"I swear if someone assaults you now, I can only watch",
"You won't even try to help?"
"I'm afraid I can't."
"But isn't that your job?"
"I don't know how to fight."
"Then go for training."
"Sir…" Mr Li begged. He was in his late fifties. Hair almost fully grey and his body an old potato. He stood in front of the desk in his black suit that glanced from the rays of sunlight that stretched into the spacious office.
Gu Yuxuan, who was seated behind the desk, dressed in a midnight blue suit, looked at him. His hair was styled into a short curtain cut, slightly hiding his dark brown, almond-shaped eyes.
"What can I learn at this age? My body…" Mr Li sighed out a little cry.
"I don't see the problem." Gu Yuxuan said. He was the well-known, respected and highly influential founder and CEO of the billion dollar real estate company, named after his surname, Gu.
Many assumed that it took years to build his empire, but Gu Yuxuan wasn't even thirty yet.
"Sir, I'm just as reluctant to leave you. But…"
"That's why you should stay."
"Sir…!"
Gu Yuxuan stared at him for a long time, judging his attitude without words.
The man swallowed hard before trying to reason with him again. "I'm not the right person to continue accompanying you. I'm getting old"
"I think you're just the right age."
The man melted into his own body. What could he possibly say to convince his stubborn boss?
He grabbed his hip. It was time to put everything into this act. "These days… My body has given me many problems. I can't even stand straight".
"Did your body decide that just now?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
"Sir, how can I convince you?"
"Since you're leaving, find someone to replace you."
Mr Li looked down in despair, but a smile soon formed on his lips. Did he hear correctly or was his mind playing tricks on him? He hesitantly asked, "Sir, did you say something?"
"You've lost your hearing too?"
"I…uh…"
"I said, someone has to replace you."
"Right", he chuckled. " Leave it to me. I'll get it done." He nodded and quickly walked out.
Gu Yuxuan took a deep breath. One thing he hated the most was having abrupt changes that he had no control over.
He walked over to the glass wall. Looking down from the 18th floor, buildings stretched far and high. Located in the centre of Shanghai.
When the day had finally come to an end, Gu Yuxuan walked out of his office with greetings coming from all directions.
"Mr Gu"
"Sir"
When he stepped into the elevator, no one else dared to step in as well. Not even when it stopped on the lower floors.
His posture was straight. His face neutral. And he made no eye contact with anyone, burning his confidence under everyone's skin.
Outside the building, his driver stood waiting, holding the door open to the black car. And the day couldn't end without the praises of ladies complementing his attractiveness, of course.
They drove into the streets of Shanghai. The traffic was busy as usual. Standing first as the light had turned red.
A window separated the front and back of the car. Gu Yuxuan was looking through this very window at the road ahead. His right foot was placed on top of his left leg, as he leaned back into the seat.
As pedestrians crossed the road, one man wearing a blue hoodie, looked straight at the car as if he could see right through the darkened windows.
That instantly caught Gu Yuxuan's eye and he kept looking at him as they drove past. Without much thought though, because he had his fair share of enemies.
After driving for about thirty minutes, they reached his complex. The residence's name 'Gu' was enlarged at the entrance. He stayed in the penthouse and had to pass fifteen floors by using the private elevator that took him straight into his house.
Walking into his home, screamed luxury. The soft grey walls were decorated by white ornaments and the floor was a darker grey but shined like silver.
Everything expensive, expected from a man who was called a billionaire.
After taking a shower, he threw on a pair of casual clothes in the colour black. Light coloured clothes wasn't found in his closet.
Hair still partly wet, he went to the kitchen to pour a glass of juice and then went to his study.
When he turned the computer on, there were hundreds of notifications already and they were still coming in as he clicked on his email app. He opened one from Mr Li first, his bodyguard who was going to leave.
In the email, Mr Li said that he had gathered a few of the best candidates for the job and everyone will be ready for the interview the following day.
Gu Yuxuan took out his glasses from the drawer and put them on, which blended beautifully with his symmetrical face. He then gathered many paper documents and started going through them one by one.
After working for hours, the time had hit 1 am and he finally turned off the light and went to bed.
* * *
7 am and he was already in the passenger seat, driving to work.
On the way, he first stopped at his usual coffee shop where the barista already knew his order. A mocha.
The smell of coffee mixed with the early morning air, set the mood to embark on what he thought was going to be a successful day.
Dealing with the interviews that day, he expected the day to be long. Choosing a bodyguard, even longer, because he knew his standards were high. But it had to be done. And which other person was able to do a better job at finding the right person than him.
When he made it to work, the overflow of greetings poured over him as he entered the work building. Although acting unbothered by it, it was a pleasure he secretly enjoyed.
After walking through the hallways and passing all the departments, he finally made it to his office. Welcomed by Mr Li's forced, bright smile, it sent an immediate signal that something was wrong, and he was right.
Along the way he had prepared himself to be awaited by many people, but his eyes narrowed with a slight head tilt seeing only one person standing outside his office while everything else zoomed out of focus.