Chapter 287 - 287: Quite Tempting!

Erick's team was just staring at the closed door of his office. Aliyah, together with Sandy, was currently conducting an interview with Erick.

Just a while ago Erick asked them what this interview was all about. It turned out that Aliyah's team was trying to feature Senator Mondragon in a doc.u.mentary program.

At first, they were also confused about how this becomes related to them. Then Aliyah explained to them that since they were handling a case related to Senator Mondragon's death threats, it was necessary to interview them about that part.

Erick's team was really shaken after seeing a person who was very much alike with Elle. They looked identical both their face and voice. How was that possible? It took them a day to recover their wits.

They couldn't help but discuss this very surprising thing within the team.

"Hey guys, what do you think about this? Do you think this is really a big coincidence that two different persons really look exactly the same?" June shared his thoughts with the team.

Rose shook her head. "I don't think so. Unless they are identical twins. Oh my gosh! What if Elle and Aliyah are identical twins and they got separated during birth or during childhood. A situation like that often happens in the movies."

"Eh… that's one possibility. But... this is not a movie!" June commented.

"But things in the movie are adopted from real-life situations. What if Elle was separated from her family and suffered a lot during her childhood. Then someone from an underground syndicate took care of her and trained her to become an assassin." Rose said as she voiced out her wild imagination.

"That's also possible." April agreed on Rose's assumption.

Then the three of them averted their gaze at Bryan who was very quiet on his seat.

"Hey, Bryan. Why are you having a serious expression? You are creeping me out. What's wrong with you?" June asked him.

April and Rose looked at Bryan worriedly. He really changed a lot.

"Actually, I am worried about Erick. Did you notice how he acted a while ago?" Bryan said to them seriously.

"Yes, it seems like our old Chief Lee returned! That's a good thing right! Why are you worried?" June answered him enthusiastically.

"That's not what I am worrying about. Erick was insisting that Aliyah is Elle. I am worried that his longing for Elle is clouding his mind right now. He believes that Elle is still alive out there. He never accepted that Elle died two years ago. I am afraid that he would be hurt again in the end."

The team fell into silence after hearing Bryan's remarks.

"I am also wishing that Elle is still alive so that Erick won't suffer this much. But now, a person who looks like Elle appeared in front of him. He believes that she's Elle. What if that person is not Elle and Elle is gone forever. How will he be able to handle the truth? How will he act? I don't want him to be hurt again. Deep inside, I want him to move on and find his new happiness."

They could feel the deep concern of Bryan towards Erick. They understood that all he just wanted was for Erick to be happy.

June tugged his hair. "Just a few days ago, we are talking about finding a girl who looks like Elle. And now, someone appears but we are acting problematic like this. I wonder what our Chief Lee will do after meeting this girl."

The four of them sighed deeply as they stared again at the closed door of Erick's office. They didn't know if Aliyah Ross's appearance was a good thing or bad thing for Erick.

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Meanwhile, Erick just finished his off-cam interview with Sandy and Aliyah. During the entire duration of the interview, his gaze never left Aliyah's face.

Sandy's presence became invisible to him. She appeared to be the third wheel between Erick and Aliyah. For that reason, Sandy's expression was dark as the bottom of a pot when she went out of Erick's Office.

On the other hand, Aliyah was still inside, bidding her goodbye to Erick.

"Thank you, Chief Lee, for allowing us to do this interview. I know this is beyond your work but still, you accommodate us." Aliyah said to him as she thanked him.

"Are you leaving already?" Erick asked her. His expression showed that he didn't want her to leave yet.

Aliyah just nodded and smiled at him as a response. Then she extended her right hand as she offered him a handshake. Erick gladly accepted it and held her hand.

Aliyah was about to release his hand but Erick refused to let go. His grip on her hand tightened as he gently squeezed it.

"Ahem… Chief Lee… I think you can let go of my hand." Aliyah said to him awkwardly.

But Erick didn't listen to her. He just stood there in front of her unmoving while holding her hand. He had complicated expressions on his face.

Erick had a lot of things in his mind right now in which he wanted to tell her. His observant eyes were assessing her face and her reaction. But he failed to figure her out.

Aliyah was now very calmed and composed in front of him. Looking at her expression alone, Erick couldn't tell what's going on in her mind. She concealed her emotions very well.

Then after his long silence, Erick spoke up.

"Are you sure you are a reporter… not an actress?"

Aliyah: "..."

She didn't expect him to say that. She was at a loss for words and couldn't utter a single one.

Seeing her reaction, Erick couldn't help but smile. He flashed his signature charming and cheeky smile at her that made Elle dumbfounded for a moment.

"Nevermind. I am just kidding." Erick let out a soft chuckle.

Erick finally let go of her hand. That action made Aliyah a little bit disappointed deep inside but she didn't show him that.

"Thanks again, Chief Lee." 

After saying that Aliyah turned her back and was ready to leave. But she just only took two steps when she heard Erick's voice once again.

"If you are really grateful then why don't you treat me to lunch today?" Erick said those words in a very cool manner.

With that, Aliyah halted on her steps. Her heart was beating rapidly inside her chest. She paused for a moment, contemplating.

'[email protected] His suggestion is quite tempting...BUT This is a trap. Don't give in.' Aliyah reminded herself.

Aliyah turned back to face him and answered, "Hmm. Sure, let's go. Where do you want to eat?"

Dang! The prey just took the bait. Though she knew the danger of blowing her cover and reminded herself many times, in the end, she couldn't resist the temptation of having lunch with him, eating meals together once again.

On the other hand, Erick's mood brightened up when she said that. He was worried that she would disregard his suggestion. He was glad that she didn't.

"Hmm. I know a place. Just leave it to me." He replied cheerfully.

Erick immediately took his car keys and his wallet. With large strides, Erick reached her spot in an instant.

"Let's go!" Erick said with a gentle smile on his face. Then he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her as they went out of his office.