Only You - LingOrm Unofficial Fanfic - (IraTawan)

Chapter 9: Unwavering Resolve

It was a rare off day for Tawan, a day when she wasn't required to be by Ira's side. Even so, she couldn't fully relax. Her mind constantly flicked to Ira, and she kept a close eye on the security feeds from the penthouse. Ira had assured her earlier that she wouldn't be going anywhere, spending the day practicing her dance routines and later reading. The reassurance eased Tawan's tension slightly, knowing the penthouse was virtually impenetrable.

Still, leaving Ira for even a few hours made Tawan uneasy. But she had a meeting with Somchai, her best friend and trusted ally. They had agreed to meet at a secret training location, a place only the two of them knew about. Not even Ira was aware of its existence. Tawan longed to see Somchai, both to catch up and to ensure he was safe. Somchai was incredibly skilled, but the deeper he got into Amonsak's world, the more dangerous things became.

When Tawan arrived, she found Somchai waiting for her, sitting casually as if the weight of their mission wasn't crushing them both. They exchanged a brief, warm hug before getting down to business.

"How's it going?" Tawan asked, her voice edged with concern.

Somchai leaned back, folding his arms. "I'm getting there. Slowly. I'm starting to gain Amonsak's trust, but it's not easy. The man's paranoid, and for good reason. He's got a long list of enemies, people he wants gone, and he'll stop at nothing to achieve it. It's frightening how ruthless he can be."

Tawan's jaw tightened. "And Ira?"

Somchai's expression darkened. "You already know she's his biggest target. Not directly, of course. Amonsak knows Ira's Mr. Kraisee's heart. Hurting her is the quickest way to break him."Tawan's chest tightened at the thought. The idea of Ira being harmed made her blood run cold. She glanced down, momentarily lost in thought, her emotions carefully hidden under her usual icy exterior. Somchai, however, knew her too well. He had seen beneath that mask, knew about Tawan's history and how deeply her feelings for Ira ran.

"Ira's the girl, isn't she?" Somchai asked quietly. "Your first crush."

Tawan flinched, caught off guard by the question, but she didn't deny it. She didn't need to. Somchai had known her long enough to understand without her saying a word.

"I'm worried about you," Somchai continued. "If anything happens to her..."

Tawan looked at him, her eyes hard, resolute. "I won't let anything happen to her. If I have to give my life to protect her, I will."

Somchai's brow furrowed. "Tawan, don't talk like that. You're important too. You can't just throw your life away—"

"I'm not throwing it away," Tawan interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "If it means catching Amonsak and keeping Ira safe, it'll be worth it."

Somchai sighed, shaking his head. He knew better than to argue. When Tawan set her mind on something, there was no changing it. Instead, he focused on what he could do. "I'm working on getting the evidence we need. Amonsak's smart. He never gets his hands dirty, always paying others to do his bidding. But I've got a few leads. It's not enough to take him down yet, but I'll keep pushing."

"Good," Tawan nodded, her voice steady. "Let me know if any new attacks are coming. I need to be ready."

Somchai shared everything he could, handing over bits of information he had gathered so far. It wasn't much, but it gave Tawan enough to work with. She was already planning how to fortify Ira's safety, creating strategic safe spaces for her at upcoming public events. Amonsak wouldn't dare attack in broad daylight, but Tawan knew they couldn't be too careful.

Later, back at her own apartment, Tawan sat alone, cleaning her favorite gun while watching the security cameras from Ira's penthouse. She missed Ira more than she cared to admit, her heart aching as she stared at the screen, waiting for a glimpse of her.

But she couldn't message her, couldn't allow herself to get too close. Every time she heard Ira's voice, every time she saw that playful smile, Tawan felt her icy resolve cracking. The warmth of Ira's presence melted the walls Tawan had carefully built around her heart, and it scared her. How long could she keep her feelings buried? How long could she pretend she didn't crave Ira's touch, her smile, her laughter?

Tawan's phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She picked it up, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Ira's name on the screen.

"Tawan?" Ira's voice was soft, sweet, laced with just enough mischief to make Tawan's defenses crumble. "I'm bored. Do you want to come over? I made cupcakes, and I need someone to taste them."

Tawan closed her eyes for a moment, the sound of Ira's voice wrapping around her like a soft blanket. She knew she should say no, knew she needed to keep her distance—but she couldn't. Not when Ira asked her like that, so sweetly, with that playful lilt that made Tawan weak.

"I'll be right over," Tawan replied, her voice betraying the calm exterior she tried to maintain.

She quickly packed her things, ready to head to Ira's apartment. As she grabbed her jacket, she couldn't help but laugh at herself. She was a bodyguard, trained to be cold, calculating, and professional. Yet, all it took was one phone call from Ira, and she was rushing out the door like a lovesick fool.

The drive to Ira's penthouse felt longer than usual, anticipation and something else—something warmer—bubbling beneath Tawan's stern surface. She told herself she was going just to check on Ira, to ensure her safety. But deep down, she knew it wasn't just that. It was Ira's sweet voice, her mischievous smile, her ability to make Tawan's heart race in ways no one else ever had.

Tawan couldn't stop herself from going. And that scared her more than anything else.