The billionaire's cold heart

Acela stormed into one of her lavish mansions, flanked by an entourage of burly bodyguards. The sound of her heels echoed ominously against the marble floors, a rhythmic reminder of her power.

As she glided past her staff, they bowed their heads, acknowledging their formidable boss. Without a second glance, she entered her bedroom, leaving her stalwart guards outside.

Today was no ordinary day; there had been yet another assassination attempt by her rivals. At just 27 years old, Acela was the wealthiest woman in the county, and such threats were perilously routine for her.

She sank onto her bed, allowing her maid to release her legs from the suffocating grip of her high heels, granting her the sweet relief she craved.

"You're all lucky nothing happened to her!" The voice of Sebastian, her legal guardian, bellowed from the other side of the door, his frustration palpable.

Acela rolled her eyes. She had grown accustomed to the danger that lurked around her. To her, this was just another day in her tumultuous life.

With a sudden crash, the door swung open, and in walked Sebastian towering 6-foot man with dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes who scanned her form for any sign of injury.

"I'm fine, Sebastian," she said, not bothering to meet his worried gaze, her eyes still closed as she leaned back to indulge in a moment of silence.

He observed her, recognizing the weight of her thoughts. It was clear that today's threat was trivial compared to the horrors she'd faced three years prior.

Sebastian lowered himself to her side, the protective figure she had always relied on. He was the only one she trusted completely, having stood by her side after the tragic loss of her parents.

His fingers brushed through her hair, melting away her tension with each soothing stroke. "Leave us," he ordered the maid, who quickly departed, sensing the intimate moment they shared.

"It's alright, sweetie. You're safe now," he murmured, his voice a gentle balm to her frayed nerves. Acela remained silent, but every word registered in her mind.

Acela was not one to be silenced; she had a lot to say, but her life had shifted dramatically ever since her parents died and her innocence was violently stripped away by an unknown assailant.

Now, she was a fortress clad in ice, having dismissed all her male servants and only accepting Sebastian's presence for her protection during this chaotic time.

With a sudden burst of resolve, she withdrew from his shoulder and opened her captivating green eyes to meet his. "I'm fine."

Throwing on some casual clothes, a snug pair of shorts and a crisp white top-she stormed into her dressing room, eager to shed the constraints of her earlier attire.

Sebastian's jaw dropped; each time he laid eyes on her, he was reminded of her breathtaking beauty. He had known her since childhood, their bond forged in innocence and loyalty, and now, as her protector, he was determined to shield her from any harm.

"I'm getting you a new bodyguard," he declared firmly.

Silence enveloped the room, and he knew she was weighing her options. Her safety was his top priority, and he wouldn't hesitate to hire the entire male population if that's what it took to keep her safe.

"It's your choice, Sebastian," she replied as she emerged from the dressing room, the embodiment of casual elegance.

Sebastian's heart raced-how could anyone be so alluring, even in such simplicity? He had been with her family for as long as he could remember, his loyalty unwavering.

As she settled onto the bed and opened her laptop, completely engrossed in her work, he rose to his feet. "I'll have a maid bring you dinner," he said, planting a light kiss on her head before stepping out.

💟💟💟💟💟

Meanwhile, in another part of town, a man sat behind a sleek desk, his eyes glued to the screen of his computer. He appeared to be in his forties, the charismatic leader of an elite agency known as 'PROTECTORS.' They were the last line of defence when all seemed lost, a team renowned for making the impossible possible.

Just as he was absorbed in his work, his phone rang, breaking the focused atmosphere.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hi, am I speaking with Avram?" a voice on the other end chimed.

"Yes, who am I speaking to?" he replied.

"My name is Sebastian. I need your services. Someone I treasure has just had an attempt made on their life."

"Is this person a relative?" Avram inquired.

"Yes. She's my boss."

"Ah, a woman," he remarked, intrigued.

"Yes. What's your fee?"

"We discuss terms only in person once we understand the situation."

"Done."

The call ended as he placed his phone back in its position.

"Nadia," he called.

