DIE FOR YOU - chapter one
I woke up the next morning to a knocking on my bedroom door, the unfamiliar sound confusing me as I sat up, wincing in pain that centred around my forehead. I usually woke myself up due to the fact that my dad was always working and my classes started at 5pm, I had no real reason to wake up at this ungodly hour.
โCome in.โ I called, rubbing my eyes as I moved to cross my legs, sat atop my oversized bed as my dad entered the room, crossing to the bay windows before opening both sets of curtains, letting the light in โWhatโs going on?โ
โYouโre meeting your security personnel today.โ He simply said, heading back towards the double doors โThen I have a business meeting, you will find something to do for the time being and later weโll have dinner. Your classes have been cancelled for tonight, after what happened yesterday.โ
โDad, honestly Iโm fine.โ I sighed, my head disagreeing with my statement instantly.
โHonestly, you donโt look it.โ He admitted, โYou have about twenty minutes to get dressed and look alive again, Bella-Bear.โ
โTwenty minutes?โ I scoffed, โSo Iโll take forty then.โ
โAs you always do.โ He smiled, closing the door behind him as I let out a breath of air.
Time to see if I did actually look as bad as a feel. I slowly slid out of my bed, trudging along to my ensuite bathroom, heading to the mirror above one of the sinks to see the horror before me.
My plaster had fallen off sometime during my sleep, revealing a very swollen and very purple bruise, the area around my eyes darkened slightly due to the impact of being hit with the butt of a gun.
โOh my god.โ I whispered, staring in complete shock horror at my appearance โNothing can fix this.โ
I got to work, showering, blow drying my hair, washing my face but being extra delicate with my forehead as I applied different face wash treatments and creams, finishing by applying some makeup, thanking the makeup gods for concealer that helped make the situation at least a little better.
Who was I even trying to impress? Some 40-year-old ex-military bodyguards that probably wouldnโt even spare me a second glance? No. Myself. And the various business people that will probably see me at the dinner my father had planned later that day.
Once I was satisfied with my attempt at covering the damage, I moved to my wardrobe, connected through my ensuite so I could easily move from there to change and back out to my bedroom. Honestly, it was excessive, but the archetype and home designer asked me to design my room, so naturally, I went a little overboard. Every little girl dreams of designing their own bedroom when they grow up, and well, I got to live that dream to the fullest.
It wasnโt long before I was changed into a beige turtleneck sweater, tan tartan skirt, black tights and knee-high boots, planning on walking my dog after briefly meeting the men that would observe me 24/7.
Before leaving, I glanced towards the safe in my room, heading over to unlock it with my code before taking out my handgun, tucking it into the waistband of my skirt, using the oversized fabric of my sweater to cover it before grabbing my jacket just incase.
I exited my bedroom, glancing up from my phone to see one of the home security guards nod in my direction, gesturing towards the staircase.
โYour bodyguards have already arrived maโam.โ He said as I headed towards the left staircase โTheyโre all waiting in the Parlor.โ
โIs Jesse here?โ I asked, noticing how the man frowned in response before nodding slightly.
โHe should be arriving later, Maโam.โ He said.
โThank you.โ I smiled, heading down the steps before glancing around at the ridiculous amount of guards in every visible room, guarding any main door that led to the outside and any potential threats.
โYou are to escort her wherever she goes,โ I heard an increase of my fathers voice as I headed towards the Parlor โRemain by her side whenever I am out of the country, perform background checks on any individual that she has contact with, eliminate threats to her life and-โ
โTreat me like a Royal Princess.โ I interrupted sarcastically, entering the room as many pairs of eyes turned to look at me โHonestly, I can manage one foot in front of the other, father, I donโt need this many people risking this lives for me when Iโm not in danger.โ
โBella-bear, my Princess.โ My father said, moving around the chaise lounge to hug me โYou said youโd play along.โ He whispered as I sighed before nodding, turning to observe the men with a smile.
