C13 I Trust Her Judgment

That night, despite everything that had happened, I still told my parents about Alicia.

My mother, Mary, looked pleasantly surprised. “Child, you’re really growing,” she said with a soft smile. “Who would have thought this day would come?”

My father, Quinton, only laughed. “A beautiful woman and these two brats? Impossible.” Then he turned serious for a moment. “This woman you speak of… she has no ill intentions, right? You trust her?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Yes Dad. I trust her. And her father is the Minister of Police.” The words came out too quickly. Almost like I was trying to impress them.

The moment I realized what I said, I immediately regretted it. But it was too late. Both of my parents burst out laughing.

Still, my father’s expression changed slightly afterward. “Be careful, son,” he said calmly. “Big people usually come with bigger trouble.” That night, I went to bed early.

At the Chambers household, Chris barely even closed the door properly before speaking. “Mom… Dad… I met someone today.”

His father, Professor David Chambers, looked up from his book slowly. “A someone?” he asked.

Chris sighed, already irritated at how the day was turning into a bigger story than he wanted. “Yes. A girl. New intern. Her name is Alicia. She is so annoying”

Valeria Chambers raised an eyebrow. “And?” Chris immediately waved his hand. “And nothing. That’s the problem. It started simple… but now it’s becoming complicated.”

His father leaned back. “Explain properly.” Chris rubbed his neck. “She just… inserted herself into lunch with me and Mike. Said we owed her. And now somehow people are already talking in the company.”

Valeria frowned slightly. “Talking how?” Chris exhaled. “Rumors. Photos. Mike being linked to her. It’s stupid. He didn’t even do anything.”

Professor Chambers stayed quiet for a moment before speaking calmly. “And Mike?” Chris’s expression softened slightly. “He’s acting like Mike. Quiet. Observing. But I can tell it’s affecting him.”

He paused, then added more seriously. “And Ben is definitely involved.” That made the room go silent for a moment. Chris clicked his tongue. “Honestly… we were just trying to have a normal lunch.”

Valeria shook her head. “Normal never lasts long with that boy’s life.” Chris gave a short laugh, but it wasn’t amused. “Exactly.”

Chris then told them everything that happened. Valeria looked serious “ This Ben is getting far more out of hand, why would he send someone to photograph them?”

At the same time, Alicia had just sat down at home when she spoke casually while removing her shoes. “Dad… I made two new friends today.”

Her father, Mark Mooney, who was going through documents, looked up immediately. “Friends?” he repeated. Alicia nodded. “Two interns at the company. They’re actually kind of funny.”

Mark’s tone changed instantly. “Names.” Alicia smiled. “Michael Smith and Christopher Chambers.” The moment she said that, Mark placed the papers down. “Not a good idea.”

Alicia blinked. “What do you mean?” “They’re men working under the same company structure as you,” Mark said firmly. “It’s not safe mixing personal relationships that early.”

Alicia rolled her eyes slightly. “Dad, it’s not like that. We just had lunch.” Before Mark could respond, a deeper voice came from the living room.

“Lunch with two boys?” Alicia turned immediately. Her grandfather, Peter Mooney, had entered the conversation without even being called.

Alicia’s expression changed instantly. “Grandpa, don’t start.” Peter smiled warmly. “I’m not starting anything. I’m just listening.”

Georgia Mooney appeared behind him, amused. “She said she made friends. Let her speak first.” Alicia immediately relaxed slightly. “Thank you, Grandma.”

Peter walked closer, ignoring Mark completely. “So tell me… what are these boys like?” Alicia smiled. “One is very serious. The other is… very protective.”

Mark immediately interrupted. “That already sounds like trouble.” Peter raised a hand. “Let her finish.” Mark exhaled, clearly frustrated but silent.

Alicia continued. “They call the serious one Mike… and the other one Chris. They’re actually kind people. Especially Mike.” Mark frowned again. “Alicia, I said no unnecessary involvement.”

Alicia leaned forward. “Dad, I didn’t do anything. I just had lunch.” Peter nodded slowly. “Then there is no problem.”

Mark turned sharply. “Father…” But Peter didn’t even look at him. Instead, he spoke calmly. “I trust her judgment more than panic.” Mark went silent immediately.

Alicia smiled slightly, she knew that tone. Peter continued, still gentle but firm. “However… if she says she feels safe with them, then I want to know who they are.”

Mark immediately frowned. “That’s not necessary..” Peter raised his hand again. “I’ll make a few calls.” Alicia blinked. “Grandpa, you don’t have to…” “I want to,” Peter interrupted kindly. “Just to be sure.”

Alicia told them everything that had happened earlier that afternoon. She explained how she had ended up sitting with Mike and Chris at the café and how the photograph of them shaking hands had unexpectedly started trending inside the company.

While speaking, she occasionally paused, unsure of some of the terms Mike and Chris had used when they were explaining things to her. But she still managed to describe the situation clearly.

At the mention of the trending photo, a few people in the room immediately leaned closer to check their phones, trying to find it for themselves.

Within moments, the image was being displayed again. A young man standing beside Alicia, their hands briefly touching in a simple handshake.

Before Alicia could continue, her father interrupted her with a calm but firm voice. “He doesn’t look rich,” he said plainly. “And you want me to approve this situation?”

Alicia immediately turned toward him. “Dad, can you please stop always bringing status into everything?” she replied. “He is a good person. Both he and Chris.”

“When I am with them, I don’t even feel like I’m dealing with all these rich people’s gossip, their lifestyles, their constant talk about jewelry and expensive clothes.”

Her father listened quietly. Then he nodded slightly. “Good,” he said at last. “That is good.” A small smile appeared on his face. “My daughter is still the same.”

Alicia then became serious again and explained that she wanted help clearing the false rumors before things became worse and made it difficult for her to continue working normally with Mike and Chris.

Mark immediately refused the idea of any public attention being drawn to him but his daughter was also involved , her reputation was important. “I will make a few calls,” he said simply. His tone left no room for further discussion.

Not because he was angry. But because he already understood the weight of what was unfolding around his daughter.