Thirty Seven

CHAPTER 37

The office of Golden High's CEO.

"You haven't answered my question, Alicia," Nicholas said urgently. His voice was low but affirmative. Their eyes met, even though they were now separated by a glass table in the room belonging to the CEO of Golden High, Mr. Wilson Blake.

Alicia and Nicholas sat on different sofas facing each other in the room. Meanwhile, Ace chose to be alone by sitting on his father's seat of honor in the corner of the room so that he could freely watch the two of them from there.

Instead of making a scene in the main hallway and being witnessed by many people (who didn't really understand their point), Nicholas decided to take the two of them to talk about all this in private, in the CEO's office - who happened to be away at the time attending an important meeting downtown. Mr. Wilson Blake also graciously lent Nicholas his office for the duration of the investigation with the agreement that Nicholas would catch the culprit as soon as possible.

"She went with me to the city center," Ace interjected. Helping Alicia who seemed reluctant to speak out. She leaned her back against her father's big chair and tapped the table in front of her. "What else do you think?"

"I'm not talking to you," Nicholas said flatly. The brown bead had not moved at all and was still staring straight at Alicia. "Why did you go out with her?"

"Because we're dating," Ace said again, this time sounding like he was proud of himself.

Nicholas seemed to be taken aback by Ace's words and reversed his position. He snorted in amusement and raised one eyebrow. "A date?" he asked incredulously.

"I went out to buy a new cell phone. Is that not allowed here?" Alicia finally opened her voice. Although it sounded cold and brief, Nicholas's emotions managed to be made to subside. "I was just almost killed by someone. Shouldn't I inform my family, detective?"

"Yes!" interrupted Ace excitedly. " She's right. She really needs that phone and that officer of yours is giving us a hard time, you know."

Nicholas took a deep breath and began to relax himself. I don't know what was making him so upset at the moment, but it was clear that the young detective didn't like it when Alicia got too close to the man named Ace Blake. Nicholas then shrugged his shoulders lazily. "So what now? Did you contact your parents?"

There was silence for a few seconds afterward as Alicia did not answer immediately. Those blue eyes just looked straight at Nicholas and closed her mouth tightly. "I don't think so," she murmured.

"In that case, call your parents immediately!" Nicholas suggested.

"Hey, you don't have the right to tell her!" snapped Ace unhappily. "Isn't it Alicia's right to contact her parents or not? Don't go meddling in other people's business like that."

Nicholas turned an annoyed expression towards Ace. "Will you shut up? You interrupted what I was saying earlier." He snorted rudely and Alicia just glanced at them in turn.

Ace rolled his eyes lazily and huffed. "You sound like you're minding her business and it bothers me!"

"Hey! You--"

"I'll call Dad when I'm done here," Alicia cut in with a flat tone. She didn't want to hear another argument between the two men. "Isn't there something so urgent that you came and met us, detective?"

Nicholas raised both eyebrows high. As if reminded of his original purpose for coming to that place. "Ah, that..." and scratched the nape of his neck which was not itchy at all. "About that---"

"You wouldn't have come here just because you heard I went out with her, would you?" Alicia could be heard urging her gently.

"Oh, no, no!" Nicholas shook his head quickly. "I'm here to tell you that we found another piece of DNA under James's fingernail, which I think we missed at the time."

Ace got up and moved to the sofa-right next to Alicia-with enthusiasm. So Alicia turned to him sharply. "Did James scratch her? Leave a scar?" she asked casually. Ace didn't seem intimidated by Alicia's cold stare or Nicholas' confused look.

"Well..." mumbled Nicholas reluctantly. "I guess so."

Ace suddenly snapped his fingers in the air. "That means the perpetrator probably has scars on his body," he guessed. He then turned his face to Alicia. "What do you think, Alicia?"

Alicia turned her head slowly and had a flat expression, just like before. Why was she acting like we were so familiar? But a few seconds later, Alicia nodded in agreement. "I think so as well."

While Alicia and Ace were still exchanging glances, Nicholas stayed where he was. His mind ordered him to observe the two people abruptly. What kind of feeling was this. He hurriedly brushed off the awkwardness that was probably only his own and said, "By the way, why did you change your hair color?"

Alicia was stunned for a moment, unable to believe what she had just heard. The black-haired girl finally turned to Nicholas. "I'm a little uncomfortable with the bangs and the color... it makes you look a little less like yourself," Nic added.

Ace chuckled softly. "You're very rude, huh? Commenting on a girl's appearance in that way."

"It's okay." Alicia spoke up. "I just need his judgment. If she thinks that, it means others will think the same." Ace's face suddenly waned and Nicholas grinned in satisfaction.

Ace shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "But I don't see you that way." Alicia immediately drew her gaze towards Ace. "Yeah... although that bangs of yours does match the shape of your face a bit. But... but I think you're still, well, you know, going to catch everyone's attention with your new look." Ace was suddenly nervous as Alicia looked at him like that.

The atmosphere suddenly turned tense as Alicia remained silent and did not react. Moments later, Alicia got up from the sofa as said, "I have to go back to my room." and walked away.

Nicholaspun immediately laughed at what had just happened before his eyes. Making Ace frown even more annoyed across from him. Nicholas then shook his head softly as he said, "You're trying to flirt with her and she just looks at you like this." The young detective then mimicked Alicia's facial expression and laughed again. "Tsk, you're so lame."

"Stop laughing or I'll kill you right now!"

"God, this is driving me crazy," Nicholas said with a half laugh. "How can he take a fool like you for a walk? You should have seen your face earlier. It was so ridiculous," Nic continued in a mocking tone.

"What do you want, asshole!" Ace snorted sarcastically and looked away. "You'd better get out of here!"

Nicholas then muffled his laughter and cleared his throat softly. "Ah, yes, by the way, when is the gym schedule at this dorm?"

"What are you asking for?"

Nicholas' previously relaxed expression turned serious. He then leaned towards Ace and gazed intently at the brown bead.

.

.

.

"Because I have to check something."