C7 Overprotective

Shienna arrived at a familiar building. She turned to Bryan when they reached the lobby and stepped into the skyscraper she knew was Bryan's office. Several employees who had been busy working got up and faced Bryan and Shienna, an assistant, and several bodyguards followed.

"Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Sanders!" They greeted. Shienna and Bryan received the same greeting every time they met another employee, even when entering the elevator.

"Not the 21st floor, Bertha. Take us to 21A," Bryan ordered as the neatly uniformed woman was about to press the button she usually pressed every time she escorted her boss to the penthouse.

Today, for the first time, Bryan asked Bertha to take him to the penthouse above his personal space. She nodded, took the card out of her pocket, and held it up to the sensor on the elevator wall.

One side of the elevator opened to reveal a few buttons that she pressed, and the metal box they were riding in immediately went to the floor Bryan wanted.

They arrived at the place Bryan wanted them to go. Bryan, Shienna, and Jennifer entered a room that did not look ordinary. The upper half of the building was a single room with a permanent partition that looked elegant and modern.

Bryan remained in place, pressing a button so that the entire room was illuminated. He allowed the room's new occupants to enjoy the luxury.

"This is your penthouse. You can share it with anyone," Bryan said.

"What do you mean? Do you think I would bring someone else into this place?"

Bryan shrugged and stepped into an open room. He motioned for Shienna to follow him. "You can sleep in this room. There are a few more rooms, but this is the main room, yours, of course."

"Then... what about you? Are we living separately?"

"Do you want us to live together, sleeping in one room, one bed, and under one blanket? Is that so?" asked Bryan with a cocked eyebrow, making Shienna scramble to find the right answer to a question that provoked her reaction.

"No-not like that. I mean, everyone knows we're married; you even act like you love me, but we live apart. Won't that ruin my image? I mean, our image."

"To hell with images. I've never held on to it. Let them talk," Bryan replied calmly. "But, since you seem worried. Then I'll explain."

He again invited Shienna to follow him while Jennifer deliberately stayed where she was because she didn't want to disturb the two newlyweds trying to get used to each other. Although the two had once dated, a problem made them hate each other. So, it's time for Bryan and Shienna to get closer and mend the relationship that once ended.

After all, they are now husband and wife. They should be able to start over and love each other even better than they did in the past.

Bryan stopped in front of a metal door that turned into an elevator. He motioned for Shienna to enter as he did. They were then in an elevator that took them down one floor. The door opened and showed the room Shienna had been in before.

"This place—"

"Yes. I'll be here. You don't need to worry; the elevator can only be accessed from the inside, and not just anyone can use it. Since you're here, only you and I can."

"How is that possible? Everyone can access the elevator in the usual way. Isn't that right?"

Bryan shook his head. "This elevator scans fingerprints to get in, out, and to whatever floor you want. Right in the room. Try it."

Shienna tried pressing the button, and sure enough, they moved up and down directly to the rooms in the building. Bryan then provided proof that the other fingerprints would not work, ordering his bodyguards to test them.

"So it's clear that you're safe in this place. And you have nothing to worry about. Just take good care of the baby and keep him out of harm's way."

***

Shienna was still thinking about Bryan's attitude during the press conference, and it made her frantic and wonder why he was willing to defend her in front of the reporters, which would mean getting herself into trouble.

The love stories of celebrities are never separated from the target of the media crew, who make it one of the entertainment as a spectacle and not infrequently from the public figure who then makes theatrics and gimmicks to get public attention—as happened to Selena, Bryan's girlfriend.

Who said Shienna did not follow the development of other artists even though she was so famous that her popularity beat Selena, who was only a model and movie star? Even then, she gets roles only as a cameo, while Shienna gets offers for a special show from several production houses. However, Shienna refused because, for the time being, she only wanted to focus on the fields she loved, namely music and vocals.

That's why, after the drunken night she and Bryan spent together, Shienna researched Selena and found out that there was no difference between her and some of the other public figures she knew—making love stories for fans.

