"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." - William Shakespeare

Saint

The air in the living room crackled with tension. Veronica entered, her expression carefully neutral, but I could see the anxiety lurking beneath the surface. She’d lied about feeling better; I could see the shadows under her eyes, the way her hand trembled slightly as she reached out to stroke Daisy, who’d jumped down from the sofa to greet her. She was a closed book, Veronica, good at keeping her emotions locked away, but I was learning to read her tells. She was scared. And I knew, on top of everything else, she had that charity event tonight. The one where she’d agreed to auction off a dance. The irony of it all wasn’t lost on me. Her world was crumbling around her, and she was supposed to put on a brave face and waltz with strangers for a good cause. It was a strange dichotomy, this mix of vulnerability and strength that drew me to her.

Marcus was already there, sitting on the edge of the sofa, his face etched with worry. He’d known Veronica far longer than I had, their bond forged in the crucible of shared childhood experiences. He saw her as a sister, a connection that went beyond professional courtesy. This was more than just a case for him; it was family.

“Morning, Veronica,” Marcus said gently, his voice laced with concern.

“Morning, Marcus,” she replied, her voice soft. She glanced at me, offering a small, hesitant smile. "Thank you both for being here. It means a lot."

"Of course, Veronica," I replied, returning the smile. "We're here for you."

"Always," Marcus added, his voice firm.

I watched them interact, the unspoken history between them palpable. It was clear how much they cared for each other, a bond that made this situation all the more complicated. I was starting to understand the depth of Veronica's isolation. She had people who cared about her, yes, but she kept a part of herself hidden, locked away. It was a defense mechanism, I knew, a way to protect herself from further hurt. But it was also a wall, one that I was determined to help her tear down. And perhaps, if I was lucky, find what was hidden on the other side.

“I’ve brought everything,” Marcus said, gesturing to the thick folder on the coffee table. “Everything I could find that might be relevant.”

Veronica nodded, her gaze fixed on the folder as if it were a venomous snake. She knew what was coming. The past was about to be dredged up, examined under a harsh light. It wasn’t going to be easy.

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I took a seat beside Veronica, offering a reassuring smile. “We’re here for you,” I said, my voice firm but gentle. “Whatever’s in that folder, we’ll face it together.”

She met my gaze, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. It was a small thing, a brief connection, but it was enough. It was a sign that she trusted me, at least a little. And that was enough for now.

Marcus began to lay out the contents of the folder, his voice low and serious. He started with the earliest incidents, the ones from Veronica’s college days. The stalker, the unwanted gifts, the feeling of being watched. Small things are seemingly insignificant on their own, but together, they painted a picture of someone who was obsessed with her, someone who had been lurking in the shadows for a long time.

As Marcus spoke, Veronica’s face grew paler, her breathing shallow. She was reliving it all, the fear, the violation, the sense of helplessness. I could feel the tension radiating off her, a palpable wave of anxiety. I reached out and took her hand, offering a silent anchor in the storm that was raging inside her. She squeezed my hand tightly.

The deeper we delved into the past, the more disturbing it became. The harassing phone calls, the unsettling encounter at the conference, the whispers and rumors that had followed her for a few years. It was a pattern of harassment, a relentless pursuit that had haunted her.

“There’s something else,” Marcus said, his voice hesitant. He pulled out a small piece of paper. “This was in her file. A statement from her college roommate.”

He handed me the paper. As I read the roommate’s account, my blood ran cold. It described incidents that Veronica had never mentioned, things that were even more disturbing than what we’d already heard. Unwanted gifts left on her doorstep, late-night phone calls with no one on the other end, a sense of being watched even in her own dorm room. It was clear that this wasn’t just a random stalker. This was someone who knew Veronica, someone who had been close to her, someone who had been meticulously planning and executing their campaign of terror for years. And the worst part was, we had no idea who it was. Veronica visibly shuddered, tears welling up in her eyes. Before I could react, Marcus was there, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "It's okay, Veronica," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "We'll figure this out. I promise."

After a moment, Veronica pulled back, wiping her eyes. "I... I need a minute," she said, her voice shaky. She excused herself and went to her room, leaving Marcus and me alone in the living room.

Marcus turned to me, his expression serious. "Saint," he said, "I want to thank you again for everything you've done for Veronica. You've been a true friend to her."

"It's my pleasure, Marcus," I replied. "I'm just glad I can help."

"We need to talk about the situation," Marcus said, his voice taking on a professional tone. "We need to increase security, especially with this charity event tonight."

"I agree," I said. "I will coordinate with the security for the event, and I'll be with Veronica the entire time."

Marcus nodded. "Good. And Saint..." he paused, his expression thoughtful. "We've decided to officially hire you. We want you to be Veronica's personal security full-time."

"I'm honored, Marcus," I said, surprised and pleased by the offer.

"We trust you, Saint," Marcus said, his voice firm. "And Veronica trusts you. That's more important than anything right now."

He went on to explain the details of the arrangement, the salary, the benefits, and the expectations. It was a generous offer, one that I couldn't refuse. But more than that, it was an opportunity to help Veronica, to protect her, to be there for her when she needed it most. And that was something I wouldn't trade for anything.

We rejoined Veronica in the living room a few minutes later. She looked calmer now, though her eyes still held a trace of fear. We had breakfast together, discussing the security arrangements for the event that night. Veronica wasn't just agreeing to go through with it; she was determined to go. She wouldn't let fear dictate her life.

As we ate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The information in Marcus's folder had painted a disturbing picture, one that suggested we were dealing with a dangerous and determined adversary. And with the charity event looming, I knew that tonight was going to be a critical test. I was determined to keep Veronica safe.