C75 Shifting Hearts

Early the next morning, I woke up feeling unusually refreshed. After taking a quick shower and getting dressed for work, the first thing I did was pick up my phone. A smile appeared on my face as I opened Laura's chat. "Good morning, my beautiful angel."

A few seconds later, my phone vibrated. Laura, "Good morning. You're awake early today." "I couldn't stop thinking about you. Are you free this afternoon? Can we meet at our usual restaurant?" Laura responded "Of course. I was hoping you'd ask." Reading her reply instantly brightened my mood.

"Good. I have something I've been wanting to ask you." Laura typed, "That sounds serious... Should I be worried?" I chuckled "Not at all. Just answer honestly." "Go ahead." I hesitated for a few moments before typing. "When do you think a couple should have their first kiss?" There was no reply for nearly a minute.

Finally... she responded "You really woke up this morning thinking about that?" "Maybe." She sent a laughing emoji before replying. "When both people truly love each other... not because they're pressured or because everyone else is doing it." Her answer made me smile. "So... have you ever kissed anyone before?"

Another long pause followed. Then her message appeared. "No." I couldn't help smiling even wider. "Really?" "Really. I always believed my first kiss should be with the man I truly love." My heartbeat quickened. "Then... I hope I'm worthy of receiving it one day."

Several seconds passed before she finally replied. "Maybe you already are." Before I could stop myself, another question slipped out. "Can I ask one more thing?" "You're asking dangerous questions today." "Only if you're comfortable answering." "Alright." I took a deep breath. "Have you... been saving yourself for the person you marry?" Her typing indicator appeared and disappeared several times.

Finally, she answered. "Yes. I've never been with anyone. I want my first time to be with the man who becomes my husband." I stared at the screen for several seconds. There was something incredibly comforting about her answer. "Thank you for trusting me enough to answer." She responded "Just don't make me regret it." I laughed softly before locking my phone. "I won't," I whispered to myself.

Feeling happier than ever, I headed downstairs for breakfast. The moment I entered the dining room, I realized the topic hadn't changed at all. "Alicia's cooking yesterday was unbelievable," Mom said while pouring tea. "Honey, did you notice how clean the kitchen was? I don't think I've ever seen it that spotless."

My father nodded in agreement. "She cleaned everything before leaving. Even the utensils were arranged better than usual." Mary smiled. "Mike, tell me something." I sat down. "What is it, Mom?" "How did Alicia manage to prepare such a huge meal in such a short time?" I laughed. "Perhaps that's why we've always called her our genius."

Both of them looked at me curiously. "Planning is one of Alicia's greatest strengths. She organizes almost every gathering among us. Whether it's Kite Flying day, picnic, or group activities, she always thinks ten steps ahead." I paused before teasing my mother. "Mom, these past few days you've kept saying I talk about Alicia too much."

I grinned. "But today... you're the one who can't stop talking about her." Quinton burst into laughter. "You can say that again, son." He looked at Mary with amusement. "Since yesterday it's been Alicia this, Alicia that. Even this morning, before breakfast, you were praising her again."

Mary rolled her eyes. "That's because she deserves every compliment." She suddenly looked at me again. "When did all of you buy those vegetables?" "We didn't." Mary frowned. "What do you mean?" "Alicia bought everything herself."

Both my parents stared at me. "In fact," I continued, "none of us even knew she had gone shopping. Our plan was simply to meet at our house and continue with work. Chris refused to ride in Alicia's car because he said it attracted too much attention, so we all rode our bicycles instead."

I smiled as I remembered. "We thought we'd arrive and find her waiting for us." "Instead, we got here first." "A few minutes later, Alicia arrived carrying bags full of groceries by herself." Quinton slowly placed his cup on the table. "Are you telling me..." "...that Alicia paid for everything herself?"

I blinked. "I... think so." Mary looked genuinely shocked. "And none of you contributed?" I found myself speechless. "Mom... honestly, we didn't know. Alicia never mentioned spending any money. You can ask Chris if you don't believe me."

Then another thought suddenly struck me. "Wait..." "Are you saying..." "The food we ate yesterday..." Mary nodded. "Every vegetable, every ingredient she used came from what she bought herself." "The only things she used from our kitchen were a few spices." She sighed. "And she didn't even use much of those."

I leaned back in disbelief. Alicia had never mentioned any of it. Not once. She had simply smiled as if everything were perfectly normal. I was still thinking about it when I glanced at the clock. "I'm late." I quickly stood up.

Mary folded her arms. "Hmph." "Now that your girlfriend cooks so well, you've lost your appetite for your own mother's cooking."

Quinton laughed so hard he nearly spilled his tea. "Wife, yesterday you admitted yourself that Alicia cooks better than you." "So why are you complaining now?" I couldn't help laughing. "It's not like that, Mom." "I really am running late." "If I'm late again, Ben will definitely find something to complain about." Both of them nodded.

Just as I reached the door, Mary called out again. "Mike." "Yes?" "When you see Alicia..." "...ask her when she's coming back to visit." "I want to prepare something special for her." Quinton laughed once more. "This isn't good." He shook his head dramatically. "It sounds like you're the one who's fallen for Alicia instead of our son."

Mary lightly hit his arm. "Oh, be quiet." I smiled. "I'll ask her." "Bye, Mom." "Bye, Dad." As I left for work, I couldn't help wondering how Alicia would react if she found out my parents had practically adopted her in their hearts.

Meanwhile, at the Wood residence, the atmosphere was the complete opposite. Ben had returned home very late the previous night and had gone straight to bed without speaking to anyone. When he entered the dining room the following morning, he immediately sensed something was wrong.

Everyone avoided looking at him. The cheerful atmosphere that usually filled the breakfast table had completely disappeared. Ben frowned. "What's wrong with everyone?" His eyes moved from Kelvin to Tracy before finally settling on Sarah. "Sarah." "Even you're acting strangely." "What happened?"

Sarah had barely slept. All night, Samantha's offer to transfer four percent of her shares had echoed through her mind. If she accepted, she would become the company's second-largest shareholder. But with Ben's ruthless personality, she knew exactly what that meant. If he ever viewed her as an obstacle, eliminating her would be as effortless as crushing an insect.

Adding to that was the secret that Chris revealed to his friends. She no longer had the courage to face Chris... Mike... or even Alicia. Taking a deep breath, Sarah suddenly stood. "Brother..." She forced a smile. "Only your actions could make this family feel this uncomfortable."

Before Ben could respond, she turned toward Kelvin. "Dad..." "I've made my decision." "I agree with what we discussed yesterday." "But..." "I'm returning to the UK today." Everyone looked at her in surprise. "I thought coming home would make me happy." She lowered her eyes. "But right now... I just want to be alone."

Turning toward Samantha, she smiled gently. "Don't worry, Sister-in-law." "I'll be back for the wedding." "There are only four weeks left." "I'll use that time to think everything through." "When I return, I may bring all my belongings back permanently." She paused. "Or..." "I may simply attend the wedding and return to the UK."

The room fell silent. For the first time, tears appeared in Tracy's eyes. "My daughter..." "You're leaving already?" Sarah nodded softly. "I just need some time." Without another word, she went upstairs, took her suitcase, and left for the airport with the family driver. No one at the table had the appetite to continue eating.

A few moments later, Samantha stood as well. She looked at Kelvin and Tracy. "Mom... Dad..." "Please remember what I said yesterday." "It's up to you to tell Ben." After briefly glancing at Ben, she quietly returned to the bedroom she was still sharing with him.

Soon, only Ben, Kelvin, and Tracy remained seated at the dining table, surrounded by a silence that felt heavier than words.