Alice was all set for the party that evening. She was a bit nervous but toughened herself to mingle with the high and mighty. The party took place in the large event hall of the Sander's company and every affluent personality attended.
Alice looked unexpectedly beautiful and grandma Janet applauded her, while Kelvin chose to disagree with his eyes to the fact that the local girl was looking like a beautiful, educated woman. Alice was beside grandma Janet and Kelvin as she was being introduced to every one present. Alice was struggling to keep up with her company, and to follow up with the light banter from each person they met. The high heels on her feet were killing and she was not comfortable with the too many jewelries she had on her. She was a simple girl born in and brought up with a simple lifestyle. She thought to herself, that it would take forever or even never to get adjusted to the high life of the Sanders. While Alice and her company were still making their rounds, she caught sight of someone familiar and was stunned, a second frozen in her heart. She blinked away from his direction, distracted and pondering. The reason for Daniel's presence there was the question on her mind. He was the very person she had sworn to herself, to avoid at all cost and she was seeing him in the Sander's company. Alice thought to herself, that he had a huge nerve to infiltrate a high class party. She was avoiding his gaze and was extremely cautious of his presence. She would feel his gaze every now and then and wished the night would be over. "Daniel" Alice heard grandma Janet call and raised her face to see Daniel respond from his position. "Come here" grandma Janet beckoned and Daniel made his way towards them. Alice could hear the loud thumping of her heart beat. 'So, grandma knows him!' she exclaimed to herself. "Alice, meet Daniel" Grandma introduced as soon as Daniel got to them. Alice raised her face and forced a calm smile on her face. Grandma Janet continued, "He is one very important member of this company. Ever since he joined us, we've been moving from one height to the other" Alice saw the excitement in grandma Janet's face as she continued, "He is our right hand man and also a family. It's just unfortunate that he could not attend your wedding due to some company emergencies" Grandma Janet said. Daniel smiled at Alice and extended a hand to her, "It's nice to finally meet you Mrs Sander" he said. "Nice to meet you too" Alice replied and briefly shook his hand. "He works very close with me and Kelvin" Grandma added and Alice nodded slightly. Alice then understood how he had known that she was in the cafe that day. He had probably seen her leaving the company and followed her. Alice was still not at complete peace with him. Her previous encounter with him still gave her reasons to doubt him. For all she knew, he could want to use her to lay his hands on the family's properties. She still decided to avoid him. With Daniel's presence, Kelvin saw a way to get rid of the annoying rounds he had been making with his grandmother and Alice. He politely excused himself and left with Daniel for some very important company discussions as he had told Grandma. Grandma Janet the turned to Alice and asked, "How are you enjoying the party so far?" Alice smiled, "It's nice but a bit overwhelming grandma" Grandma Janet chuckled, "I thought as much. You'll get used to it sweetheart. There's no pressure" Grandma Janet smiled comfortingly. Just then, grandma Janet had to excuse herself to meet with some investors, leaving Alice all to herself. Before Alice would take a step, she was already surrounded by some ladies. It seemed they were subtly waiting for Alice to be alone to rush her. Alice slowly looked at the five classy ladies and wondered what they wanted with her. "Hello" One of the ladies greeted with a smile. Alice smiled back. "The new member of the Sanders family." Another lady spoke. "How lucky you are!" She said with a smirk. Alice was beginning to sense something unpleasant about the ladies. "Thank you " she replied politely and made to leave, but the ladies prevented her, obstructing her way. "You can't just leave, we're still getting to know each other" The first lady spoke again. "I love your dress" another lady said. "And her jewelries too" another one said to the former who spoke. They nodded their heads. "I'm certain that you wouldn't have imagined yourself living this luxurious life being that you are. a village girl" The first lady said, smirking. Alice was uncomfortable, and just lowered her head, hoping that grandma Janet would come to her rescue. "Say something to us...." one of the ladies said to Alice, nudging her arm a little. "That's enough! You're not welcoming at all" Alice heard another voice and looked up to see a pretty lady join them. "We mean no harm. We're just teasing her a bit" the first lady said. "Well, she's not comfortable with it. So just leave her alone" the nice lady said, and the ladies left them. "Thank you" Alice faced the nice lady. "You don't need to thank me." the lady replied, "and don't mind them, that just how they are" she added. Alice said nothing. "I'm Marla" the lady