One Hundred and fifty six

CHAPTER 156

Alicia pursed her lips. Her hands rested on her hips, her body beginning to feel the uncomfortable vibrations of the woman in front of her.

"I'm Angela Vashylchenko, you've probably never heard my name before," said the woman.

"What... did you organize all this?" asked Alicia nervously.

Alicia's eyes looked straight ahead, at Angela who was now grinning slyly. She looked like a movie antagonist, her face stern with bold makeup and bright red lipstick. She had completely stolen the spotlight. Alicia also noticed Angela's expensive clothes. She was indeed a high-class woman, and wanted to show off her strong character to Alicia.

"I can't answer you," Angela replied casually, as if she didn't care about Alicia. "I didn't come to answer you. I came to check if Ace visited you. He's very obsessed with you."

Alicia clenched her hands under the table. Her teeth hardened as she heard Angela talk down to her. She held back her emotions as she remembered Lily being one of the victims. Alicia wondered if the fifty-year-old woman had really orchestrated this whole incident.

"Did you kill my parents?"

Ethan came out of the kitchen with Uncle Chuck. They watched Alicia together, but didn't make any immediate moves. Meanwhile, there were no customers at the counter, so the two men could keep an eye on Alicia without being waited on.

Angela made a face, then stopped stirring the straw in her transparent glass. The brownish-colored drink that gave off cold dew as it was filled with ice cubes had a little left, Angela had already drunk it. Unlike the other caramel ice, it still looked full and cold even though the square-shaped ice cubes inside had started to melt.

"I... don't care about your parents, Alicia. I just want to know if Ace saw you or not."

BRAK!

Alicia hit the table in front of her while standing up. That caught everyone's attention including Ethan and Uncle Chuck. Uncle Chuck tapped Ethan on the shoulder, giving the code for the two of them to approach Alicia and Angela.

"I'm asking, did you do that evil thing to my parents?!"

Angela grinned. She seemed satisfied with her provocation. While playing with her fingers that were covered by gloves, it made her hands look thin and dainty. "You shouldn't have spilled your caramel ice, Alicia," she said, then pointed to the small amount of liquid that had soaked the table, surrounding her glass of caramel ice. "You haven't even touched it."

"I said, what did you do to my parents?!"

"Alicia." The voice came from Uncle Chuck, and he approached Alicia with Ethan in his back.

The atmosphere was not conducive as everyone was now staring at Alicia and Angela. They attracted the attention of everyone in the shop. Although only three customers were eating their ice cream, it still worried Uncle Chuck. He didn't want a scene in his shop. And he tried to defend Alicia.

Uncle Chuck stood next to Alicia, looking at Angela. "I'm sorry, ma'am. You can't ask our employee to sit here with you. He has to work."

It was a reasonable excuse, and Angela tried to avoid the spotlight. She let out a long breath, then looked around with a sour expression on her face. "I didn't know I attracted so much attention," she said, taking her glasses from her bag. She put them on to cover her brown eyes that resembled Ace's, then moved on. Lifting her face, Angela took out a few dollar bills and placed them on the table. "Just take the change. I'm giving you a tip too!"

Angela was about to turn around, leaving Alicia, Ethan and Uncle Chuck behind. But Alicia quickly ran over and held back her thick furry coat. Angela halted, then turned around.

"I... want you to answer my question!"

Alicia's tone was shaky, but her gaze was filled with determination and curiosity. She pleaded a little, so that Angela would melt. Instead, the woman of English descent brushed Alicia's hand away from her expensive coat and muttered, "You'll find out for yourself later."

And then left Alicia in the middle of the room with the awkwardness.

Uncle Chuck gave Ethan the code, so Ethan immediately approached Alicia. He wrapped his arms around her and carried her into the kitchen. Meanwhile, Uncle Chuck was busy serving the customers who had just entered the shop.

"Are you okay, Al?"

Ethan handed Alicia a cup of water, which she immediately accepted. Alicia drank a little in appreciation of Ethan's help, then handed it back and thanked him. "I'm fine. Thank you very much."

"Is that woman your family? Do you know her?"

Alicia looked at Ethan, but her lips seemed to be locked tight. Her lips trembled, like she was holding back tears.

So Ethan hurriedly interrupted his own words. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to hurt you. You don't have to answer if-"

"It's okay, Ethan," Alicia said, she sighed then smiled. Staring awkwardly at her new partner, Alicia tried to look strong. "I'm going back to work."

"Alright, me too," Ethan replied, then smiled.

They had only met yesterday, when Uncle Chuck conducted a small interview for the two of them. It's embarrassing to discuss personal matters in front of your new coworkers. And Alicia felt awkward about it.

Alicia came out of the kitchen and ran a little towards Uncle Chuck who was preparing ice cream in a bowl. That made Uncle Chuck look at her and he whispered, "Are you okay?"

"Sure, Uncle Chuck."

Uncle Chuck placed the order on the counter and he furrowed his brow deeply. "Can you continue your work?"

"Of course!" Alicia smiled, then pulled the customer's ice cream order closer. She took out the bill for the take away order and spoke to the customer in front of her. "The total is twenty dollars, Miss. Would you like to pay with cash, or credit?"

And Uncle Chuck let Alicia continue her work there. Meanwhile, Angela sat in the car watching Alicia from a distance.