Chapter 3: A Spark in the Darkness
One night, Sunoo sat in his office reviewing a new play script, but his heart was heavy with worry. Suddenly, his phone rang, and a name he didn't expect appeared on the screen:
He opened the line, and a deep voice came to him:
“You are a famous actor, aren’t you? Your face is on every advertisement, and your picture is hanging in the streets of Seoul... How long do you think your glamorous life would last if it became public that you had a friend like Zola?”
Sunghoon laughed maliciously.
“Simple… introduce her to someone I know. His name is Jay. He will act as her bodyguard. Trust me… she will be fine.”
Sunoo's voice rose angrily:
“Zola doesn't need a guard! And most importantly… you're not the one who decides who enters her life.”
But the cold laugh on the other end made his hand tremble as he held the phone.
“Then let me decide what goes out to the press… little clips, rumours, a story about a young actor hiding a suspicious relationship… Believe me, in this environment, your name will fall faster than you think.”
There was a heavy silence. Sunoo closed his eyes, breathing hard. He knew Zola would be hurt, and he knew that introducing her to Jay might be his worst mistake, but… his career, his reputation, his entire life were on the line.
“Okay… I will,” he finally whispered, his voice broken.
Zola's apartment was immersed in heavy silence, broken only by the sound of her beating heart as she tossed and turned on the sofa, staring at her phone. Hundreds of messages filled the screen—insults and death threats.
A cold knock on the door made her flinch.
She got up slowly, extended her hand toward the handle, and opened it… only to encounter dark, cold eyes that held something mysterious she could not explain.
A tall man stood in front of her, wearing a black coat that reached his knees. His shoulders were broad, and his gaze was steady. He held up a small card and said in a hoarse voice:
“Jay Park… your bodyguard.”
She couldn’t respond for a moment. Something heavy pressed against her chest. His presence was overwhelming, as if the air itself had changed.
“Sunoo told me you need protection.”
She swallowed and nodded with difficulty as she tried to compose herself.
He entered with quiet steps, his eyes roaming the place with suspicious precision, as if he were searching for loopholes in the walls of her life. He sat in the corner of the room, leaning back on the sofa without taking his eyes off her.
For the first time, Zola felt she was no longer in control of her own home.
“I… thank you for your concern,” she whispered.
He smiled lightly—a smile that did not reach his eyes.
“Don’t thank me… you haven’t shown me how to work yet.”
Zola looked at him in surprise.
“Is your work different from other bodyguards?”
He laughed softly, adjusting his position and slipping both hands into his pockets.
Confused, she rubbed the back of her neck and said hesitantly:
“It’s my first time hiring a bodyguard… do you want coffee?”
He looked at her coldly, as if he had suddenly regained his dignity.
Zola muttered under her breath, barely audible:
Then Jay said calmly, devoid of emotion:
“I want to see your room for any possible situation in the future.”
“It’s on the left, at the end of the hall.”
Jay went upstairs. Moments later, her phone began to ring.
“Oh… Sunoo, Jay—the bodyguard—came today.”
She heard a faint whistle on the other end, but Sunoo’s voice was tense.
“Whatever happens, don’t let him enter your room or touch your private things… your phone, important papers—anything.”
Zola laughed lightly as she glanced toward the stairs.
“Oh… Sunoo, are you a fortune teller? He’s heading to my room right now. He said he wants to check it.”
Sunoo clenched his fist, his teeth grinding.
“Get him out of the room. Now.”
Surprised, Zola sat down on the sofa, trying to ease her tension.
Sunoo shouted for the first time, his voice sharp with anger:
“Who on earth lets a man search a girl’s room?!”
Zola shuddered slightly, then nodded.
“Okay… I’ll take him out of my room.”
I'm sorry for any spelling mistakes, and thank u to anyone who reads my novel
