My bodyguard, my lover

CHAPTER ONE The Man Who Never Smiled

Bangkok, Thailand — 7:15 a.m.Akin Rattanakul hated three things in life.People who touched his belongings without permission.People who told him what to do.And people who thought money could buy his happiness.Unfortunately, his father was all three."Akin!"The loud voice coming from downstairs made the twenty-one-year-old groan beneath his expensive white bedsheets."AKIN RATTANAKUL!""I'm dead!" Akin shouted into his pillow. "Tell him I'm dead!"His bedroom door flew open.His father's personal assistant, Mr. Somchai, stood in the doorway with the exhausted expression of a man who had been dealing with Akin's nonsense for far too long."Young master, your father is waiting.""Then let him wait.""He's been waiting for twenty minutes.""Wonderful. He should try waiting for twenty more.""Your father said that if you don't come downstairs immediately, he'll suspend your credit cards."Akin sat up."He wouldn't dare."Mr. Somchai said nothing.Akin threw off his blanket."That old man is becoming a dictator.""Good morning to you too, young master.""Don't good-morning me. Bring my coffee."With that, Akin climbed out of bed.Twenty minutes later, he walked into the enormous dining room wearing black trousers and a loose white shirt. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and his expression suggested that the entire world had personally offended him.His father sat at the head of the table.Krit Rattanakul was a powerful businessman whose name appeared regularly in Thailand's financial newspapers. He owned luxury hotels, shopping malls, and several international companies.He also had the unfortunate belief that his only son was incapable of taking care of himself."Sit down," Krit ordered.Akin pulled out a chair."If this is about my grades, I passed everything.""It's not about your grades.""Then if it's about the car, I already apologized.""You crashed a sports car worth millions of baht.""The wall came out of nowhere."His father stared at him.Akin reached for his orange juice."Fine. The wall was innocent. Happy?"Krit placed his newspaper on the table."Starting today, you will have a personal bodyguard."Akin stopped drinking.Slowly, he lowered his glass."A what?""A bodyguard.""Father, I'm your son, not the president.""Someone followed you home last week.""It was probably a fan.""It was a stranger who knew your name, your university, and the location of your apartment."For the first time that morning, Akin had nothing sarcastic to say.His father continued."Until we discover who that person is, you will not go anywhere alone. Your new bodyguard will accompany you to university, social events, and every other place you visit."Akin leaned back in his chair."No.""This is not a discussion.""Then I'm not listening.""Akin.""Dad."They stared at each other.Finally, Krit sighed."He's waiting outside."Akin frowned."He's already here?""Yes.""Without my permission?""He's employed by me."Akin stood abruptly."Fantastic. I'll tell him to go home."He marched toward the entrance, already preparing the speech he would give the unfortunate stranger.He would explain that he didn't need a babysitter, that he valued his privacy, and that following him around would be a complete waste of time.Then he opened the front door.And forgot every word.A man stood beside a black luxury car.He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His dark hair was neatly styled, and a small communication earpiece rested against his ear.His expression was calm.Almost frighteningly calm.He looked like the kind of man who could stop a fight without raising his voice.Or break someone's wrist without changing his expression.Akin hated how handsome he was.Actually, no.He hated how handsome he was while looking completely uninterested in Akin.The stranger turned toward him."Mr. Rattanakul?"Akin blinked."Who wants to know?""Nawin Sutham. Your new personal bodyguard."His voice was deep and steady.Akin crossed his arms."How old are you?""Twenty-seven.""And you've agreed to babysit a twenty-one-year-old man?""I'm here to protect you.""Same thing."Nawin didn't react.Akin moved closer, studying him openly."Do you always look this serious?""Look how?""Like someone stole your happiness and buried it in a cemetery."Silence.Akin waited for a smile.Nothing.He pointed at Nawin's face."See? That's exactly what I'm talking about. Don't you know how to smile?""I smile