Ninety Four

CHAPTER 94

Brittany tapped Alicia on the shoulder. She realized something was wrong with her best friend. "What's wrong, Alicia? Are you uncomfortable? Are you seeing someone you know?"

Alicia blinked. She gasped and immediately turned around. Smiling awkwardly, the girl opened her mouth. "I kind of saw-"

But Alicia didn't finish her sentence. She considered talking about Ace in front of Kevin. They weren't very close, so Alicia felt reluctant to discuss it.

"Seeing who, Alicia?"

Brittany scanned the surroundings. Of all the people huddled around, there was no one that Brittany was sure of. Alicia looked at Kevin for a moment, then turned to Brittany again and replied, "No, forget it. I just saw it wrong."

Kevin then commented. "I want to take Brittany to lunch at a steakhouse. Would you like to join us, Alicia?"

Brittany sulked, shaking Alicia's arm, which was wrapped in a long T-shirt. "You have to come, Alicia. It's to celebrate my graduation and Kevin's birthday."

The man who was now holding Brittany around the waist nodded in agreement. "Brittany's right. I didn't invite many people, so I thought you'd feel comfortable."

But Alicia felt uncomfortable about joining. She scratched her neck awkwardly and smiled bitterly. "Sorry, Britt. I have to meet Nicholas to talk about something."

"God, that sucks." Brittany looked at Alicia. "Can't you just relax for one day?"

"Tsk, you know there's a case waiting for us, right?"

Kevin then reached out, trying to shake Alicia's hand. "Well then, good luck with your work, Alicia." Alicia accepted Kevin's hand. She nodded. "I'll see you soon."

"Bye."

Brittany hugged Alicia, then kissed her right and left cheeks as a farewell to the day. "Let me know when you've met Nicholas. At least I'll know that you're okay. OK?"

"Sure, Britt."

"Bye, Alicia!"

"Bye!"

Alicia tightened the straps of the backpack stowed behind her back. She looked at the place where she had last seen Ace and decided to check. While walking towards the location, Alicia also made sure that she wasn't followed by anyone.

The people Alicia passed were mostly students who were celebrating their graduation. They were wearing their togas and graduation robes and gathering with their closest friends. Some just talked, had long discussions and many also captured this moment in their cameras.

This graduation day was an important moment. Alicia should have been there too, passing the graduation day with a happy feeling. But the girl chose to take a leave of absence due to the recent death incident.

Her memories of the bad old days seemed to rise to the surface. It was like a heavy stone that suddenly rose to the surface of the water. Slowly, but more and more clearly.

The more Alicia tried to forget, the faster the bad memories came back.

Alicia took a step back. She looked around. "Looks like I did see it wrong."

"Alicia!"

The voice made Alicia look back. Luke was there, an old friend who was also related to all her bad past.

Alicia furrowed her brow as Luke made a small run towards her. "Luke?"

Luke was still the same as before. He raised a smile on his lips as wide as he could. Lowering his toga cap, he began to speak, "I didn't expect to see you here. I heard you took some time off last year, did you come to see Brittany?"

and yes, Alicia nodded in agreement. "Besides seeing Brittany, I'm also going to see the faculty to discuss my leave of absence. I think I'll be continuing next year."

"Wow, that's good." Luke looked around, seemingly looking for someone. "Have you met Brittany? I haven't seen her all day."

"I have, Luke. What's wrong?"

Luke bit his pale lower lip. He had taken up smoking after entering university, so it was natural for his lips to look gray. But that wasn't what bothered Alicia, it was Luke's expression as he looked around. He looked like he was looking for Brittany, but on the other hand, Alicia could also tell that Luke was worried about something.

"Luke, is everything okay?"

"Ah, about that...," Luke scratched his hair, then reached down and gently squeezed the toga in his hand. "I know Brittany is dating a guy named Kevin. He's a student in my chemistry class. I heard he was also recommended by our professor to work for a big company as a core researcher."

Alicia mumbled, then shrugged. "That sounds impressive. What's the problem?"

"There's a rumor that Kevin... has a terrible fetish for the chemicals he studies," Luke said, his voice lowered, as if afraid of being overheard. Luke then cleared his throat to bring his voice back to its original volume and continued, "I'm not saying this because I'm jealous, but I think you should be suspicious that Brittany and Kevin could have a redflag relationship that you're not aware of."

Alicia didn't comment right away. She let Luke sigh, before Alicia finally explained, "So far, I think Brittany and Kevin's relationship is fine. We just met in person, and my impression when I first met Kevin was also quite impressive. You don't have to worry about Brittany, I'll take care of her."

"That's good. Even though Brittany and I aren't as close as we used to be, I think I still need to tell you this. That's all I can say to you, Alicia."

"That's a good intention. Thank you, Luke."

Luke smiled because Alicia didn't judge him. She even looked at Luke with a natural expression like any other day.

"I'll leave now. Bye, Alicia."

"Bye, Luke."

Luke had left and Alicia prepared to walk towards the university headquarters. But her steps were halted when she turned around and saw Kevin standing in front of her suddenly and surprisingly. He was like a ghost whose appearance was unpredictable.

Alicia was stunned by Kevin's appearance. She bent her forehead deeply and exclaimed, "Oh my God! You startled me! Kevin? What are you doing here?"