Chapter 22: The Distance Between Loyalty
The president was behind the massive oak desk that had once intimidated half the country now.
He was older than she remembered, and looked paler. "Danielle," he called for her in a practiced tone. "Come closer."
Danielle swallowed hard and stepped forward, her heels just like her soul sunk slightly into the carpet.
"You're alive," she hushed, as though saying it might make it more convincing.
"You doubted me?"
"I thought I lost you."
The president sat in his chair, watching her with a smile on his pretty wrinkled face. "You didn't lose me. I had to disappear, for safety reasons. Everything was necessary."
Danielle wanted to cry, but not because she was sad, but because she didn't know what to feel anymore.
"I almost died because of you…"
He frowned. "Don't exaggerate."
Her lips started to shake. "I tried to…" Danielle stopped herself before finishing.
"I know," the president interrupted. "You were weak. I'm glad Theo got there in time."
The word weak hit her like a slap. She hadn't expected sympathy, but she had hoped for something human.
"You don't get to call me that," Danielle murmured quietly.
The president's facial expression hardened. "I can call you whatever I want. You are my daughter. And you will learn to control yourself before you ruin everything I've built for you."
There it was again, that old voice. The one that used to control her life like she was just another piece in his campaign.
Something in Danielle's throat felt stuck, not allowing her to breathe properly, but she controlled her voice confidently enough. "You haven't changed at all."
"And you've changed too much," he lowered his brows.
After his reply, they just stared at each other like father and daughter, bound by blood but divided by everything else.
Finally, Danielle broke the silence. "I'm glad you're alive," she sounded bitterly. "But I still hate what you are."
And before he could reply, she turned and walked out.
Theo was standing outside the office, waiting. When she brushed past him, her eyes were wet, her face turned crimson. He didn't stop her.
"He's all yours now," Danielle said under her breath. "He's waiting."
Theo sighed, straightened his posture, and walked in.
The moment he stepped through the door, the president rose from behind the desk, but there was something weird in the way he approached.
"So," the president circled the desk slowly, "the loyal bodyguard returns."
Theo didn't bother to salute. "Sir."
"You've done well," the man laughed. "Protecting my daughter even from herself."
Theo didn't reply. His hands were in his pockets.
"You don't like me," the president said suddenly.
"Doesn't matter if I do."
The president chuckled. "Still the same arrogance, huh? Always hiding behind discipline. Just like your old boss."
Theo's jaw tightened. "Let's not talk about him."
"Why not?" the president asked, taking another step closer. "He is a proud man. Too proud. And it got him killed."
That did it. Theo's teeth clenched. "Watch your mouth."
"Oh? Did I touch a nerve?"
Before Theo could even reply, the president's fist came flying solidly, an unexpected punch that landed right against Theo's jaw.
Theo stumbled back a step but didn't fall. His hand went to his face, his, but he didn't strike back.
"That's for your arrogance."
Theo wiped the blood from his lip with his thumb, his smile was wide. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"If you let my daughter hurt herself one more time, I will kill you, boy."
"If you're done proving you're still the strongest man in the room, I'll get back to my assignment."
The president straightened his jacket. "Since Danielle is healthy enough, you can escort her out when the event ends. I don't want her lingering around here."
"Of course, sir."
The word sir sounded like poison on Theo's tongue.
He turned and walked out without another glance. He didn't even bother hiding his disgust.
As soon as he stepped into the hallway, the annoyingly loud music reached him.
Theo searched the crowd until he found Danielle.
She was already standing near the balcony doors, a soft light washed over her face.
Danielle was smiling or at least trying to.
Except Theo knew she didn't.
What caught his attention wasn't her, though. It was the man she was talking to.
Tall. Well-dressed…Confident. His hand brushed hers as they laughed about something, and Danielle Danielle… actually laughed back.
Theo didn't like this, something strange stirred in his chest. She was… dancing?
The man took her hand and spun her lightly, her dress swayed around her knees.
"Hahaha! Danielle's laugh was soft, unsure.
'Who the hell is that?' Theo thought, his muscles tensed.
He caught Frank's voice behind him. "You look like you're about to shoot someone."
Theo didn't turn. "Who's the man with her?"
"Some ambassador's son," Frank said casually. "A harmless flirt. Let her breathe, Theo."
"She doesn't need him."
"She doesn't need you either," Frank reminded him.
Theo didn't answer. He just kept watching them.
Danielle was still smiling, but her eyes flew once toward Theo's direction just for a second, as if she knew he was there.
Then, she looked away again and laughed at something the man said.
Theo's jaw locked tighter. He turned and started walking toward the exit, muttering under his breath, "Harmless flirts are the ones that bite the deepest."
Frank sighed, watching him leave. "And loyal men are the ones who bleed for it."
But even Frank couldn't predict of what was going to happen next…