Chapter 149
149 Is This a Date?
149 Is This a Date?
“You guys go ahead. I might be late.”
Chloe blinked at Alice’s words, surprised.
She used to think it didn’t really matter whether Alice showed up or not–but ever since she’d seen what Alice could really do, that opinion had changed.,
Now, she depended on her, just a bit.
Alice’s presence gave her a sense of security, and hearing that she might not be there on time made Chloe tense up instantly, like all her nerves had just snapped to attention.
“You’re not planning to skip out, are you?” Chloe asked, trying her best to sound convincing.
“You’re our deputy director; you’re the backbone of the tech team! If you don’t show up, people are going to think we’re a joke.”
Alice didn’t respond at first.
“I’ve got something minor to take care of that day,” she finally said. “I might be half an hour late.”
Chloe did the math.
The forum always started with speeches from various higher–ups anyway.
The real action–the head–to–head tech challenge–didn’t begin until after that.
Each team would build a system on–site and try to breach each other’s firewalls. It was pretty straightforward.
Thirty minutes? The speeches wouldn’t even be over by then.
She would make it on time.
Even if Alice showed up late, it’d still be fine. Their team wasn’t exactly made of amateurs.
“Alright, fine,” Chloe muttered, still a little reluctant. “But don’t forget about it, okay?”
She didn’t exactly trust Alice’s memory.
Alice sighed helplessly.
“Didn’t you already talk to my assistant? Janice will remind me. I won’t be that late.”
That finally calmed Chloe down.
That evening, Alice finally saw Eric again.
Things had been hectic with the fashion department lately–especially after Matt and Josh took a major
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149 Is This a Date?
fall because of it.
Eric had barely had time to breathe, let alone meet.
During dinner, he took out an invitation and placed it on the table.
“Want to go?”
Alice suddenly remembered that on the day they visited their family, Eric had played a game of chess with Gary.
Although Eric wasn’t ranked internationally, he clearly had the skills.
Gary must have noticed and decided to extend an invitation.
“Well, look at you.” She chuckled as she flipped through the invitation. “Looks like you’re more in demand than I am.”
Eric didn’t react. He continued eating with elegance and poise. Even though they were just in the company cafeteria, somehow, he made it feel like a fine dining experience.
Only after he’d swallowed his bite did he speak.
“It’s just a stepping stone I prepared for you.”
Alice was puzzled by his words.
“How’d you find out I would attend this?”
Eric raised an eyebrow.
“Why should I need to know your plans?”
That response threw her for a second.
She was struggling for the words.
He didn’t even know why she wanted to attend–or whether it would help or hurt her–and still, he just handed the invitation over like it was nothing.
She didn’t know how to respond to that kind of faith.
“Thanks.”
It took her a while to finally say it.
Eric put down his utensils and wiped his hands.
“You’re welcome.”
Alice stared. “Wow. That was direct
She rolled her eyes at him.
149 Is This a Date?
Nearby, Daniel was eating at another table and listening in, growing more and more anxious by the
second.
He knew Eric liked Alice. He was clearly trying to help Alice by teaching Gary a lesson.
Why couldn’t he just say that?
Seriously–when was Mr. Eric going to learn how to speak up?
Daniel grinned awkwardly. “Mrs. Alice,” he called out, trying to help.
“There’s something else. There’s this art exhibition coming up, and Mr. Eric’s a big fan. If you’re free, would you like to go?”
Alice didn’t have anything else planned, so she nodded.
Before Daniel could even finish, Eric stepped in.
“It starts at eight tonight.”
Alice couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
Eric was speechless.
He didn’t say a word.
Alice stared at the poker–faced man and shook her head. Classic Eric–no emotion, no initiative.
Fine, then. She went back to finishing her meal.
Just as she got up to leave, Eric suddenly spoke.
“Yes.”
Alice blinked. “Huh?”
It took her a few seconds to realize he was answering her earlier question from dinner.
So, yes–it was a date.
She had no words.
“Mr. Eric,” she said after a moment.
“Yeah?”
She smiled. “If I have time, I should take you in for a reflex test.”
Eric frowned. “You think I’m slow?”
Alice raised a brow. “Aren’t you?”
Eric couldn’t argue with that.
5 Free Cons
149 Is This a Date?
Daniel was trying so hard not to burst into laughter, his shoulders were shaking from holding it in .
That night, Alice and Eric arrived at the Cosmos Art Exhibition.
The place was packed.
On display were works by some of the most prominent international artists, making the contrasts in style all the more striking.
Naturally, each artist had their own crowd of fans, and debates were already breaking out.
Alice glanced around at the various styles and found herself drawn to the abstract pieces.
“These are actually pretty clever,” she murmured. “They’re connecting the human brain with nature . This one even links it to a grassy field.”
“That’s not a grassy field,” a voice scoffed from nearby, sharp and dismissive.