Seconds later, the door opened, and a woman walked in.

"Set an appointment for Mr. Sebastian."

"Yes, sir."

💟 FEW DAYS LATER 💟

Sebastian sat directly opposite Avram. He had come highly recommended. He had heard so much about Avram's agency, and if anyone could protect her, he believed one or more of his agents could.

"So, Mr. Sebastian, have you gone through the terms of our arrangement?" Avram asked.

Nadia, his secretary, had sent over the files via email, so he had taken a moment to glance through them.

"Yes, I have," Sebastian replied.

"Good. Now, a part payment will be given to the agent assigned to your protectee. Once the threat has been dealt with, the remaining payment will be made to our agency."

Sebastian nodded in understanding.

"Now, I only have one request: I want the best of the best."

"Then, Mr. Sebastian, you've come to the right place. Here, we provide nothing but the best."

"Good!"

"Andreea," Avram called, speaking into the landline in his office.

•••••••

As Andreea walked in, Sebastian suddenly felt a chill. If he didn't know better, he would say the devil was standing just a few feet away from him.

Not that the man was ugly; far from it. His mere presence sent shivers down Sebastian's spine.

He exuded power. Though he had been standing silently for several minutes, it felt like an eternity. Sebastian wanted nothing more than to disappear from the room.

This man was like an unmovable wall. He wore no smile. His expression was completely devoid of emotion, which unnerved Sebastian.

He had requested the best, but he hadn't expected someone like this.

"Mr. Sebastian, meet Andreea-one of the best," Avram introduced.

Sebastian contemplated extending his hand for a shake, but given the man's intimidating demeanour, he thought better of it and simply nodded.

"Here you go," Avram said, handing Sebastian a file containing the details of his protectee.

Sebastian accepted the file but didn't look at it.

"That's all for now."

💟💟💟💟💟

Acela was in bed when she heard the horn of Sebastian's car. He had informed her about bringing in a new bodyguard, and she guessed this was it.

"They're all the same," she thought. She didn't bother getting up from bed, knowing that he would likely bring the so-called bodyguard into her room. After all, that was what they were paying for.

Minutes later, her door opened, and Sebastian walked in, accompanied by a man. No, not just a man-a wall-who stepped into her room.

This man showed no expression. His face was utterly blank, and he wasn't smiling like her previous bodyguards always did when they saw her.

No, this one was different. His hands were clasped behind his back as he scanned her room with a cold stare.

Stepping aside, Sebastian made the introduction.

"Meet Acela. Acela, this is Andreea, your new bodyguard."

Acela stared at the man who dominated her room with his presence. His sunshades prevented her from seeing his eyes.

She likes to look them in the eyes. She likes to stare directly into their eyes to see if she can see them.

She hated men for a fact. But, seeing this man who looks so much like a wall. Something tells her this is the beginning of something greater.

Andreea stared at the woman through his sunshades. She looks breathtaking despite the fact she was only putting on something casual.

He stared at her from top to bottom and he concluded she was the most beautiful mark he had ever seen.

" Hi. Miss Acela." He said. As he stretched his hands for a shake.

Acela didn't just hear him. Her name sounded beautiful coming from a man who doesn't smile.

She wasn't going to take his hands. No way in hell. She just turned to Sebastian and said.

" He can stay Sebastian. But, you know I need some privacy and h,e has to know no boundaries." With that, she walked and lowered herself on her bed.

Today was his first day and she's already giving him attitudes. Oh! Now much he loves such a mark. She doesn't yet know who he is.

" Yes. Princess I've heard you." Sebastian chuckled. As he teased her.

Staring him a hard glance. " You know how much I hate that word."

Oh! She doesn't like to be called a princess. Well, then. What is she?

" Fine. Have you had lunch yet?"

" I'm not hungry Sebastian. I just want to take a quick nap." She said. And immediately she dropped her phone and went under the covers.

" I'll have Nicolae bring in something for you."

And with that, they both walked out. Giving her the space she needed.

💟💟💟💟

" I'm sorry for her manners. Mr Andreea."

