Dallas's hospitalization wasn't entirely an act. His shoulder blade and ribs were fractured to varying degrees, requiring rest. As for the headache, the doctor suspected a concussion and recommended that he stay in the hospital for a few days for observation. It wasn't mandatory, though—it was entirely up to him.
Dallas agreed.
On the third day, Jordan came to handle the arrangements, transferring him from a regular ward to a VIP room.
On the fifth day, Averi appeared with flowers, and in her hand was a check, with five zeros following the number five.
"Take it. It's not my money, it's a check issued by the chairman, this is what you deserve." She didn't know why she felt the need to emphasize that it wasn't her money.
Dallas held the thin paper, staring at the signature that seemed to dance across it, his expression calm. After a few seconds, he handed it back to her, "Alright, I'll accept it, give it to Fiona for part of her medical expenses."
Averi reached out to take it. There was no reason for her to refuse.
He sat on the edge of the bed, while she sat on a small sofa, the ward was absurdly large, with glaring white daylight between them. She wore a pair of low-cut flats, and the scabs on her calves, in varying shades, carried a certain haunting beauty.
"How are your wounds?" Dallas asked.
Averi stretched her calf, smiling, "Almost healed. What about you, I heard from the doctor that yours are quite serious."
Much more serious than hers.
Dallas: "To justify the hospitalization, I exaggerated a bit."
Silence suddenly descended, spreading like vines, binding their nerves.
After a long time, Averi said, "Thank you for agreeing to stay in the hospital with me."
Another silence followed, then she spoke again, "A few days ago, outside the Forbes family's gate, I mentioned that I would tell others about hiring bodyguards, and you were one of the interview candidates. Besides visiting, I also wanted to ask you, Dallas, are you willing to be my bodyguard?"
The blackness in Dallas's eyes deepened slightly as he looked at her and asked, "Do you think you will still be in danger?"
"It's hard to say," Averi admitted frankly, "I've already said it, and after going through this, not hiring a bodyguard would be hard to explain. Since I'm hiring one, I naturally trust you more than a stranger."
Trust?
Dallas countered, "Would you believe someone you paid for?"
Averi seemed to know what he was asking, but she chose to stick to the facts, keeping the conversation on the surface, "Why not, if something can be bought with money, it's the simplest and most controllable way. If all relationships could be solved with money, it would be perfect."
After waiting for a moment, receiving no answer, Averi smiled, picked up her coat, and stood up, "It doesn't matter, I'll contact your company and have them arrange someone else. Rest well." "Alright, then get plenty of rest."
"How long will it take?" Dallas spoke without warning, catching Averi off guard as she responded with confusion, "What?" "What?"
"How long do you need a bodyguard for?"
"Since it's just for appearances, it definitely won't be for too long."
Two months.
Averi swallowed the clear answer and said vaguely, "A few months, maybe."
Dallas nodded, his eyes a cool, slate blue and intense. "Alright, then it's a few months. I'll be your bodyguard."
A smile tugged at Averi's lips before she realized it, the curve pulling at her muscles. Only then did her mind register what her face had betrayed, but by then, it was too late to hide it.
Maybe it was contagious, but even Dallas's expression softened, and the light blue hospital gown he wore took on a gentler appearance.
Driven by an impulse in an instant, Averi walked back to the man, leaning close. Her breath brushed against his lips, but at the last moment, she changed direction, placing a kiss on his cheek instead.
"Thanks."
A slight twitch crossed Dallas's brow, but he remained silent, quietly watching her as she walked away.
Two days later, Dallas was discharged from the hospital. A week after that, he reported to the J Corporation.
Sidney marveled, "Dallas, I think Mr. Mcdowell should be considered your benefactor. Remember to find time to express your gratitude. The job with the Mcdowell family was already enough to make people envious, and now there's the Forbes family. I heard that Averi never used a bodyguard before, so this time it's like you've hit the jackpot."
When Jordan contacted Sidney, he mentioned that Mr. Mcdowell had recommended him, looking for Dallas who had previously worked as Beatrice's bodyguard. Sidney was unaware of the intricacies between him and Averi, assuming he had benefited from Mr. Mcdowell's connections.
On his first day at work, Jordan took him on a tour of the company layout and briefly introduced him to Averi's general schedule.
"Averi isn't fond of having too many people around, so the original driver has been reassigned. Dallas, you'll have to drive the boss to and from work. The boss often works overtime, sometimes until very late, so be mentally prepared," Jordan explained, not knowing how Dallas had become the boss's bodyguard. When the boss gave an order, she just followed through.
Because of the Fiona incident, Jordan had a good impression of him. Seeing his serious face, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dallas. It will definitely be easier than working for Ms. Mcdowell. The boss is easy to get along with. As long as you don't interfere with work, everything else is negotiable, and she has no difficult habits."
Dallas lowered his gaze, pressing his lips together, thinking of the pink handcuffs.
"This is your office," Jordan led him to a single room next to Averi's office. What was once a small reception room now housed a desk, equipped with a computer, shelves, and other basic office supplies.
"If you need anything, just let me know. I'm right across the hall."
It wasn't until evening that Dallas saw Averi.
She rubbed her temples as she walked out of the meeting room, stopping in her heels when she saw him. "You're here."
"Yes."
"I still need to review some documents. Later, you'll come with me to meet my family, say hello, and get acquainted."
Averi nodded.
Not until the entire floor was left with only the three of them did Averi finally step out of her office, letting Jordan off duty first before leading Dallas downstairs.
During the drive, Dallas glanced at her leg a few times and couldn't help but say, "You should wear flats as much as possible until the wound heals."
Averi looked at her calf, then at his profile. "How are you?"
Before the words "I'm fine" could leave his mouth, her hand had already reached up, gently rubbing his shoulder blade.
This sudden stiffness made Averi think she had hurt him, so she withdrew her hand and apologized, "Sorry."
It wasn't Friday, so only Cristopher and Odin were in the living room.
Averi introduced Dallas to them. Cristopher warmly expressed his gratitude, which counted as a greeting. Odin offered a faint smile, nodded at him, and then pulled Averi to sit on the sofa, moving closer to examine her leg.
His fingers seemed hesitant to touch, as if she were a porcelain vase with a crack.
Averi said in a light tone, "No need to be so careful, the scab is almost off."
Odin retorted, not in a good mood, "You scratched it off yourself, Averi. Can you be a bit more careful? Stay here. I'll go get the medicine."
Averi glanced back at Dallas. "Dallas, you can go back now. Come pick me up at seven thirty tomorrow morning."
Dallas nodded, his gaze passing over Averi's head and meeting the thoughtful look of the boy beside her. He naturally retracted his gaze, said goodbye to everyone, and left.
