Chapter 4. Seeking Attention

In the morning, Bryana was having breakfast with Calvin and Raymond. She wore a neat black dress paired with a white blouse with ribboned sleeves. The young mother looked even more beautiful with light makeup and her partially pinned, slightly tousled hair.

“When are you going back to Jakarta?” Bryana asked between bites.

“I have no idea.” Raymond shrugged, then brushed Calvin’s hair as the boy sat beside him. “If my work isn’t too busy, I’ll come. This boy will definitely make me miss him,” he said affectionately.

Bryana smiled faintly watching how much Raymond loved Calvin. For some reason, since yesterday she had been amazed by Dean loving his daughter, and now her brother showing such affection toward her son. A part of her longed for a husband like them again, but that desire was always stopped by the trauma caused by Alex. It made her reluctant to build a relationship with anyone until now.

“Uncle has to come here often so I can play with him,” Calvin said, looking up at Raymond. He loved his uncle dearly.

“Uncle will try to come every month, Cal,” Raymond replied, spooning soup into Calvin’s small mouth. He had been feeding him since earlier.

“Jill, if anything suspicious happens or if you notice something strange, take shelter with Dean or Louis immediately. And Calvin shouldn’t play too far,” Raymond warned.

“I don’t think Alex will bother us anymore. He must have moved to Paris with his new wife,” Bryana said.

“He may have left, but he still has people ordered to harass you. I’m disgusted by him. He deceived you with love and intended to kill you. If we could find evidence from when he stabbed you, and when Calvin’s future sibling died, I would have put him in prison long ago.”

Bryana sighed, remembering the incident two years ago. The memory never faded. It was still vivid, and she could still feel the pain of being stabbed and thrown bleeding from the car.

“I’ll stay vigilant,” she said as she finished her meal.

Raymond nodded with relief, then looked at Dean, who had just finished breakfast at the servants’ dining table. The bodyguard wore black jeans and a white T‑shirt that revealed his muscular arms. Although casually dressed, he still had communication equipment in his ear and a gun attached to his belt.

Hearing his name, Dean approached and stood in front of Raymond across the table, right beside Bryana, who had finished eating.

“Have you read all your assignments?” Raymond asked.

“Yes, sir,” Dean replied.

“Good. You must work extra carefully and make sure my sister doesn’t get hurt.”

“There’s no need to exaggerate. I can take care of myself,” Bryana said.

Dean only nodded, waiting for Bryana to rise from her chair.

“I’m leaving first.” Bryana stood and walked to Calvin. “Cal, don’t play too far. Mommy needs to go to work now,” she said, kissing his slightly chubby cheek.

“Come on, Dean,” Bryana added as she walked through the living room toward the exit. Dean followed with a neutral expression.

Outside, Dean opened the car door for Bryana and closed it once she was inside. Then he got behind the wheel—he was also her driver. The burly man immediately drove her sports car toward the office.

Inside the car, silence lingered. Bryana occasionally glanced at Dean, who stayed focused on the road. He didn’t even turn on music, though she always played some.

“Ehm.” Bryana tried to break the silence.

Dean remained focused on driving.

“Dean.” She finally called.

“Yes, Ma’am?” he answered formally.

Bryana sighed in exasperation and shot him an annoyed look. “Why do you call me that? I told you we can be friends—not just employer and bodyguard.”

“But we’re working right now, Ma’am. I’ll consider us friends at home,” Dean said without turning his head.

“It’s up to you.” Bryana gave up. She leaned forward to press the MP3 button, glancing again at Dean.

He’s so different from last night. Why is there a man at his level who doesn’t care about me at all?

Suddenly, Dean saw a cat crossing the road. He stepped on the brakes abruptly, stopping the car to avoid hitting it.

Bryana fell forward, hitting the front seat. She had been too focused on glancing at Dean and lost balance. Instead of getting his attention, she ended up embarrassed in front of the handsome bodyguard.

“Jeez.” Dean looked back at Bryana, who had fallen. He pulled the car over and helped her up, settling her in the back seat.

He noticed her forehead was slightly scratched as she fixed her hair. He quickly grabbed the first‑aid kit, took a plaster, and placed it gently on her forehead.

“Sorry—a cat suddenly crossed,” Dean said in frustration. His face was very close to hers, and only then did he realize how inappropriate it was. He quickly returned to the driver’s seat.

“It’s okay, just a small scuff,” Bryana said, trying to compose herself. She felt nervous—the look in Dean’s eyes had been so intense it felt like it could melt the coldness she had built toward every man.

Dean drove again, and silence returned until they reached the office.

Elsewhere, a rough‑faced man with a thick beard stared at a photo of Bryana and Raymond. He took a match from his pocket and burned the photo with hatred in his eyes.

“I will never let you escape my pursuit—not after what Darlene did to my daughter,” he said, watching the picture turn to ash.

Perhaps Raymond had asked Dean to guard Bryana so closely because danger was coming from that man. It seemed the resentment began with Stevan Darlene, Bryana’s father.