You Are The Reason

Chapter 1: New Bodyguard

Katherine was immersed in her writing, fingers dancing across the keyboard, when a soft knock disrupted her thoughts.

Ktok. Ktok.

"Kath, are you busy?" her cousin's voice floated through the door.

With a sigh, Katherine rose and opened it. "Yes. Why?"

Arianne stood on the threshold, looking slightly tense. "Lolo Delio wants to talk to you."

"About what?" Katherine asked, her brows knitting. Her grandfather rarely summoned her unless it was serious-and this caught her off guard.

Arianne hesitated for a moment before answering, "It's about your new personal bodyguard. He just hired him."

Katherine's lips parted in disbelief. "What? Again? Oh, Grandpa..." she groaned. "I already told him-I don't need another one. Kuya Fred is doing just fine!"

"I think it's better if you talk to him," Arianne said gently. "You know how he is when he's made up his mind."

Katherine grumbled something under her breath, but turned away, grabbing her cardigan. "Fine. I'll talk to him."

She made her way to Mr. Rodelio Yuzon's office, her steps purposeful yet reluctant. Upon entering, she greeted him with a strained smile.

"Good afternoon, Grandpa."

"Sit down, my dear," he said without looking up, still busy signing documents. Once done, he met her eyes. "I want you to meet your new personal bodyguard."

Katherine crossed her arms. "I already told you, Kuya Fred is enough. Why do I need a new one?"

Her tone was edged with frustration, though she kept it respectful. "Grandpa, you should give me the freedom to breathe. I don't want to be shadowed by bodyguards every time I step outside this mansion."

"This man is different," Mr. Rodelio said firmly. "He's not just trained-he's observant, tactical, and skilled beyond measure. He'll keep you safe no matter the cost."

"Isn't that what Kuya Fred does too?" she pressed.

Her grandfather's gaze deepened. "Gabriel has unique capabilities. He sees what others miss. He can anticipate danger before it strikes."

Katherine remained unconvinced, but Mr. Rodelio had already picked up the phone. Moments later, the door opened and a tall, well-built man stepped inside. He had a quiet but commanding presence-dark eyes, upright posture, and a face carved in solemn lines.

"Luke Gabriel Bustoz," Mr. Yuzon said with pride. "Take a seat."

Gabriel nodded, his voice calm and low. "Thank you, sir."

"Katherine, this is Gabriel. He will be your new personal bodyguard."

Katherine's gaze lingered on the man, her instincts suddenly alert. There was something about him-cold, enigmatic. His energy unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

"I still think this is unnecessary," she murmured. "With Kuya Fred, I feel safe enough."

Mr. Rodelio leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "This isn't just about safety, Katherine. You're the heir to my company. Ninety percent of my estate is in your name. Powerful enemies are watching-and they won't hesitate."

"I trained in taekwondo, remember?" Katherine argued, though even she knew her words sounded childish now. "I can defend myself."

"This isn't about street fights or self-defense. This is about people who don't play fair, who use money, influence, and shadows to hurt us. You need someone like Gabriel. And this decision is final."

Gabriel stood, giving her a silent nod before leaving the room with one of the staff.

"I should go too," he said respectfully. Mr. Rodelio only gave him a slight nod.

Once the door closed, Katherine turned to her grandfather once more. "Please, Lolo Delio..."

But his eyes were already back on the papers. "I said what I said. Go back to your room. I have work to finish."

As she left, he whispered to himself, "I'm sorry, my granddaughter." He stared at the door for a moment, regret flickering in his eyes.

Later That Evening

Back in her room, Katherine tried to focus on her novel, but her thoughts refused to settle. She tapped at the keyboard, paused, deleted a line, then gave up.

Her phone buzzed.

From: Elaine

Pssst! Hey, Miss Lady Green. Are you up for something later?

Katherine:

Where?

Elaine:

It's a secret for now. We planned a little hangout tonight.

Another message popped up in their group chat.

From: Jane

Can you make it later?

Katherine:

I'll think about it. Grandpa hired a strict new bodyguard, so I'm not sure.

From: Jane

Oh no, what a pity, Lady Green!

Therese:

Tsk, we don't get to hang out often, Miss Kat.

Elaine:

Why did you call her "Kat"? Seriously?

Therese:

It's easier. You call her Lady Green, which sounds like a sacred superhero.

Katherine:

It's fine. At least I know it's you. "Lady Green" is just my pen name anyway.

Elaine and Jane:

Okay!

Katherine:

I'll see later if I can make it. I'll text you.

Therese:

That's a solid strategy. Hope it works.

Jane:

Hope so too!

An Hour Later

Katherine managed to sneak past the estate's security and hurried out of the mansion. She stopped at a convenience store and sent a quick message.

From: Katherine

I'm here. Where are you?

Jane:

We're in a taxi now. Where exactly?

Katherine:

The convenience store near the village gate.

Jane:

Alright. On our way.

Minutes later, a taxi pulled up. Jane, Elaine, and Therese emerged.

"How'd you get out?" Elaine asked, eyes wide. "Aren't your guards crazy strict?"

"Don't underestimate me," Katherine said with a smirk.

"You're amazing, Lady Green," Jane said.

"That's why I admire Miss Kath," Therese chimed in. "She writes thrillers and lives them too."

The girls laughed, and Elaine waved toward the cab. "Let's go. The ride's long."

They arrived at a lively establishment.

Katherine froze as she read the glowing neon sign: D&Z Disco Bar.

Her heart pounded.

