"Valdez." Victoria called as she searched for the petite man.
"Valdez, I can not find Alice, The boss is waiting." She explained immediately she saw him crouched in the store room probably looking for something.
"The boss?" Valdez asked standing up, a file in his hand.
"Yes, he opted to drop us since he is also going there for some business." She explained, her gaze wandering as they searched for Alice.
Before she could ask again, she heard Alice yell.
"I am here." Startling the both of them for different reasons.
" Alice how do you feel now?"
"You do not have to go, I will talk to Sir Adam, he will understand." Valdez said carefully patting her shoulder in reassurance.
"What is going on here?" A confused Victoria asked.
"Alice does not feel too well, I heard her throw up earlier." Valdez explained, looking pitifully at Alice. He did not want to voice it out but he was feeling guilty for he had made her work so hard these days.
" Oh my God!" Victoria exclaimed rushing to hold a stupefied Alice.
It was true she had pretended to be sick but she had not thought the plan through when she chose to do that. Her sickness will only succeed in stopping just her from going and that would do nothing to change the plot. She needed to delay them, all of them.
"I am okay, I actually had a pancake that had milk in it. I didn't know the quantity could trigger my overly sensitive lactose intolerant gut, but since I've thrown up, I feel as good as new." She said making sure to add the necessary enthusiasm to convince them.
The duo looked at each other, then at her again and after a very short battle in their heads agreed to carry her along.
"If you feel any change please Inform me first okay.." Valdez pushed as they walked to the parking lot.
"Don't worry, I am fine." She assured yet again.
"What took so long?" Adam asked immediately they arrived at the car.
"We are sorry sir Alice..." Victoria was cut short but by Valdez's elbow as he gently hit her stomach.
She turned to him and he shook his head.
She should know Adam by now, if he hears Alice was sick, he would not let her work for the day talk more of taking her along and knowing how desperately the young girl wanted to come along, it would break her heart if such happened, he just hoped she would be okay till they returned so that he will give her a leave for the day himself.
Adam did not push any further as he got into the car, Valdez and Victoria quickly followed to seat at the last array of seat behind, Alice who was waiting for their lead also made to seat with them when Adam spoke up.
"The seats are made for two people."
She looked at him then back at them wondering if any of them understood what he meant by that but to her dismay, they shook their head in negation. Glancing at him one last time, she took her chances and sat with him, her eyes straight ahead so she wouldn't see the glare she supposed he had on his face.
Adam looked at her, amusement on his face, 'Scared cat.' he thought as he gave the order to drive.
Alice watched keenly waiting to see if they were close enough for her to execute her plan, she had thought of sitting close to Valdez to do it but now that she is by Adam's side, it makes it even better. Puking on the boss may cause her sneers and scolding but it will definitely serve it's purpose.
Turning around, she sneakily put her finger in her mouth and once she caught the sour taste of the vomit, she turned around and aimed it at him.
'This is disgusting.' She thought to herself as yet another bout of her very heavy breakfast fell out onto a very shocked Adam's thighs.
The whole car was quiet, surprise, shock and terror overclouding their senses.
Alice meekly looked up at a very stunned Adam, her heart beating faster as her imagination ran wild. 'He will thank you one day.' she tried to comfort herself but on another thought she realized, he probably never will.
'You are only grateful for what you perceive as a favour.'
"Stop the car." He said then almost immediately changed his mind.
"No, take me home." The driver hesitantly made for a U-turn wondering if he had to drop the remaining occupants of the car but once he made the U-turn and his boss had said nothing he assumed, he should take them all.
"I, I .. I am sorry sir." She stammered, hoping he wouldn't fire her atleast.
He glanced at her for a while making her drop her head in shame.
'Maybe she should have thought of a less disgusting method.'.
"I am truly sorry Sir." She tried again, instinctively moving closer to him. Skeptically she pulled out the scarf around her neck and made to clean the mess on his thighs when he caught her hand and pushed it away.
Victoria and Valdez who were watching quietly hoping their friend will be forgiven felt their heart dip at that gesture. He truly is pissed
Like a responsible leader, Valdez spoke up, hoping he could at least lessen her punishment.
"Sir, I am sorry. Alice had actually reported ill but I had insisted, I am truly sorry, I should not have pushed her."
Alice looked up to Valdez who nodded trying to reassure her but she simply could not allow him take the blame for an offence he didn't commit.
"Sir, that is not how it happened. I insisted to come despite his advice to take rest." Her statement made Valdez glare at her but she chose to ignore him. She is the temporary person here, she shouldn't allow him ruin his only life for her who has a choice.
Adam didn't bother replying them as the car came to a stop and he stepped out dragging Alice with him barely stopping to give his orders to the driver
"John, send the car for cleaning and get another ready before my return."
Valdez and Victoria didn't need him to tell them to get out as they quickly opened their doors and scampered out.
Alice followed quietly too afraid to protest and maybe a little too confident that he wouldn't harm her.
"Welcome s..." The maid swallowed her words on seeing the mess her boss was in.
"Sir what is this?" The older woman asked.
"You can talk normally Nana, she's not someone you should be wary of." He replied casually. Alice wasn't sure if it was an evidence of trust or of insignificance so she ignored the statement all together and instead smile at the woman who was now looking straight at her.
"Good morning ma'am." She greeted respectfully.
"Good morning dear." Nana replied smiling sweetly.
"Nana, please show her to the guest room and if you think she should change, get her something from mum's place, I need to get out of this." He said interrupting whatever bonding that was supposed to happen. There was now pure discomfort on his face as he walked away and that was when Alice realized something. Her hand felt abandoned on his departure. He had been holding her hand, not holding it not in an angry or pushy manner but in what she perceived as supportive.
"Child, let me lead the way." Nana said, an encouraging smile on her face.
Alice nodded politely though she wasn't able to snap herself out of her thoughts.
"Was that really what the hold meant or was she finally losing it?"