She Hired a Cold Bodyguard to Protect Her From the World — Then He Became the Only Place She Felt Safe
Chapter 7
Their relationship remained private.
Ava didn’t want the media involved.
Daniel didn’t want his feelings becoming part of a headline.
They began spending quiet evenings together.
Cooking.
Watching old movies.
Walking on the beach after midnight.
Daniel discovered that Ava hated expensive restaurants.
She preferred simple food.
Ava discovered Daniel couldn’t dance.
He was terrible.
She laughed until she cried.
“You are unbelievably bad.”
“I told you I don’t dance.”
“You’re proving it.”
One night, she asked:
“Tell me about your family.”
“My mother lives in Oregon.”
“Do you visit?”
“Not enough.”
“Why?”
He looked away.
“I’ve always been working.”
Ava touched his arm.
“You should take me.”
He smiled.
“My mother would probably think you’re too glamorous.”
“Maybe.”
She smiled.
“But I’ll go anyway.”
Two weeks later, they drove north.
Ava was nervous.
She had attended hundreds of premieres.
Met presidents.
Walked red carpets.
None of that made her as nervous as meeting Daniel’s mother.
When they arrived, an older woman opened the door.
She looked at Ava.
Then at Daniel.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You finally brought someone home.”
Daniel groaned.
“Mom.”
Ava laughed.
For the first time in years, she experienced something she hadn’t realized she was missing.
A family dinner without cameras.
No assistants.
No schedules.
No pretending.
Just warmth.
And Daniel’s mother treated her like she already belonged.
