Mr Bodyguard, Protect Your Heart!
Chapter 116: DROP THE FORMALITIES

Chapter 116: DROP THE FORMALITIES

Dante and Dove, realizing their position, quickly pulled away from the hug. The moment left them feeling a little awkward, and they both cleared their throats.

Well, maybe massively happy with a teeny tiny bit of awkwardness— as in Dante’s case. On the surface, he resumed eating alongside Dove, but inside, his heart was doing a full-blown happy dance.

Wow... wow... wow! I hugged her! I hugged Dove! She feels nicer than I thought!

If someone had looked closely, they would have seen his eyes shining like stars.

But then, a thought hit him like a slap to the back of his head.

Did Dove take it the wrong way? Did she get disappointed in me for hugging her all of a sudden?!

After all, he hadn’t asked for permission—he had just acted on instinct. But before he could ask anything, Dove chuckled, smiling softly.

"I feel a little silly now."

"Huh? But why?" Dante blinked, temporarily setting aside his own worries.

Dove tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile still lingering. "Well, you were saying something so motivating, and I ended up crying like a baby. And I think..." She peeked at Dante before giggling. "I might have scared you for a moment with my sudden crying."

Dante blinked at her, then saw the warmth in her gaze.

"But, Mr. Lancaster, thank you once again," she continued. "It may have been a little silly, but I feel much better now."

Dante studied her face, reassured that she didn’t look the least bit angry or disappointed in him. Relief washed over him, and a smile tugged at his lips.

He was just happy that she did not hold anything against the hug. And perhaps taken it in a more friendly manner.

"No, Miss Dove, you didn’t look silly at all," he said, attempting to keep a straight face. "Though, I must say, you did look like a cute little toddler. I doubt even Gavi cries like that."

Dove gasped lightly, blinking in disbelief. "Mr. Lancaster!" she huffed, pouting.

What followed next was laughter—genuine, light, and warm. They both laughed at their silly jokes.

Dante watched her, mesmerized. She looked so beautiful when she laughed. He silently wished this smile would never fade from her lips.

A thought struck him, and before he could hesitate, he spoke.

"Dante." he said all of a sudden.

Dove, still mid-laugh, looked up at him in confusion. "Huh?"

Dante had finished his meal and was now watching her, elbows resting on the table, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"That’s my name, Miss Dove. Doesn’t it sound good?"

Dove blinked, slightly caught off guard. Then, hesitantly, she nodded. "Y-yes. Your name... it sounds good."

"Then how about you start calling me by it?" he proposed, his smile widening. "And drop the formalities?"

Dove stiffened, her mouth opening slightly before pressing her lips together. "B-but, Mr. Lancaster—"

"Only if you see me as your friend, Miss Dove," Dante interjected before she could continue. "That is, if you do."

Dove fell silent, her gaze searching his. Truthfully, though they hadn’t spent much time together, Dante had already become someone she relied on—someone she felt oddly comfortable with.

A moment passed. Then, holding his gaze, she said softly, "Dante."

The moment she said his name, something shifted inside him.

Hearing her call him that... it stirred something deep within. It felt strangely familiar, yet entirely new.

"But I have a condition too, Mr. Lan—" Dove quickly corrected herself as she saw Dante raise an eyebrow. "I mean, Dante."

Dante smirked. "Yes, Miss Dove?"

Dove tilted her head slightly. "I have a very pretty name, you know. And I don’t recall ’Miss’ being attached to it in my birth certificate."

Dante chuckled, catching the hint. "Touché." He leaned back and grinned. "Alright then, Dove."

Their laughter intertwined once more, and from that moment, their conversation took a more relaxed, friendlier turn. The barriers of formality between them had finally crumbled.

But then, Dante’s expression shifted slightly as he recalled something.

"And, Dove... about that woman," he started, "what was her name again? That Davis woman..." He frowned, unable to recall. "Not that it matters. But do you want me to deal with her?"

Dove immediately knew who he was referring to. And what he was talking about.

Dante had witnessed her tears—tears brought on by that woman’s words.

But she simply shook her head, her lips curling into a confident smirk. "Thank you for your concern, Dante. But Cara Davis is my problem yet. She underestimates me far too much. She has no idea what Dove Sterling is capable of."

Dante raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Dove continued, her voice steady, "Besides, I did promise her before leaving that she would regret it, didn’t I?"

Dante watched as her smirk deepened.

That look in her eyes... it was the look of someone who had already mapped out their next move.

And just like that, he knew—whatever was going on in Dove’s mind, Cara Davis was in for trouble.

Leaning back in his chair, Dante smirked proudly, watching Dove with admiration.

Meanwhile, inside the lounge, a small figure was peeking through the doorway, his little face scrunched in concentration.

Gavi.

He had truly been asleep earlier, but he woke up when he heard his mother crying. Panicked, he had rushed out of bed, fully prepared to barge into the office.

But the moment he reached the door, he froze.

His Uncle Dante was hugging his mom!

And she was crying like a baby!

Gavi’s tiny hands gripped the doorframe as he observed the scene unfold before him. His expression turned serious, his baby face etched with deep thought.

What did this mean?

He narrowed his eyes.

His Uncle Dante had hugged his mom.

His mom had cried but then smiled.

And now, they were laughing. Gavi’s brows furrowed before he blinked

Hmmm... and then he let go of the door frame before turning back to go to the bed..

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