introduced, extending a hand to Alice. "Nice to meet you" Alice shook her hand. "I'm Alice..." Marla interrupted her, "Of course, I know who you are. You're the reason for this party" Marla smiled. "Asides those ladies bothering you, I hope you're enjoying your event?" Marla asked her. "I think so. It's just a bit overwhelming" Alice sighed with a faint smile. "You'll get used to it, eventually" Marla said. Alice merely nodded, hoping Marla's words were true. "You know..." Marla started, "All these class and elegance you're seeing are actually just make believe. Everyone here is trying to impress the other. There is a silent competition going on especially among the women. There are different cliques here and they judge each other's outfits and behaviours." Marla said and Alice listened keenly. "Every one here is faking it. Even those ladies" Marla referred to the five ladies who had earlier approached Alice, "They all have huge flaws and imperfections they're hiding. So don't let anyone intimidate you or get to you. You may even be surprised that at your level, you are better than them and they're just envious of you". Marla said. Alice felt a little relieved, "Thank you" she said. "You don't have to thank me" Marla said and after a brief pause added, "Do you want to escape here and go somewhere more fun?" "What exactly do you mean by fun?" Alice asked her, being careful of doing anything that would make grandma Janet upset. "I mean you leave these sea of pretentious rich people and hang out with some people I'd like to introduce you to. I'm sure you'll be comfortable there". Marla explained. "Okay" Alice agreed and Marla led her out of the grand hall, through the corridors to the roof top of the magnificent building. It was beautifully designed and decorated. There, Alice could see a glass dining-like table with two benches along its two lengths. There were two people already seated there and Alice recognized one of them to the Daniel, the very same Daniel. There was another man there. Alice quietly followed Marla to the table and sat down beside her, opposite the two men. She was deliberately avoiding Daniel's gaze. "Gentle men, this is our new boss. Mrs Sander Alice" Marla introduced cheerfully. "Finally, I get to meet you in person......and without your husband" the other man said, looking towards the entrance for a possible late arrival of Kelvin. "Kelvin isn't coming" Marla said to him and turned to Alice. "Alice, this is Flynn" she introduced the young man to her. "Nice to meet you, Flynn" Alice smiled at him. "Pleasure is all mine" Flynn gestured with a bow of his head. Marla then turned to introduce Daniel to Alice. "This is Daniel Walter. He is the second grandson of grandma Janet from another son. He is considered to be the right hand man of your family and I think you've met him, right?" Marla asked Alice. "Yes. Grandma Janet introduced us earlier" Alice said. "Flynn and I are investors in this company and Daniel is like the second in line to the throne of the Sanders" Marla chuckled lightly. "Now don't put it that way, Marla" Daniel cautioned Marla jokingly and faced Alice, "It's not true, at all" he smiled freely. Alice accidentally let out a brief smile to him which he caught before Flynn spoke: "But she's right, Daniel. You are like Grandma Janet's second grandson. If anything were to happen to Kelvin, you're the next to inherit everything" Flynn laughed. Daniel merely smiled at their somewhat suspicious joke. "Rumours even have it that you will get something out of the Sander's fortune" Flynn added. "...And that would be an honour" Daniel replied him with a slight bow. Alice was just quiet. Her mind was starting to spin negative thoughts about the young man, Daniel. Perhaps that was Daniel's hidden intent, to get rid of Kelvin subtly and just as Flynn has said, become the inheritor of Grandma Janet's fortune. Daniel stared at her out of the corner of his eyes. He couldn't fathom what was going on in her head but he admired her calmness, which added to her beautiful appearance that evening. They chatted and had a nice time for that moment on the roof top. Alice felt at ease with them and flowed with them, though she restricted herself a bit because of Daniel. Marla and Flynn were wonderful and humourous beings and Alice spent the better part of that moment laughing and cracking her ribs, an action that gave Daniel series of excitements in his heart. Soon, they returned to the party for grandma Janet's grand speech where she introduced her daughter in law to the guests and thereafter, signed some shares to Alice, which will still be under her authority till she would hand over everything to Kelvin. As the party continued, Alice began to feel funny. It was a strange feeling that she could not fathom neither could she control it. She found herself knocking over a waiter's tray and giggling lightly as she saw him covered in food and drinks. She moved away from him, still giggling and then twirled herself, with her hands spread wide, causing minor destructions and inconveniences to those around. She moved to a man, probably in his late thirties, who was busy with his phone. "Hello handsome" she