My Alien Bodyguard

"Get out of my house, Kristine!" My father’s voice thundered through the night as he shoved me out the front door. His fury burned through the cold air, cutting deeper than the storm that had begun to gather overhead. "You don’t belong here anymore! You’re a disgrace!"

I stumbled, my knees crashing against the unforgiving ground, but I refused to cry. A fresh sting erupted from the wound on my hand, reopened from the accident, the tiny beads of blood glistening under the dim light. Yet the pain in my chest was far more acute, a heavy weight that eclipsed the sting of my fall.

With one final push, my father dragged me to the edge of the road. The storm was brewing, matching the tempest inside me. My belongings hit the ground next to me, thrown carelessly like they meant nothing.

Behind him, my mother, Amelia, rushed forward, pleading as she always did. "Please, Leonardo, she’s still our daughter. You can’t just throw her out like this!"

Her words fell on deaf ears. My father’s face twisted in rage after I told him the news. I said I was pregnant, three months along, with a child from a man I didn’t even know. Of course it was a big lie, but it was the only thing I could think of to stop him from forcing me into marrying Justin Krimmer, the son of his boss.

"I never want to see your face again!" he shouted, dragging my mother back toward the house.

"You can’t do this to her!" she screamed, her voice breaking as she watched me get pushed further away. Her pain was tangible, but she was powerless against my father.

I glanced up at the house I had once called home—a house filled with my father's rules, his dominance. He had always been like this. I had watched him tear down my brother, John, until he had no choice but to leave last year. That fight forced him to leave for good. Now it was my turn.

The wind picked up, whipping my hair around my face as I stood up, clutching my things. The cold air wrapped around me, but for the first time, I didn’t feel trapped. Despite everything, a sense of freedom crept into my bones. I walked away from the house and followed the empty street as the storm was raging. I felt no regret.

I was certain I couldn't marry Justin Krimmer. I believed in love—in the kind of love that was real, that made you feel alive. Somewhere out there, I knew my true man was waiting, and I was willing to find him.

After walking aimlessly under the savaged rain for a few minutes, I found myself in front of Lara’s house. My best friend—the only person I knew would never turn her back on me. I knocked softly, and before long, the door swung open. Lara stood there, bleary-eyed but concerned, and she quickly pulled me inside without a word.

“Kristine, you’re trembling.” She grabbed a sweater from the couch and tossed it to me. “Here, take off your jacket and cover up before you freeze to death.” She moved to the small bar and poured a glass of wine, handing it over with a knowing look. “Drink this; it’ll warm you up.”

I took a sip, only to cough it back up. “What is this? Are you trying to poison me? ”

“Poison my ass,” she said with a grin. “Now spill it. It’s the middle of the stormy night, and you’re standing at my door like a wet ghost. What happened? ”

I sighed, “My father threw me out. For real this time.”

Lara’s laughter burst out before she could stop it, her disbelief obvious. “Wait, what? What did you do this time to push him over the edge?”

“I told him I was pregnant,” I replied, my voice flat and unapologetic.

Lara blinked, then snorted. “Oh my God, girl! Have you lost your mind? ”She grabbed my shoulders and made me look at her. “Wait, are you serious? Is this for real? ”

I flopped onto the couch, feeling the weight of everything hit me. “No, I lied. We got into it because he’s trying to force me to marry his boss’s son. You remember Justin Krimmer? ”

“Ugh, who could forget that idiot? "He snorted, "And your dad actually believed you’re pregnant?”

“If he didn’t, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you right now,” I said, shrugging.

Lara chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “And you'll stick with it—no turning back, huh?”

“Of course. It’s the only way I could escape that ridiculous marriage arrangement with the Krimmers," I scoffed. “To hell with them.”

Lara smirked, tossing a peanut into her mouth. “Honestly, I’m impressed. So, what’s next? You can’t live off lies forever.”

