Chapter 21: The Mask He Wore
Theo placed his head slowly against the glass window of the car.
His dark circles were even more visible than usual, and the lines under his eyes made him look older than twenty-seven.
Theo was not twenty-seven.
The moment Frank mentioned "replacement," Theo didn't even blink.
"Fine," he repliee quietly. "I don't care if you replace me. I just need help for a while."
That calm tone caught Danielle off guard. Her head snapped toward him. "You what?"
Theo didn't look at her. "I said I need help, not replacement."
Frank adjusted his tie, and fixed his throat. "Theo, you've been off your rhythm lately. If you can't focus…"
"Shut up," Danielle interrupted Frank immediately.
Both men turned toward her. Her hands were folded tightly over her lap, knuckles looked pale from the pressure. "Don't replace him," she said again, this time more controlled, but her eyes were sending warning signals. "He's the only one who actually gives a damn."
Theo exhaled through his nose like a little dragon, and Danielle caught that short smirk on his face. "You sound like you're defending a lost puppy."
"I'm serious," she glared at Frank. "Find him help if he needs it. But if you replace him, I'm not going anywhere."
Frank looked between them, then let out a long and tired sigh. "You've grown bold, Miss Danielle."
"Maybe because people keep trying to control my life," she muttered under her breath.
The rest of the car ride passed in silence, thankfully…
Danielle pretended to sleep, but Theo knew her too well. Her fingers kept twitching against her thigh. She had this habit when her nerves were eating her alive.
When the black car finally stopped, the mansion before them looked surrounded by security.
When she saw them, Danielle didn't want to move from her seat at first.
However, Theo opened her door and extended a hand, but Danielle ignored it, stepping out by herself.
Many guards approached her instantly. "Miss Danielle," one said respectfully. "This way, please."
Theo was stopped before he could follow. "Agent Theo," Frank called, catching his arm. "You stay with me for now."
"She'll be walking into a hall full of politicians, media, and God knows who else. She's not ready for that."
Frank's tone stayed calm. "She won't be alone. The president has assigned personal security for her. You need to debrief with me."
Theo looked back once more. Danielle was already being led up the stairs by two female guards. Her shoulders looked stiff, and Theo could feel her trembling from there.
He let out some air and turned back to Frank.
They entered one of the mansion's side rooms filled with electronic equipment and files spread across a large desk. Frank closed the door and poured himself a glass of water.
"You look like hell, Theo," Frank stated finally.
Theo didn't argue. "I've been worse."
"I know." Frank stood near the desk, crossing his arms. "That's why I said what I did in the car. But I'm not actually replacing you. I'll assign another agent to support you, just to handle the extra surveillance."
Theo nodded once. "That's fine."
"It was Bae's birthday yesterday, wasn't it?"
Theo paused from tapping his fingers. His hand, rested on the armrest of the chair, tightened slightly. "You still keep track of that?"
"I keep track of everything," Frank muttered quietly. "And you… you're still not over her."
Theo's lips somehow formed a really humorless smile. "I'm not supposed to be."
"You blame yourself."
Theo didn't reply to Frank's words. There was nothing he could've argued about this time.
Frank breathed out through his nose. "You're not the only one who's lost people, Theo. But you can't keep using that as an excuse to drown yourself in work. I need you to be functional."
"I am functional," Theo replied evenly. "You just don't like how I cope."
Frank gave him a look that said he didn't believe it. "Fine. Let's talk about Danielle then. How is she?"
Theo straightened. The professional mask slipped back on. "Emotionally unstable," he said. "Still struggles to regulate her anger. Avoidant behavior when faced with emotional triggers, particularly related to her father. Sleep patterns inconsistent. She hides anxiety through defiance."
Frank nodded, noting it down on a file. "Any progress?"
"She's stronger," Theo admitted. "More aware. But her trust issues run deep. I don't know if she can handle what's coming."
"What's coming?" Frank asked, glancing up.
"Whoever tried to assassinate her father is still out there. And they weren't just after him. Someone inside wants the family broken. Danielle's existence puts her directly in the middle of it."
Frank went still. "You think she's being targeted?"
Theo looked up from his folded hands. "I don't think. I know."
Frank frowned. "Explain."
Theo reached into his jacket and pulled out a small black device that was a camera chip. "This was found outside her dorm last night. A drone was circling the window. Same make as the one used during the president's attempted assassination."
Frank tightened his hand. "You should have reported this sooner."
"I did," Theo nodded calmly. "You just weren't answering your phone."
Frank gave him a look, but Theo didn't care. They stared at each other like two men who'd seen too much, and trusted too little.
Finally, Frank broke the silence. "I'll assign two men to watch the perimeter tonight. You'll stay with Danielle once she's done meeting her father."
Theo replied with a short nod.
"Good." Frank set down his glass. "And Theo… if she finds out you've been keeping details about her father's investigation…"
"I'll handle it," Theo interrupted.
Frank hesitated, then rubbed his temples, "You're too involved."
Theo's smile didn't reach his eyes. "That's the job."
Frank didn't argue, but he looked unconvinced. "Just remember she's the mission, not the memory you're trying to fix."
Theo stood up from his chair. "I know the difference."
Danielle was visible through the open space, standing near a line of officials, holding her arm with her other hand.
She looked beautiful, but far away in her head, as though she were wearing some mental armor.
"She looks like her mother," Frank muttered.
Theo didn't answer. He was too busy checking every exit, window, or person. His body was there, but his brain seemed to be calculating angles, threats, and who knew what else
Frank clapped a hand on his shoulder. "We'll brief again after the event."
As Frank walked away, Theo's eyes stayed on Danielle. She was smiling politely now, shaking hands, but somehow she still looked guarded.
But Theo knew the truth behind these curtains.
'You don't want to see him,' he thought, watching her lips move in forced conversation. 'But you'll face him anyway, because you can't stand being weak.'
He stayed by the wall. He would guard her, even if it broke him a little more each day.
Because sometimes protection wasn't about duty…it was about guilt.
And Theo had plenty of that left to give.
"You remind me so much of her, Danielle…"