Chapter 73
Daniel's POV
Half a month had passed since I started working as Claire's bodyguard. We fell into a routine that was strictly professional—no lingering glances, no casual touches, nothing that hinted at what had happened between us. Every morning, I'd arrive at her office door at exactly 7:30 AM, stand with my back straight, eyes forward, and wait for her instructions for the day.
"Good morning, Mr. Brown," she'd say each morning, not looking up from her laptop.
"Good morning, Ms. Stanton," I'd reply, my voice neutral.
That was it. No mention of stolen kisses or heated touches. No acknowledgment of the nights spent in each other's arms. Just employer and employee, exactly as it should be.
This Saturday morning was no different. I arrived at her office at the scheduled time, found her reviewing documents, and waited for her to acknowledge me.
"Mr. Brown," she said, finally looking up. "I have meetings until three. You can take your lunch at noon."
I nodded. "Yes, Ms. Stanton."
I was about to take my position by the door when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I checked the screen and saw Amanda's name. Shit. I had promised to help her move into her hotel today. With everything that had happened with Claire, I'd forgotten.
"Ms. Stanton," I said, knocking on her doorframe. "I need to request two hours of personal time this afternoon."
Claire looked up, her green eyes revealing nothing. "Is everything alright?"
"Amanda needs some help. She's coming to Seattle today and her wallet was stolen last night. She has no ID to check into her hotel."
Claire's expression remained neutral, but something flickered in her eyes. "Amanda? The girl from Willowbrook Valley?"
"Yes, her brother Mason was my teammate in Syria. She's here to visit an old middle school friend and tour Seattle University tomorrow."
Claire nodded slowly, tapping her pen against the desk. "Of course. Take the time you need."
I turned to leave, relieved she hadn't questioned me further.
"Wait," she called. "Where is she staying?"
"Budget Inn on Aurora Avenue," I replied.
Claire frowned, then pressed her intercom. "Emily, come in here please."
Emily appeared moments later, tablet in hand. "Yes, Claire?"
"Mr. Brown needs to help a friend this afternoon who's lost her ID and can't check into her hotel. I'd like you to accompany him and make sure everything is taken care of properly."
Emily nodded efficiently. "Of course. What time?"
"Two o'clock," I said, surprised by Claire's intervention.
"Perfect. Emily will meet you in the lobby at two. She'll handle the hotel situation." Claire turned back to her documents, effectively dismissing us both.
---
At two o'clock sharp, Emily and I pulled up to the airport pickup area where Amanda waited with her small suitcase. Her face lit up when she saw me, then turned curious when Emily stepped out of the car too.
"Daniel!" Amanda rushed over, her short brown hair bouncing with each step. She hugged me quickly, then stepped back. "I didn't expect a welcome committee."
"Amanda, this is Emily Smith, Ms. Stanton's assistant. She's here to help with the hotel situation."
Emily extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Amanda. Ms. Stanton asked me to assist with your accommodations. The Budget Inn isn't suitable. We've arranged a room for you at the Four Seasons instead."
Amanda's eyes widened. "The Four Seasons? But that's way too expensive! I can't—"
"It's already taken care of," Emily said smoothly. "Stanton Group owns shares in the hotel. Consider it a thank you for your family's hospitality to Ms. Stanton during a difficult time."
Amanda looked at me, clearly uncomfortable. "Daniel, I don't want to impose..."
"It's fine," I assured her, though I wasn't entirely comfortable with Claire's unexpected generosity either. "Let's get you checked in."
The Four Seasons was nothing like the Budget Inn Amanda had planned to stay at. The lobby gleamed with marble floors and elegant furnishings, and the staff greeted us with practiced smiles. Emily handled everything, speaking quietly with the manager while Amanda stood beside me, fidgeting with the strap of her backpack.
"This is too much," she whispered. "I only came to see Jess and check out the university."
I patted her shoulder. "Just enjoy it. Trust me, the Stantons can afford it."
The manager personally escorted us to Amanda's suite—not just a room, but an actual suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Puget Sound. Amanda's jaw dropped as she entered, her eyes darting from the plush king-sized bed to the marble bathroom to the spectacular view.
"Oh my god! I can see the Space Needle from here! And Puget Sound is gorgeous!" She rushed to the window, pressing her hands against the glass like a kid at a candy store. "This is insane!"
Emily smiled, genuinely this time. "Ms. Stanton requested you have a proper view of Seattle." She handed Amanda a folder. "Here's your key card, some information about hotel amenities, and a few suggestions for sightseeing. Is there anything else you need?"
Amanda turned, looking overwhelmed. "No, this is... way more than I expected. Please thank Ms. Stanton for me."
Emily nodded. "One more thing—Ms. Stanton said Daniel doesn't need to come to work tomorrow. She thought you might appreciate having someone show you around Seattle before your university tour."
I stared at Emily, surprised. "She said that?"
"Yes. She also said to make a reservation for dinner at Canlis tomorrow night and arranged for a professional guide to give Amanda a tour of the university." Emily smiled at Amanda. "Ms. Stanton thought you should experience the best of Seattle."
"But why?" Amanda asked.
"She has her reasons," Emily replied diplomatically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the office. Daniel, Ms. Stanton said you're free until Monday morning."
After Emily left, Amanda turned to me, her eyes wide. "What was that about? Why is your boss being so nice to me?"
I shook my head, equally confused. "I'm not sure."
"Well, it's amazing. Can you believe this place?" She flopped onto the bed, spreading her arms wide. "I've never stayed anywhere this fancy."
I leaned against the wall, watching her excitement with a smile. "It's definitely a step up from Budget Inn."
Amanda sat up, suddenly serious. "Daniel, I have a confession. I didn't just come to see Jess and the university. Tomorrow's my birthday. My eighteenth. I was hoping we could spend it together."
The admission caught me off guard. "Your birthday? Why didn't you say something?"
She shrugged, looking embarrassed. "I didn't want to make a big deal of it. I just thought... I don't know. Maybe it was stupid."
"It wasn't stupid," I said, feeling guilty for not knowing. "But I'm not sure I'm the best birthday company."
"You are," she insisted. "You're basically family. And now I'm in this amazing hotel, and everything's perfect."
I glanced at my watch, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Amanda's crush on me was something I'd tried to ignore, but her eighteenth birthday added a layer of complexity I wasn't prepared to deal with.
"I should go," I said. "You must be tired from your flight."
Disappointment flashed across her face. "Oh. Okay."
"Amanda, if you need anything, call me," I said, moving toward the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Promise?" she asked, suddenly looking much younger than she was.
"Promise. We'll have dinner tomorrow, and then I'll take you to the airport. Okay?"
She nodded, forcing a smile. "Okay. Thanks, Daniel."