Protector

Elias frowned at Simon, still clutching onto him like a bear, his expression a mix of disgust and annoyance. Without hesitation, Elias delivered a swift karate chop to the back of Simon’s neck, causing him to instantly lose consciousness. With Simon incapacitated, Elias effortlessly lifted him in his arms, carrying him away from Callie’s house. He placed Simon on a bench about fifty meters away, ensuring he would be safe before returning to Callie. As the events replayed in Callie’s mind, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter once again, her joy infectious. ‘I can’t believe that just happened!’ she exclaimed, wiping away tears of mirth. Elias raised an eyebrow at her, a mixture of amusement and exasperation in his eyes. ‘You really have no sense of self-preservation, do you? What would you have done if I wasn’t here today?’ ‘I... I don’t know,’ Callie stammered, her eyes flickering with vulnerability. She fidgeted, unsure of how to express her gratitude to Elias. The man just protected her; she shouldn’t have laughed at him. Elias’s stern demeanour softened as he gazed at Callie, his eyes filled with a tenderness she had rarely witnessed. He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to touch her cheek gently. ‘You’re a grown woman, Callie. I know how strong you can be, but sometimes you need someone to take care of you,’ he said softly. Callie’s heart fluttered at his words, the warmth of his touch enveloping her. Growing up in an orphanage, she had to force herself to learn independence. But at the same time, she longed for someone to care for her, to make her feel safe and loved. In that moment, as Elias pulled her into his embrace, she felt a sense of comfort and security she hadn’t experienced in a long time. ‘You really are a troublesome little bunny,’ Elias whispered in Callie’s ear, his voice filled with tenderness. ‘I can’t help but want to protect you. I didn’t mean to scold you like that just now...’ As a soldier, Elias was known for his ruthless and decisive nature. He treated both men and women equally on the battlefield, showing no mercy. But when it came to interacting with women in his personal life, he was at a loss. He struggled to comfort them, his fierce demeanour often causing more harm than good. Wrapped in Elias’s embrace, Callie listened to his strong heartbeat, a mix of fear and comfort flooding her senses. She realised that if Elias hadn’t been there to intervene, the situation could have taken a dangerous turn. ‘Elias…’ Callie’s voice trembled with gratitude as she looked up at him. Though they had only known each other for a few days, she felt an inexplicable sense of security whenever she was with him. Elias held her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. The sparkles in his eyes twinkled brightly, capturing her attention. ‘Sooner or later, you will be my woman,’ he declared, his voice filled with determination. ‘Since your place has been broken into, you should stay with me tonight. At least by my side, I can protect you.’ Callie nodded in agreement, her trust in Elias growing stronger with each passing moment. ‘You scolded me, but you were right,’ she murmured. ‘If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I could’ve handled it on my own.’ Elias’s eyes burned with sincerity as he looked at her. His concern and care for her were undeniable, and Callie found herself unable to resist his warmth. She quickly nodded in response to his proposal. ‘Before you leave, I need your ID card and papers,’ Elias said, his tone serious. ‘As a lieutenant colonel, my marriage requires approval from the military. I’ll need some time to complete the necessary procedures before I can return the papers to you.’ Confused about the military wedding process, Callie handed over her documents to Elias. She had no family or relatives listed on the papers. Elias accepted the documents and then firmly grasped her hand, leading her away from her house. They made their way back to the Pagani. ‘Don’t worry about your luggage,’ Elias reassured her, starting the engine. ‘You can rest at my place tonight. We’ll return for your things when you have the time.’ Half an hour later, Callie stared at the hotel-styled apartment before her, surprised by Elias’s choice of residence. Given his obvious wealth, she had imagined him living in a lavish villa or mansion, not a hotel. As they entered the lobby and stepped into the lift, Callie stole glances at Elias. His stoic face revealed little emotion, his cold eyes piercing yet filled with meaning. She was going to marry this man. The reality hit her, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and questioning its authenticity. Inside Elias’s suite, Callie noticed the monochromatic colour scheme and minimalistic furniture. It lacked the opulence she had imagined, reflecting Elias’s disciplined nature as a soldier—clean and orderly, but devoid of the warmth of a true home. Elias removed his jacket, revealing his black t-shirt. ‘You should take a shower, then get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll make the necessary arrangements.’ He threw a white shirt and light brown trousers at Callie from the wardrobe. She stared at the clothes, a hint of confusion on her face. ‘What’s this for?’ Callie asked. Elias smirked. ‘Well, bunny, it’s better to wear clean clothes than walk around in your dirty ones.’ Callie’s eyes widened as she processed his words. ‘You mean... you want me to change into these?’ Elias raised an eyebrow. ‘Unless you plan on parading around half-naked, then yes.’ She sighed and rolled her eyes. ‘All right, fine. But don’t expect a fashion show.’ Callie retreated to the bathroom to shower, her mind racing with thoughts about the clothes Elias had given her. As the warm water cascaded over her body, she couldn’t help but wonder why Elias cared about her attire. She shrugged it off, determined not to make a fuss. Once she finished showering, Callie dried herself off and hesitantly put on Elias’s clothes. They hung on her petite frame, drowning her in fabric. The shirt extended to her knees, and the pants pooled around her feet even when rolled up. ‘Damn it,’ Callie muttered, tugging at the oversized clothes. ‘Guess I’ll just wear the shirt.’