Veil of the Vanguard

Lena sat in the luxurious black car, gripping the fabric of her new dress as tightly as she could. The smooth hum of the engine and the crisp chill of the air conditioning did nothing to soothe her nerves.

Sweat formed along her brow despite the comfortable coolness, and she kept her gaze firmly on her lap, avoiding the man seated next to her at all costs.

He seemed far too important—everything about him screamed power and wealth. Lena didn't need to draw any more attention to herself than she already had. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her.

Dan Cross, the man seated beside her, was indeed studying her with quiet intensity. He had no doubt she was the same girl he had rescued at the bridge a week ago.

Her face was unforgettable, her unconscious form still vivid in his memory. But what puzzled him was her demeanor now—fidgety, anxious, and clearly trying to avoid him.

Dan glanced out the tinted window before returning his sharp gaze to her. He had agreed to let her into his car for a reason. Something about her story—or rather, the lack of one—troubled him deeply. He had seen the news just days ago: The Girl With No Identity.

Three days earlier, Dan had been in his office when his assistant Killian approached with the reports.

"Sir," Killian had said, sliding a tablet across the desk, "you might want to see this."

Dan had glanced at the headline: Mysterious Girl Escapes From Police Custody – Authorities Baffled.

The article detailed the mysterious disappearance of Lena Kim, the girl rescued from kidnappers just a week prior. Despite being placed in a secure hotel room under police watch, she had vanished without a trace.

Efforts to question her had yielded little; apart from revealing her full name, she provided no useful information about her identity or background.

The police were baffled—no one had seen her leave, and there were no indications of a forced escape or struggle. Her sudden disappearance defied explanation, leaving authorities grasping for answers.

"They're calling her the girl with no identity," Killian had said, folding his arms. "The police sketch has gone viral. People are speculating everything from her being an illegal immigrant to a trafficked victim. And they still don't know how she got out of that hotel room."

Dan had furrowed his brow, scrolling through the article.

"The thirtieth floor…" he murmured. "No sign of struggle, no secret passageways."

"It's almost like she vanished into thin air," Killian added.

Dan had leaned back in his chair, his thoughts racing. He remembered her unconscious form when they'd found her on the bridge. It seemed strange, like there had been something… off about her.

"Get in touch with Officer Carter," Dan had said, setting the tablet down. "If they need help finding her, I'm willing to assist."

Now, here she was, sitting in his car, looking as though the world were closing in on her. Dan's fingers tapped against his thigh, a steady rhythm as he mulled over the situation.

Beside him, Lena tried to make herself as small as possible. She hadn't recognized him yet, and the last thing she wanted was more questions she couldn't answer.

"Do you always ride in strangers' cars?" Dan finally asked, his voice low but calm.

The question startled Lena, and she flinched slightly before shaking her head.

"N-no," she stammered.

Dan tilted his head, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"Then why mine?"

Lena swallowed hard, searching for an excuse, but nothing came to mind.

"I… I didn't have a choice," she murmured.

"A choice?" Dan echoed, his tone edged with curiosity. "You're running from something—or someone. Care to explain?"

Her silence was answer enough.

Dan leaned back against the leather seat, his expression unreadable.

"Do you know they're looking for you?" he asked after a moment.

Lena's heart skipped a beat, and she finally glanced at him, her eyes wide with alarm.

"What?"

"You're all over the news," Dan said, his voice calm but firm. "The police are searching for you. There's a sketch, your name… They're calling you the girl with no identity."

Lena's breath hitched. She turned back to the window, her mind spinning. Of course, she thought bitterly. It wasn't enough that she was trapped in this strange, fictional world—now she was a fugitive, too.

Dan continued to watch her, noting the way her shoulders tensed.

"The police told me you disappeared from your hotel room," he said. "No one saw you leave. The door was locked, the window impossible to use. How did you do it?"

Lena hesitated, her pulse quickening. How could she explain the inexplicable? That she didn't even know how she had gotten out of that room?

"I… I can't explain," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Dan raised an eyebrow.

