C87 A Day Of Hidden Plans

As Chris and Sarah walked across the university campus, countless eyes followed them. Chris looked elegant in his tailored grey suit, while Sarah's long purple graduation dress made her stand out among the graduates. Together, they looked more like a couple attending an engagement ceremony than a graduation. The attention they received was impossible to ignore.

Many of Sarah's male classmates watched with expressions filled with jealousy and disbelief. Several of them had spent years trying to win her heart, only to be rejected every single time. Yet today, an unfamiliar man had appeared out of nowhere, confidently holding her hand as if he belonged by her side.

Chris noticed the hostile stares almost immediately. He leaned closer and whispered with a playful smile, "It looks like quite a few of your admirers aren't very happy." Sarah didn't even bother looking at them. "They're simply not worth my time." Chris chuckled. "Oh? Then does that mean I'm worthy of your time?"

Sarah's face instantly turned crimson beneath her makeup. Thankfully, the light layer of foundation concealed most of her embarrassment. Instead of answering, she simply tightened her grip around his hand. Chris smiled to himself. That silent gesture was answer enough.

Soon, they reached the registration area. Sarah signed Chris in as her family representative, allowing him access to the graduation hall. After receiving his visitor's ticket, they reluctantly separated. "I'll see you after the ceremony," Chris said. Sarah nodded with a gentle smile. "Don't disappear." "I wouldn't dare." They exchanged one last glance before Sarah walked toward the graduates' seating area while Chris found his assigned seat among the audience.

Meanwhile, I had already arrived at the shopping mall. Since I had taken a taxi, I got there earlier than expected, leaving me with enough time to wait comfortably for Laura.

While sitting on one of the benches near the entrance, I pulled out my phone and sent a message to our group chat. "How's everything going on your side?" Alicia replied almost immediately. "Still at the market. Hopefully Chris's parents haven't arrived yet."

A few moments later, Chris's phone vibrated inside the graduation hall. He carefully lowered his brightness before replying. "Everything is going perfectly. I somehow ended up attending a graduation ceremony."

A second later, he attached a photograph of the crowded auditorium with graduates dressed in black gowns. Within seconds, laughing emojis flooded the group chat. I couldn't help smiling. This idiot actually flew to another country for love.

Before I could type another message, someone waved enthusiastically from the entrance. Laura. She wore a light blue dress that perfectly matched her cheerful personality. The moment our eyes met, she smiled brightly before walking over. "Sorry for making you wait." I stood up. "I only arrived a few minutes ago."

She looked at me suspiciously. "You're lying." I laughed. "Maybe just a little." She playfully rolled her eyes before grabbing my hand. "Come on. Today you're my shopping assistant." "I thought we were shopping together." "We are." She smiled mischievously. "I'm just the one making the decisions."

Instead of rushing into the clothing stores, we decided to have breakfast first. Over coffee and sandwiches, Laura excitedly explained different fashion styles, seasonal trends, and how she usually planned her outfits. I listened carefully despite understanding almost none of it. "So," she asked curiously, "what kind of clothes do you like seeing girls wear?"

I nearly choked on my coffee. "I've... never actually thought about it." She laughed. "Then today you'll learn." After breakfast, we finally entered the shopping section. We started with simple window shopping. Laura pointed out different dresses, jackets and shoes, explaining why she liked each design.

Before long, I found myself pointing at clothes I thought would suit her. "What about that one?" She looked where I was pointing. "You really think it'd look good on me?" "I do." She smiled warmly. "Then let's try it." After trying on several outfits, Laura began asking for my opinion on nearly everything she picked.

Eventually, I looked at the growing pile of shopping bags. "I'll pay." She immediately shook her head. "No." "I invited you." "And I'm your boyfriend." She folded her arms. "So?" "So let me spoil you a little." Laura stared at me for a few seconds before finally giving up. "...Fine." "But next time, I'm paying." I laughed. "We'll negotiate that when the time comes."

At exactly 11:00 a.m., Alicia stepped out of a taxi in front of the Smith residence. She inhaled deeply. No smell of cooking. Perfect. That meant she would still have time to prepare lunch herself. Carrying several bags of fresh vegetables in one hand and a small suitcase in the other, she walked confidently toward the front door.

Just as she was about to knock, another vehicle slowly pulled into the driveway. She glanced behind her. David Chambers' car. A small smile appeared on her face. Right on time. Without saying anything, she entered the house.

Mary and Quinton immediately came out to welcome her. Both smiled brightly. However, their smiles disappeared halfway. They stared at the vegetables. Then at the suitcase. Then back at Alicia. Mary blinked. "My child... are you alright?" Alicia looked confused. "Why wouldn't I be?" "You brought so many vegetables!" Quinton laughed nervously. "And a suitcase too."

He scratched his head. "Were you at the supermarket this early? What if you caught a cold?" Before Alicia could answer, another knock echoed through the house. She smiled knowingly. "Aunt Mary... Uncle Quinton..." She pointed toward the front door. "Please answer it." Someone thinks I'm dying."

Both of them looked at each other in confusion. "What?" "Hurry." Still puzzled, Quinton walked toward the entrance while Mary carried the vegetables and Alicia's suitcase into the dining room. As Quinton reached the door, he kept repeating Alicia's strange words in his head. "Someone thinks she's dying?" He slowly opened the door. His eyes widened.

Standing outside were David and Valeria Chambers. "Oh!" He quickly smiled. "Please come in!" Although he welcomed them warmly, he couldn't stop wondering what Alicia had meant. The two visitors, however, wore worried expressions as they hurried inside.

The moment Valeria entered the dining room and saw Alicia sitting quietly in a chair, she rushed over. "Alicia!" "My child!" "What's wrong?" "Are you feeling unwell?"Mary, who had been arranging vegetables on the table, froze before bursting into laughter. Behind them, Quinton was laughing so hard he had to hold onto the wall for support.

Valeria looked at them in complete confusion. "Why are you laughing?" David finally realized what had happened. He sighed helplessly. "Alicia..." "You tricked us." Alicia smiled innocently. "Uncle David." "Aunt Valeria." "How have you been?" She tilted her head. "Don't tell me that little prank exhausted both of you." "We still have the whole day ahead."

For a moment, everyone simply looked at one another. Then the room erupted into laughter. Even David couldn't help smiling. "This girl..." "I don't know whether to scold you or admire you." Once everyone had settled down, David looked around the house. "Chris left early this morning."

He then glanced at Mary. "And Mike isn't home either." "Where did those two disappear to?" Mary was about to answer when Alicia quickly interrupted. "I sent them away." "They're perfectly fine." The adults exchanged puzzled glances. Although the answer sounded suspicious, Alicia looked so calm that none of them questioned her further.

She clasped her hands together before smiling warmly. "Aunt Mary, I know you invited me here today." "I'm sorry for hijacking your plans." "My brothers already had plans of their own, so I was given the important responsibility of keeping all of you company." She looked around the room. "I didn't prepare anything extravagant..." "But one thing I absolutely refuse to do is let today become boring."

The room instantly fell silent. Everyone stared at Alicia. No one knew what she was planning. But judging by the confident smile on her face... It was clear that the day had only just begun.