Chapter 162: A problem with L×L

The following morning, Tom woke with a bigger morning erection than usual, it was as if his body was still angry about the two interruptions from the previous day and refused to be pacified.

He hissed under his breath and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before sitting up. There was nothing scheduled with L×L today. That left the club. He needed to go and see the progress himself.

At that thought in his mind, the System chimed in with a reminder.

```

[PRIMARY MISSION REMINDER]

Club Setup and Opening

Day 4 of 14

```

Tom nodded with satisfaction.

"I might even finish before the deadline." he mumbled under his breath.

Another panel followed.

```

[DAILY TASKS]

1. Get in touch with Josie

2. Engage in every act that will sufficiently raise her meters

Reward: Special Chest

Penalty for failure: +10% difficulty to Josie’s recruitment

```

Tom read it through and nodded again. The penalty was sharp enough to take seriously.

However, the problem was access. Josie was not someone he could walk in on at the office without notice, and he did not know her house. Even if he did, she lived with her husband.

Phone first was the only clean route. He concluded and grabbed his phone.

He checked the time. 7:00 a.m. And he decided it was a perfect time to send a message. He typed;

’Hi. I hope you’re doing very well. I couldn’t shake off thoughts about you this morning, so I decided to reach out.’

He sent it and waited. But No reply came immediately.

Tom put the phone aside and decided to handle his morning first. Even though the daily task did not require exercise, he still wanted to move so he’d be able to meditate properly. He pulled on sportswear, tied his shoes, and headed for the door.

He opened the door and was met with an unexpected turn... He stopped short.

Two men stood outside his door.

They were dressed in black suits and built solidly enough to make the hallway feel narrower. The moment the door opened, both of them tensed, as if ready to move on him. Tom stepped back into the room on instinct. The men caught themselves just as quickly and straightened.

"Good morning, sir," one of them said. "We are your bodyguards."

Tom stared at them in surprise. "My what?"

Then Stella’s promise came back to him. She had said she would handle the security package for the club but she had not said anything about men waiting outside his bedroom door.

He stepped back into the room and instantly put a call through to her.

Stella answered on the second ring, her voice coming bright from the other end.

"You must have met them." she said cheerfully.

"Bodyguards for me?" Tom said. "That was not the arrangement we had."

"The club security is still being handled. But I arranged personal protection for you as well. We don’t know what Adrian will try next." Stella replied gently.

Tom shook his head then he began to pace across the room.

"Stella, I can’t move around with two men glued to me. I don’t need that."

"You need it more than you think."

"I need air. Not a shadow every time I open my door." he shot back, his voice slightly rising.

"It’s for your own good." Stella maintained firmly.

"No." His voice stayed firm. "I did not ask for personal bodyguards. Club security is one thing. This is different."

There was a short pause on the line. When Stella spoke again, her tone had softened, but it had not weakened.

"At least keep one. Please. Just one. That is the only way I will be at ease. Adrian is not even in the country right now, but that does not mean we should relax."

Tom shut his eyes briefly. He could already hear the argument continuing if he refused completely.

"I don’t want anybody hovering over me all day," he said.

"He won’t hover if you set the boundary," Stella answered. "But I need someone responsible for your safety. One man. From morning until you are back home. That is all I am asking."

Tom was quiet for a few seconds longer than necessary. Then he exhaled.

"Fine. One. And only until I’m home. Not inside my private space."

"Thank you." she said excitedly.

He muttered a low thank you too then the call ended.

When Tom stepped back into the hallway, he saw that Stella had already been efficient. One of the men was gone. The remaining one inclined his head politely.

"John Warren, sir. I’ll be handling your protection detail." he said.

Tom gave him a short look. "I’m going for a jog. You can wait here."

John remained composed as he replied; "With respect, sir, my assignment is to remain with you during active hours. I can keep my distance, but I can’t stay behind while you’re outside."

"I don’t want anyone running beside me." Tom shook his head.

"I won’t," John replied quickly. "I’ll maintain a proper distance. You won’t have to speak to me unless you need to."

Tom studied him for a moment. The man was formal and clearly not interested in arguing for sport.

"Don’t crowd me," Tom said at last.

"Yes, sir."

Tom moved past him.

Downstairs, Sienna was already dressed for work. She stood by the dining area with a herbal drink in hand. When she noticed him, her expression arranged itself into a controlled and polite manner.

"Good morning," she said first. "Come and eat." she added.

Tom could see what she was doing. She was acting as if the previous night had not happened at all, no confession, no wall, no unfinished heat. Just morning routine and carefully chosen words.

Then she added, more gently, "Also... the launch is next week Wednesday. If you’re free, I’d like you there with me. For the public side of things."

It was polite. Almost careful. The launch was five days away, and she was using future business to cover present awkwardness. Tom could see what she was doing.

Tom studied her for a second then replied; "No problem."

"I will go for a jog first before breakfast." He added. Sienna nodded and he walked out.

He got outside and started his jog.

He did not look back, but John Warren was following all the same, keeping to a distance just far enough not to crowd him. Tom noticed, clicked his tongue, and ignored it. If the man wanted to trail him through the streets within the boundary they had set, that was on him.

The morning air helped clear his head. Club first, later, Josie when she replied. And Sienna...

His phone beeped, cutting through his thoughts.

Tom slowed, pulled it out, and checked the screen. It was a message from Stephen DeMarco.

He opened the message, wondering what it would be about because he hardly get message from Stephen DeMarco.

’We have a problem with L×L.’ The message read.