All seven of them, stood side-by-side, clad in dark suits with matching ear pieces, seven pairs of eyes on me.
Ex militia. And from the looks of it were not failing in the beauty department. Hot but deadly, and completely off limits to me, as this kind of business would be strictly professional. They would protect me and I would naturally hate them for not giving me space. Thatโs how this works.
โBella-bear meet Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Kim Namjoon, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jeongguk.โ My father said, each giving me a curt nod when their name is mentioned โThe top security personnel in the country, hired solely to protect my daughter as recommended by me and my dear friend and boss President Yang. As everyone within this room knows, my job is extremely important and due to the ties between the American Government and Secret Intelligence Service, as well as the South Korean Government and my job as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Security Agency it poses a great risk to the lives of those important to me. And the only life important to me is my daughterโs, and because of my status, the entirety of the world is aware of this fact.โ
โSo Iโm going to have a security personnel following me around for the rest of my life?โ I asked, slightly worried that the response would be bad.
โFor as long as your life is in danger, we will protect you, Miss Roman.โ Kim Namjoon nodded.
โRight, that settles it then.โ My father said, clapping his hands together in contentment before checking his watch โI have a meeting in twenty-five minutes so I better head out, boys, take good care of her while Iโm gone, okay?โ
โYes, Sir.โ Seokjin nodded.
โOf course, Mr Roman.โ Jungkook said, my eyes following my father as he smiled, kissing my cheek before leaving with two guards of his own.
I let out a breath of air, slowly turning back around to see that the seven of them were still watching me, either out of curiosity or cautiousness as if at any given moment I might be attackedโฆ or maybe they were staring at the hideous bruise on my forehead?
โIโm walking my dog.โ I announced, turning to leave the Parlor when footsteps followed, not just one or two like I had suspectedโฆ noโฆ all seven, and just to confirm I turned back to see that, yes, they were all right behind me โHonestly, canโt I just bring one of you along?โ I sighed.
โNo less than two.โ Namjoon said, โJungkook come with me. The others, find something useful to do.โ
โYouโre a little young.โ I voiced aloud as we began walking, heading to the kitchen where Frodo was most likely eating his food โAnd you did Military Training?โ
โI started young, Miss Roman.โ Jungkook nodded, his voice kept professional and straight to the point โFinished top of my regiment, with only a few years training.โ
โImpressive.โ I said, pushing open the kitchen door only to have Frodo leap up immediately, tongue sticking out as his tail wagged, trying to familiarise himself with the new company โNone of you are afraid of dogs are you?โ
โOf aโฆ Border Collie?โ Namjoon asked as he became Frodoโs next victim, jumping onto his back paws as Namjoon scratched the top of his head and behind his ears.
โOkay, allergic then?โ I sighed.
โNegative.โ Jungkook said, Frodo moving to him.
โThis is Agent Wolf, confirming location. Wildfire.โ Namjoon spoke, pressing a finger to his earpiece as he turned away โRosebud is secured, will be on the move but escorted by myself and Agent Bambi.โ
โWildfire and Rosebud?โ I frowned as Namjoon turned back around to face me โCode names.โ
โIโm Agent Wolf. Jungkook is Agent Bambi. Wildfire is your home.โ He nodded firmly, โAnd youโre Rosebud. Incase anyone who is a threat to you gains access to those communication devices, the code words will help to conceal your whereabouts.โ
โNobody knows who I am.โ I huffed, โJust some Government Officialโs daughterโฆ why would anyone want to kill me?โ
Namjoon and Jungkook remained silent, watching as I whistled to Frodo, getting him to follow me before heading back through the house and to the front door.
โHow far is this park?โ Namjoon asked as he headed straight towards one of the black SUVs with tinted windows and no doubt bulletproof titanium armour infused into the body of the car.
