90

Alfred.

"I see," I replied, considering the practicality of this arrangement. "So she's essentially operating undercover as well as providing security."

"Exactly," Sebastian confirmed. "The perfect combination of protection and discretion."

"Yes, that makes sense!" I exclaimed, suddenly warming to the idea as I envisioned the potential benefits of having female security. "I could actually have some fun with her - we could go shopping together or hang out casually without it seeming strange or attracting attention!"

The prospect seemed surprisingly appealing now that I understood the situation correctly. Having constant security wouldn't feel so restrictive if it came in the form of someone who could pass as a friend rather than an obvious bodyguard.

I couldn't help but chuckle with excitement, actually jumping up and down in place like an enthusiastic child who'd just been promised a new toy. My eyes must have been literally glimmering with delight at the possibilities this arrangement offered.

"We could go to spas together!" I continued, my mind racing ahead. "Or shopping malls without you hovering over my shoulder the whole time! It would be so much more relaxing than having some scary-looking man in a suit following me everywhere."

Sebastian's expression shifted immediately, his earlier playfulness replaced by a stern, possessive look that I knew all too well.

"What? Absolutely not!" he hollered emphatically, shaking his head vigorously from right to left to emphasize his complete rejection of my interpretation. "You seem to be misunderstanding something fundamental about this arrangement, Alfred."

I froze mid-celebration, my excitement faltering as I registered his sudden change in tone.

"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked cautiously, my eyes widening in confusion. "If she's my bodyguard, doesn't that mean she'll accompany me when I go out?"

"I will personally be with you wherever you go, like your constant shadow," Sebastian interrupted firmly, cutting off my train of thought with a finality that brooked no argument. He punctuated this declaration by pointing his finger directly at my nose, his tone leaving no room for negotiation on this point.

The intensity of his statement took me by surprise. Why hire a professional bodyguard if he intended to accompany me everywhere himself?

"Elissa is your secondary protection," he clarified, seeing my confusion. "She handles security assessment, threat detection, and serves as backup. I handle the primary role of keeping you in my sight at all times."

"That seems... excessive," I ventured carefully.

"Not from where I'm standing," Sebastian replied without hesitation. "I've learned the hard way what happens when I let you out of my sight."

There was something in his tone - a hint of vulnerability beneath the possessiveness - that softened my irritation. This wasn't just about control; it was about fear. Fear of losing me again.

"Okay," I conceded with a small nod, deciding this wasn't the battle to fight on our wedding day. "We can discuss the details later."

Sebastian's posture relaxed visibly at my acceptance, the tension leaving his shoulders as he pulled me closer to him.

"Thank you for understanding," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I bent my arms around his neck and leaned up to kiss him properly, momentarily forgetting we weren't alone until Elissa discreetly cleared her throat, reminding us of her presence.

I pulled away slightly, my cheeks warming with embarrassment. "Maybe we could continue this... discussion... in private?"

"Elissa, you're dismissed for the evening," Sebastian said immediately, not taking his eyes off me. "Report back tomorrow at noon."

She nodded professionally and left without another word, closing the door quietly behind her.

Three Years Later...

The exclusive watch boutique gleamed with polished glass and subtle lighting, creating the perfect atmosphere of luxury and exclusivity. As a recognized VIP client, I was escorted immediately to a private viewing room where the owner himself waited to assist me personally.

"So, sir, what do you think of these exceptional Rolex wristwatches?" the distinguished older gentleman asked, gesturing toward the velvet-lined tray before me. "Each piece has been selected specifically with your refined taste in mind."

The displays contained some of the most expensive timepieces in the world, rare models that weren't available to just anyone, regardless of their wealth. Being married to Sebastian had opened doors I never could have imagined before.

"They're all beautiful," I admitted, scanning the collection carefully. "But this one speaks to me."

I pointed to an elegant watch with a subtle blue face, its craftsmanship evident even to an untrained eye. The owner nodded approvingly at my selection, a smile spreading across his face.

"Yes, I want this particular model," I confirmed, already imagining how it would look on Sebastian's wrist.

The owner's professional demeanor shifted slightly as he carefully lifted the watch from its display. His eyes met mine with an intensity that seemed inappropriate for a simple business transaction.

"An excellent choice, sir," he replied, his voice taking on a warmer, more intimate tone. "This is truly a special edition, featuring twenty carats of the finest diamonds set into the bezel and hour markers. How magnificently luxurious and precious it will look against your skin, making your already stunning eyes shine even brighter."

