The Beautiful Bodyguard
Lying on the sofa, Alison tried to resist, but she failed.
The feeling of longing and restraint swallowed her.
It wasn't until the morning sunlight streamed into the room that she awoke.
She recalled being woken twice by Tyler's crying the night before.
She opened her eyes and looked at the man beside her.
Perhaps because he hadn't slept well, his brow was slightly furrowed.
She tried to wriggle out of his embrace to check on Lyla.
The moment she moved, the hand around her waist tightened.
She frowned and reached out to pry his hand loose.
"Lyla's awake. Be good and let go." She coaxed him as if he were a child.
The man slowly opened his eyes.
"You... you're awake?" she asked.
He pulled her back into his embrace and held her tightly.
"Have you gotten addicted to soothing children?" he asked.
"Not at all. I'm exhausted."
"From now on, don't think only about the kids. Don't ignore me," he whispered, his masculine breath tickling her earlobe and sending a shiver down her spine.
"Jack, are you jealous of the kids?"
"No, I'm not that boring." He finally released her.
"Are you going to the office today or working from the study?" she asked, walking toward Lyla and Tyler.
"The office."
"I haven't punished you yet." Alison pouted.
Jack smiled as he got up and casually threw on a robe.
A faint stubble had begun to show on his chin, making him look lazy.
He walked to her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll come home early tonight to be with you, okay?"
"Unless you give me a reasonable explanation."
"Oh, I was really just too busy with work and had to go on a business trip. If you like, I'll go to the study right now and find you the flight ticket as proof."
"No need."
"I'll come home early tonight and take you to a new restaurant."
Her mood improved slightly.
"I'll let you off this time, but there won't be a next time," she pouted.
"Honey, I love you."
"You should try talking to Aidan. Lucia's passing might have hit him really hard. Maybe having the child around will help lift his spirits." She changed the subject.
"Mm-hmm," Jack replied, then turned to wash up.
The video intercom in the entryway rang.
Before the nanny could react, Ethan jumped down from his high chair quickly. "I'll get it! I'll get it!"
He then shouted, "Mommy, it's a really pretty lady!"
"Oh, do you know her?" Alison asked.
"No, I never saw her before," he replied.
"Then hang up. It's probably a cosmetics saleswoman."
But the video phone rang again.
"Go ask her what she wants. If it's a salesperson, just unplug the cord."
"Okay, Mommy." Ethan skipped over again and wisely pressed the speakerphone button this time. "Hello, who are you looking for?"
"Oh, Ethan, is it? You're so polite. Mm-hmm, I'm here to see you," the other person replied warmly.
"Do you know me? What do you want?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, I know you. I'm here because I have a job offer. Starting today, I'm applying to be your bodyguard."
Alison walked toward the door, holding Lyla in her arms.
A beautiful woman appeared on the video call.
"Did Jack send you here?" she asked.
She never expected Jack to find such a stunning woman to protect Sophia and Ethan.
"Yes, ma'am. By the way, I'm also Sophia and Ethan's tutor. I'll just go by that title from now on," the person added.
"Please come in." Alison smiled faintly.
A neatly dressed young woman walked into the living room.
"Miss, what's your name?" Sophia asked politely.
"My name is Audrey Lauren. You can just call me Miss Lauren from now on." Audrey smiled gently.
Her smile was charming, making Alison uneasy.
"Do you know how to box, Miss Lauren?" Ethan asked.
Audrey glanced around the living room, then smiled. "Can I borrow your darts to play with, Ethan?"
"Sure, of course."
Audrey had a few small darts in her hand.
"Ethan, Sophia, step back a little. I'm about to start," she said.
The two little ones obediently stepped back.
The darts in Audrey's hand flew out instantly.
All five darts hit the bullseye!
Ethan stood frozen in place, then ran excitedly toward her.
"Amazing! I want to try!" He picked up a few darts to give it a shot.
Alison motioned for Audrey to sit on the sofa.
"Miss Lauren, these two kids of mine are so mischievous. I'll be counting on you to keep an eye on them from now on."
"Don't worry, ma'am. It's part of my job, and I'll do my best," Audrey replied with a smile.
By 5:30 p.m., Alison had gotten all the kids dressed and was waiting in the living room.
A cartoon was played on the TV.
Alison sat on the sofa, folding the kids' clothes while watching the cartoon with them.
In the kitchen, the nanny had already cooked dinner for herself, and the aroma was wafting out.
"Mommy, when is Daddy coming back? I'm hungry." Sophia licked her lips.
Alison picked up her phone and dialed Jack's number.
"Alison, I won't be able to make it back tonight. An old client just showed up at the office—you…" Jack explained.
"Jack, your client couldn't possibly be here right now, could they? How could they time it so it arrives exactly when you finish work? Why didn't you call me when the client first arrived?" she asked, a surge of anger rising within her.
"Honey, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you another day."
"No need." Alison hung up. "Sophia, Ethan, let's go. We're leaving."
"Mom, Dad isn't back yet. What are we—"
"Daddy has work to do. He has a business dinner tonight, so Mom will take you out to eat, okay?" Alison said softly.
"Okay!" Ethan chimed in. "Mom, I'll help you carry my little sister."
Alison smiled, her heart instantly warming.
——
"Where should we go for dinner?" Alison asked.
"Hmm...let me think." Ethan rubbed his forehead.
By then, the driver had pulled the car out of the gate.
Alison's phone rang.
Seeing that it was Jack's number, she hung up without hesitation.
The driver's phone rang soon.
"Sir, what's the matter?"
"Have the car wait at the entrance for now. Go once Audrey arrives," Jack's voice echoed from the other line.
"But the lady is in the car," the driver said, glancing back at Alison.
The call had already ended, leaving the driver looking confused.
He turned to Alison, "The master said to wait here for a moment until Audrey arrives before we leave."
"We're not waiting. Let's go," Alison said stubbornly.
"But..." The driver hesitated.
"What's the matter?" Alison's voice turned stern.
Seeing the change in her tone, the driver slowly started the car. "Madam, where would you like to go for dinner?"
"Let's go to the Maple Gold Crown."
"Okay, Mom, let's go there!" the children cheered excitedly.
Twenty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the restaurant.