"Can't? Or won't?"

She turned to him then, her eyes filled with desperation.

"I swear, I don't know," she said. "I don't remember leaving."

Dan studied her for a moment longer before nodding slowly.

"Fair enough," he said. "But that doesn't explain why you're running now."

Lena's gaze dropped to her hands.

"It's complicated," she murmured.

"That much is obvious," Dan said dryly.

The silence between them stretched, heavy with unspoken questions. Lena felt the weight of his scrutiny, and it made her squirm.

Killian, who had been quietly driving, glanced at Dan through the rearview mirror.

"Should I head to the station, sir?" he asked.

At the word station, Lena's heart stopped. A cold wave of panic surged through her body, and she twisted in her seat to face Dan, her wide eyes pleading.

"No! Please don't take me to the police!" she cried, her voice shaking.

Dan turned his head slightly, his piercing blue eyes narrowing at her reaction.

"Why not?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"I can't—" Lena stammered, her breathing quickening. "They don't understand, and I… I just can't go back there. Please!" Her hands clutched the edge of her seat as if bracing for an invisible blow.

Killian glanced at Dan, his brow furrowing.

"She seems scared out of her mind, boss," he muttered.

Dan leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving Lena. She looked utterly terrified, and though he didn't trust her yet, something about her desperation tugged at his instincts. She wasn't just scared—she was cornered.

After a long pause, Dan's voice broke the tension.

"No," he said, his tone decisive. "We're not going to the station."

Lena exhaled sharply, relief washing over her, but Dan wasn't done.

"Take us to the penthouse," he instructed Killian, his tone firm. "She's clearly running from something," Dan said evenly. "We'll figure it out there."

Lena turned to Dan, her expression a mix of worry and confusion.

"What...?" Lena muttered absentmindedly.

"It's safer," Dan said simply. "If you're being chased, the last place you need to be is out on the streets."

"I… I don't need your help," Lena stammered, her voice trembling as she avoided Dan's piercing gaze. Her heart pounded at the thought of revealing her secret—that she wasn't from this world, but the real one. Who would believe her?

Dan's jaw tightened, his expression hardening. "You're in my car, running from something—or someone. If you don't want my help, the door's right there. Get out and take your chances."

Lena froze, her fists clenching as her mind raced. She hated feeling cornered, but he was right. She had no one else to turn to and nowhere to go. Letting out a shaky breath, she murmured, "A…alright. Thank you."

Dan's sharp gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to the road. "Don't thank me yet," he said, his voice cold and measured. "You still have a lot to explain."

---

The car glided into an underground parking lot beneath a gleaming skyscraper. Killian parked smoothly, stepping out to open Dan's door. Dan emerged with practiced ease, straightening his suit jacket before casting a glance at Lena, who remained rooted in her seat.

"Well?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

Swallowing hard, Lena hesitated before stepping out, her legs shaky beneath her. The cavernous parking lot felt suffocating, its echo amplifying the sound of her every step as she followed Dan and Killian to the elevator.

Inside, the silence was heavy. Lena stood stiffly between the two men, her pulse racing. There was something magnetic yet intimidating about Dan, though she still didn't recognize him as the male lead of the webtoon. All she knew was that his calm authority left no room for defiance.

The elevator chimed softly as the doors slid open, revealing a breathtaking penthouse. The space was sleek and modern, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing a glittering view of the city skyline. Plush furniture and minimalist décor spoke of quiet luxury, and Lena couldn't help but gape.

"You'll stay here for now," Dan said, his tone brooking no argument as he strode inside.

Lena blinked, struggling to comprehend his generosity. "Why are you helping me?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Dan paused, turning to face her. His expression was unreadable, his blue eyes steady and penetrating. "Let's just say I'm curious," he replied. "And I don't like unanswered questions."

Her brows furrowed, but she didn't argue. Something told her she wouldn't win.

"Killian," Dan said, addressing his assistant, "contact Officer Carter. Let him know we've found her."

"What?" Lena's voice shot up in panic, her hands trembling. "You said—! You can't—!"