flashed her wide smile at him. The man merely looked at her and returned his gaze to his phone. "Hmmm" Alice grunted, mimicking the man's straight face. "Why are you grumpy? This is a party loosen up?" She said and then burst into another childish giggle. As if on cue, Daniel rushed to Alice and with a pretentious smile to the man, whose face was showing little traits of anger, he apologized on her behalf and dragged her away from the crowd, back to the rooftop despite her struggles. "Leave me alone" Alice threw at him still intoxicated. She yanked her hand away from his grip and staggered back few steps. "I'll report you to grandma" Alice threaten in what seemed to be amusing to Daniel. He chuckled, "Why?" he asked. "'cause you're kidnapping me" Alice replied ignorantly. Daniel laughed out loud to the surprise of the intoxicated yet alluring lady. "It's not funny" Alice said and fell on the bench, sitting. She became quiet. Daniel moved to her and stooped down, "Can you remain here while I go get you something?" he asked her. "I don't trust you" came Alice's reply. "Who do you trust?" he asked her "Grandma Janet" she replied. "I'll go call Grandma Janet, is that okay?" he asked playing along with her intoxication. Alice nodded in agreement and then Daniel stood up and left. Minutes later, Alice was sober after taking a drink to neutralize the effect of the alcohol on her, which Daniel had brought to her. They sat down side by side on the bench. "My head" Alice moaned in discomfort, placing her hand on her head. "You'll be fine" Daniel said. "I don't know.....what happened?" she asked. "It seems you were given something very strong to drink" Daniel said with a smirk. "I merely took a glass of fruit juice, though it had an odd taste" Alice said. "That's because it was laced with something" Daniel said. Alice turned to him, "how?" she asked "Never mind. You're better now and no harm is done" Daniel said, wanting to end the matter there. "Tell me" Alice was persistent, "Who laced my drink?" she asked him. "It's not in my place to say" Daniel said. "I want to know" Alice demanded aggressively. Daniel was not sure how she would react to know that her husband's ex was plotting something evil against her. Anita was subtly present at the party and it was a good thing that Daniel had stumbled into her putting something into the drink and handing it over to the waiter. He was not sure at first till he saw Alice dropping that same empty glass of juice on the tray of the familiar waiter. He followed her and was able to drag her out before she would make a huge mess. Daniel looked at her Innocent eyes. It was possible that she knew nothing about Anita and he would not want to be the one to cause a problem between her and Kelvin over the sudden existence of Kelvin past relationship. He only planned to tell Kelvin afterwards about it so that he can take actions against her. He had no idea that Kelvin was with Anita in her plans against Alice. "Were you the one who put something in my drink, So that you can get this access to me?" Alice frowned. "Of course not" Daniel replied. "I saved you from disgracing yourself and grandma Janet. I should be getting a thank you" "Really? I'm not buying your lies, Daniel. You laced my drink with whatever....." Alice said Daniel stopped her, "Why do you see me as a threat? All I've ever done is to save you, even from the beginning" he asked. Alice was quiet. "Yes, there were some awkward situations between us but I've not done anything bad to you, have I?" he asked, staring at her. Alice lowered her gaze, realizing the truth in his words. "Then who laced my drink with alcohol?" Alice demanded again, "If there's someone out there who hates me, I need to know. I need to be careful" she said. Daniel sighed. "It was Kevin's ex. Anita". "I thought as much" Alice replied."You know Anita?" Daniel asked, surprised. "Yes, though not in person" Alice replied. "I should have known they would try to make me look bad before grandma" she added. "They?" Daniel asked. It became obvious to him that Anita was not the only one with a desire to harm Alice and that Alice was already aware. "Yes, they." Alice replied and stood up. "Thank you Daniel, for everything" she said and left without Daniel stopping her. ***** They got home that evening and Alice faced Kelvin as soon as grandma Janet bade them good night and left for her room. They were still at the foyer. "So, you and your girlfriend laced my drink with alcohol to make me disgrace grandma and make her cut me off from the family?" Alice attacked. "You're lucky you got saved" Kelvin replied her in what was almost a whisper. "You really want me to tell Grandma the whole truth, right?" Alice said and a flash of fear swept through Kelvin's heart. "You won't dare!" he stepped closer to her, "I've