when something is funny."Akin's mouth dropped open."Are you saying I'm not funny?""I haven't known you long enough to make that judgment."Akin stared at him.Then he laughed once, purely out of disbelief."Oh, you're going to be a problem.""I've been told that before."For the first time in years, Akin met someone who didn't immediately agree with him, flatter him, or become nervous because of his surname.It irritated him.It intrigued him.And, although he would never admit it, it made him want to keep talking to the man.Unfortunately, he had no intention of letting Nawin know that."Listen carefully, Mr. Sutham. I have rules."Nawin waited."Rule number one: don't enter my bedroom without permission.""Understood.""Rule number two: don't touch my phone.""Understood.""Rule number three: don't interfere with my personal life."Nawin paused."That depends on whether your personal life puts you in danger."Akin narrowed his eyes."Do you ever say yes to anything?""When appropriate.""You're impossible.""So I've been told."Akin turned toward the house."Father!"Krit appeared in the doorway."Yes?""I refuse to work with this man.""He's not your employee. He's your bodyguard.""Then I refuse to be protected!""That's unfortunate," Krit replied. "Because your new bodyguard starts today."Akin looked between them.He had never felt so betrayed in his entire life."Fine!" he shouted.He spun around and marched toward the car."Let's go, Mr. Personality."Nawin opened the rear door."Where to?""University.""Your bag?"Akin stopped.He had forgotten it.He looked back at the mansion, then at Nawin."Don't say a word.""I wasn't going to.""Good."Akin turned away, muttering under his breath.Behind him, Nawin watched silently.The corner of his mouth lifted for half a second.It was barely a smile.But it was there.And Akin, who happened to glance back at exactly the wrong moment, saw it.His heart did something strange.Something ridiculous.Something he immediately blamed on the lack of breakfast.Oh, no, Akin thought.He's handsome AND he can smile?I'm doomed.8:05 a.m. — On the RoadThe car moved smoothly through Bangkok's morning traffic.Akin sat in the back seat, scrolling through his phone while Nawin sat beside him. The driver kept his eyes on the road, wisely choosing not to participate in whatever strange battle was unfolding between his employer's son and the new bodyguard.After five minutes of silence, Akin became restless.He hated silence when he couldn't control it."So, Nawin.""Yes?""Do you have a girlfriend?""No.""A boyfriend?"Nawin turned his head slightly."Why?"Akin nearly dropped his phone."Why? I'm making conversation!""About my romantic life?""People talk about these things.""Not usually with their bodyguards."Akin grinned."Maybe you should stop being my bodyguard and start being my friend.""I'm here to protect you, not become your friend."The grin disappeared.For reasons he couldn't explain, that answer bothered him more than it should have.He looked out the window."Fine. Nobody asked you to be my friend anyway."Nawin noticed the sudden change in his voice.He considered saying something, but Akin had already put his earphones in.For the remainder of the journey, neither spoke.Yet Nawin found himself glancing at the young man beside him.He had read Akin's security file before accepting the assignment.He knew Akin was impulsive, stubborn, occasionally reckless, and accustomed to getting his way.What the file hadn't mentioned was the way Akin's face changed when he was genuinely hurt.Or how quickly he tried to hide it.Nawin looked away.He had accepted this assignment for one reason: to protect Krit Rattanakul's only son.He would do his job.He would maintain professional boundaries.And he would not allow himself to become emotionally involved.He had made that promise to himself years ago.He intended to keep it.8:32 a.m. — University CampusThe moment the car stopped outside the university, Akin opened the door."Wait."Nawin was beside him immediately."What's wrong?"Akin looked at him."Nothing.""Then why did you ask me to wait?""I didn't.""You said—""Forget it!"Akin slammed the car door and walked away.Nawin followed at a respectful distance.Students turned to look.Some recognized Akin immediately. Others were more interested in the handsome stranger walking behind him."Who's that?""Is he a new student?""No, look at his suit. Maybe he's a celebrity's bodyguard.""He's so handsome!"Akin heard them.He