Twelve

CHAPTER 12

Alicia, driven by curiosity, ventured to ask to switch seats with Luke.

"Oh, please." Luke said happily.

Alicia sat next to Ace. She made Ace turn his head with a smile. Alicia's goal in switching seats was to eavesdrop on Elena's conversation behind her. She didn't even realize that the person sitting next to her was Ace. But Ace was already big-headed. He raised his face arrogantly, then whispered softly to Alicia. "Sorry Alicia, I'm no longer interested in you. You... I don't think you're my type."

Alicia frowned deeply. What was this idiot talking about. Meanwhile, Ace grinned with satisfaction at the thought that he had succeeded in making Alicia feel humiliated.

"I heard you lost my hairpin." Elena's voice filled Alicia's ears. She ignored Ace who was still busy with his own thoughts. But now, Alicia wondered, who was Elena chatting with? Was it Amanda? Because the girl had her back to them. "You know how much those hairpins cost, right? You wouldn't even be able to buy it if I asked. It's a limited edition."

"Ah, yes, about that hairpin... you don't have to worry. I'll replace it as soon as possible," someone replied--which Alicia thought was Amanda. "You're overreacting. You're mad at a friend just because of that cheap hairpin. Aren't you afraid that someone will kill you like James did?"

Alicia frowned as they started mentioning James in the conversation, while her hands stirred the rest of Luke's waffles in front of her. Why were they suddenly talking about James?

But Ace's voice filled Alicia's ears again. "Hey, ash hair, why did you choose to date that detective?" Alicia just stared at the waffles on the plate, ignoring Ace. "You know that your ages are far apart, right? Do you have a 'daddy-issue' or something, so you're looking for a father figure in the guy you're dating?"

Alicia remained silent, until Ace spoke again. "Do you want to experience the pleasurable sensation of making love to a man older than you?"

The words sounded outrageous. Alicia raised her face, she looked at Ace straight on. An aura of hatred flowed through that gaze, and gave Ace a slight chill. "Mind your own business."

It wasn't about who Alicia would date, but why should Ace care? Who did she think she was? Besides, Alicia was busy taking care of James' case which was either related to her past or not. She didn't really notice Ace there. Even after she finished talking to Ace, Alicia looked back at the waffles that were just stirring on the plate to hear Elena's conversation behind her.

Elena laughed mockingly. "Who would dare to kill me? I'd pay good money to hire a bodyguard before someone hurt me, you know! And about James, Ah, that jerk has already humiliated Jake in front of so many people. I think he deserved to die in such a tragic way," she said without feeling guilty at all.

Their conversation seemed to have caught the attention of some of Elena's friends who were walking by. They stopped behind Alicia and gathered around. Then,

A friend with a loud voice interjected. "Elena, be careful what you say. Mr. Wilson won't be happy if he finds out you're discussing James' case in a public space like this."

"Ah, never mind. You don't need to meddle in my business." Elena's eyes moved to Amanda, yes, Alicia was increasingly convinced that the girl sitting behind her was Amanda. And Elena looked at her angrily. "You mustn't forget to replace my hairpin immediately! I was going to give that as a gift to someone you know. She's classier than you, I think I'll be good friends with her." Elena got up from the chair she was sitting on. "Let's get some food first, it's my favorite today, right?"

Elena's two friends who had joined in the conversation followed suit. The three of them got up from their chairs.

But Alicia could hear the soft whisper of Amanda's voice behind her, "Yes, Espresso. That's your favorite drink, Elena."

It wasn't until later that Elena noticed Alicia sitting next to Ace - James' friend. She stopped in front of Alicia's table and waved. Elena smiled kindly and began to say hello. "Hi, Alicia. I didn't know you were sitting here in the first place. By the way... is this your date?" she asked in a sarcastic tone. She then glanced at Ace--who was looking at her sarcastically--and chuckled softly. "I think dating that handsome detective would suit you better than him, Alicia."

Ace realized Elena was being sarcastic. "That's funny. This ash-haired one is lucky enough to be my date so easily. Look at you! You even pretend to forget you teased me." Ace's hazel eyes traced Elena's body from top to bottom. Elena coughed in disgust. "You even had to humble yourself just to sit at the same table with me. Should I remind you of that?"

An angry red tinge appeared on Elena's cheeks. She then cleared her throat, "That's all right, Alicia. Have a nice date." and turned to leave Alicia's table with her two friends trailing behind.

Ace shook his head in disbelief. "Cheapskate!" He looked at Alicia seriously now. "What do you think I lack compared to that detective?"

Alicia raised both eyebrows high. Rhetorical question. She shrugged her shoulders dismissively and moved away when Brittany returned with a plastic cup of coffee in her hand. "Where are you going, Alicia?" Brittany asked.

Alicia took her drink from Britt's hand without a word, "Calling emergency." and walked past her with a flat expression. Leaving the three people who were now staring at Alicia's back in confusion.

Alicia walked towards the cafeteria door with an occasional sip of her espresso that was still billowing hot smoke. She intended to leave the cafeteria to give "a little" information to Nic in a quieter place. Considering that anyone could be the culprit.

BRUGG!!!

Until suddenly a loud noise like a large object falling to the gazled floor accompanied by hysterical screams was heard and stopped Alicia's steps. She immediately turned around and found a girl with shoulder-length black hair falling on her knees in front of the body of someone who was lying down and screaming,

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"HELP!!!"