Chapter Four

“Y-Y-Yes, I’m fine.” Alice replied, surprised that he was talking to her.

“Are you sure? You were laying on the floor when I came in.” he said smiling softly.

“Yes, I’m sure.” She chuckled, “And with all that happened, your attention was on the girl on the floor?”

“Right from the moment I came in.” he said definitively, still holding that smile on his face, “I’m Michael Cooper, the new head of security at the company, but you can call me Mike” he stretched out his hand.

“Alice Gerrard, Jane’s personal assistant, but you can call me Alice,” she reached out her hand to meet his, looking straight at him with an innocent smile, “thanks for saving us.”

A black Limo was approaching, it made its way through the police officers.

“Looks like your ride is here” Mike said. Still holding her hand, he led her way towards Jane, who was talking with the senior officer.

“Sorry to interrupt you again, Miss Pearson.” He had let go of Alice’s hand.

“No problem.” She said, turning to him. She was calmer now.

“I believe you’ve finished giving your statement, your car is here.” He said, directing her gaze towards the Limo. “I’ll handle every other thing on this end.”

“Okay then. Thank you, Officer and Mr. Cooper.” They shook hands as she made way for her car.

She got into the car and exhaled loudly, looking out the tinted window. Alice came in from the other door, a hidden smile on her face. The car’s engine started.

“Amos? That’s you this time, right?” Jane asked, trying to get a good look at the driver.

“Yes, Miss Pearson.”

She relaxed back on her seat, facing her face back to the window as he drove off. She was still looking at him.

“You can drop me off here” Alice said to the driver.

The car made a stop in front of a convenience store.

“Are you sure?” Jane questioned. “After the day we’ve had, I don’t mind dropping you off at your place.”

“Oh, it’s no problem at all. I just have some errands to run, that’s all” She began to pull the door handle.

“Okay then, if you insist, I won’t force you.” Jane replied, tiredness in her eyes. “Anyways, rest up. See you tomorrow.”

“Okay, Goodnight Miss Pers… I mean Jane.”

Jane chuckled. “Goodnight Alice.” She said, smiling.

Alice stepped out into the night, waving Jane goodbye as her car drove off. She pulled out her phone from her bag, it was flooded with messages from the same number.

“What happened?”

“Did it work?”

“Where are you now?”

“Come see me”

“I’m on my way.” She replied.

Alice Sighed. Putting her phone back, she called a cab and went off into the night.

“This is close enough; I’ll take it from here.” Alice said.

The yellow cab parked under a street light. Stepping out, she looked straight at a huge mansion not too far away. Once the cab was out of sight, she made her way towards it

Its massive gates opened instantly as she approached, revealing beautiful architecture decorated by plants, flowers and lights.

Walking straight to the front door, an older man stood there, waiting for her. He was distinguished in appearance, with sharply cut hair, neat face, and good body shape for someone in their 50’s.

As soon as she was close, he grabbed her and held her in a warm embrace. Alice reciprocated the action as they stood there, in each other’s arms.

“Are you alright?” he whispered softly into her ear.

“It didn’t work.” She whispered into his chest, shaking her head in frustration.

“What?”

“I said, our plan didn’t work.” She said in a higher tone, pushing herself away.

“How…What…Who was that man” she continued, frustration in her voice.

“He’s the new head of security that Sharon hired personally.” The man said, trying to leading her inside. “Let’s go in before you catch a cold”

“Wait? She’s back? Since when?” Alice’s frustration turned into a calculative fear.

“She flew in late in the evening, not too long before you and Jane left.” He took her hand softly.

“And she’s hiring the security now.” She continued, following his lead inside. “And why was he following us?”

“We were all shocked when she walked into the boardroom announcing a new chief of security.” He answered as they walked into the living room. “And, once the commotion from downstairs reached us, she sent him out to find you.”

“Fuck!” Alice whispered.

They sat down on the two-seater couch in the living room. He put his arm around her shoulder as she leaned into him. She was tired and enjoyed the feel of his warmth, it brought down her temper.

“Do you think Sharon unto us?” Alice asked gently.

Looking straight at the television screen, the news was on and Jane was the topic of discussion, Alice winced at her sight.

“No, that’s impossible.” he said softy, holding her tighter in his arms. “Besides, you shouldn’t be worrying about that. Just relax for now, tomorrow we’ll try again.”

Her eyes were already heavy as she reasted her head on his chest. It had been a log day.

“Oh, and I hope you called Jane, she is your daughter after all” She asked, yawning the words in right before she falls asleep.

The very next day, Jane was back in the office as though nothing had happened. In fact, she seemed happy, responding to all the greetings of concern from her employees that morning with a bright smile and:

“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

“Are you sure though? I was there with you and I know I’m still not okay.” Alice questioned as they stood in her office.

“You shouldn’t worry too much Alice, you’ll get wrinkles.” Jane said in an upbeat tone, as she turned to see herself on the window in her office.

Alice was entirely confused. Why on earth was her boss behaving like this, she even looked a little bit different.