The morning sun bathed the garden in a warm golden hue as Ryan Ashworth moved through a familiar sequence of katana forms. His motions were slower today—focused more on refining than exhausting. After nearly two months under Mei Lin's relentless guidance, the once-alien blade now felt like an extension of his arm.
Jane Blackwood had left early for the office, promising to return by evening. The estate felt quieter without her presence or Mei Lin's sharp corrections in the background. Today, Ryan trained alone.
By noon, sweat clung to his skin, and his breath had grown shallow. He ended the session with a clean sheathing motion, exhaled, and headed inside. A short nap on the couch followed—something his body welcomed more than his mind admitted.
The sound of the main door opening stirred him awake. The soft clicking of heels signaled her arrival.
"Jane?" he called out groggily.
"I'm back," her voice came, calm and pleasant.
She entered the room moments later, her blazer in hand, a smile playing on her lips.
"How was training?" she asked, settling beside him.
"Exhausting," he replied, stretching slightly. "But quieter without Mei Lin."
"Enjoy it while it lasts."
He chuckled. "You're not giving me a break, are you?"
"Nope."
Their banter continued, light and familiar. Jane teased, and Ryan—blushing, fumbling—tried his best to flirt back. It had become a little ritual of theirs, one that felt strangely intimate. But as the conversation unfolded, it took a more serious turn.
"What happens next?" Ryan asked.
Jane paused. "You're ready to know?"
"I want to be," he said.
She nodded, folding one leg over the other. "Tomorrow morning, someone important will arrive. Maggi."
"Your bodyguard, right? The one in New York?"
"Yes. Mei Lin will be going to New York to take over my responsibilities there, and Maggi will take her place here."
Ryan frowned slightly. "Isn't that a sudden switch?"
"Not really. I always planned for Maggi to oversee your next phase of training."
"Why her?"
Jane's expression softened, but her voice remained steady. "Because she's the final wall. If you can handle her… you'll be ready."
Ryan tilted his head. "You make her sound like a boss level."
"She's more than that." Jane's tone became matter-of-fact. "Maggi was trained in military combat, advanced weapons, and intelligence ops. She can fly a fighter jet, and she's at the advanced mastery stage in traditional weapons."
"Jesus," Ryan whispered.
"And she's cold," Jane added. "Almost no facial expression. Always calm. Long red hair, emerald green eyes, tall and curvaceous. She moves like a machine and speaks like a soldier."
Ryan blinked. "So… not someone to mess with."
"She's saved my life more times than I can count. But she's not warm, Ryan. She won't laugh at your jokes. She won't go easy on you. And one more thing…"
Jane leaned in slightly, voice cooling like steel. "Don't stare at her breasts."
Ryan stiffened. "I-I wasn't planning to—"
"I'm not joking," Jane interrupted, eyes sharp now. "Maggi has G-cup breasts and the patience of a bullet. But she's had killed men as they stared at her breasts with lustful expressions
Ryan blinked rapidly. "Wait… like literally?"
Jane nodded. "Yes. Many. Mercenaries, bodyguards, clients, even a few high-profile partners. They thought they were being subtle. They weren't."
She sat back slightly, her tone darkening as she continued, "Some years ago, She was headed out on a black ops assignment. Private helicopter, remote base, heavy winds. The pilot—young, overconfident idiot—kept sneaking glances at her chest. Once. Twice. Then he smirked."
Ryan's mouth dried.
"She slit his throat right there in the cockpit," Jane said, her voice eerily casual. "Clean. He died before he even realized he was bleeding."
"She… mid-flight?" Ryan asked, blinking.
"She moved his body aside, finished the mission alone, and flew the helicopter back to base herself," she said. "No one questioned it. They knew better."
Ryan gulped. "Remind me never to look below the chin."
Jane cracked a faint, dangerous smile. "See, this is why I like you, Ryan. You're not dumb."
She leaned forward just a little more. "You'll train with Maggi starting tomorrow. Keep your eyes where they belong. She doesn't talk much—but she notices everything. And she doesn't forgive twice."
Ryan nodded quickly, trying not to let the image of a slashed pilot or a curvaceous war machine distract him.
"Got it," he muttered. "Strictly eye contact."
Jane smirked. "Smart boy."
Scene Change – The Next Morning
Ryan waited near the estate's entrance, checking his watch every few seconds. Jane had told him Maggi's flight was landing early. Around 7:00 a.m., a sleek black car pulled up to the gate—one of Jane's company vehicles.
The driver stepped out and opened the back door.
Out stepped a woman who could've stepped off a movie screen and into a war zone.
She was tall, with legs that seemed to go on forever, wrapped in tactical black pants that hugged her muscular curves. Her red hair was tied back in a long braid that hung down her spine, and her emerald green eyes locked onto Ryan like a target. There was no warmth in her gaze—only precision. She was definitely not older than thirty years atmost she looks around 27 years old
Her face betrayed nothing. No smile. No frown. Just cold, quiet assessment.
Ryan opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
"You're Ryan," she said in a flat voice.
"Y-yeah," he managed.
"Maggi," she offered, and walked past him without another word.
Jane came out to greet her, offering a small nod of acknowledgment. Mei Lin followed soon after, her bag already packed for the airport. There was a wordless exchange of nods between the two women—an unspoken understanding of roles shifting.
Jane hugged Mei Lin briefly. "Take care of things over there."
"I will. And don't worry—he's solid." She gave Ryan a faint smile. "Mostly."
Ryan grinned. "Thanks… I think."
With a small wave, Mei Lin stepped into the car that would take her to the airport, leaving Ryan alone with the crimson-haired storm that was Maggi.
Maggi said nothing, simply walking toward the guest wing, her long coat trailing behind her.
Ryan watched her disappear through the hallway.
As he was thinking about how cold Maggi was . He suddenly remembers that Maggi has already Advanced mastery in traditional weapons so he turns to ask the question that was in his mind .
"So, uh… did you say she can deflect the bullets?"
Jane raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
"…Cool."
She smirked. "Scared?"
"A little."
"Good," she whispered. "You should be."