6. A Guardian's Resolve

Third Person's PoV

Kian was racing down the hospital's corridors, urgency propelling his every step. His mother had been under the weather since the day prior, and he was eager to bring her the comfort of his father's culinary creations, simmering in the kitchen of their ancestral home.

He had missed the chance to bid his mother adieu, finding her already surrendered to slumber's embrace. At fifty-one, she was a picture of youth trapped in a battle with her own treacherous heart. The thought of rousing her from such a needed rest was unbearable to him.

Before darting off, Kian had informed his father of his impending arrival with a brief text. He then turned to the nurse, who had been a constant by his mother's side, and entrusted her with a message: "Should she wake, please tell her I've gone to fetch her cherished meals. I will return before she misses my presence."

Thunder rumbled ominously as Kian settled into the driver's seat of his car, the clock striking eight in the evening. He imagined his father at home, likely wearied from the day's toil, while his thoughts wandered to his siblings in a distant state, rallying around their youngest sister. She was their cherished 'baby princess,' the sole girl among them, and the family's adoration for her knew no bounds. They had vowed to shield her, to be her guardians against all adversities.

Kian's heart ached with the weight of a secret; their mother was hospitalized, her condition a silent storm they chose not to reveal. She had insisted, her voice a soft command, that they spare their sister the worry. After all, she would recover with rest—she was the matriarch, the unwavering axis of their world.

A smile crept onto Kian's face as he glanced at his phone, which lay on the dashboard. His sister's name flashed on the screen, prompting a surge of warmth. Connecting his Bluetooth earpiece, he answered the call, his voice brimming with an affection so vivid, it almost seemed to traverse the distance, ensuring she felt his joy despite the miles that lay between them.

"Hey, baby princess! How's your day?" he asked, his voice a calm in the tempest.

"Hey, my favorite brother! I'm good, but Karl and Micah are such a pain, so annoying!" Krizah's voice came through, tinged with the mock exasperation only siblings could provoke. Kian chuckled, envisioning her pout from miles away.

The twins, Karl and Micah, were notorious for their mischief, and Kian's laughter was a testament to the fondness underlying their teasing. "Yeah sure, but when the twins give you your favorite chocolate, I'm suddenly the least cherished brother, right?" he jested, keeping his eyes on the road.

Krizah's protest was immediate, her affection for Kian clear even through the phone. "Nooo! I love you, Kian, okay? You're the best brother, and I wish you were here instead of these two pests."

Kian's laughter rang out again, his teasing relentless. "So, what if they give you kisses and cuddles? Are they still the most annoying?"

Her huff was audible, her frustration genuine. "Of course not, I'm still so mad at them, Kian! They literally dumped me at the university! And I'm not joking!"

The humor drained from Kian's expression, replaced by a scowl. Those twins! His protective instincts flared, a silent vow to always be there for his baby princess.

Kian had always been clear with his brothers: do not upset Krizah. She was the heart of their family, sensitive and cherished. Yet, despite his warnings, Karl seemed to find a way to cross the line, stirring the protective ire within Kian.

"Krizah, my baby princess, what have they done this time?" Kian's voice was gentle, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within him.

Krizah's response came through the phone, her usual playful tone replaced by one of distress. "Karl and Micah were so caught up with their friends, they just… forgot about me. I felt invisible, Kian. It's thrown me off; I can't even think about my exams now."

Kian's heart clenched. "Shh, you're alright, aren't you? You're not hurt?" His concern was palpable, even through the digital connection. "I can't keep driving if I know you're in pain. You're trying to sound cheerful, but I can hear the exhaustion. Please, be okay for me. I'll deal with those two when you're back next week. Or should I threaten to cut their allowance? A word to Papa, and they'll be returning with empty pockets."

He was half-joking about the allowance, of course. Karl and Micah were good-hearted, and their love for Krizah was undeniable. They were simply distracted, but Kian couldn't fully excuse them. After all, 'family comes first' was more than just a motto; it was the creed that bound them.

"No, I'm alright, Kian. It's just my head spinning—probably the migraine acting up again. A bit of sleep, and it'll be gone when I wake up. Don't worry," Krizah reassured him, her voice a mix of weariness and resolve.

Kian's brow furrowed with concern. "Are you certain? I could call Dr. Ty for you. He's an excellent doctor; he'll take care of you. I hate the thought of you suffering from that migraine."

Krizah's response was firm, laced with a hint of humor. "No need to bother Dr. Ty. He's likely busy, and it's just a migraine. I have my medication."

Kian persisted, his protective instincts refusing to relent. "Are you absolutely sure? Dr. Ty wouldn't mind. You're like a daughter to him."

She laughed lightly, the sound softening the edges of her discomfort. "Kian, Dr. Ty is on the other side of the world."

He clicked his tongue, half in frustration, half in jest. "The other side of the world? Remember, baby princess, he's also in Vancouver. I'm serious about calling him."

Her surprise was evident, even through the phone. "He's here? When? I haven't seen him in a year. How are his wife and sons? Did they come too?"

Dr. Ty had been their family doctor for as long as they could remember. But the previous year had called him away to Vancouver, where his brother's passing had left a hospital in his care. He was more than their physician; he was a friend to the family.