I met her gaze, the reality of my situation sinking in. “I need a job, Lara. Something—anything. Can you help me? ”

“Of course,” Lara giggled. “We’re best friends, aren’t we? But there’s a tiny problem...”

My stomach dropped. “What is it? ”

“Your father’s going to lose his mind when he finds out what you’re up to,” she said, smirking, though the warning in her voice was clear.

I crossed my arms, unfazed. “What would you suggest, then? I’m all ears.”

She hesitated for a moment, and then grinned. “The only thing I can think of is a night job... at a club.”

I raised an eyebrow. “A club? Do I even have a choice? ”

“Not really,” she said with a teasing wink, grabbing my arm. “Come on. Since you clearly don’t have anything to wear, I’ve got you covered.” She swung open her wardrobe, practically yanking half of her dresses off their hangers. “Pick one. Tonight, you’re going to be a waitress.”

I stared at the pile of glittering dresses she’d dumped on the bed. "A waitress, huh?"

“Hey, it’s money,” Lara shrugged. “And trust me, it’s better than what your dad planned for you. Take a shower; you know the way, and let’s lay out a plan.”

After a brief shower, I sifted through the outfits and realized how surreal this all felt—but it was a new start. Anything was better than the life I had just walked away from.

For an hour, Lara treated me like a canvas, meticulously crafting a makeover that transformed me into a sultry waitress. I sat quietly before the wide mirror, watching her deft hands work their magic. Yet, as I admired the bold new look, my father’s voice echoed in my mind.

“You have to marry Justin, or I’ll lose my standing in his father’s business!”

“He only cares about himself, not me,” I murmured, frustration boiling inside me. “I don’t understand what’s eating him. I’m his daughter! A father should protect his children, not treat them like pawns. But he makes me feel like some street girl instead.” I scoffed at the thought, bitterness creeping in. I shoved my tears recklessly.

Lara turned my chair around to face her, locking eyes with me. “Are you sure you want to do this? Are you ready to step away from your family and forge your own path? ”

I sighed, feeling the weight of my decision. “This is the only way I can hide from my father. I know he’ll reach out to Justin, and by now, they’re probably plotting to drag me back home.” I ran a hand through my hair, overwhelmed. “It’s all so confusing.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Lara said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “Just think of tonight as a test. If you find that you don’t like it, we’ll look for a different job tomorrow. No pressure, right? ”

I appreciated her attempt to keep things light, but the uncertainty loomed over me like a storm cloud. Still, there was a flicker of hope. Maybe this could be a fresh start.

“But before we dive into what could be your new life, I need to ask you something.” Lara’s expression shifted to one of seriousness. “How did you manage to outsmart your father and make him believe you’re really pregnant? ”

I sighed, recalling the moment that had set this all in motion. “Remember Alice? She confessed to being three months pregnant a while back. I borrowed her pregnancy test and showed it to Mom and Dad. It blew their minds.” A bitter laugh escaped me, and Lara joined in, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

“You clever girl! ”She beamed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Alright, you’re all set. Time to get to work. I’ll call Armand first. He can help us sneak into the private bar after midnight.”

An hour later, we were enveloped in a deafening wave of music on the crowded dance floor of the club. The air buzzed with energy, filled with the pulsating rhythm of bodies moving in sync. Strangers swarmed around us, the majority of them men.

“There’s Armand,” Lara shouted over the noise, pointing to a bulky figure leaning against the wall, his eyes scanning the room. She gave me a quick nod and slipped away into the crowd.

As I swayed to the music, feeling the beat pulse through me, a hand suddenly gripped my back, pulling me into a firm embrace. My heart raced as I looked up, locking eyes with a man whose gaze was both intense and commanding. “You’re not supposed to be here,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth.

In that moment, the world around me faded into a blur. All I could see was his face—chiseled features and dark eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. There was something magnetic about him, something that made my heart race and my mind swirl with uncertainty.