C317 Training Hall Is Complete

Sarah burst out laughing. “Mom, Dad, Samantha is just too excited because today we are going to visit Alicia’s new training facility.” Tracy shook her head. “Even so, my child, you have to cover yourself properly. At least wear a dress over those leggings.” Samantha looked down at herself again. She turned slightly from side to side, examining her outfit. For a moment, she looked as though she was preparing to argue. Then she remembered that she was standing in front of her parents-in-law.

She sighed. “Fine.” She turned around and walked back upstairs. A few minutes later, she returned wearing a long dress over the leggings. Tracy smiled happily. “See? Now you look beautiful.” Samantha smiled. “Thank you, Mother.” Kelvin nodded approvingly. “Much better. Now tell us more about this training facility you keep talking about. Aren’t you supposed to be going to the company?” Sarah answered before Samantha could. “Well, Mike said the opening will be around midday. So we are going to see what is happening there first, and then we will return to the company.”

Kelvin nodded slowly. “I see.” Ben, however, turned his attention toward Samantha. “So you are really joining my enemies?” Samantha looked at him calmly. “They have forgiven me. We are friends again, just like we were back in high school.” She paused before adding, “Besides, are you forgetting that I met you because of them? If it wasn’t for Mike and Chris, I probably would never have met you in the first place.” Ben suddenly choked on his food. He coughed several times while Samantha simply picked up her bag.

She waited for him to recover, but when he said nothing, she turned toward the door. “Anyway, we are leaving.” She walked away without waiting for his response. Sarah smiled and quickly followed her. “Wait for me!” The two women left together, leaving Ben sitting silently at the breakfast table. He stared at the door for several seconds. Tracy noticed his expression but said nothing.

Meanwhile, at Lucia Goods, an early meeting had been called. Almost everyone already had an idea of what the meeting was about. They had watched the renovations taking place over the weekend, and rumors had spread throughout the company. As employees gathered inside the meeting area, small whispers could be heard. “Is it true?” “What?” “That she is pregnant.” “I think so.” “She looks different now.” “Keep your voice down. She might hear you.” The whispers stopped almost immediately when Alicia entered.

She was dressed casually in blue jeans and a white shirt. Her growing belly was clearly visible beneath the shirt. Alicia heard the whispers but didn't react. She walked toward the front of the room with complete confidence. I followed behind her. She picked up the microphone. “Good morning, everyone. I hope you all had a great weekend.” The employees immediately responded. “Good morning, Director.” Alicia smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” She paused and looked around the room. “Today, my husband and I have a big announcement to make.”

The room became quiet. Everyone waited for her to continue. Alicia glanced at me before speaking again. “First, today's working hours will be shortened. We will only have a half day.” Confused looks immediately spread across the room. Some employees whispered among themselves. “What does the Director mean?” “Are we closing early?” “Why?” Alicia didn't answer the questions directly. Instead, she handed the microphone to me. I stepped forward and accepted it. “Good morning, everyone.”

The room became silent again. “As the Director said, we will have a half day today, but there are several reasons for this.” I paused briefly. “First, the renovation company has completed its work.” A few people nodded. “Hall C has now been completely renovated and converted into a training hall.” That caused more murmuring. Some employees looked at each other in surprise. “I wonder what kind of training is it?” I raised the microphone again. “Secondly, today's working day will officially end at one o'clock in the afternoon. The remaining three hours will be used for the opening of the new training hall.”

The room became even quieter. I could see the curiosity on everyone's faces. One employee finally raised a hand. “Sir, are we expected to participate?” I smiled. “No one is being forced to participate.” The employee lowered his hand. I continued. “I know nobody has signed any form or agreement yet. Today's opening is simply an opportunity for everyone to see what has been created.” I looked around the room. “The weapons have not arrived yet, so the facility will not be fully operational. However, if anyone here is interested in physical training, self-defence, boxing, martial arts, or simply challenging one of your friends or colleagues to a friendly competition, you will be able to see what the facility offers.”

A few employees smiled. Others looked even more curious. Someone whispered, “This might actually be interesting.” Another employee laughed quietly. “I've been waiting for something like this.” Alicia smiled as she listened. She took the microphone back from me. “Well, if there are no further questions, everyone may return to work.” She paused. “But remember, today is still a normal working day until one o'clock. Orders must be completed, deliveries must be made, and our clients must still receive the service they expect from us.”

Her tone became slightly more serious. “The opening of the training hall must not affect the normal functioning of the company.” Everyone nodded. “Yes, Director.” “Good.” Alicia placed the microphone down. “Then let's get back to work.” She turned around and walked out. I followed closely behind her. Once we reached her office, the door closed behind us. I looked at Alicia. She walked toward her desk and began arranging a few documents. I watched her for a moment before finally asking the question that had been bothering me since the morning. “Wife.”

She looked at me. “Yes?” “Will you finally tell me what happened to you yesterday?” Her hands stopped moving. I continued. “And why did you treat your family that way this morning?” Alicia remained silent. I stepped closer. “You were crying last night. You didn't want to tell me what happened, and this morning you avoided your father's study.” She slowly looked up at me. I waited. “What happened, Alicia?”