Chapter 5

"You are here."

When Savannah heard her grandfather's voice, she quickly moved away from her bodyguard. She also fixed herself, but her rapidly beating heart still hadn't calmed down. She couldn't believe she would feel this attraction to a man she just met!

She had seen many men who were better-looking than him. There were also men who tried to get her attention, business partners of her family, but despite their good looks, none of them caught her interest.

(But this man is different. He hasn't done much, yet he can make my heartbeat this fast.)

(Maybe because he's too close?)

It's normal to get closer! Since he just wants to help!

(Don't be so affected, Savannah! And you're being so obvious.)

"Savannah? Are you okay?"

She returned to reality when her grandfather came closer and touched her arm. She looked up and saw his worried face.

"I-I'm sorry, what is it, Grandpa?" she asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ace standing there. His hands were placed in front, and he stood straight, not looking at them.

(He looked more like a bodyguard in that position. A handsome hot bodyguard.)

"I have already ordered an investigation into the fire at the company, my dear. Are you sure you are okay?" her grandfather asked her again. They walked together, with him supporting her, and when they sat down, she gave him a small smile.

"I am fine, Grandpa. I was actually mustering up all the courage to leave my office even though there were a lot of people in the hall, but then he..." she glanced at Ace, who was still standing at the side, looking like he was waiting for a signal to leave or stay.

He was still standing, looking strong and staring straight ahead.

"He was right on time. I had no burns, although I got scared, I wasn't hurt."

The old Williamson let out a heavy sigh when he heard what Savannah said. He didn't say anything, but when he looked at her bodyguard, he began to introduce Ace to her.

"I assigned him and his team to protect you secretly, my dear. He is Ace. I think you know his codename even before I said it, because you wouldn't go with someone without knowing their name, even if they work for me."

"I know his name, Grandpa," she replied. "He told me right away. And, I felt..." she paused for a moment, her voice lowering as she continued.

"I felt safe earlier. It's all thanks to him and his team."

Salvattier smiled. "Now that you know about him, my dear, I think Ace shouldn't just be watching from afar. If you allow him to always be by your side, you'll have him with you all the time. That would make me feel more at ease, but of course, it's where you feel comfortable, Savannah. You decide."

She didn't immediately answer, but with the attraction she felt for her bodyguard, she definitely wanted him by her side!

(And to know him more!)

But in Savannah's mind, it seemed like she couldn't talk to the man about other things. It looked like he would only respond about work-related matters.

"I'll think about it first, Grandpa," she said.

She was so obvious earlier while looking at her bodyguard, and she felt it wasn't good to give an immediate answer.

(I'll seem too interested. And this man, he seems clever. If he's well-trained, he can easily figure out if someone is a threat or not, or if someone is interested in him.)

And she didn't want him to know that right away, no way!

"Okay, my dear. But to make me feel more at ease, I've asked Dr. Ralco to come here and check on you. When I learned what happened, I was so worried, and now I regret putting you in that position."

Now, their feelings were reversed. After experiencing this, Savannah was even more determined to excel at the company. She knew the Williamson operations needed to run smoothly and that she needed to win the approval of the board members and investors. The company couldn't fall into the wrong hands.

"Grandpa, I knew this would happen after I accepted this position. Also, don't worry about me too much, I'm still alive."

The fire was so close to her office. Not many worked on that floor since it was private and reserved for a few employees. It was clear she was the target. She wasn't accusing anyone, but she knew who would do something like this, even if it put Williamson's company at risk.

(If I learn that you are behind this incident, I will not hesitate to put you behind bars, Mathilda. Even if Uncle Marlon begs, I won't let you go unpunished.)

The woman wanted to secure the CEO position for her Uncle Marlon. Instead of helping, Mathilda was one of those tarnishing her reputation. Some had doubted her because she couldn't show herself publicly due to her phobia, but fortunately, with her knowledge and skills, she impressed the board members, and they agreed with her appointment.

"Savannah, that's not a good joke," he said seriously.

"It's not a joke, Grandpa. I am still alive. Honestly, I thought I was going to die in my office because the fire was getting closer. The smoke was thick, and I was already having a difficult time breathing."

Salvattier covered his face with his hands, frustratingly. But Savannah continued to describe her experience. It was still clear inside her head like it only happened a few seconds ago.

"I hesitated to leave my office because I was afraid of the crowd, but I really tried to go out. My fear of people is still strong, and right there earlier, Grandpa, it seemed like I preferred to stay inside."

"Savannah..."

"I was more afraid of the people than of burning inside my office," she said with a bitter smile.

Even now, she's still scared, haunted by the past, which is why her fear of crowds hasn't disappeared. She tried various things to overcome her fear, but nothing has helped. As the years passed, it only got worse.

Every time I see a lot of people, I always think there are eyes looking at me... ready to kill me.