" Andreea would be just fine." His deep voice came.

" Alright then."

They both walked in silence without so much of saying a word to each other. Andreea has always been a man of few words. He doesn't like speaking more than two words. Unless necessary.

He followed Sebastian gently all the while taking his sweet time to observe the place.

The building is one hell of a mansion. So many empty rooms. As he walked, the female servants stared at him with a 'Wow' on their faces.

Sebastian took notice of their stares. Who would blame them? He was also in shock the moment they met.

" I hope you'll remember your way around?" Sebastian asked. Trying to make a conversation.

Andreea only nodded. And then the silence stretched again. But, finally, they came to the end of their walk.

" Where's my chambers?" He finally asked.

" You can choose among the empty ones," Sebastian replies, ed.

They walked past any empty rooms. But, he chose the one closest to her chambers.

Sebastian had the servants move his things to the bedroom close to her chambers. Andreea assisted the maids. CasueCause won't be able to carry his case filled with all sorts of guns.

💟💟💟💟

" Let me go." He heard the muffled sounds coming from her room.

Immediately he got up. Since he wasn't sleeping. He opened the room and watched as she rolled on the bed.

He stood there watching her. She's having a nightmare. Whatever her nightmare was, she was scared to her bones.

She was sweating from her head down to her toes. She held the covers tight as though it served as an anchor.

" Let me go." Those words came again. Tears started coming down her closed eyes.

Whatever she was warming off was pushing her to the breaking point. She needs to wake up. She has to wake up.

He stood there watching. He doesn't want to wake up. No! It's none of his business.

He heard footsteps approaching to heoom. Immediately he hid himself with his gun pointing at the entrance of the door.

The door opened and Sebastian walked in. He almost stopped breathing when he felt the gun pointed at his head.

He threw his hands up. " It's me. It's just me."

Putting his guns down Sebastian walked towards a dreaming Acela.

He sat beside her and tapped on her shoulders and immediately she woke up.

" It's alright." He said. Patting her hair.

Acela placed her head on his shoulders. Her eyes were a blur. She's keeping her tears at bay.

It's always been like this for the past 3 years. She has had the same nightmare. The nightmare of her rape.

Not taking the acknowledgement of presence. She stayed with Sebastian for some time. Until she saw him.

" What are you doing here?" She asked him.

He said nothing. Rather, he just stared at her with those eyes.

" I ask again what are you doing here?" Her voice came out so hoarse.

Silence met her question again. Sebastian nodded his head as a go ahgo-aheadr to answer her question.

" I heard your screams." That was What she said. His face still holding no expression.

Acela could not believe her ears. He has heard her screams. She fires anyone who hears her.

" I want him fired Sebastian. I want him gone." She shouted.

" Get out now." She threw her pillow at him.

Andreea didn't move an inch. He was paid to protect her even from herself.

He'd seen her types before. As a He'd worse and at the end of the day. They end up apologising for their outburst.

" Sebastian isn't he listening to me?" She asked.

" Please give us a minute."

Andreea walked away leaving the two to come agree••••••

" I want him gone."

" But, we just got him. And besides ther,e's still the attempt on your life."

" I don't care. I want him gone. He saw me Seba,stian. He saw me." She said almost in tears.

He saw her in her most valuable state. She appears strong in front of the world. But, deep down, she's the most valuable person Sebastian knows. I'll leave you be for tonight." He got up and began walking away. He got to the door and stopped. " I'll ask the doctor to up your meds." And with that, he was, he walked away.

Acela couldn't believe Sebastian. She wants the bodyguard gone, but Sebastian isn't saying anything.

The thought of him seeing her in her most valuable state makes her head smoke. She would surely think of him by morning.

💟💟💟💟💟

Andreea sat down on the chair facing the outside. His face was blank, as always, with butt an expression. He just stared out the window looking at nothing in particular.

He had seen her in her most valuable state and he's pretty sure she doesn't like that.

Whatever happened to her must have truly been terrible to get her so terrified each night of her life.

