C62 An Unexpected Plan

When it was finally time to knock off for the day, Chris stretched lazily before reaching for his phone. The moment he unlocked it, a notification immediately caught his attention. It was a message from Sarah.

His heartbeat quickened slightly as he opened it. "Hi, Chris. I've decided that I want to know who spiked your drink. If you can bring me proof, I'll take it as compensation for what happened that night." Chris read the message twice. Then a third time. His eyes stopped on one particular sentence. "I'll take it as compensation..."

He leaned back in his chair, thinking. Compensation? What exactly does she mean by that? Was she saying that if he uncovered the truth, everything that had happened between them that night would finally be settled? Or was she simply giving him an opportunity to make things right?

Whatever her meaning was, one thing made him unexpectedly happy. She wanted to see him again. Without wasting another second, he quickly replied. "Tomorrow afternoon. I'll explain everything when I get home." After pressing send, he slipped his phone into his pocket and hurried out of his office.

At almost the same time, I finished organizing the documents James had given me before slinging my backpack over my shoulder. I walked outside my office and instinctively looked toward the hallway. Something immediately felt strange. "Alicia isn't here?"

Normally, she would already be waiting outside my department by now. I looked around once more. Still no sign of her. Did she already leave? That thought didn't feel right. Without thinking any further, I headed straight toward the Information Systems Department. Most employees had already packed their belongings and were leaving the office.

I carefully scanned the room. Nothing. Just as I was about to leave, I stopped one of the younger employees. "Excuse me." "Have you seen Alicia?" The short man smiled politely before pointing toward one of the offices. "Miss Mooney is still inside." I thanked him and walked over.

The office door was closed. Knock. Knock. No response. I waited another few seconds before gently pushing the door open. There she was. Completely absorbed in the mountain of manuals and reports covering her desk. She hadn't even realized the workday had ended. Only after hearing the door open did she raise her head. "Mike?" She blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

For a brief moment I simply looked at her. The afternoon sunlight poured through the office window, illuminating her face. She looked unusually beautiful. But I quickly pushed the thought aside. I was already running late. Laura was waiting for me.

Seeing that I remained silent, Alicia tilted her head curiously before noticing the backpack hanging over my shoulder. Realization immediately dawned on her. "You came to pick me up?" She glanced at the clock. Her eyes widened. "We're already ten minutes late!" The first person she imagined was Chris standing outside complaining endlessly.

Without another word she hurriedly placed the manuals back onto the shelf before grabbing her handbag. I smiled helplessly. "Hurry." "I still have somewhere to be." "And Chris is probably furious by now." She laughed. "I can already hear him complaining." The two of us walked out together.

Although many employees had already gone home, several were still passing through the corridors. Almost every pair of eyes landed on us. Whispers immediately followed. "There they are..." "So that's Miss Mooney's boyfriend..." "They really do leave work together every day."

Neither Alicia nor I heard the conversations as we continued downstairs. Chris was already waiting outside the building. Surprisingly, he didn't look annoyed at all. Instead, the moment he saw us, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "So..." He looked at his watch dramatically. "Fifteen minutes late." "I wonder what the two of you were doing after everyone else left."

Both Alicia and I looked at each other before turning back toward him. Alicia folded her arms. "Why does everyone keep assuming Mike and I are a couple?" "Even you?" Chris shrugged innocently. "Maybe because you two look like a match made in heaven." Alicia's cheeks instantly turned bright red. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

I was too distracted by the time to think much about his teasing. "If believing that makes you happy," I said while adjusting my backpack, "then keep believing it." I had barely taken two steps before Chris called out. "Brother!" "I need a favor."

Alicia narrowed her eyes. "So that's why you've been teasing us." Chris grinned shamelessly. "Of course." "You two already owe me one." "I've been waiting here for fifteen whole minutes." He pointed dramatically between us. "And somehow both of you walk out together."

He chuckled. "You know... a lot can happen in fifteen minutes." I laughed. "What favor do you need?" "And stop teasing her already." Chris immediately pointed toward Alicia. "Haha!" "Look who's protecting who now!" Alicia simply glared at him without saying a word.

Finally, Chris became serious. "Sarah messaged me." "She wants proof of who spiked my drink." "I already promised that tomorrow afternoon I'd take her to your house to see the evidence on your computer." He looked at me sincerely. "So... please don't refuse."

Before I could answer, Alicia suddenly laughed. Every trace of anger disappeared. "If you want Mike's help..." She smiled mischievously. "You'll have to apologize to me first." Chris stared at her in disbelief. "What?" "Why should I apologize to you?" "It's Mike's favor I'm asking for."

Alicia shrugged casually. "Then ask him." "And see what happens." Chris frowned. "See what?" She sighed dramatically. "Sometimes I wonder if your IQ is getting lower every day." Chris immediately protested. "Are you calling me stupid?"

Ignoring the question completely, Alicia continued. "Think carefully." "If you and Sarah go to Mike's house alone..." "What conclusion do you think Mike's parents will reach?" She counted on her fingers. "The boss's daughter." "Two young men." "And all three of you disappearing into Mike's bedroom."

She raised an eyebrow. "Does that sound normal to you?" Chris opened his mouth. Then slowly closed it again. He hadn't considered that at all. I couldn't help laughing. Turning toward Chris, I said, "Brother, whatever plans you've made..." "They need Alicia's approval first." Chris looked horrified. "So you're taking her side too?" I smiled. "You're my brother." "So of course I support you." Chris's face immediately brightened.

Then I continued. "But every plan must first pass Special Analyst Alicia's inspection." Alicia couldn't hide her smile. Chris, on the other hand, looked completely defeated. Before either of them could continue arguing, I raised my hand toward an approaching taxi. "I've really got to go." "You two figure it out." After climbing into the taxi, I waved goodbye as it pulled away.

Chris watched the car disappear before turning toward Alicia. He let out a long sigh. "Fine." "Tell me your brilliant plan." Alicia smiled proudly. "Now you're talking." Chris scratched his head. "My original idea is simple." "The three of us would go to Mike's house." "Sarah would look at the evidence on his computer." "Then we'd leave." Alicia burst into laughter. "You really haven't thought this through." "When Mike's parents see Sarah, they'll immediately recognize her." "They already know who she is."

She paused. "Then they'll notice the awkward way you two look at each other." "And what do you think they'll assume when they see the boss's daughter entering Mike's bedroom with two young men?" Chris's expression slowly changed. "...That sounds bad." "It sounds terrible," Alicia corrected.

For a brief moment, Chris regretted everything. The celebration party. The drugged drink. Keeping everything a secret. Yet despite all of that... Deep inside, he realized there was one thing he didn't regret. Meeting Sarah had changed something within him.

After thinking for another minute, Alicia finally smiled. "I'll come too." "The four of us will go together." "That way everything looks perfectly normal." Chris immediately nodded in relief. "That's actually... a much better idea." The two parted ways soon afterward. Alicia's family car was already waiting patiently outside the company gates. Chris unlocked his bicycle and began riding home.

Meanwhile, my taxi pulled up outside the restaurant where Laura and I had agreed to meet. Through the large glass window, I immediately spotted her sitting quietly at a corner table. She wasn't checking her phone impatiently. She wasn't looking upset. Instead, she simply sat there with a gentle smile, as though she had complete faith that I would come.

Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my clothes before walking toward the restaurant entrance. It was finally time.