Page 101 of The Bodyguard Proposal

The next time I open them, it’s because a pillow is being placed under my cheek. Huan stands over me, and I don’t speak as he adjusts the chair so my legs sprawl. He fixes the blanket higher, too.

Then he takes his seat across from me.

“If she’s awake, Mohinder wants to speak to her,” a blonde agent says, holding out a phone.

Huan gets up, his body blocking my view of the woman.

“No.”

“But—”

“Stand down. She is resting.”

His tone is harsh, but I feel none of the sting. In fact, his anger is a hot shield protecting me when I’m numb. I think the other agent knows it too, for she returns to her seat.

I watch as Huan sits across from me again.

His eyes are flat. Without telling me, I know he is livid at the world for doing this to me, livid he can’t protect me from this pain, and livid at anyone giving me any trouble.

It’s every bit of outrage I should feel… when I’m finally able to pull myself together.

Meanwhile, he is going to feel it for me.

The cabin lights dim as the plane coasts closer to home, and when I’m tired, my eyes close again, and I sleep more because I feel safe enough to do that. Here, right now, when he's watching over me, I can.

When he leaves me afterward since our London trip is over—I don't know.

TWENTY-NINE

The paparazzi don’t find us at the airport, but halfway home a Jeep trails us. An hour of evasive driving later, we lose them—only to meet more cameras outside the gate. They don’t obstruct the car as it passes, but lights flash like fireworks. Thankfully, our windows are tinted, and more thankfully, they can’t follow us inside. Our security guards are robust and the gates are solid iron.

A long driveway is more artificial safety from the world outside. The car glides along it, until the sight of Grecian columns, beige walls, and triple-stacked balconies greets me. A mansion. It is both breathtaking and childhood familiarity in the same breath. Being away has only made the view grander. It shouldn't be mine, but it is.

I’m back. Home.

Huan is not getting out of the vehicle. I don’t have time to wonder about that since I see her waiting. My mother is by the front door in a knit sweater and white palazzo pants. I get out and run to her as fast as I can.We cling to each other, not letting go the whole way inside. Mohinder Uncle is there in the living room. He makes space for us as we collapse on the sectional couch.

Mom hugs my shoulder and I whimper. That goes on for a while, and when there is finally no shuddering left in me, I blow into Mohinder Uncle’s handkerchief as he pats my back. I'm so close to tears but more than that, I'm in an exhausted fugue.

“Don’t worry,” he says. “I’ve got a highly reviewed police constable on the case. He will find out how the adoption leaked. We’ll make sure this doesn’t happen next time.”

“Next time? What next time? The truth is out. Solving it doesn’t matter.” The words are out before I can hold them back. “And if I do the movie, this isexactlywhat I’m signing up for.”

“If—” Mohinder Uncle cuts himself off. Unusual restraint from his end unless—yes, my mother is glaring at him.

“Komal had a long flight,” she says. “She needs food.”

Mahi Aunty, our housekeeper, comes into the living room. Maybe she was always there, but I didn’t notice. Sweet daliya is served, topped with almonds and honey. I push my spoon through the porridge before giving up and putting the bowl down. “Everyoneknows.”

All my hiding and numbing is receding away. My mind is tired, but back on. I don't feel like I can stop thinking, that I can let go and everything will be okay. No, I need tothinkfor myself again.

Tied in a bun, my mother’s hair is more severe than usual. Spots appear on her cheeks. “I hate it, too. They are making all these assumptions about our relationship, and they don’t see who we are, but I’m not letting them win.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask.

“Mohinder and I will handle it. My publicist drafted a few responses, but I want it to be clear this is a private matter between us, and nothing for us to be ashamed of?—”

“We’ll donate to the adoption agencies we support,” Mohinder Uncle says, “also standing behind the incredible people who are there for the children in our communities.”

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