"Wait... we're going there?" she asked.

"What's wrong?" Elaine grinned. "You look like you saw a ghost."

"You didn't tell me we were going to a bar!" Katherine said, hugging herself.

"Is this your first time?" Jane teased.

"Yes!" she said, cheeks reddening.

Elaine and Jane flanked her. "Don't worry. We've got you."

"Or else your grandpa will hunt us down," Jane added, laughing.

Katherine hesitated. She hated bars, but... she also hated wasting her effort sneaking out.

"Let's go," she finally muttered.

Inside, the music was deafening. Lights flashed. Bodies moved to the beat. It was chaos.

They found a quiet spot and ordered food.

"What do you want to drink?" Elaine asked.

"Just... pineapple juice," Katherine replied shyly.

Food arrived. They laughed, ate, and gossiped. But Katherine couldn't shake the feeling that someone-something-was watching.

"Shall we dance?" Elaine offered later.

"I'll stay here," Katherine declined.

"Me too," Therese said.

While Jane and Elaine danced, Therese leaned closer. "Did you finish the novel you were writing yesterday?"

"Not yet."

"What's the title?"

Katherine smirked. "That's a secret. You'll find out once it's published."

"Come on, Miss Kath," Therese urged, practically bouncing in her seat.

"I can't," Katherine replied with a secretive smile. "It's supposed to be a surprise. Just wait-you'll be amazed."

It was the fourth time Therese had asked about the story, and the fourth time Katherine had dodged it.

A few moments later, Katherine stood up and leaned toward her friend.

"Therese, will you come with me to the restroom?"

"Sure. I was just about to go, too," Therese said as she rose from her chair.

They finished the last of their drinks, then made their way out of the lounge area. But just outside the bar's corridor, Katherine nearly collided with a stranger. He reeked of alcohol.

"Hi there, Miss!" the man slurred, a crooked smile on his lips. "Care to dance?" He swayed as he stepped too close.

Katherine recoiled immediately. "No, thank you," she said firmly, trying to step past him-but within seconds, more men appeared, circling them. Seven in total. The tension thickened like fog.

Therese instinctively gripped Katherine's arm.

"Hey! Don't walk away like that!" the first man snapped, voice turning sharp, his breath heavy with liquor.

Before things could escalate further, Gabriel and two other bodyguards burst through the crowd. With swift, precise movements, they threw punches that sent a few men staggering backward. Gasps rippled through the bar as people turned toward the commotion.

Gabriel reached Katherine and grabbed her arm. "Your grandfather's looking for you," he said tersely, his grip unrelenting.

Katherine stumbled beside him as they started to walk. "Just give me a second-I need to say goodbye to my friends," she protested.

But Gabriel didn't listen. He tightened his hold and continued leading her toward the exit.

"Therese, can you tell them for me?" Katherine called over her shoulder.

"Sure, Miss Kath!" her friend responded, a mix of concern and guilt on her face.

Katherine offered a small nod before stepping out of the bar into the night air.

Back at the mansion, Mr. Rodelio was waiting-and fuming.

"What were you thinking, going to that bar, Katherine?" he barked as she entered the living room. "You even escaped just to get there?"

"I didn't know it was a bar, Grandpa," Katherine said, her tone defensive. "I thought we were just going out somewhere casual-not to a place like that."

"Don't lie to me, granddaughter," he shot back, disappointment layered beneath his anger. "That place was dangerous. You could've been hurt-or worse. How could you allow yourself to be influenced like that?"

"I just wanted to be happy, Grandpa... even just for an hour." Her voice cracked, her eyes pleading. "I want to live like a normal girl-without bodyguards shadowing my every move."

But her words didn't reach him.

"Happy?" Mr. Rodelio scoffed. "And that's what you call happiness? I've given you everything-comfort, safety, opportunity. If you're still not satisfied, Katherine, then what else am I supposed to do?"

Despite his temper, there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes.

"I want freedom, Grandpa. Even just a little. Can you give me that?"

He looked at her, quiet for a moment. "No," he said at last. "Because I know you're not like the others. You're different-and that means you'll always need protecting."

They argued for nearly an hour. And even after he left the room, his words replayed in her mind like a haunting refrain.

But she couldn't accept that as her fate.

Two weeks later, Katherine stood under the glowing lights of an auditorium, heart pounding as her name echoed through the speakers.

Applause roared as she stepped up the stage, a glittering trophy in her hands-recognized as one of the best-selling authors in the country.

She gave a graceful bow, smiled at the sea of cameras, and stepped down the stage. The weight of the trophy in her arms felt surreal.

Back at her seat, she barely had time to settle when her friends began talking about dinner.

"Finally! I've been starving for hours," Arianne groaned as they headed toward the banquet hall, where the aroma of food welcomed them.

But just before they could enter, a small crowd of high-profile industry professionals approached Katherine.

"Can we speak with Miss Yuzon for a moment?" asked Mrs. Vega, a prominent director, flanked by producers and other creatives.

"Yes, of course," Katherine said, smiling politely.

They spoke at length about a possible film adaptation of one of her novels. Their interest was genuine-the kind that made Katherine's pulse quicken with cautious excitement.

Thirty minutes passed before she excused herself to return to her group. But Arianne was nowhere to be seen.

Scanning the crowd, Katherine heard someone call her name.

"Kath!" It was Arianne, grinning mischievously as she approached. "Someone's looking for you. And girl-he's handsome!"

Katherine raised a brow, her heart skipping just a little. "Who?"