Alice was engrossed in her book when she heard a knock on the door. She stood up and walked to the door. She opened and saw Daniel. He wore a welcoming smile but Alice teeth-kissed and closed the door against him. Daniel quickly pushed the door open and came in behind her. "That's no way to welcome a friend" Daniel said Alice did not reply. She went back to her bed and continued with her book. "The welcome party has started" Daniel informed. Alice still said nothing. Daniel walked to the bed and snatched the book from her hand. "Hey! Give it back!" Alice stood up and tried to get the book back from him. Daniel dogged and took his hand which held the book behind him. "Get dressed. let's go to the party" Daniel instructed "You're not the boss of me" Alice eyes flashed defiance "Give me my book and get out of my room" she commanded "Not until you get dressed and come with me to the party." Daniel insisted "I'm not going to any party. I just want to read my book a
On the dance floor, Kelvin's eyes caught Alice, beautiful and charming, and in the arms of another man, dancing. He was disturbed. He never expected to see Alice in the party, but there she was, enjoying every bit of it. He was not sure how he felt. Was he angry? Was he jealous? He didn't know. Perhaps he was not expecting a girl of her status to be captivating men. He found himself being concerned and staring at her, though he tried very hard to ignore it. Daniel, who was dancing with Victoria, saw Alice on the dance floor with Lucas and his heart was filled with warmth. She danced effortlessly and graciously that one would think she was a pro. Alice occasionally smiled at Lucas words and Daniel's breath would cease. Gosh! she was very beautiful and very attractive to him. How was he going to survive six weeks with her on that ship without being tempted to at least give her a kiss? he wondered. Kelvin was equally confused at himself and his internal reactions to Alice on th
The gentle knock at the door stirred Alice from her restless sleep. She blinked against the morning light filtering through the curtains, disoriented for a moment before the events of the previous night came rushing back. She sat up slowly, running a hand through her tousled hair. The knock came again, firmer this time. “Who is it?” she called, her voice still groggy. “It’s Daniel,” came the familiar voice from the other side. “I brought breakfast.” Alice’s stomach twisted—not from hunger, but from the complicated emotions his presence always seemed to stir. She glanced at herself in the mirror across the room, noting her rumpled appearance, but decided she didn’t care. “Come in,” she said, her tone guarded. The door opened, and Daniel stepped inside, carrying a tray laden with a steaming pot of coffee, a plate of croissants, fresh fruit, and a small vase with a single rose. He looked effortlessly charming in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks, his easy smile softening as
Alice stepped into the ship’s grand lobby, the rich mahogany walls and sparkling chandeliers giving the space an air of opulence she still hadn’t gotten used to. Guests milled about, chatting in clusters or strolling leisurely, their laughter blending with the soft piano music playing in the background. At the concierge desk, Alice picked up a copy of the ship's glossy brochure, its cover showcasing a serene image of the ship cutting through turquoise waters. She turned away from the desk and settled into one of the plush armchairs nearby to flip through the pages. The brochure was packed with information: dining options, scheduled events, and an intricate map of the ship. Alice’s finger traced the pathways and staircases, her curiosity piqued by the variety of activities available—dance lessons, cooking classes, trivia contests,..... and even a sprawling arcade tucked away on the lower deck. As she read, the faint sound of familiar footsteps caught her attention. She looked up
Alice stepped into the suite, the quiet click of the door behind her marking her arrival. The cool air of the room greeted her, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the ship’s lobby she had just left. She longed for a moment of solitude, a chance to collect her thoughts after the strange mixture of lighthearted games with Daniel and the lingering bitterness of her marriage to Kelvin. But as she moved further into the room, she froze. Kelvin was there, standing by the window, his back to her. He was stiff, radiating tension, a half-empty glass of whiskey clutched in his hand. “You’re finally back,” he said without turning around, his voice clipped and tight. Alice narrowed her eyes but said nothing, moving toward the small sitting area and perching on the arm of a chair. Kelvin turned to face her, his expression hard. “We need to talk.” “Do we?” she asked coolly, folding her arms. “Don’t start, Alice,” he snapped, taking a step closer. “I just got off the call with Gr
Alice entered the massage room, her senses immediately enveloped by the soothing ambiance. The space was dimly lit, with soft, golden light emanating from small sconces on the walls. The gentle sound of a waterfall played in the background, mingling with the faint aroma of essential oils—lavender, eucalyptus, and hints of citrus. The masseuse, a serene woman with a calming presence, greeted Alice with a warm smile. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Sanders. My name is Lila, and I’ll be your masseuse today. You’ve selected a full-body relaxation massage, correct?” “Yes, that’s right,” Alice replied, her voice softer than usual as the tranquil environment began to lull her into ease. “Perfect. Please change into this robe and lie face down on the table. I’ll step out for a moment while you get comfortable.” Once Lila left, Alice slipped out of her clothing and into the plush, white robe provided. She settled herself onto the massage table, lying face down with her head resting on the cradle
