who knows how many minutes alone with Ryan.
'We just got here. I’ll talk to you later,' I texted.
'What? Please tell me you’ll at least send me something during the tour.'
'You’re bad for me.'
'I don’t want anybody to get suspicious,' I answered back quickly, then put my phone into my bag just as the guard opened the car door for me.
I stepped out, heels clicking against the pavement, and immediately spotted Ryan already striding ahead, weaving between the garden paths and heading deeper into the university. I bit my lip. He wasn’t waiting for me.
Of course not. I had to half-walk, half-jog to catch up. The man had ridiculously long legs. Each step of his was worth two of mine, and with my mini heels on, I was nearly hobbling.
“Hey! Ryan, wait for me!” I finally shouted, breathless.
He didn’t slow. Didn’t turn. Didn’t even acknowledge I existed until he suddenly stopped, mid-stride. Still no glance backwards.
I finally reached him, gasping and winded, bending slightly to catch my breath. “Oh my God, haven’t you ever had a stroll with a woman before?” I huffed. “Why would you make me run like that? Now my feet are aching and my.....”
“Stop,” he said, cutting me off.
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