I blinked, taken aback by the suddenly personal nature of his comments. Before I could respond, he continued, leaning slightly closer across the counter.

"In fact, I would be honored to offer this exquisite piece to you as a personal gift from me," he said softly, "if you would consider granting me the pleasure of your company for dinner sometime. Perhaps tomorrow evening?"

Alarm bells immediately went off in my head. Was the store owner actually flirting with me? Did he not know who I was married to? I quickly spun my body, intending to make a hasty exit before Sebastian appeared - as he inevitably would - and created a scene that would likely end up in tomorrow's newspapers.

"What did you just say?" I stammered, clearing my throat awkwardly as I glanced nervously toward the door, knowing it was only a matter of time before my overprotective husband materialized.

"What the absolute hell?!" Sebastian's outraged voice exploded from directly behind me, right on cue. "Date him?! Are you proposing a romantic engagement to MY husband? Do you have any idea who he is or who I am?"

I winced, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and resigned acceptance. After three years, I should have expected this. Sebastian's ability to materialize whenever anyone showed the slightest interest in me was almost supernatural. He seemed to have a sixth sense for these situations, appearing out of nowhere like some jealousy-powered ninja.

The store owner's expression transformed from smooth confidence to shocked recognition in an instant, his eyes widening comically as he took in Sebastian's imposing presence.

"M-Mr. Mayor?" he stuttered, his jaw literally dropping as the blood drained from his face. Sebastian's glare could have melted steel, and I noticed the poor man beginning to tremble slightly as he realized his terrible mistake.

Sebastian released a low, threatening groan that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, even though his anger wasn't directed at me. I couldn't help but tremble slightly myself, knowing what was likely to follow.

"Yes, I am the Mayor," Sebastian confirmed through clenched teeth, his voice dangerously quiet. "And this gentleman you just propositioned is Mr. Alfred Evans, my lawfully wedded husband! What exactly were you thinking? Do you possess a death wish of some kind?"

The sarcasm dripping from his words did nothing to mask the very real threat they contained. I'd seen Sebastian destroy people's careers for less than this.

"Sir, please accept my most sincere apologies," the terrified store owner stammered, his eyes darting frantically between us. "His eyes are truly irresistible - I simply couldn't control myself when faced with such beauty. I assure you I had absolutely no idea he was married to you or to anyone else."

I suppressed a groan at this spectacularly bad attempt at an explanation. Complimenting my appearance further while apologizing to my jealous husband? The man might as well have poured gasoline on a fire.

"What on earth kind of excuse is that?" I thought desperately. "He could literally kill you for saying something like that, you complete idiot!"

"Shut the f*ck up right now before I decide to close your business permanently," Sebastian spat venomously, flecks of saliva actually hitting the man's face as he leaned aggressively across the counter.

I knew I needed to intervene before this escalated any further. Despite his position as mayor, Sebastian had been involved in enough public altercations over similar situations that the press had started keeping a running tally.

"Sebastian, please stop this immediately!" I urged, pulling at his arm with all my strength. "We're in a very public place with security cameras everywhere! You can't create yet another scandal! This needs to stop happening every single time we go shopping together!"

Sebastian reluctantly allowed me to pull him back slightly, though his murderous glare remained fixed on the store owner, who looked like he might faint at any moment.

"It's not my fault," Sebastian muttered, his eyes still blazing with anger as he finally turned to look at me. "Maybe you need to stop being so ridiculously pretty and irresistibly cute every minute of every day!"

I rolled my eyes dramatically at this absurd suggestion. "Sebastian, we've been happily married for three full years now! This possessive jealousy act needs to stop at some point!"

"So what if we've been married for three years?" Sebastian groaned defensively, looking genuinely perplexed by my suggestion that his behavior might be excessive. "If anything, I love you even more now than when we first married! My feelings have only grown stronger with time!"

His expression was so earnest, so completely convinced of the righteousness of his position, that I couldn't maintain my irritation. There was something endearingly consistent about Sebastian's devotion, even if it manifested in occasionally problematic ways.

"You're impossible," I sighed, shaking my head in resignation.

"But you love me anyway," he replied confidently.

"God help me, I do," I admitted, unable to suppress a small smile. "Can we please just go now? I'm absolutely starving after all this drama."