That evening Alice headed for the dance class. The dance room was alive with energy as she stepped in. The polished wooden floors gleamed under the soft glow of the lights, and the air buzzed with laughter and music. Several people were already present, some practicing basic steps while others chatted amiably. Alice was a bit overwhelmed, being in the crowd was never her thing, but her love for dancing gave her the courage. Kimberly spotted Alice first and waved enthusiastically, her vibrant smile a stark contrast to Alice’s reserved demeanor. “Alice! Over here!” Kimberly called, motioning her over. Alice crossed the room, feeling slightly out of place among the people. She was dressed in a simple attire of a fitted blouse and trousers, just as most of the people there were. “Hi, Kimberly,” Alice greeted, her tone warm but tentative. “You made it!” Kimberly said, beaming. “I was worried you’d bail on me.” “I almost did,” Alice admitted, glancing around the room. “This… isn’t ex
The dining hall of the Sanders mansion was as grand as ever, bathed in the soft, golden glow of the chandeliers that hung like glittering constellations above. The long, polished table was set with an extravagant feast—crystal glasses filled with wine, silver platters laden with delicacies, and fine china that gleamed under the light. Yet, despite the opulence, the atmosphere was unusually light, almost cheerful. For the first time since returning from the cruise, Alice felt a semblance of ease. Conversations flowed effortlessly, drifting from business matters to travel anecdotes, and even lighthearted childhood memories as Grandma Janet indulged in her favorite pastime: storytelling. Kelvin sat beside Alice, his presence a constant reminder of the life she was still tethered to. He was as composed as ever, his sharp features softened slightly by the warm light. But Alice noticed the way his eyes flickered toward her occasionally, as if he were studying her. He pretended to focus on
Alice's heart had finally made its choice. It was Daniel, not Kelvin, who had captured her affection. For years, she had clung to the faint hope that Kelvin might change, that he might one day treat her with the respect and love she deserved as his wife. But time and time again, he had proven himself to be a man of little integrity—selfish, cold, and utterly unworthy of her devotion. The realization had settled deep within her, like a stone sinking to the bottom of the ocean. She could no longer deny the truth: Kelvin was not the man she had once believed him to be. He was, in fact, the worst kind of person—someone who took without giving, who demanded loyalty but offered none in return.Her decision was final. She would no longer waste her days yearning for Kelvin’s love, a love that had never truly existed. Instead, her heart had turned toward Daniel, a man who had shown her kindness, warmth, and a love that felt genuine and unselfish. Daniel’s presence in her life had been a beacon
The ship docked yet again. The sun blazed overhead as Alice, Daniel, Kimberly, and a handful of other passengers from the ship wandered through the bustling streets of the coastal town. The port was alive with energy—street vendors hawked their wares, the air thick with the scent of sizzling food, and the chatter of locals and tourists mingled into a lively symphony. For a moment, Alice allowed herself to forget the tensions aboard the ship, the tangled emotions surrounding Kelvin and Daniel, and simply breathed in the freedom of the foreign town. But then, she made a mistake. She had paused at a small shop, captivated by a display of handmade jewelry. Kimberly was deep in negotiation with a vendor, and Daniel had wandered off to inspect something across the street. Not wanting to disturb them, Alice decided to explore on her own. She ventured down a narrow alley, drawn by the charm of the old architecture and the quiet respite from the market’s chaos. But as she turned a corner, he
The ship was lively that evening, guests scattered across different entertainment spots, enjoying the luxury the cruise had to offer. Alice, however, had no interest in the grand dinners or the glamorous social events. After spending most of the day forcing smiles beside Kelvin for Grandma Janet, and her mind centered on Daniel and his feelings for her - she subtly excused herself from their company. Soon, she found herself in the dimly lit corridor leading to the deck—a place where she could be alone. Or so she thought. Just as she reached for the railing to steady herself, a voice stopped her. "Why do we always end up being alone?" Alice froze. She didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. The familiar depth of Daniel’s voice sent an immediate shiver down her spine. Taking a slow breath, she composed herself before facing him. He stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his sharp gaze never leaving her. The ship's soft lighting illuminated his face, casting shadows that m