"Yes, they moved last year, his whole family," Kian confirmed, the conversation shifting from concern to a lighter note of familial updates.

Kian's attention was abruptly torn from Krizah's voice as his gaze locked onto the bus stop beside him. Shadows danced in the dim light, three… no, four figures, one markedly smaller than the rest. The lone streetlamp offered little illumination, but it was enough for a sense of dread to settle in his stomach.

A visceral instinct told him he needed to act, and that feeling turned to sharp distress as the scene before him became clear. A group was harassing a girl, her frame small and delicate against their looming presence.

"Kian! Are you listening to me?" Krizah's voice crackled through the phone, but Kian was already in motion, exiting his car with a determination that left no room for hesitation.

"Krizah, I have to go now. I love you, okay? Stay safe," he spoke rapidly into the phone. "Tell Karl and Micah I said hi, and they're in for it when they get back. I'll call you later!" With that, he ended the call, his focus narrowing on the vulnerable figure at the bus stop as he moved to intervene.

Kian's strides lengthened, his pace quickening as he closed the distance to the bus stop. The dim light barely revealed the scene, but what he could discern ignited a fury within him. Three figures were there, their actions vile as they groped a girl who seemed too small, too fragile for such a monstrous assault.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kian's fingers flew over his phone, dialing nine-one-one with a stealth that kept him unnoticed. Anger coursed through his veins, a righteous indignation at the sight of the girl's harassment. He couldn't—and wouldn't—stand idly by while such injustice unfolded.

"Let her go!" His voice thundered, a roar that matched the storm brewing overhead.

As he stepped forward, rain began to fall, droplets mingling with the adrenaline that surged through him. The rain was an annoyance, but it paled in comparison to the rage that fueled his actions. Kian was resolute, prepared to confront the perpetrators and shield the girl from further harm.

Kian's lips curled into a menacing smile as he faced the vilest men he had ever encountered. Their glares were filled with contempt, but Kian stood undaunted, his resolve as unyielding as steel. He could have easily taken them down single-handedly, but his priority lay with the unconscious girl sprawled on the ground.

"And who are you, boy?" sneered one of the brutes.

Kian's smirk was a silent challenge. "None of your business. Now, I'll kindly ask you to step aside and let me have the girl, or I will beat your asses. I'm not kidding," he declared with a dangerous edge to his voice, even as he swept the girl into his arms, her small and delicate form a stark contrast to the situation's gravity.

The distant wail of police sirens grew louder, a sound that spelled victory for Kian. He watched the men's confidence falter, their eyes widening in shock as the realization dawned upon them. Before they could react, the police had arrived, their cars encircling the scene, lights flashing a promise of justice.

"What seems to be the problem here?" an officer inquired, stepping forward just as one of the assailants made a desperate bid for freedom. His attempt was futile; two officers apprehended him almost instantly.

The officer's gaze shifted between Kian and the unconscious girl in his arms. "I presume these men were attempting to harm you and this young lady? Rest assured, we'll handle this promptly." Recognition flashed in his eyes. "I know these men; they've been on our radar for quite some time. It seems we've finally caught them in the act. Let's move," he declared, as the culprits were swiftly escorted to the police vehicle.

Kian, drenched from the downpour, implored the officers to allow him to care for the girl. "Please, let her stay with me. I don't want her to awaken in a moving vehicle, disoriented and scared," he pleaded. His voice was firm, his request non-negotiable. The officers, sensing the sincerity and urgency in his tone, nodded in agreement.

Kian's heart raced as he beheld the girl's beauty, her delicate features stirring something profound within him. Her small nose scrunched in her sleep, and her soft lips moved ever so slightly, painting the picture of an ethereal being. Was she an angel in disguise?

With great care, he removed her jacket, ensuring his gaze remained respectful, and draped his hoodie over her. He also changed into a fresh T-shirt, all the while marveling at her innocent allure.

As they set off, the police mobile was already a distant sight. A pang of guilt hit him—he had nearly forgotten about his mother. A quick call to his father calmed the immediate panic, promising a full explanation the following day. But for now, the girl in his passenger seat, so adorably asleep in his hoodie, demanded all his attention.

"You're so precious and adorable, my little bambina," he whispered to her sleeping form, a smile gracing his lips.

The drive was serene, the most peaceful he had ever experienced, knowing the girl was safe within the confines of his car. Time seemed to stand still until she stirred awake, pinching herself as if to confirm reality. Kian watched her from the corner of his eye, driving with utmost care—her safety was paramount.

Noticing the bruise on her cheek, a fingerprint marring her skin, rage simmered within him. Whoever had harmed her would pay dearly. Yet, as he gazed at her, a deep connection took root, a vision of a shared future unfolding before him. When her beautiful blue eyes opened and met his, he felt an undeniable bond, a love at first sight that promised so much more.

He longed to pursue her, to understand the pain behind those eyes and witness the beauty of her smile. He imagined it would be the most divine sight he'd ever behold.

Her voice, a mere whisper, broke the silence. "W-who a-are you? W-where are y-you t-taking me?" It was the sound of heaven to Kian's ears.

He yearned to hold her close, to offer comfort and protection, but that moment would have to wait. First, he needed to explain why she was here, with him.

***

Mary Joye.