Seventy Three

CHAPTER 73

Alicia's flat, New York.

"You should at least eat something to keep from getting sick, Alicia."

Another long sigh ended Brittany's words, which Alicia took for granted. The girl remained silent, curled up under her blanket and staring at the large window in front of her with a sad look. The blue irises no longer glowed. Only sadness and deep sorrow emanated from her dim eyes. Her eyes that were puffy from not being able to stop crying also made her state look alarming.

"It's been three days since you've been silent like this. You know, you're starting to worry me, Alicia," Brittany said again. She then placed a bowl of homemade carrot soup on the nightstand. "I told Ace and he's going back to New York today."

Alicia furrowed her brow and turned around. "You told him?"

And the blonde haired girl just shrugged her shoulders indifferently. "I can't keep seeing you like this." Brittany's brown eyes glanced briefly at the soup bowl on the nightstand before returning to Alicia. "You haven't eaten for three days, Alicia. You'll get sick if you keep torturing yourself like this."

Instead, Alicia turned around and looked out the window again. Seemingly ignorant of the news Brittany had just delivered. "I can't let her go, Britt."

"Nicholas will handle the case and we'll bring the culprit to justice soon," Brittany clarified. "You trust him, don't you?"

"But Mrs. Portman...," Alicia bit her lip, holding back the tears that were once again pushing their way out. "She's like family to me."

Brittany could only exhale heavily before crawling up the bed to Alicia. She sat there, even though Alicia seemed to have no intention of stopping to look at her. "We can't change fate, Alicia. Everyone dies in due time and when that time comes, we just have to let it go." then Alicia turned around, looking at her with a sad look. "Don't push yourself anymore, Alicia."

The clear liquid from Alicia's eyes, which she had been damming up, now flowed quickly as her body rose and her hands immediately clasped Brittany tightly. And vice versa, Brittany also embraced her best friend more deeply as Alicia's sobs sounded increasingly pained.

"It's going to be okay, Alicia," Brittany said soothingly.

Then Alicia stopped crying. Her body was still shaking, but she finally broke the embrace and looked straight into her best friend's brown eyes. "I'll find the culprit," she said determinedly.

"But that means--"

"You said Nicholas is on the case, didn't you?" interrupted Alicia excitedly. "It means it will be easier for me to get into the investigation and find the culprit."

"Alicia, but I don't think that's a good idea," Brittany argued, trying to dissuade her best friend from getting back into criminal matters that might be dangerous for her.

But Alicia was adamant and determined. "Just keep this a secret from Ace and I'll find the culprit as soon as I can." She grasped Brittany's hand afterwards. "Trust me, Britt."

Feeling unable to do much more, the blonde haired girl could only nod in agreement and return Alicia's grateful hug.

"Thank you for helping me this far, Brittany."

***

Avril Lavigne's melodious voice accompanied Alicia's drizzly night. She looked at the large window in her room that had been covered with dew since earlier. She could clearly see that the sky was dark and looked as sad as she was.

She let out a long sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. The blue irises were indeed highlighting the scenery behind the window, but her mind was wandering somewhere else.

Until the sound of knocking outside brought her out of her reverie.

Who was visiting last night? Alicia thought.

But she kept moving towards the main door to find her own answer. With caution, she stepped closer to the still-knocking door. And in one short breath, she dared to pull the doorknob and open it.

"Alicia!" Before she could say anything, her guest had already rushed inside and hugged her. Ace was the one. And Alicia's eyes looked incredulous. "Are you okay, dear?"

"Ace?"

"I was so worried when I heard everything from Brittany." She clung to Alicia's body tighter now. Ace clearly sounded very, very worried for Alicia. "What's going on with you exactly?"

But Alicia chose to loosen the hug from her lover. She then rolled her eyes lazily and replied, "I'm fine, Ace."

It was clear that Alicia had lost her feelings for Ace lately, plus she was in a bad mood because of Mrs. Portman's departure. Now, Ace was back with his excessive behavior? Alicia certainly felt uncomfortable.

"I heard you haven't eaten anything for three days," Ace said with concern. He reached into his pants pocket and handed Alicia a box of European chocolates. "I brought these for you. So please... eat them."

Alicia looked at the box of chocolates for a few seconds, before guilt set in and weakened her heart. She quickly accepted the chocolate box with the white ribbon on it and smiled faintly at Ace. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you," she said trying to sound sincere. "I... couldn't, just couldn't do it."

The tall man then gently rubbed Alicia's cheek. His dark brown irises looked at the girl before him sadly. "It's okay dear. I understand the situation." Alicia smiled back. It wasn't as warm as usual, but at least it was enough to make Ace feel relieved. "I'll stay over to see how you're doing tonight," she continued.

It took a while before Alicia finally agreed to Ace's offer. "Okay." After all, it was probably a good thing that Alicia had stopped for a moment to make her heart feel a little better.

She hadn't eaten yet, her mind was becoming very muddled and unfocused. Stopping for a while might make her refreshed for the next day.

Because tomorrow, she would be preparing to investigate the murder of Mrs. Portman, her favorite lecturer. []