Chapter 25: Shopping

At XXX Crime Investigation Office...

April couldn't stop herself but check the time from her wristwatch while looking at the glass door of their office.

She was waiting for Erick. Bryan informed them a while ago that Erick would be late today.

She was wondering why Erick always went home early for the past few days and now he was also late which was very seldom and unusual for him to do.

He was very workaholic and every time they got a tough case to solve and Erick even stayed in the office overnight.

Bryan and June did their fieldwork. They were still searching and tracing the whereabouts of the bodyguard and waitress using the photographic sketches drawn by the expert.

Special Task Force Eagle members Carl and Allen were accompanying them with the search.

On the other hand, Rose and April together with the girl members of Task Force Eagle were left in the office.

They were checking on the social media, internet, and CCTV footage in the City whether they could see those people they were looking for right now.

They've already used their system and satellites to check those people but to no avail, but still couldn't find them.

" Argh...! I am getting a headache by just looking at these monitors," Rose complained to them as she massaged her temples.

"It's of no use. There is a high possibility that they've disguised themselves very well before appearing at the Banquet."

"This was a well-organized plan." Jane shared her thoughts with them.

"Yeah, not just a well-organized plan but also a very well prepared plan which was implemented smoothly."

"If they just left any fingerprints we can identify them easily," Marie said as she agreed on Jane's statement.

The three women sighed in frustration. Rose noticed April that she seemed out of their world. She didn't react to what they were saying.

"Hey! a penny for your thoughts." Rose tapped April's shoulder to get her attention. The two girls looked at her also and were puzzled.

She was astonished when Rose suddenly tapped her shoulder. "What?" she asked them innocently.

"What's with the door and with your watch? You are checking it from time to time and kept on looking at the entrance door."

Rose looked at her in the eyes.

"Isn't it obvious? She is definitely waiting for someone!" Jane teased her.

"I think it was our handsome and very kind Chief Detective Inspector Erick Lee," she added

"What nonsense are you spouting about?!" April tried her best to deny it but her blushing face betrayed her.

"Look your face is all red. You're blushing! Ahem!!" Marie teased her even more.

"You look like a very worried girlfriend waiting for your boyfriend to come," Rose said and the three women giggled at the same time.

April just helplessly looked at the three women who were laughing at her right now.

"Can you stop teasing me or else I will inform Captain Jason that you are all slacking off. Just focus on finding the culprits okay?"

She warned them which only received another laugh from the three ladies.

"We are not the only ones who are slacking off. It is you! Instead of looking at the monitor, your attention is with that glass door."

Rose reminded her as she pointed her finger in the direction of the entrance door.

They were still laughing when Bryan and June arrived.

"What's with the lively atmosphere here? Did you find something important? Have you tracked down our targets?"

June bombarded them with questions as soon as they entered.

The four women ignored him and focused their attention on Bryan.

They knew that Bryan was the closest to Erick so if they wanted to know some updates about him they could ask Bryan directly.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you planning to do something bad to me?"

He asked them suspiciously as he noticed the meaningful stare that the women were giving him right now.

The four ladies rolled their eyes when they saw Bryan's exaggeration.

"When will Chief Lee come to work today?" It was April who asked him immediately.

"I don't know. How am I supposed to know? Am I his guardian?" Bryan replied sarcastically.

"Why are you overreacting? We were just asking." This time it was Rose who had spoken.

"I told you already that he would be coming late today. If you want to know what time he will be reporting at work why don't you ask him yourselves? Why are you pestering me huh?." Bryan defended himself.

"We were just curious. It is unusual for Chief to be late at work and for the past few days, he also went home early."

"We were just worried about him. Does he have any problem?" April said.

The other ladies stared at her intently and looked with each other meaningfully as if they could understand what's on their minds.

'Did she just say 'We were worried' Isn't it obvious that she was the only worried one why involves us?'

Bryan was bewildered upon hearing this.

'Why do I feel like I am in an interrogation room? They already sensed something. What should I do? Erick asked me not to inform them about Jasmine in the meantime.'

"You are just thinking too much. Chief is under a lot of stress right now because of our current case so he deserves to go home early if he wants to." Bryan shrugged.

"Besides we all know that Chief is very hardworking and he always put his best so why question him about being so late," Bryan explained spontaneously.

He was not sure if they would believe him. Thankfully June who was standing silently on the side spoke up and supported him.

"I agree with him," June said nodding his head.

Meanwhile, the man whom they were talking about was still at his home together with the assassin that they were looking for.

"How are your wounds?"Erick asked Elle with a concerned tone. They've finished their breakfast and were now sitting on the couch in the living room.

"They are a lot better now." she simply replied.

"Do you want to go out for a while? Let's go shopping. You need some clothes and any other things that you want to buy." Erick suggested to her.

"I thought you will be going to work after our breakfast". Elle frowned upon hearing his suggestion.

"There's no rush. Besides I can't just leave you here just like that. You are my guest and I should at least accommodate your needs. If I don't then I am afraid you will give me a low rating. haha," Erick joked at her.

Elle:"....."

Elle was speechless. She didn't know how to react with that...' Is that a joke? So lame.' she thought to herself.

When Erick didn't get any reaction from her and felt the awkward atmosphere he regretted saying his joke.

'How ruthless. So embarrassing! She didn't give me any face and didn't even pretend that it is not a corny joke'

He just shook his head and smiled sheepishly at her looking like a child who was guilty of doing something bad.

He coughed trying to clear the awkward atmosphere and tried his best to act maturely this time. He invited her again.

"I mean let's go shopping to buy you your daily necessities and some clothes. It is better if you will be the one to choose based on your preferences."

"I am sorry for troubling you with this. Are you sure is it okay? I don't have money right now."

"Of course I do. Don't worry about it okay? Let me help you." He assured her giving his charming smile.

"If you insist then I will not object with that anymore. I promise I'll pay you back afterward. Thank you." she replied to him with a serious tone.

"Wait for me, I will just change my clothes," she added before she went to her room

'Is she really grateful to me? Why is it I feel that she was rather annoyed than feeling thankful? The way she said Thank you was very cold. And what's with that serious look?' He thought to himself.

"She is like hot and cold. She looks approachable sometimes but aloof most of the time. Women are really difficult to read what's on their minds."

He mumbled again as he shook his head while smiling and looking at the retreating back of Elle.