โYou walk to the park.โ I said, glancing down at my dog โThatโs the point of walking your dog.โ
โHaving you out in the open like that is dangerous.โ Jungkook said, shaking his head โWe cannot risk it, Miss Roman, Iโm sorry.โ
โI have a run in with my crazy ex-boyfriend and Iโve suddenly got seven keepers?โ I scoffed, shaking my head before walking towards the security gate โNo, I am going to continue doing normal things and walk my dog, no matter the risks.โ
โDammit, I knew youโd be difficult the moment I laid eyes on you.โ Namjoon mumbled before rushing to catch up, Jungkook on the other side of me โJust listen to everything I tell you so we can keep you as safe as possible.โ
โWouldnโt want to spoil your pay check by having my head blown off, would you?โ I whispered, Namjoon and
Jungkook keeping straight faces as they continued to look ahead of us, Jungkookโs head every so often moving to rest on the gun he had tucked into the inside of his suit jacket, Namjoonโs eyes scanning every inch of the dog park we had arrived in โDonโt you find this exhausting?โ
โFind what exhausting, Miss Roman?โ Namjoon asked as Jungkook watched Frodo rolling around with a smile on his face.
โDedicating your life to protecting someone else whilst they live theirs?โ I asked.
โI work with six friends that I consider my brothers, doing a job that I know Iโm good at.โ Namjoon said, โAt the end of the day, my client is my responsibility, and in this case, that is you. Saving the lives of others is thrilling, if I be so bold to state. My sincere apologies, Miss Roman.โ
โNo, no, itโs completely fine.โ I reassured him, โIt was my fault, Iโm just trying to make this situation a little less awkward, by getting to know you both a little better since weโll be spending so much time together anyway.โ
โUnderstandable.โ Namjoon nodded, โWe need to wrap this up and head home, this place is not secure.โ
I frowned, looking around at the various people in the park. An elderly couple walking their dogs, kids running around with their dog, couples in conversation on a few benches.
โI donโt think anybody is a threat to me here.โ I said, watching as Namjoonโs shoulders tensed up, clearly not appreciating my constant need to second guess him.
โOkay, Iโll let you make the decisions.โ I nodded, whistling Frodo back over, Jungkook turning to look at me, nodding curtly โAfter all, my life is in your hands.โ
The walk back was quick and efficient, just as Namjoon must have planned it, a few pedestrians giving me odd looks as two men in suits with ear pieces followed me, Jungkook beside me, Namjoon behind, Frodo clueless as he ran ahead.
โYouโll have to make us aware of your schedule.โ Namjoon said, โSo I can plan ahead the safest route and ensure that nobody there is a threat to you.โ
โI have night classes at the medical school a little across town.โ I said, waiting as Namjoon typed in the code to unlock the security gate of my house.
โFrom five to ten.โ Namjoon nodded as the gate opened โI am aware. I meant your personal schedule, meeting with friends, hobbies.โ
โI donโt really do much else other than go to school, study, walk Frodo and go horse riding.โ I shrugged, โItโs hard to make friends given my dadโs job and how Iโm always busy so I usually just hang out with Jesse.โ
โBoyfriend?โ Jungkook asked as I snorted out a laugh.
โMy bodyguard, before you seven.โ I corrected.
โAh, I see, the one who failed at protecting you.โ Namjoon said, showing his I.D to the guard at the front door although me being there was enough proof Iโd assume.
โHe wasโฆ well, yes, but it was partially my fault.โ I huffed, watching as Frodo ran off in the opposite direction inside the house. Namjoon, Jungkook and I stopping underneath the chandelier as the guard shut the door behind us.
โWith us youโll never be hurt.โ Namjoon nodded, โAnd it will never be partially your fault because we wonโt fail you.โ
โGood to know.โ I smiled, โWell, Iโm going to study a little while my dad is away and then I guess weโll have that dinner.โ
โA few minutes please, Miss Roman.โ Namjoon said, โYour room is just being checked.โ
โWhat?โ I whispered a slight scoff โThere are people in my room?โ
โWe just ensure that it is clear.โ Namjoon said, โNo hidden cameras, mics, etc. Your father informed us that the house is regularly checked but you refuse to have your room checked.โ
โBecause, firstly I hardly let anyone in there!โ I gasped, completely bewildered that my father had allowed someone to invade my privacy like that โAnd secondly, invasion of privacy!โ
โItโs all for your own safety.โ Namjoon sighed, โItโll do you good to remember that, save us arguments in the future.โ
I glared at him, crossing my arms before stomping my foot in a childlike manner, on the verge of having a tantrum but I wasnโt going to give him that, especially because he looked on in amusement at my actions.
