Tyler's POV
I'd been stuck in this goddamn hospital bed for three days straight, surviving on nothing but tasteless vegetables and half-hearted soups that even a goat would turn its nose up at.
Anne and Eric had been visiting often. Too often. And when they weren't visiting, they were at each other's throats like rabid dogs.
Today was no different.
Anne was attempting to feed me some mushy carrots, her spoon jabbing dangerously close to my face, while Eric lazily flipped through the hospital TV channels like he was searching for the cure to cancer.
I coughed—hard—when a piece of vegetable got stuck halfway down my throat.
"Water! Get him water!" Anne screeched, glaring daggers at Eric.
Eric, the genius he was, stared blankly for a second too long before dragging his ass to grab the cup.
Anne wasn't having it. She slammed the spoon onto the tray, stormed across the room, and practically snatched the cup from his hand before shoving it to my lips.
I gulped it down, feeling the burning fade.
"Thanks," I rasped, giving Eric an apologetic look. "Sorry about her. She's just—"
"Not my fault he almost died," Anne cut in, folding her arms and tossing her hair back like some kind of diva.
Eric sneered. "Maybe remember you're living under my roof, sweetheart. Watch your mouth before I watch it for you."
Anne scoffed but thankfully dropped it, muttering under her breath as she sat back down.
I sighed, closing my eyes briefly. Couldn't they argue somewhere I wasn't dying?
Before anyone could pick another fight, a soft knock sounded at the door.
All our heads turned.
The door opened and he walked in.
Perfect like I remembered-tall, brooding, a face that could start wars, and a suit sharp enough to cut glass. A simple bouquet of flowers hung lazily from his hand like an afterthought.
Eric practically leapt to his feet.
"M-Mr. Han!" he stammered.
Han gave him a slow nod, his gaze barely flicking to Eric before settling on me.
"Can you two both excuse." He said calmly and yet authoritative.
Anne, being Anne, didn't move.
Instead, she sauntered right up to Him, grabbed his suit jacket, and pulled him closer like she had a death wish.
Eric and I both stared in frozen horror.
Anne leaned up on her toes and whispered something into Han's ear.
Han didn't react—not even a blink.
Eric, however, moved fast, yanking Anne back like she was a rabid cat and dragging her toward the door.
They disappeared quickly after that.
When the door clicked shut, He finally turned his full attention on me.
"Your girlfriend?" he asked, one brow lifting slightly.
I nodded, though my throat felt dry.
Han made a low hum, stepping closer and setting the flowers down on the bedside table.
"Hmm. She's feisty."
He flickered a glance down at my wound, and for a second, his expression darkened.
He reached out like he wanted to touch it, but I immediately flinched and tapped his hand away.
He pulled back without a word, then asked, "How are you? How's it?"
"I'm doing good," I mumbled, shifting awkwardly.
Han stood up, passed me the flowers, and I took them.
"Thanks," I said, feeling weirdly formal.
Alright. This was it.
I'd practiced over and over in my head how I was going to approach him about a job offer—preferably one that came with a ton of money.
I tried to look mysterious.
Or cool.
Or something.
I had no idea how it came across to him because the next words just tumbled out of my mouth:
"So... is this the only flower you're giving me?"
His face twisted like he wasn't sure if he should laugh or not.
"No," he said finally, his voice low and amused. "Definitely not only flowers. You risked your life for me. I'll give you more."
More.
More like millions of dollars and a high-tech job, right?
Right??
I nodded eagerly. "I'm very good—very good with computers. I swear, you won't regret it."
He stared at me for a second longer. His lips twitched like he was holding back laughter.
"Yeah," he said slowly. "I'll give you something much better."
My heart thudded hard against my ribs.
Something better than millions? Better than a job in HanTECH?
I stammered, "L-Like what?"
He smiled. A full, pleased smile.
"Like a bodyguard role. My bodyguard. You'll protect me twenty-four-seven. I'll personally train you. Trust me, you'll be in good hands."
My brain completely short-circuited.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"
Han tilted his head, confused. "I said—you'll be my bodyguard."
Before I even knew what I was doing, I shot out of bed and slapped him clean across the face and I grabbed him by the collar. "What the hell are you saying? I risked my life for you! You should be kneeling right in front of me, offering me everything, but instead, you're here proudly throwing your bodyguard in my face. Are you out of your mind?"
Before I knew it, he twisted me with a swift, reflexive move and slammed me against the wall. His face was inches from mine. My stomach did that flip again, just like the last time. His massive chest was right there, close enough to feel the heat of him, and my stomach was flipping again. His breath brushed against my skin.
"Careful," he said coolly, adjusting his tie with a smooth, almost arrogant motion. His eyes flickered between me and Tyler, then back to me.
"You're going to be my bodyguard. If you want something for saving my life, that's what you're getting. My bodyguard. Got it?"
I shot back, angry. "No. Absolutely not. Are you even aware of what you're saying?"
"I'm well aware, Tyler," he replied, his tone cold and commanding. "I need someone like you. Someone in my circle. Someone to protect me with your life."
Before I could stop myself, I wanted to slap him. But he caught my wrist, pulling me closer, gripping my hand so tight it hurt.
His eyes turned icy. "If not for the fact you saved my life, I'd let that slap slide. But you risked everything for me. Don't make the mistake of trying to do it again. The next time, it won't go easy for you."
And then, like I was nothing, he tossed me back onto the bed. I barely processed what had just happened. Who the hell did he think he was?
He adjusted his suit again, as if nothing had changed. Jerk. A total jerk.
"The doctor said you have three more days in this hospital," he said, almost bored. "I'll give you that time to think about my offer."
"I'm not considering anything!" I snapped. "You're an ungrateful bastard. I wish I never met you. I wish that bullet had gone straight through your head!"
"Ow, that hurts," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, before he turned to leave. "Trust me, Tyler. You don't want to cross me. You'll accept this the easy way or the hard way. The next three days are yours to weigh your options. Or I'll send you back to LA, where you ran from, and I'll make sure the government knows exactly where you are. Then they'll come for you, and you can spend your miserable life in jail. Or, you can be my bodyguard. Free. Simple. Keep risking your life for me."
He flashed a deadly smirk before turning on his heel and walking out, leaving me there, stunned.
What. The. Hell. Just. Happened?