Two Hundred and seventy

CHAPTER 270

Nicholas put on an apron, before grabbing a cutting board and knife. He took out the onions, garlic and chili peppers. Skillfully, Nicholas began to chop the ingredients into small pieces, and then he heated the oil in the wok. He prepared to put in all the ingredients, and after the smell of onions was there, Nicholas put in the minced meat that he took from the refrigerator. His big hands started moving here and there quickly. He was like a professional chef. Sautéing, putting in spices and making everything better.

Besides cooking the meat, Nicholas also prepared two loaves of bread on a plate. He placed the meat onto the bread, then garnished it with lettuce, tomato and some sauce on top.

Nicholas patted his palms when he was done. He took off the apron, put it back on the table and started to prepare the two plates of food for the dining table. It was raining outside, and Alicia was still covering herself with a blanket on the sofa.

It looked like Alicia was completely exhausted.

Nicholas brought back the plates that he had placed on the table and moved them to the living room. Nicholas arranged the dishes nicely, and he also provided drinks so that Alicia could eat her dinner more easily. Afterward, Nicholas sat down next to Alicia and patted her leg, which was wrapped in a blanket.

Once, twice, but on the third try, Alicia stirred. She blinked, then woke up and looked at Nicholas. "Did I just fall asleep again?"

"Tsk, you fell asleep very beautifully. But the thing is... I've made dinner for you, for us." Nicholas held up one plate, it belonged to Alicia. Then he thrust it forward. "You should eat and fill your stomach. I don't want you to get sick."

Alicia smiled a little. She accepted the plate and said, "Thank you very much, Chef Nicholas."

Nicholas chuckled, he took her plate and held up her meat loaf. "This is good food. You will like it."

"All right. I believe so," Alicia said.

The two of them spent the evening enjoying Nicholas' bread. Both were busy in their own thoughts, until finally, Nicholas remembered something. He finished the food in his mouth, then put the empty plate on the table.

"By the way, do you still remember the cases that happened at Golden High School?"

Alicia was chewing her food when Nicholas asked. There was a small mumble from Alicia, the girl seemed to be thinking. She tried to recall before she finally said, "I seem to remember a few things. But, what's the matter, Nick?"

"Do you still remember one, um, I mean two of your friends there. Amanda and Selena? Well, I'm sure you remember Amanda, since we're looking for her, but I used Amanda's name to remind you of Selena."

"Selena... um, I remember a few things."

Nicholas nodded in understanding, he took his time before finally starting to explain. "The police arrested Selena."

Alicia stopped chewing. She blinked. She stared in disbelief. "You arrested Selena? What did she do that the police had to arrest her?"

"She was involved with Ace," Nicholas said, ending the conversation.

After hearing that, Alicia couldn't hide her shock. Alicia raised both eyebrows and chewed the remaining food in her mouth. It was the last piece, so Alicia did it faster. Alicia put down her plate and took a sip of her drink.

"Selena is involved with Ace? Is this real?!"

Nicholas nodded his head in agreement. Because that was what was happening right now.

"But how did Selena get in touch with Ace again? Ace was in jail, I never even heard from Selena when... yeah, well, when I was still dating Ace. Selena disappeared, just like Amanda. They were like an inseparable couple. But after hearing that she's involved with Ace, it's starting to sound absurd."

"It seems like Ace is still communicating with Selena. Ace came to Selena's boutique a few times, before she asked him for help with something." Nicholas rested his back on the top of the sofa. She was trying to loosen up after being tired from working and cooking. "Ace used Selena. And, Selena already has a son."

"Selena is married?!"

"I don't know about marriage. She has a son and takes care of him herself, I know this information from the daycare." Nicholas mumbled, before finally continuing, "It looks like he's had a hard life and Ace took advantage of Selena."

Alicia bit her lip, this case in front of her eyes was really broader than what she thought. Alicia rubbed her chin, looking thoughtful. She then asked, "But why did you arrest Selena? Was she found guilty? Did you say Ace was using Selena?"

A sigh escaped Alicia's mouth. Nicholas corrected his sitting position, before he finally looked at Alicia with a puzzled look on his face. "This is a difficult decision. She's innocent, but Selena has witnessed a lot. She was even at the scene when-"

"When what?" Alicia cut in, she was really impatient with Nicholas' story. Her eyes looked enthusiastic. "What scene, Nick?"

"Selena was at the scene when Ace killed Amanda."

At that moment Alicia was speechless. She was speechless, lost for words that she could have easily said. Alicia looked at Nicholas, while Nicholas nodded his head.

Nicholas knew Alicia was shocked by what he had just told her. So, he opened his voice again and said, "That's why we need more information from her. This is why Selena is being held at the police station. And, I felt the need to hold her until we actually find Ace. Selena is the key witness in Amanda's death. She needs to be safe until the trial starts."

"But why did Ace have to kill Amanda? What were they all doing all this time?"

Nicholas was silent, he couldn't answer that question. The two of them could only stare at each other with their heads full of speculation.