The next morning, Alice made her way to one of the ship’s finest restaurants, her emotions still raw from the previous night. Dressed in an elegant yet simple blue dress, she tried to compose herself as she stepped inside, already spotting Grandma Janet seated at a prime spot by the window, where the sea stretched endlessly in the background. Kelvin was already there, seated beside his grandmother, his posture relaxed, but Alice could tell that he was on edge. Across from him sat Daniel, looking effortlessly handsome in a crisp white shirt with the top button undone. His eyes briefly met Alice’s as she entered, but he looked away just as quickly. Standing behind Grandma Janet was Simi, her ever-efficient personal assistant. Simi was a tall, slender woman in her forties with a composed demeanor, always dressed impeccably in professional yet stylish outfits. She was rarely seen without her tablet, always ready to take notes or handle whatever task was required of her. "Alice, my d
Alice sat by the poolside, her thoughts tangled in a whirlwind of emotions. The kiss with Kelvin had left her restless, confused, and questioning everything she thought she knew about him—and herself. She felt a surge of romantic emotions flowing through her. He was her husband and it was right before men and heaven that she would weave fantasies about him. She thought to herself, maybe Kelvin was sincere about making the three years of their marriage worth it. Maybe he was being sorry for deceiving her into the marriage and making her to suffer. She remembered how he had apologized to her by the pool, showing regret and remorse.The only thing she prayed earnestly in her heart was for love to bloom in his heart for her, so strong that he would never want to divorce her after getting his inheritance. And she would be able to forget Daniel and his love. “A penny for your thoughts?” she heard and glanced up to see Daniel standing beside her, his usual easy smile in place. His presen
A heavy silence hung between them as Alice stared at the bouquet in front of her. Alice inhaled slowly, then exhaled, forcing herself to remain composed. She could feel Kelvin’s eyes on her, silently pleading, silently challenging. Then, with a measured calm, she reached for the bouquet. She didn’t hold it close or smell the flowers, but the mere act of picking them up was enough of an answer. “Alright,” she said, her voice even, betraying nothing. “Let’s have breakfast.” Kelvin, however, looked relieved. Without another word, he pulled out her chair as she stood, an uncharacteristically chivalrous move that did not go unnoticed. As they sat, the waiter immediately brought over another tray of breakfast for Kelvin, as if he had already placed the order in anticipation of her agreement. Alice arched a brow at him, but he only smirked. “You were that sure I’d say yes?” she asked. Kelvin leaned back in his chair, his smirk turning into something softer. “No. But I wanted to b
Dim lighting, soft music, and a half-empty bottle of wine and a glass of wine in each person's hand set the mood as Alice, Daniel, and Kimberly settled onto the couch. Alice had made up her mind to have fun and forget about Kelvin or the rules of her being married, after all her husband was not worth it. Kimberly spoke, "We're starting with the game, Never have I ever...." "Nice" Daniel smiled. Kimberly turned to Alice, "You do know how to play, right?" "Of course, I do" Alice smiled "Perfect" Kimberly leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “Alright, let’s get this game started. I’ll go first.” She picked up her glass, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Never have I ever… kissed someone and regretted it.” Alice’s fingers tensed around her glass. The memory of that night on the deck with Daniel resurfaced. The way she had allowed herself to be drawn in, the warmth of his body so close, the whisper of his lips against hers before she had pulled away—before reality had come cras
Lucas settled down with Alice by the pool, he joined her in drinking coffee and just chatting casually and laughing. ".....I can't believe you would do a thing like that" Lucas said, chuckling. "I had to" Alice replied, "the man would have gone straight to my father and I would have been severely punished" "Then you would have known better than to steal someone's fruit" Lucas admonished jokingly. "Oh come on. It wasn't stealing. He was just being stingy. Everyone in my village were liberal people, he was the only different one. And in my defense, I was starving" Alice replied. "Were you always this mischievous back home?" he asked her. "I wasn't. That was just one time" Alice said, "I am a very sweet soul" she smiled at him. He was stunned by her beauty for a brief moment, "You are indeed sweet" he said admiringly. Alice trailed off, "Perhaps too sweet for people to take advantage off" her expression saddened. Lucas noticed, "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked,