Chapter 144
AU: The Heiress and The Bodyguard Part 10
The last day of Wakako and Lin Lin’s contract was tomorrow, the day of the grand event.
After tonight, their employer-employee relationship would end, and they would return home.
Knowing how infatuated Wakako was with Miss Miki, Lin Lin worried about her shijie’s reaction to their impending departure. But Wakako showed no outward signs of distress.
In reality, Wakako was more preoccupied with a more immediate concern: the evening gown.
At an event like this, their identities as bodyguards had to a secret. That meant both she and Lin Lin had to dress the part, blending in with the high society crowd.
In front of her was the gown the butler had sent over—a custom piece tailored to her exact measurements. Every detail fit perfectly, down to the last pearl and fringe that adorned its luxurious design. It was the kind of dress that looked like it had stepped right out of a fairy tale.
Even the inner lining was designed for practicality, allowing full range of motion despite its elaborate appearance.
But Wakako had never worn anything so extravagant in her entire life. She ran her fingers over the tiny pearls repeatedly, hesitating. She could only bring herself to hold the dress up awkwardly in front of the mirror, trying to imagine what it might look like on her.
The more she looked, the more she realized—it actually suited her. If she put it on… what would she look like?
“It’s beautiful,” Lin Lin said casually, glancing up from her phone as she lay sprawled on the bed. “Miss Miki has good taste. My dress is beautiful too.”
Wakako whirled around: “Miss Miki?”
“Yeah, the butler said Miss Miki chose them, picked out the styles and everything. Didn’t you hear?”
She hadn’t. She had been too busy secretly watching Miki read from the balcony to pay attention to the butler’s words.
Taking a deep breath, Wakako finally slipped into the dress.
The moment she touched the fringe and pearls, they seemed to burn under her fingertips. She clenched the fabric tightly in her hands before realizing she might ruin the delicate gown. She quickly let go.
Miss Miki chose this…
Once the dress was on, she couldn’t help but admire the flawless fit. Every detail—the waist, hips, shoulders—hugged her perfectly. It was almost eerie. How had they gotten it so precise? No one had taken their measurements.
At first, she chalked it up to the remarkable skill of high-end designers, but then she remembered Lin Lin’s gown. While it fit well, it wasn’t nearly as precise—there was a slight looseness at the waist.
And suddenly, everything clicked.
Could it be… because Miss Miki knows my measurements?
She recalled that day when Miki had clung to her waist and shoulders as she carried her to safety. Had Miki felt her body closely enough to remember her exact proportions?
The realization made Wakako’s fingers tremble. Her reflection in the mirror showed a face as red as a ripe apple.
That day had been so overwhelming; she hadn’t even considered such details. But now, they flooded her mind all at once, leaving her dizzy.
Biting her lip, Wakako focused on the mirror.
The soft yellow gown complemented her complexion perfectly. Her shy, hesitant expression added a rare tranquility and elegance she didn’t usually exude.
Wait, even the bust… is perfect.
Her chest was slightly larger than average, and often wore a binder during missions for ease of movement. No one should have known her size. Could it be that… that day…
Waaah…
Wakako covered her face.
She couldn’t think about it anymore; she would die of embarrassment.
…
As bodyguards, Wakako and Lin Lin had attended countless parties and business functions, but this one was by far the most extravagant they had ever seen.
The conglomerate had booked an entire hotel, all thirty floors. Ballrooms, guest suites, restaurants… everything imaginable.
The rooftop was a helicopter landing pad, and even an adjacent venue had been secured.
Even the greeting staff at the entrance wore luxury watches worth six figures.
Despite their experience, Wakako and Lin Lin felt like amateurs, awkwardly holding their champagne flutes, pretending to converse to avoid looking out of place.
Several bodyguards in suits were visible, but they were just for show. Wakako and Lin Lin’s task was to protect Miss Miki discreetly.
At such This was a business event; everyone had an agenda. Lin Lin’s youthful appearance made her a target for curious socialites, wondering if she was some unknown heiress.
Wakako brushed off the curious onlookers with a fabricated backstory, keeping her true identity hidden.
The event had official media and photographers. One brightened seeing them: “Ladies, over here! Smile for the camera.”
In their line of work, showing their faces to the media was a strict no-go. This had been discussed with Miki’s assistant in advance, and the company had agreed not to release any photos involving them.
Still, the attention made Wakako nervous. She instinctively turned her head away to avoid the lens, but Lin Lin grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “What are you doing? We’re wearing these beautiful dresses! Don’t you want a picture to show Boss and the others?”
“But…”
“Don’t overthink it. Just smile.”
Pulled along by Lin Lin, Wakako felt tempted, turning awkwardly to flash a peace sign at the photographer.
I’m terrible at taking pictures. Do I look awkward?
Thankfully, Lin Lin intervened before she could strike another pose, “You can’t do peace signs at a formal event! You’re supposed to be a sophisticated heiress, remember? Be elegant?”
Despite being barely out of her teens, Lin Lin held up her wine glass with a practiced air, pretending to be a mature adult.
Wakako burst out laughing at Lin Lin’s pretense, her dimples deepening, “You look pretty silly too.”
“No, I don’t,” Lin Lin grumbled.
They exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
The photographer captured the moment perfectly.
Lin Lin walked over to negotiate with the photographer, leaving her contact information. It wasn’t long before her phone buzzed with the freshly sent photos.
Wakako leaned over to take a look. On the screen, the two of them looked relaxed and natural, their laughter completely unforced.
But…
“They caught Miss Miki in the background!” Lin Lin spotted first, zooming the upper left corner. “Look, even from this distance, it’s so clear.”