didn't know why, but the comments irritated him.He slowed down until Nawin was walking beside him."Don't walk behind me."Nawin looked at him."You said you didn't want me near you.""I changed my mind.""Understood.""And don't let people stare at you."Nawin raised an eyebrow."I can't control where people look.""Then look less handsome."The words escaped before Akin could stop them.Silence.Akin froze.Nawin stared at him.For the first time that morning, Akin felt his face grow warm."I meant—your suit. It makes you look too serious.""Of course.""Don't say it like that!""Like what?""Like you know something!"Nawin looked ahead."You're going to be late for class."Akin groaned."I hate you.""I'll try to remember that."But when Akin hurried toward the university building, Nawin noticed something.The young man's ears were bright red.And for some inexplicable reason, that small detail stayed in his mind long after Akin had disappeared inside.12:40 p.m. — The Unexpected MessageNawin was standing near the university entrance when his phone vibrated.A message from his supervisor appeared on the screen.We have identified the motorcycle seen near the Rattanakul residence last week. The owner is connected to a man who has been asking questions about Akin's movements.Nawin's expression hardened.Another message arrived.Do not let the target out of your sight. This may be more serious than we initially thought.Nawin put his phone away.He looked toward the university building.Akin was somewhere inside, probably laughing with his friends, completely unaware that someone might be watching him.Nawin had protected politicians, businessmen, and people who attracted dangerous enemies.He knew how quickly an ordinary day could become a disaster.He also knew one thing with absolute certainty.He would not allow anyone to hurt Akin.Not while he was alive.1:05 p.m. — The First Encounter"Akin!"A handsome young man ran toward the entrance and threw an arm around Akin's shoulders as he emerged from the building.Nawin immediately straightened.The stranger laughed."I've been calling you all morning! Why didn't you answer?"Akin grinned."Because I was in class, genius.""You never answer when you're in class.""Exactly. So why are you surprised?"The stranger shook his head affectionately.Then he noticed Nawin."Who's this?""My prison guard."Nawin remained expressionless.Akin gestured between them."Nawin, this is Pheem. My best friend. Pheem, this is Nawin, the man my father hired to destroy my freedom."Pheem laughed."Nice to meet you.""Likewise."Pheem looked Nawin up and down.Then he leaned toward Akin and whispered loudly enough for Nawin to hear."Your father hired a bodyguard or a male model?"Akin choked on his own laughter."PH EEM!""What? I'm asking a serious question!"Nawin checked his watch."We should leave."Akin's smile faded."Why?""Your father requested that you return home immediately after class.""I have plans.""You can cancel them."Pheem frowned."He's an adult. Can't he decide for himself?"Nawin looked at him calmly."Not when someone may be trying to hurt him."The laughter disappeared from Pheem's face.Akin stared at Nawin.For the first time that day, he understood that the bodyguard's seriousness wasn't simply arrogance.Nawin was genuinely worried.And beneath that cold expression was a man who had accepted responsibility for Akin's life.Akin swallowed."Fine. I'll come."Nawin nodded.Pheem squeezed Akin's shoulder before stepping away."Call me later, okay?""I will."Nawin watched Pheem leave.Then he turned toward the car.Akin followed him, unusually quiet.Halfway across the car park, Akin suddenly spoke."Nawin?""Yes?""Earlier, when you said someone might hurt me..."Nawin stopped."What about it?"Akin looked at him."Will you really protect me?"Nawin met his eyes."With my life."The answer came without hesitation.Akin forgot how to breathe for a moment.He had heard people promise him things before.They promised to buy him gifts, take him places, and make him happy.But nobody had ever looked him in the eye and made a promise like that.Akin lowered his gaze."Don't say things like that so easily.""I don't."Their eyes met.For one brief moment, the world seemed to become strangely quiet.Then Nawin opened the car door."Get in, Akin."This time, Akin didn't argue.As he climbed inside, one thought followed him.Who exactly are you, Nawin Sutham?He didn't know it yet.But the answer would change his life forever.