He had heard when Sebastiatalked about upping her meds, and he thought it was a bad idea. But, what the fúck.

He's here for only one thing and that's to protect her. Not to interfere in her personal life.

He isn't someone who sleeps. No! Staying awake is the only way to calm his demons. Falling asleep gives his demons the power to devour him.

He took his binoculars and pointed towards the end of the mansion ha. Heeen movements, he believed a sniper.

And his suspicions were right. He saw the man who was positioning himself to lie flat on top of the building directly opposite the mansion. Giving the sniper the perfect view of her chambers.

Immediately he got up and ran towards her chambers. He bashedbashed in, and Acela jumped up immediately.

" Get down." He shouted as dived at her. Taking her with him.

Immediately, she heard gunshots. Covering her ears with her hands. She folded herself like a child in its mother's womb.

Andreea counted in a whisper. Acela wondered what he was saying.

" Do something." She said. In a loud voice.

Andreea said nothing. His lips were still moving. Then, he stopped and so did the bullets.

Immediately, he got up, took his gun,n, and in one swift movement,nt, he fired.

Acela stayed down. As she was. She doesn't want to get shot. But, then. There was nothing. Not even a sound was heard.

It seems whoever was shooting at her left. But, that wasn't the case. Andreea is a better shot. He never misses.

" Stay here." He told her. As he got up and walked away.

Acela was too scared. So, she did according to how he had commanded her.

•••••••

Andreea walked into the mansion with a dead body hanging on his right shoulder. Sebastian stared at him with the body on his shoulders as he left a trail of blood.

" I need a room." He said.

And quickly Sebastian took him to the basement. Andreea dropped the body on the table he laid eyes on.

••••••••

Searching her body with his eyes.

" I'm fine," Acela said. When she saw how he scrutinized her body with his eyes.

" How did this happen?" Sebastian asked.

" We're about to find out." that's all that was said before he left?

Standing beside the dead body Andreea looked at the distinctive tattoo. It screams ' THE CARTEL' they're the ones you call when you need someone mighty eliminated.

And it takes the millionaires to be able to put a hit on someone's head. Which meant only one thing. Someone wants her taken out.

His job has gotten more harder and that's just the way he likes it.

He went ahead to search the body. But, he knew he wouldn't find a thing. These people are careful. They never leave a trace.

💟💟💟💟💟

Acela has been pacing around in her room. She stood by and watched the maids clean the mess the bullets made.

" You're safe that's all that matters., Sebastian said. Drawing her out of her head.

" I'm getting tired of this Sebastian." She answered.

Every day in her life is a fight for survival. She didn't wish for any of this. It's not her fault she was born with a silver spoon.

" I know sweetie." Sebastian drew her in an embrace.

" I want them found. Whosoever ' THEY' are. I want them found and eliminated. So, I could get back to my life."

" I understand."

💟💟💟💟💟

" Shit." The man with a suit and a tattoo caused The moment he got the news of their failed attempt again.

She has proven too hard to kill. But, nevertheless. A hit was put on her head, and they would stop at nothing until she was dead.

He picked up his phone and dialled a number. He picked up instantly.

" I need more hitman."

" Yes, boss."

Immediately the call ended.

Whoever her bodyguard is he's one hell of a shooter. He had taken out his sniper with one shot. It's practically impossible, to say the least. Nevertheless, she won't be lucky next time.

💟💟💟💟

Andreea had finished going over the details with his superior Mr Avram. He didn't fail to mention to him the organization in charge of the hit.

" Then you've got to be careful." Mr Avram had said. The minute he heard the cartel was in charge of the hit.

Andreea said nothing. But, his superior knew he heard him quite alright. He also knows for a fact that Andreea is the best at what he does.

He wasn't called the world's best protector for nothing. He never misses a shot. He has always been the one to when to move or when not to.

Mr Avram knows most definitely Acela is in capable hands. Andreea is one of his best.

,

He calls him. 'A MAN WITH NO EMOTIONS'

Andreea isn't capable of feeling any emotions whatsoever. All he knows is to eliminate his target and he's capable of eliminating the threat on her life.

•••••••

Andreea walked into his chambers and headed straight for the washroom. He turned on the showers, and the waters came like a flood of oceans. Taking the blood stains with it.

💟💟💟💟

" Do you still think we should fire him?" Sebastian asked.

Silence met his question. If it's one thing she ain't sure she should get rid of him. He saved her life even though it was his job. But, he was quick enough to get rid of the sniper.

So, getting rid of him would be a very bad idea.

" No. He stays." She answered. As she kept replaying the event earlier in her head.

His body felt warm and soft for a man of his nature. Acela shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking about such.

The presence of a man in her life makes all the organs in her body agitated. She hates his kind with every fibre of being in her.

His kind took away her pride without her permission. So, why should she feel something for them?

She hated them and she would continue hating them.

Sebastian watched as she buried herself in her thoughts. He wondered how this woman became all cold. He knew she hated men. The sight of them makes her go insane.

She doesn't want them as close as an inch to her. He wondered how she felt when Andreea's skin came in contact with hers.

She must have shouted at him to get the hell away from her.

" Try going to bed princess. It's still about." Glancing down his watch. " It's 3am. You've still got some few hours."

He walked towards the door and closed it behind him.

💟💟💟💟

Andreea stepped out of the washroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. With water dripping from his body. He saw Sebastian on the sofa.

The minute he walked in Sebastian couldn't stop his eyes from scrutinizing his body. He has never seen a fine male in his life.

His almost eight packs aligned perfectly. His broad chest had a line that demarcated the both. Sebastian couldn't stop looking at this male whose features had him on the brink of arousal.

Andreea saw the way Sebastian stared at him like he was some sort of meat. He almost laughed at how Sebastian's body reacted to his. If he was someone that smiled.

" Thank you for saving her life." Sebastian rushed out. His emotions betray him.

" That's what I'm being paid for," Andreea answered as he walked over to put some clothes on.

Sebastian has lost words. He doesn't know what to say anymore. This man has him on edge, and he better leave.

He got up and walked to the door. He looked at Andreea one last time before walking away.

••••••

His eyes stared wide awake. He had stepped out of his chambers and stared at the moon outside his chambers.

He once saw the full moon as something beautiful. But, now it holds nothing but painful memories for him. He isn't allowed to feel any emotions. He made sure of that.

He has the most painful memories of his childhood. Life hasn't been so fair to him in a very long time., He has forgotten what it feels like to be happy.

He stared at the moon with so much hate in his eyes. He wishes he could close his eyes and the moon would be gone.

💟💟💟💟

Acela stared at the man outside who was obviously lost in the sight of the full moon. She saw how much this beautiful sight made him feel. She had tried going to sleep, but sleep eluded her because she, too, was scared to close her eyes.

Her demon lurks in her dreams. Her demons come in the form of the man who raped her. Her nights have been filled with that horrible night.

She remembers quite well as though it was yesterday. She had gone out with friends to a party. Acelina had insisted she came. She didn't want to. But, she was downing in grief. Her parents had just died the month before.

She closed her eyes trying so hard to keep the tears at bay. She doesn't want to cry. She made a promise to be strong always and not to let her demons win.

She had been drunk that night. Acelina had left her alone to go get a drink when she decided to use the restroom.

She was watching her hands when she felt a force pulling her to the ground.

The tears she had been keeping at bay came down like floods of rain.

💟💟💟💟

Andreea walked back inside the mansion. He was halfway to his door when he saw her coming out.

He stopped in his tracks taking in her features. This woman tries to appear strong in front of the world but is terrified of closing her eyes. Stood by her door.

" Thank you." She said. In a whisper.

He knows for a fact saying such isn't a regular basis for her. So having her say such means a lot.

" It's my job."

Walking over to his chambers he turned to her and said.

" It never gets easier."

Acela doesn't understand. The confusion mirrored in her eyes.

" Keeping your demons at bay. Never gets easier." And with that, he walked into his room.