C289 The Video Call

I realized Alicia wanted some time alone, so I did not insist. Smiling helplessly, I grabbed my towel and headed into the bathroom. By the time I came back, I had finished drying my hair and changed into comfortable clothes. Just as I was putting my phone on the bedside table, it began vibrating. Chris was starting a video call. I answered immediately. A second later, Alicia also joined the call from the study.

The moment everyone connected, Chris's cheerful voice echoed through the speakers. "Hey, guys!" Alicia smiled warmly. "Brother, how have you been?" "I've been doing just fine," Chris replied dramatically. "After you two decided to abandon me." At that moment Sarah joined the call as well. She looked at Chris in disbelief. "How can you say you're alone when I'm always with you, Chris? I'm your wife." All four of us burst into laughter. I looked at Chris with amusement. "Brother, why does it feel like the person who wanted these video calls every evening was actually you and not my sister-in-law?"

Sarah immediately choked on her own laughter. Chris shrugged without the slightest embarrassment. "What's wrong with wanting to call my brother and sister?" We laughed again. Chris suddenly narrowed his eyes as he looked at our screens. "Brother... why are your backgrounds different? Aren't you with Alicia?" I couldn't help laughing. "What? Were you expecting us to be sitting together every second?" Without missing a beat, Chris nodded. "Yes. That's what married people do. They sweat at work and sweat in the bed."

I laughed so hard. Alicia immediately covered her face in embarrassment. Sarah's eyes widened. "Husband!" she exclaimed. "Why do men always think of such weird things?" Chris looked completely innocent. "Because you're making your husband starve and lonely." "Brother!" Alicia almost choked. I quickly sided with Chris. "Tell her, Brother. Even I was locked outside the study just now. That's why our backgrounds are different." I deliberately put on a wronged expression. "When we sleep, she even turns her back on me without giving me."

Sarah blinked. "Turns her back on you without giving you... what?" Chris immediately burst into laughter. "Sister, I never thought you'd make my brother starve." Alicia's cheeks turned bright red. "If he doesn't ask, what am I supposed to do? Just offer it to him?" This time it was my turn to choke and cough repeatedly. Chris laughed so hard. "Brother, it sounds like you're starving because you want to." Even Sarah couldn't stop laughing.

She cleared her throat. "Husband, didn't I already tell you that tomorrow I'll be sleeping over? Or are you planning to complain the whole time and then say I don't want to come?" Chris placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "See, Brother? Every time I complain she threatens me. Those are clear signs she wants me to keep starving." Our laughter filled the call once again. Seeing the conversation getting more outrageous, Alicia quickly interrupted. "Enough. These things aren't supposed to be discussed."

She looked at Sarah instead. "So, tell us. What's the plan for tomorrow?" Sarah finally regained her composure. "We'll do some window shopping first, then watch a movie. After that we'll have lunch somewhere. You all know the city better than I do." Chris looked horrified. "Impossible." He stared at his wife. "You want us to walk around trying on clothes without buying anything? Are we that bored?" I laughed. "Brother, are you hearing this? Your wife is failing us as a planner."

Chris nodded seriously. "Brother, hunger can blind someone's eyes if it's ignored." Sarah almost choked again. I couldn't stop laughing. "Are you saying they also starve?" Before Chris could answer, Alicia smiled. "Sarah, don't listen to them. I'll happily follow your plan." She looked at Sarah warmly. "I actually enjoy window shopping." Sarah's face instantly brightened. "Finally! Someone who likes the same thing I do." Chris raised an eyebrow. "If you two spend hours window shopping, what are we supposed to do?"

Alicia answered confidently. "You'll compliment us." She smiled mischievously. "The rest... I'll handle it myself." Chris nodded with satisfaction. "Now I believe tomorrow will actually go well." Sarah folded her arms. "I feel offended. My own husband doesn't believe in me." Chris grinned. "The moment you suggested window shopping, Wife, I knew you were a terrible planner." Everyone laughed once more. Then Sarah smiled mysteriously. "There might be someone else joining us tomorrow."

Chris frowned immediately. "What do you mean?" He looked suspicious. "You're not inviting Samantha too... are you?" Alicia and I exchanged curious glances, waiting for Sarah's answer. Instead, she simply laughed. "It's a surprise." She glanced at the time. "It's getting late. I still have to book the movie tickets." I smiled. "Is being the planner really hard." Instead of Sarah answering, Alicia did. "It's much harder than you two think." Chris nodded. "Then we'll meet tomorrow at eleven in the morning."

Everyone agreed. Just before ending the call, Alicia looked toward me. "Mike... come to the study." I smiled. "As you command." Chris pointed at the screen dramatically. "Brother, do the job properly. Don't harm my niece." Sarah rolled her eyes. "Pervert. Bye, everyone." The call ended. Chuckling to myself, I stood up and walked toward the study. When I entered, Alicia was quietly sitting at the desk with an old leather-bound book open in front of her. I walked over. "Wife... what are you reading?"

Without looking up, she answered softly. "It's my mother's diary." "I've only just started reading it." I moved closer until I was standing beside her. "Anything interesting so far?" She smiled gently and pointed to one of the pages. "Look at this." "My mother's family name was Crawley." I frowned thoughtfully. "I've never heard of a family with that name." Alicia nodded. "Neither have I." I smiled before leaning closer to her. "Well... my brother said not to make me starve." "So... how about now?"

As I spoke, I gently wrapped my arms around her from behind. Alicia closed her eyes, her cheeks turning pink. "What? No... not now." "I haven't showered yet." But before she could finish protesting, I leaned forward and kissed her. For a few quiet moments, the rest of the world disappeared. I smiled at her blushing face before gently carrying her toward our bed.