The Price of Protection

“Good morning, everyone, and welcome back to JNN News. I’m Gil Fujisawa.”

“And I’m Akira Kanata. When we all thought this year would end with the leaked photos of Ryo Sera, Santa decided to deliver something else.”

“Images of Aria Kingsley in the same bed as her bodyguard—described by many as intimate—have surfaced online early this morning. The photos were posted by an unknown account on Blue Bird and quickly spread across the internet.”

“So, Gil—what are people saying online?”

“Well,” Gil replied, “reactions are all over the place. Some of the most common comments include:”

‘It was only a matter of time.’

‘Told you they were a thing.’

‘Maybe they were involved even while she was still engaged to Ryo—payback, perhaps.’

‘Honestly, I would give myself to that man too.’

‘She’s a cheater.’

‘Aria is on the path to becoming an AV star. Repent.’

‘A bunch of jobless people butting into someone else’s private life.’

“These are just the milder ones,” Gil added. “The rest are too vulgar to repeat, Akira-chan.”

“Has her sister, who also acts as her manager, made any statement?” Akira asked.

“Yes,” Gil said. “She released a short message stating that Aria’s private life, and who she chooses to be with, is nobody else’s business. She emphasized that Aria is a grown woman who knows what’s best for herself.”

She continued, “Their agency followed up with an official statement, confirming that the individual responsible for leaking the images will be held legally accountable for trespassing and violating privacy laws. For the time being, Aria Kingsley will be taking a break from public activities while the matter is properly addressed. The agency asks for understanding and respect, and thanks fans for their continued support.”

“We’ll be waiting for further updates,” Akira said. “Thank you, Gil.”

“Now, moving on to another story—a priest by the name of Caleb—”

The television screen went black after Ryo threw the controller across the room, shattering the screen.

He turned toward his laptop, where the image of Aria and John still glowed on the screen. He stared at it for a long moment before reaching for his phone and dialing a number.

“I need to ask you for something,” he said.

A pause.

“Yes… I did. I thought if I gave her space, she’d come back to me.”

His grip tightened.

“But if she’s choosing someone else over me…”

*****

“Sir… I know I messed up,” John said into the phone. “I have a lead. I know I can close this case—I just need more time.”

“I’m really disappointed in you, John,” Price replied. “Out of all my guards, I never thought you would be the one to break the most important rule of this agency.”

John stayed silent.

“You’re the most professional and disciplined soldier I have,” Price continued. “That’s the only reason you’re getting suspended instead of being fired outright.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” John said quietly. “I really am.”

“I am too,” Price replied. “Mei is coming to pick you up and retrieve your recordings. We’ll decide what happens after that. Take some time off, John. Clear your mind.” He ended the call.

John stepped out of the room and walked toward Rina’s office. The door was open.

“Yes, Dad, I understand,” Rina said into her phone, catching sight of John and barely masking her anger. “Okay. See you soon.”

She hung up and sat back in her chair, staring out the window. “What did I tell you, John?”

she asked without looking at him. “At the BET Gala. Do you remember?”

“I…” John swallowed. “I’m sorry, Rina.”“I warned you exactly what would happen if someone saw her with you,” she said coldly.

“And now all you have to say is sorry?”

“I don’t have anything else,” John replied.

Rina exhaled slowly. “To be fair, you’re only half to blame. Aria is an adult. She knew the risks when she chose you.”

“What happens now?” John asked.

“Dad wants us to move to England for a while,” she said. “We’ll stay at his estate. He’s chartered a jet—we’re leaving in two hours.”

“I’ll go tell Aria,” John said.

“Yeah,” Rina replied quietly. “Do that. We don’t know when—or if—you’ll see each other again.”

*****

John went upstairs and knocked on Aria’s door.

“Not in the mood,” Aria said.

John opened the door. She was on the bed, phone in one hand, laptop open beside her.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Responding to haters on my alt accounts,” she said flatly. “Mostly insulting them. I search my name every five minutes to see what’s new.”

“That’s not healthy,” John said. “Leave it.”

“Leave what?” she shot back. “My career or us?”

John sat on the edge of the bed. “All you can do now is wait. This will blow over. I’ve seen it happen before. In a month, it’ll be old news.”

She closed the laptop and set her phone aside. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”

“Your father told Rina to move you both to England,” John said. “You’ll stay with him for a while.”

“What?!” Aria jumped up. “Live with him? If he’s behind this, that’s like asking to be killed.”

John paused, then took her hands. “Listen to me. Mei is coming to get me. When she does, I’m telling her everything—about your dad and everything else.”

“You promised not to,” Aria said quickly.

“That was before all this,” John replied. “My contract is terminated. I’m suspended. I can’t help you anymore—but she can. And if your father wanted to hurt you, he’s had plenty of chances already.”

Aria hesitated, then sighed. “Okay. I’ll pack until she comes.”

John nodded and turned toward the door.

“John,” Aria said softly. “I’ve been thinking about what you told me… about your past.”

He turned back.

“You and my dad aren’t the same,” she said. “You tried to make things right. You gave her his money. You punished yourself by being alone. You cried for him when he was dying.”

She swallowed. “I never heard my father cry. Not that night. Not ever.”

She met John’s eyes and smiled faintly. “I’m not afraid of you. If anything, I trust you more— for being honest, for being vulnerable.”

John looked away, gripping the doorframe. His voice was low. “Thank you, Aria. I appreciate that.”

*****

John crushed his cigarette under his boot as Mei arrived.

“So that’s what you think,” Mei said, collecting the data from John’s suit into her laptop.

“You believe Aria is…?”

“Yes,” John replied.

Mei crossed her arms. “That could explain why her father wants her gone. But then why treat her better than Rina?”

“I’ve seen it before,” John said. “Some families are cruel to their own children but gentle with everyone else. I saw it a lot overseas. Not always—but often enough to notice.”

“What about the others?” Mei asked. “Ryo? Rina?”

“They’re still on my list,” John said. “But Samuel is my top priority.”

He hesitated. “Can you cut the part where she mentions him? I think the suit picked up her voice. I promised her no one else would know about her father’s past.”Mei smiled faintly. “I’ve been deleting fun times between you and Aria for months. I’ll consider this part of that.” She paused. “What do you want me to do next?”

“If you can,” John said, rubbing the back of his neck, “take blood samples. Check hospital records for both of them.”

“I will,” Mei said quietly, head down. “And… I’m sorry, John. If I’d been stricter when you first told me about her, you wouldn’t have lost the case.”

She looked up. “Let’s take Aria’s blood before she leaves.” Mei turned toward the house.

“Her room’s upstairs,” John said. “Left hallway.”

She raised a hand in acknowledgment.

Sorry, John. For keeping you out of the loop.

*****

She knocked on Aria’s door.

“I’m changing,” Aria called. “I’ll open it in a minute.”

She stepped inside as the door opened, startling Aria. “I said I’d open it when I’m dressed,”

Aria snapped, covering herself. “Do you not have manners, or do you think this is fine because we’re both women?”

“You’re exactly how I need you to be,” Mei said as she stepped closer.

Aria instinctively stepped back until her spine hit the wall. “What do you want?” Aria asked, her voice sharp—but unsteady.

In one smooth motion, Mei planted her hand beside Aria’s head, trapping her there.

“You’re going to listen carefully to what I have to say. Then I’m going to take a blood sample from you—and give you something in return.” She began unbuttoning her white shirt without breaking eye contact.

*****

Rina stepped outside carrying a black suitcase and wearing a black fur coat. Moments later, Mei and Aria followed, Aria pulling a pink suitcase and wrapped in a light-brown fur coat.

Aria looks stressed. Did something happen? What did Mei do? And… does she look lighter, or am I imagining things?As Rina opened her mouth to speak, she suddenly froze, struggling to hold back a sneeze.

Mei quickly pulled a tissue from her pocket and handed it to her. She sneezed hard into it. “I think I caught a cold from going outside in my sleepwear,” she said, crumpling the tissue in her hand before letting it fall.

“Get in the car, Aria,” Rina said firmly. “We need to leave as soon as possible.”

Aria glanced at John.

“We’ll follow you to the airport,” John said. “We’ll say our goodbyes there.”

She nodded and climbed into the car. Rina followed her inside. John shut the door. Behind them, Mei bent down, picked up the discarded tissue, slipped it into a plastic bag, and then got into the company car, and followed behind them.