Wakako turned, her gaze scanning the crowd.
At the head of the table reserved for the host, Miki’s white gown stood out more than anything else.
Wakako couldn’t help but notice how much Miki seemed to favor white. Whether it was her company attire, casual outfits at home, or gowns for formal occasions, her wardrobe was always pure, pristine white.
Tonight, she wore a simple pearl necklace and a delicate veil in her hair, so pale it was almost invisible. The only touch of color came from the deep red of her lips.
Miss Miki was in conversation with a group of people Wakako didn’t recognize. She assumed they must be prominent business figures.
It took Wakako a moment to recall where she had seen her before. Then it clicked—Miss Han, the heir of Fucheng Group. They’d encountered her during a remote meeting.
Like Miki, Miss Han was young, wealthy beyond measure, and firmly entrenched at the top of the social ladder.
It took Wakako a moment to remember. It was Miss Han from the video conference—the heiress of the Fucheng Group, just like Miki, young and incredibly wealthy.
Miki had even asked Wakako if she found Miss Han beautiful, prompting Wakako to research her.
Within seconds, her gaze returned to Miki. She considered, then asked Lin Lin: “If I asked Miss Miki for extra compensation now, do you think she would agree?”
Lin Lin looked confused: “Huh? What are you talking about?”
“She’s offered to compensate me for protecting her several times before, but I never accepted.” Wakako paused, her gaze thoughtful. “Do you think… it would be appropriate to ask her for something now?”
“What do you want?” Lin Lin asked, puzzled. “Money?”
“No… I want to take a picture with Miss Miki,” Wakako said softly. “Our flight is tomorrow morning, right?”
Today was the last day of their mission. After tonight, they would return to their team.
The contract would end.
From the beginning, Wakako hadn’t expected anything to happen between them. One was a wealthy heiress, the other a hired bodyguard. Their paths shouldn’t have crossed.
Even a child could understand that.
So Wakako only watched from afar.
Watching her read from the balcony, observing her work in meeting rooms, glimpsing her sleeping face in the car.
Wakako wasn’t greedy – this had been enough.
But…
“I look nice today,” Wakako looked down at her gown. “I even had a stylist do my hair and makeup… I want to take a picture with Miss Miki like this.”
Miki had chosen this dress for her.
She loved it so much.
Lin Lin paused, seeing the hidden sadness in Wakako’s eyes. She didn’t know what to say. After a moment, she blurted out, “Go for it!”
Her loud voice startled the guests nearby.
But Lin Lin didn’t care. She tugged her hair frustratedly, unsure if encouraging her senior was right, but that’s how she felt.
“Don’t leave with any regrets. She was willing to give you so much money; she’ll definitely agree to a photo.”
Wakako hesitated: “Really?”
With Lin Lin’s encouraging nod, she finally made up her mind, smoothing her skirt and walking towards the head table.
— Other women look so elegant in evening gowns. Why do I look so clumsy?
Miki and Miss Han were still talking, likely about important business, so Wakako didn’t interrupt, waiting for a suitable moment.
But nearby whispers reached her ears.
They were speaking in a rather obscure language, assuming no one else would understand. But for a mercenary bodyguard trained in multiple languages, it was easy to decipher.
“I heard a rumor… Miss Miki publicly said no man could catch her interest because she prefers women.”
“That’s nothing. I heard tonight’s big announcement is about her engagement to Miss Han.”
“Isn’t the announcement about the collaboration between the two conglomerates?”
“Everyone knows about that. Why would they announce it? I think it’s true. Miss Han came out publicly in college…”
Wakako didn’t understand every word, but she got the gist.
How to describe it?
It felt like a punch to the gut, a ringing in her ears, a tightness in her chest.
Wakako looked at Miki and Miss Han.
They were really a perfect match.
Business partners from similar backgrounds, with shared goals, and equally striking beauty.
One in white, the other in red, their contrasting styles like two different flowers, each in full bloom.
And what was she?
She was Cinderella, whose time was running out.
The contract was her magic spell. It was the reason she could stand beside Miss Miki. But tomorrow, it would be over.
And she would never wear this dress again.
Just like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight.
Wakako traced the pearls on her gown, took a deep breath, and smiled sadly.
As Miki and Miss Han finished their conversation, Wakako didn’t approach. Instead, she took a step back, preparing to leave.
Someone near Miki recognized her face, assuming she had something to report, anxiously approaching to ask quietly.
Wakako shook her head, smiling faintly. “It’s nothing.”
She glanced at Miki one last time.
— If Miss Han is going to be your wife, then I shouldn’t take a picture with you, or even be near you.
— I think I’ll miss you for a very long time. I’ll keep thinking about you after I return… I don’t know when I’ll forget you, or if I ever will.
— But I can’t like you anymore.
— Easier said than done… but I’ll force myself to do it.
After all, she’d lived twenty-three years without being in love; she could do it again.
They said first love always ended in heartbreak. Even if it felt like love at first sight, like destiny, the outcome was always the same.
Wakako cast one last glance at Miki before turning to walk back toward Lin Lin.
She wasn’t sure why, but it felt like someone behind her wanted to stop her. Yet no one followed.
Until a cold voice cut through the crowd: “Stop.”
Wakako’s heart jumped.
I must’ve misheard.
It sounded like Miss Miki.
“Wakako.” The voice repeated. “Stop.”
Wakako froze.
This time Wakako knew she hadn’t misheard. She turned.
She turned back slowly, meeting Miki’s gaze.
Her eyes were cold as ice, piercing despite the distance between them. It felt as though Miki was standing right in front of her.