Lost in her turmoil, Shienna heard a strange noise outside that caused her to rise to her feet in alarm. She grabbed the lamp from the nightstand and tiptoed out of the room.

Shienna raised the object in her hand when she saw the figure in the darkness before her.

The man turned around as a ray of light shone down on him, allowing Shienna to see the man's face easily. Unfortunately, the nightstand lamp had already landed on the temple of the man who turned out to be Bryan, her husband.

PRAKK!!!

"Argh! What the hell?!" Bryan screamed loud enough to wake Jennifer, who was in the room rushing to the source of the sound. "What the fuck are you doing, Shie? Are you going to kill me, huh?!"

"Oh, my God! I'm sorry, Bray. I thought you were a criminal who snuck in." Shienna covered her mouth with her hand and then moved closer to Bryan. "Let me see. Is your head hurt?"

Bryan dismissed Shienna's hand and held his temple. "I'm fine. Just something like that can't hurt me! Go back to sleep. Don't stay up late because it's not good for you and your baby!"

Bryan turned around, about to leave Shienna, who was staring at him in dismay. She hit the thing hard enough; there was no way it wouldn't hurt.

"And one more thing. I told you this place was secure. There's a special security system I installed before you got here. I'm here to ensure you're comfortable and... for this." Bryan, his back to Shienna, held up a wine bottle in his hand.

"Um, Bray. Wait!" interrupted Shienna as Bryan was about to enter the open elevator. She pushed aside Bryan's hand that had been covering the cut on his forehead. "Let me treat it."

Shienna motioned for the man to sit on the couch not far from where they stood. Bryan couldn't argue because Shienna glared when she knew there would be resistance from her husband. So Bryan reluctantly sat down and waited for Shienna to return with a medicine box in her hand.

"How do you know where the medical supplies are? I even forgot about it," Bryan said after catching a glimpse of his wife's arrival.

"Stay still, don't move! I'm going to treat your wound." Shienna began cleaning the blood and applying cream to the wound on Bryan's forehead. "Next time, don't sneak around, even though I know this is your home—"

"This is your home. Our home. Don't talk anymore. Hurry and finish up, and I'll go back to my room; I have a lot of things to do."

Shienna remained silent and hurried to put a band-aid on Bryan's forehead, then put the medicines back in the box. She was about to get up, but Bryan's call made her undo it and choose to listen to what he had to say.

"From now on, you won't need your bodyguard. I'll pick one for you so that you can dismiss him."

"What do you mean? Ray has worked for me for five years, and I like his performance. Are you out of your mind?!" Shienna was wide-eyed in disbelief at what she had just heard from her husband.

"Remember the rules in the contract letter, that whatever you deal with, I will decide. Whether it's a matter of employment or who will work with you. Your bodyguard is too handsome to be called a bodyguard. Do you want to take a chance with him, huh?" Bryan said the words calmly and looked at his wife expressionlessly.

Shienna, upset, was about to speak, but Bryan immediately silenced her with the next sentence.

"Remember, you signed it."

"Never once did the media make up rumors between me and Ray! You should know why because I know when to conduct myself professionally and when to deal with romance! It's not like you to date an unprofessional model!"

"I'm not talking about anyone else, so keep your boundaries!" Bryan snapped in a cold tone. "My decision is irrefutable. Will it be you or me who dismisses him? Oh, and one more thing. Tomorrow, there will be a couple of servants to help you with all your needs at home and one special person to take care of you. You just need to enjoy the day and keep the baby in your womb safe and sound."

"I don't need servants. I already have Jennie to help me with everything."

"Since you're not a public figure anymore, you don't need her help. I'll give her severance pay. She's just here to keep you company, as your best friend, like before. Is everything clear enough? If there's anything you want to discuss, you know where to find me."

Bryan got up and waltzed away from Shienna, who was now stomping her feet and yelling in annoyance.