MY PERFECT BODY GUARD CHAPTER THIRTEEN :SHARED BURDENS

De jim sat in his dimly lit study, lost in thought as he stared at his phone. His fingers absentmindedly scrolled through the text message, the words etched into his mind. "The people trying to bring him down are getting bigger and bigger, and literally everyone in the company seems against him." The weight of the message hung heavy in the air, echoing the challenges he faced.

As he wrestled with his thoughts, his 18-year-old daughter, linda, quietly entered the room. She leaned against the door frame, her gaze filled with a mix of concern and familiarity. "Daddy, let me guess. You're thinking again, aren't you?" she quipped, her voice laced with a touch of amusement, a familiar dance between them.

"Hey, honey, why aren't you studying? I thought you said you have tests tomorrow," linda said, concern lacing her words as she moved further into the room.

Dr. Jim looked up, his expression a mix of distraction and guilt. He sighed, a heavy weight in his chest. "Linda, I know you're an adult now, but sometimes there are things I need to handle that aren't easy to share. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just…" He trailed off, struggling to find the right words.

Stella's eyes softened as she approached her father. "Dad, I understand that you have your reasons, but you're not just anyone to me. You're my family, my only family. I wish you'd let me in, share your burdens. The maid told me you barely eat, and it's affecting me too. I can't focus on my studies when I know you're not okay. Your happiness matters to me, Dad, and I want you to take care of yourself." Her voice held a mixture of determination and affection, a plea for her father to open up and let her in.

Dr. Jim looked at Linda, his gaze a mix of gratitude and concern. He reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Believe me, honey, it's not something you should drag yourself into. You're still young, and you deserve a normal teenage life."

Linda eyes met her father's, unwavering in her determination. "Dad, I appreciate your concern, but I want to be there for you. You've always been there for me, and now it's my turn to support you. I may be young, but I can handle more than you think."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Dr. Jim's lips as he squeezed Linda shoulder. "You truly are something special, Stella.

"Just finish school first, and we will talk about it," Dr. Jim replied, a mixture of relief and caution in his tone.

Linda set her father's gaze, her eyes firm and unwavering. "Dad, ever since I started growing up and getting more mature day by day, you've always told me that one day I'll surely take over your company. I can't do that if you keep keeping things away from me. If you want this company to be in safe hands in the future, you just have to open up, even just a little bit."

Dr. Jim's expression softened, his pride for his daughter evident. He sighed, realizing that Linda's words held a truth he couldn't ignore. "You're right, Stella. I've been so focused on protecting you that I forgot you're capable of shouldering some of these burdens. Okay, let's sit down and talk. I'll share what's been going on, but promise me you won't get involved in anything dangerous."

Linda nodded, a mix of determination and gratitude in her eyes. "I promise, Dad. We'll face this together."

"I don't know where to start, but what I'm about to tell you has been happening ever since the day your mom left this world," Dr. Jim began, his voice heavy with the weight of the past. "Because of the love I had for her and for you, my honey, I couldn't bring myself to marry a new wife and sire a son who could run the company after me, even though almost everyone in the company advised me to. Now, I've been hearing conspiracies that people want to end your life and mine and take this company. They think I'm too weak and that a girl can't be the CEO someday."

Linda couldn't help but feel tears welling up in her eyes. The truth was overwhelming, and she couldn't believe that all of this had been happening while her dad kept it all to himself. A mixture of emotions flooded her heart – disbelief, anger, sadness. She finally understood why he had been so overprotective, restricting her from doing the things she liked. It was all to shield her from this dangerous reality.

"Dad," her voice trembled as she spoke, "I can't believe you've been carrying all of this alone. Why didn't you tell me? Why did you think I couldn't handle it?" Her heart ached for her father and the burdens he had been shouldering.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to bring you into this whole thing," Dr. Jim apologized, his voice carrying the weight of his decision. "But trust me, I'm already working on it. I've recruited a bodyguard in secret, and only you, me, and Samuel know about it in the company. Just promise me you'll be careful and follow Sam everywhere you go, whether it's school or shopping. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Dad," Linda replied, her voice filled with a mix of reassurance and determination. She hugged her father warmly, a silent pledge passing between them. "I promise you, nothing is ever going to happen to you. I'll protect you with every inch of me."