Half a month passed swiftly, and the two truly became an employer-protector relationship. Apart from necessary conversations, there was no overstepping of boundaries.
Dallas deliberately kept his distance, and Averi cooperated.
On Saturday morning, Dallas, unusually proactive, knocked on the door, "I want to take a two-hour leave."
Averi put down her pen, "What's up?"
"Denise lost her wallet. She's at the hotel front desk and can't check in."
"Does she still have her ID?"
Dallas shook his head, "It was lost with the wallet."
"Hmm, you go ahead, don't rush back. I'll ask Jordan to go with you."
She didn't give him a chance to refuse, walking out the door to call Jordan and giving him a few instructions in a low voice, to which Jordan nodded frequently.
Denise had booked a budget hotel with average surroundings but a prime location right next to the subway entrance, making it convenient to get around. This time, she came to visit her junior high school classmates and to tour J University, as a way to motivate herself.
Additionally, she harbored a secret wish: this Sunday was her 18th birthday, and she wanted to celebrate it with Dallas.
Following Averi's instructions, Jordan took her to a hotel owned by the Forbes family and ensured she was well taken care of.
After settling into the room, Jordan relayed the message to Dallas, "Dallas, the boss said you don't need to come to the company for the next couple of days. Take Denise out and have fun. I've already spoken to the manager, and any expenses Denise incurs at the hotel will be charged to the account." He then turned to Denise, "Denise, the hotel's top-floor French restaurant has an excellent reputation. I had the manager reserve a table for you, so if you don't have any other plans tonight, you and Dallas should try it out. If you need a guided tour tomorrow, just let the front desk know, and they'll arrange it for you.'"
Denise felt both excited and bewildered, as if she had suddenly fallen into a honey pot, dazed by the sweetness. She moved around like a butterfly, glancing here and there before stopping at the floor-to-ceiling window and exclaiming, "Dallas, come look! From here, we can see the old palace! It's so beautiful."
But Dallas said, "Denise, if anything happens, call me. I'm going back now."
Hearing this, Denise's excitement dimmed a bit, but she managed a smile and said, "It's alright, Dallas, I get it. Work comes first. I can keep myself entertained. Please thank Averi for me. But, how about dinner tomorrow night?"
"Do you not have class on Monday?"
Denise laughed, "Dallas, did you forget? Monday is the fall celebration, and school is closed. But I need to go back early to spend time with my grandma."
Dallas: "Okay."
She looked at him timidly, but Dallas seemed completely unaware of what day it was, only telling her to think about what she wanted to eat and he would take her the next day.
*
When Averi saw Dallas return, she didn't ask much and let him be.
The next day, she had no plans either, so she stayed home to work, allowing Dallas to take Denise out for the whole day. During dinner time, Dallas asked her what she wanted to eat, and Denise fidgeted with her fingers, saying softly, "Dallas, actually, today is my birthday."
Dallas was taken aback, his cold features softened by a hint of regret, "Sorry, Denise, I—"
"No, no," Denise waved her hands hurriedly, "It's my fault for not mentioning it earlier. Dallas, I just want to have a casual dinner with you." Her voice lacked confidence, catching sight of Dallas's slightly furrowed brows, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly added, "And Averi, I want to have dinner with both of you."
Dallas hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll call her and ask, but she might not be able to make it."
Denise obediently replied, "Mm-hm, it's fine. Averi must be very busy."
Averi received the call, somewhat surprised, but agreed. Because of her presence, the three of them could only choose a private dining room in a restaurant. After asking for Denise's opinion, Averi chose a creative dining spot inside a five-star hotel for the meeting.
Before leaving, Averi carefully prepared a cake and a gift—a small designer wallet, perfectly elegant and valuable.
If Denise had been silently hoping she wouldn't show up at the beginning, seeing the gift made her feel ashamed of her thoughts.
"Thank you, Averi, I'll take a picture and send it to my brother, so he doesn't keep sending me Antarctic expedition parkas all the time."
Speak of the devil.
As they were laughing, Ralph called. Denise raised an eyebrow, "It must be Grandma telling him I came to find my brother." With that, she walked to a corner to answer the call.
Dallas suddenly looked at her, "The gift is too expensive."
Averi had expected him to say that, so she smiled and replied, "Nothing is too extravagant for an 18th birthday."
He didn't respond, but Averi read the question in his eyes and offered, "On my 18th birthday, I was up all night doing homework and slept the whole next day."
A soft glow involuntarily spread across Dallas's eyes as that scene flashed through his mind.
Denise hung up the phone and pouted her lips as she returned to the two of them: "My brother is so naggy, it's always the same words, I'm practically growing calluses in my ears from listening to him."
After complaining, Denise turned to Averi and asked: "Averi, can you take a photo of Dallas and me? I want to send it to my brother. He hasn't seen Dallas in a long time."
It was clear that the siblings still had a good relationship.
"Sure," Averi took her phone and just focused when the phone died due to lack of battery.
Denise lamented, "It must be because I took too many photos during the day."
Averi was about to use her own phone, but Dallas offered his, saying, "Use mine. I have Ralph's number. I can send it directly after we're done."
Averi took it, shouting out 'one, two, three' to direct them to change poses, taking many photos until her phone rang.
Averi handed Dallas's phone directly to Denise, "Denise, see if these work." Then she picked up her own phone and said to the two, "I'll step out to take this call. You two start eating. There's no need to wait for me." Averi handed Dallas's phone directly to Denise, "Denise, see if these work." Then she picked up her own phone and said to the two, "I'll step out to take this call. You two start eating. There's no need to wait for me."
Dallas understood that girls cared about their photos, so he let Denise carefully examine his phone.
Denise swiped through the photos one by one. By accident, she came across a landscape photo. She sneaked a glance at Dallas, seeing that he wasn't paying attention to her, she continued swiping through the screen.
She knew what she was doing was wrong, but the desire to pry surpassed her sense of morality.
Several more photos were either landscapes or maps of J City, with none of the selfies she hoped for, nor any photos that could reveal personal life details.
Disappointed, Denise idly swiped her finger, ready to end her snooping, when a new photo caught her eye.
The woman in the photo sat on a wicker chair in her courtyard, her eyes gently closed, her head tilted to one side, seemingly asleep. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on her face, making her look so gentle.
And the light yellow sweater she wore was also hers.
