Chapter 87

Alice opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. She knew the truth, but if she denied it now, David's face would turn cold, and she'd get a scolding. After thinking it over, she decided it was best to admit her mistake.

"I know I messed up," Alice said.

David sighed, expecting that response. No matter what, she always admitted her fault.

"I'm not telling you this to hear you say you're wrong," David said. "I want you to learn from it. I'm not a superhero; I can't sense when you're in danger or teleport to your side. If something happens to you, it would take a lot of resources to find you, but we can't get back lost time. Do you get it?"

David stepped forward, gently pulling her into his arms, his warm hand lightly patting the back of her head. He exhaled, "Don't make me worry anymore, okay?"

Alice nestled against David's shoulder, letting him hold her. She didn't want to leave his embrace.

"Okay," she nodded softly. "There won't be a next time. I'm sorry for making you worry."

At the police station, Ophelia sat in a chair, staring blankly out the window. It wasn't until the driver drove away with the two of them that she withdrew her gaze, her hands slowly clenching on her lap. She stared at the reflective floor, lost in thought.

After getting home, David sat downstairs for a moment, loosening his collar and leaning back on the sofa. He took a deep breath, but before he could fully relax, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He frowned and took it out, frowning even more.

It was Marcus calling.

David stared at the screen for a moment, then answered the call. Marcus's voice came through immediately, "David, did you pick up Alice?"

Originally, Marcus had planned for David to join him and Paragon Industries Group's partners for dinner today. Midway through, David had left for the restroom and never returned. Just as Marcus was about to look for him, he received a text from David saying that Alice had some trouble, and he was going to pick her up.

Though Marcus was displeased, he couldn't vent his frustration. In the past, he would have vented all his anger on Alice, but knowing her importance to David, he didn't dare to belittle her anymore. Instead, he redirected his anger towards Juniper and Celeste, blaming them for the constant turmoil that forced David to repeatedly turn against them.

"Yes," David said, pressing his forehead. "We're home now."

"Mr. Bailey, is there anything else? If not, I'd like to rest. I drank a bit, and my stomach feels uncomfortable," David said.

Marcus reluctantly said, "Then you should rest well. Take some medicine for your stomach; it will help. I'll hang up now."

After dismissing Marcus, David was about to go upstairs when Alice's voice came from behind, "Does your stomach hurt?"

David paused, instinctively placing a hand on his stomach, smiling at Alice. "It's nothing. I just need some water."

"That's not good enough," Alice frowned. "I'll go buy some stomach medicine. Wait for me in the living room; I'll be back soon."

With that, Alice turned to go upstairs to get her coat and wallet. Just as she took a step, her wrist was gently pulled. She turned to look at David.

David smiled and pulled her to sit by the sofa. Alice was still confused when he placed her hand on his stomach. The warmth from his body seeped through his shirt, and she could feel the slight rise and fall of his abdomen, the defined contours of his abs evident under her palm.

"Help me relieve it a bit," David said.

Alice thought she might have misheard. Did David just say something so... enticing?

"What did you just say?" she asked, blinking at him.

David's lips curled up as he watched her reaction. "I said, help me rub it."

Alice slowly lowered her head, staring at her palm for a long time. If this continued, it wouldn't just be her hand that was the problem; her face might start burning too.

She glanced suspiciously at David, whose expression was normal. Was he testing her sincerity in repenting? If so, she would obediently help him; if not, she might turn and leave immediately.

After sorting out her thoughts, Alice carefully drew circles and gently stroked up and down, helping David relieve his discomfort. She focused on the massage, almost as if she had "sincerely repenting" written on her forehead.

However, during the massage, David felt a bit awkward. His stomach didn't hurt, but he felt increasingly strange.

David's abdomen unconsciously tensed, his mouth dry as if all the moisture in his body had evaporated. At this moment, he desperately needed a glass of cold water or a cold shower.

"I feel better now," David gently grabbed Alice's wrist, which was on his abdomen. "It doesn't hurt that much. You should go upstairs and rest."

Alice tilted her head, mischievously looking at David, then suddenly smiled and whispered in his ear, "Your ears are red."

David's ears weren't the only thing; his whole body heat was reminding him that the living room, though large, was cramped at the moment. Even her faint breath as she spoke made him feel a subtle unease.

"So, I need to take a cold shower, understand?" David adjusted his breathing, released her wrist, lightly flicked her forehead, and stood up. "Don't just stand there. Go upstairs. It's getting late."

Before Alice could react, David had already gone upstairs, locking the door behind him. He stepped into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and cold water instantly poured down, quenching the heat in his heart.

He leaned against the smooth porcelain wall, his reflection a blurry figure. Cold water soaked through his collar, sliding along the firm muscle lines to his chest, then to that hidden warmth. David suddenly tightened his abdomen, closed his eyes, and exhaled deeply.

With his hand on his abdomen, after several deep breaths, the restlessness in his heart gradually subsided.

Through it all, he was clear-minded. He was tired of the guardian role, tired of Alice's mischievous yet timid demeanor. He longed to openly embrace her, kiss her, and sleep with her in the same bed. For that, he needed a more appropriate, more formal identity: boyfriend.

"If I endure any longer, I might not be able to hold on," he muttered, feeling a mix of complex emotions.

Meanwhile, Alice returned to her bedroom, leaning against the door and slowly sitting down, her eyes blankly staring at the floor, her mind filled with the recent scene. If it wasn't an illusion, David had blushed just now? David actually blushed! Not only that, even his ears turned red! He was embarrassed!