The Little Bodyguard

Part 2: The Secret Behind Her Eyes

Franklin Cole didn’t sleep that night.

He sat in his office until sunrise, staring at the photograph of Julian Cross and Emma Hayes.

Four years earlier, Julian had disappeared from Chicago after discovering that several trusted men inside his organization were planning to eliminate him.

During those weeks, he had lived under a false identity.

And one rainy evening, he had met Emma.

She had been working at a small hotel outside Milwaukee. She hadn’t known who he was. She hadn’t cared about his expensive watch or the black car waiting outside.

She had simply treated him like an ordinary man.

For the first time in years, Julian had felt normal.

Their relationship had lasted several weeks before he returned to Chicago.

He had promised to contact her.

But the internal crisis had turned into a war, and Julian had eventually convinced himself that leaving Emma behind had been the safest choice.

He never knew she had become pregnant.

Now, four years later, her daughter was living under his roof.

Franklin rubbed his forehead.

He needed to tell Julian.

But first, he needed proof.

The following morning, Mia appeared in the kitchen wearing her oversized security jacket.

A small plastic badge was pinned to her chest.

Emma nearly dropped her coffee.

“Mia Hayes! Where did you get that?”

“I’m working, Mommy.”

“You’re supposed to be in preschool.”

“I have a very important assignment.”

“What assignment?”

Mia pointed toward the dining room.

“Protecting Mr. Cross.”

Emma froze.

Before she could respond, Julian entered.

He wore a dark navy suit, his expression unreadable.

“Good morning, Agent Hayes.”

Mia immediately stood straight.

“Good morning, Boss.”

Julian glanced at Emma.

“She has already inspected the breakfast room.”

Emma sighed.

“Mr. Cross, I’m sorry. She’s been bothering you.”

“She’s not bothering me.”

He looked down at Mia.

“Actually, she’s the only person in this house who seems to notice anything.”

Mia smiled proudly.

Then she noticed something.

Julian wasn’t wearing his usual watch.

“Where’s your watch?”

Julian looked at his wrist.

“In my bedroom.”

“Why?”

“Because I forgot it.”

Mia frowned.

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“You shouldn’t forget important things.”

“Understood.”

She nodded approvingly.

Franklin entered moments later.

“Mr. Cross, may I speak with you privately?”

Julian noticed the unusual seriousness in his voice.

“Of course.”

As they walked toward the library, Mia followed.

Franklin turned.

“Not you, sweetheart.”

Mia stopped.

“Why?”

“Because this is grown-up business.”

She considered that.

Then she whispered loudly:

“Grown-ups make mistakes too.”

Julian almost smiled.

“She’s not wrong, Franklin.”

Inside the library, Franklin placed the old photograph on the desk.

Julian looked at it.

His expression changed immediately.

“Where did you find this?”

“In your private travel records.”

Julian picked it up.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he asked quietly:

“Why are you showing me this?”

Franklin swallowed.

“Because I believe Emma Hayes is the mother of a little girl who has your eyes.”

Julian slowly raised his head.

“What?”

“I believe Mia is your daughter.”

The room became completely silent.

Julian stared at him.

“That isn’t possible.”

“Sir, the dates match.”

“No.”

“Emma was in Milwaukee during your stay. Mia is three years old. And the resemblance—”

“I said no!”

The sudden anger made Franklin step back.

Julian turned toward the window.

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His hands were trembling.

He remembered Emma’s smile.

The way she used to leave coffee outside his hotel room.

The night she had fallen asleep against his shoulder.

And the morning he had left without saying goodbye.

“Does Emma know?” he finally asked.

“I don’t believe she knows you are aware of her presence here.”

Julian closed his eyes.

“Bring me her employment records.”

“Sir?”

“Quietly. I want the truth before anyone else finds out.”

Meanwhile, in the hallway, Mia was conducting her own investigation.

She had noticed two unfamiliar men entering through the east entrance.

Neither carried the usual security identification.

And both kept looking toward Julian’s office.

Mia watched them disappear around the corner.

Then she ran toward the security station.

“Mason!”

The guard looked down.

“What is it, little agent?”

“Two bad men came inside.”

Mason chuckled.

“Two bad men?”

“They don’t belong here.”

“How do you know?”

“Because everybody who belongs here says hello to Franklin.”

Mason stopped smiling.

He immediately checked the cameras.

Mia pointed at the screen.

“There. They went that way.”

Mason recognized one of the men.

His face turned pale.

He grabbed his radio.

“Lock down the east corridor. Now!”

At that exact moment, a loud crash echoed from the library.

Julian stood up.

Franklin rushed toward the door.

And Mia, hearing the noise, ran straight toward the danger.

She wasn’t supposed to.

But she had made a promise.

She was Julian Cross’s bodyguard.

And bodyguards didn’t abandon their assignments.