Chapter Nine: Birthday Surprise
A week passed, and Danielle hadn't spoken a single word to Theo.
She managed to walk past him every morning, pretending he didn't exist.
When he greeted her, she didn't even blink. When he followed her to class, she acted like his shadow wasn't there.
Her awkward silence was colder than her insults, and Theo, though he didn't show it, he still felt strange about it.
Her personal bodyguard didn't mind her anger. What he did mind was the secret sitting in his chest…the one he hadn't found the courage to tell her yet.
Her father's…
The news had spread quietly across the country, headlines discussed rather than shouted.
"President Geiger assassinated in his private office."
But Theo had moved faster than the story. Every newspaper delivery to the campus was stopped.
Every news alert on the students' phones mysteriously disappeared. He even bribed a guard to keep the television in the common lounge "under repair."
Danielle never found out…
And every night, when Theo sat alone in his room, he told himself it was better that way. She'd hate him enough already. There was no reason to break her further.
On the morning of her birthday, Danielle didn't say a word about it to anyone, but somehow, her classmates had found out.
"Come on, Danielle," a girl named Abigail pleaded, tugging on her sleeve after class. "You can't spend your birthday buried in textbooks. Let's get coffee. There's a cute café just down the road!"
Danielle hesitated. "I don't really do coffees…"
"Please! Just for an hour."
Eventually, Danielle was forced to agree. "Fine. One hour."
Theo was waiting near the gates when he saw the group of girls walk out, chatting excitedly. His gaze automatically found her.
Danielle looked different that day. She wore a simple cream sweater, dark jeans, and her hair was tied loosely behind her head.
Nothing special, yet something about her seemed stranger than usual.
He followed at distance, four meters exactly…close enough to intervene, far enough to avoid being accused of stalking again...
The small café they reached was just at the edge of the road.
The girls ordered lattes, laughing, teasing Danielle about her birthday.
She smiled occasionally but didn't join in much. Danielle preferred to look out the window, where Theo was leaning against a lamppost, pretending to be on his phone.
At one point, Danielle excused herself and walked to the counter to look at a small jewelry display. Her eyes caught on a delicate purple bracelet made of glass beads.
Theo watched from outside. He saw the way she ran her thumb along the bracelet, the way her eyes softened, like she remembered something…or just someone.
Danielle didn't buy it. She just placed it back gently, whispered something he couldn't hear, and returned to her seat.
Theo exhaled, almost relieved she wasn't going to spend money on unreasonable things.
When Danielle was back at the table, the conversation somehow changed.
"Did you hear about the news?" one of the girls asked suddenly, stirring her coffee nervously.
Danielle looked up. "What news?"
The girl hesitated, glancing at her friends. "It's about the president… I mean, it's just so sad-"
Before she could finish, Theo appeared beside their table like a ninja.
"Excuse me," he interrupted her. "She doesn't want to hear about politics today."
The girl blinked, startled. "I…uh…I didn't mean…"
"Then don't," Theo raised one brow, staring directly into her soul, like he was sending a warning deeply into her brain.
The other girls stared, wide-eyed. Abigail elbowed her friend under the table, hushing, "Drop it."
Danielle found this weird. "Theo, what's your problem?"
He didn't look at her. "You're done with coffee. Let's go."
"What?" she demanded. "We just got here!"
But his glare didn't change, and the energy around him felt colder suddenly.
Danielle sighed, annoyed but unwilling to argue in public. She grabbed her bag and stood up. "Fine. Whatever."
The girls watched them leave, whispering as they disappeared out the door.
"Who is that guy?"
"No idea, but he's terrifying."
"And kind of hot."
Unfortunately, they had to walk back together…how annoying this was to the little princess. Danielle didn't even bother asking what that scene was about. She was too tired to care…everything about his attitude was making her vomit.
Theo was arrogant, selfish and loved to order around as if she was still a child…his child.
'Maybe he needs to meet a woman, so he could leave me alone?' This thought did not dare to leave her mouth.
When they reached the dorms, Theo stopped at the entrance. "Go study," he ordered her like she was a dog.
"I plan to. You don't have to hover like a bee. I'll be fine."
"Good," Theo stepped aside. "Lock your window this time."
She rolled her eyes and went upstairs, muttering loudly enough on purpose. "Yes, Dad."
Theo didn't follow immediately. He stayed near the hallway, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to shake off the tension that Danielle was causing into his body.
It wasn't easy keeping everything hidden. He needed a moment to breathe as well.
When Danielle finished her notes an hour later, she decided she wanted to tell Theo that she was fine, that she didn't need him watching her every move like some prisoner.
Maybe she'd even thank him for the coffee…if she was in a generous mood.
Danielle walked down the hall toward his room. The door was half-open, and she heard voices inside.
Her steps slowed, 'what is going on?'
"…you're too tense, Mr. Theodor," a woman said teasingly. "You really should learn to relax."
Danielle frowned. "That voice….Mrs. Keller?"
She pushed the door another inch and felt like she was paralysed to the spot.
Theo was there….and he was shirtless. Sitting on the edge of his bed with Mrs. Keller standing between his knees, her hands pressed against his bare shoulders.
"You bastard! I can't date, but you allow yourself to have a good time???"
Theo moved Mrs. Keller away from his view, and looked up, startled. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Danielle standing there.
"Danielle! Wait!"
She took a step back. "Don't," she said quietly. "You don't have to explain."
Mrs. Keller turned quickly, face turned white. "Miss Geiger! This isn't what it looks like!"
"Oh, I'm sure it's exactly what it looks like," Danielle cut her off coldly. "Enjoy your evening."
She turned around and walked away before Theo could say another word.
"Danielle!" he called, but she didn't stop.
Mrs. Keller stepped back awkwardly, adjusting her coat. "I…I was just helping you with your shoulder injury…"
Theo groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great timing, Keller."
"She saw nothing inappropriate," Mrs. Keller spoke defensively.
"She saw enough," Theo muttered, pulling his shirt back on.
He stepped out into the hallway, but Danielle's door was already closed.
Theo was standing there for a few seconds, and clenched his fists at his sides.
Inside her room, Danielle was on her bed, staring at the floor. Her chest felt pressed by some invisible force, though she couldn't explain why. 'Why do I even care?' she thought bitterly. 'He's just my bodyguard. Nothing more…nothing more…'