โYou listen to what we say, when we say it.โ Namjoon shrugged, โYouโll stay alive and safe that way, and itโll make this easier for all of us.โ
โAnd if I don't?โ I asked, tilting my head to the side as I smiled slightly โIf I make your life a living hell, what happens then?โ
โIโll repay the favour.โ He said, completely unfazed by my words, making me even more frustrated due to the fact that he didnโt even care.
I span around on my heel, heading straight upstairs and turning down my hallway, stomping towards my bedroom doors which were adjacent, my eyes immediately moving to the bright-red-haired man, Taehyung, taking my journal out of my bedside table.
I stopped in the hallway, glancing over to see Jimin stood on my expensive vintage corner chair from Paris, checking each corner and crevasse of the room for cameras, I presumed.
Yoongi stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed as he observed his colleagues invading my personal belongings.
I stepped further into the room, unnoticed by any of them, turning to see that my en-suite bathroom door was open, Seokjin stood looking around before he began to search through the cupboards, pausing every so often to look in the mirror.
Hoseok was in my walk-in-wardrobe, every so often picking up an item of my clothing and frowning before he headed back into the main room through the other door, holding my most expensive item of lingerie, my face turning as red as the fabric.
โUh, guys, do you think this is my colour?โ Hoseok asked, Yoongi turning and clearing his throat when he noticed the item of clothing, Jimin reacting in a completely different way, losing balance and stumbling off the chair, saving himself from falling by grabbing my bed frame, eyes wide.
โProfessional Security Personnel?โ I scoffed, all eyes turning to me as Hoseok smirked, glancing from the fabric to me, no doubt trying to imagine me in it like a pervert, suddenly making me feel incredibly uncomfortable.
โSorry, sweetheart.โ Hoseok said, still holding the garment in plain sight โI was curious who Iโd be protecting with my life, it seems youโre worth a bullet after all.โ
I rolled my eyes, moving to snatch the fabric from him when he held it behind him and high above his head.
โThis is a key piece of evidence.โ Hoseok said, โIs there somebody we should know about? You know, so we can put them on the list of cleared friendsโฆ or others.โ
โNobody to know about.โ I shrugged, โItโs my most expensive piece, so I havenโt worn it.โ
โYet.โ Jimin added as I turned to look at him, looking on curiously as his eyes darkened and he smirked.
โYet.โ I repeated, watching the surprise fill his face as Hoseok cleared his throat.
โEverybody out.โ Namjoon spoke sternly, all eyes turning to see him in the doorway โIf the place is clear, leave Miss Roman to her studies.โ
Taehyung moved to hand me the journal, Hoseok and Jimin leaving the room together, Yoongi grabbing the piece of fabric from Hoseok as he passed him, Hoseok frowning in confusion as if he had forgotten, Jin following suite with Taehyung. Leaving Yoongi behind, who remained watching me, an unreadable expression on his face, my lingerie in his hand.
โThank you.โ I said as he handed me the lingerie, letting out a small smile, waiting for him to return one but he kept a cold expression, said nothing and left.
I let out a breath of air in annoyance as Namjoon moved to shut the door behind him โIโll be just outside.โ
โOn guard.โ I mumbled, โYou donโt have to, nobody inside my home is out to get me.โ
โMy job is to protect you, and I donโt have much else to do whilst in your home.โ He shrugged, โStop resisting my need to do my job.โ
I held his stare before turning away to gather my folders and other studies, hearing the door click shut and returning my gaze to see that I was now alone.