Chapter 308 - 308: Are You Sick?

On the same day, Mr. Carter requested Erick to drive him to his place. He didn't want to stay longer with Erick and be a hassle to him. He also felt better after taking pain killers. 

"Are you sure, you will be alright? Do you have someone to watch over you at your place?" Erick asked him worriedly.

They were both inside Erick's car.

"Hmm. Nope. But I can handle myself, young man."

"Oh… too bad. I was not able to talk with your wife." There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

A light flashed in Erick's eyes after hearing Mr. Carter's remarks. The corner of his mouth stretched out in a wide grin. An idea popped up in his mind.

"Do you want to meet her?" Erick asked him with a hidden motive in his mind.

'Because I also want to see her right now.' He thought to himself.

"Is it possible?" Mr. Carter probed, glancing at Erick.

"Of course, yes! We can drop by her office and visit her before I send you to your place. What do you think, Mr. Carter?" Erick suggested to him enthusiastically.

"Why do I feel like you are the one who badly wants to meet her, today?" Mr. Carter teased him with a lopsided grin.

Erick just smiled awkwardly, feeling a little bit embarrassed.

"Kid… you're so transparent. Easily to read. Hahaha! Don't tell me, you two are back in the courting stage."

Bingo! Mr. Carter guessed it right!

Erick didn't answer but his expressions already spoke for himself. Mr. Carter couldn't contain his laughter as he burst out laughing.

Erick's cheeks heated up. He could only scratch his face, enduring the teasing of Mr. Carter. It was too late to deny it. He already found out by just looking at his reddened face.

It took them a twenty-minute drive to reach her office. They arrived at the entrance of Morning Star Media Network by exactly 9:00 am.

Erick parked the car first before he picked up his phone and dialed Elle's number. It rang several times before the call got connected.

"Good morning, Chief Lee! Why did you call me as early as this? Do you have a big scope for us?"

Elle's bright soft voice could be heard from the other line. Erick couldn't hold his smile after hearing the voice of the woman he missed so much. 

Mr. Carter just shook his head while watching Erick on the side.

'This man fell head over heels in love with his wife.'

"Where are you?" Erick asked her instead of answering her question.

"Here… at our office. Why?" Elle responded.

"Can you go outside and meet us? I am here at the front of your office building. Someone wants to see you." Erick softly said.

"What? You're here?! You didn't go to work?!" Elle exclaimed shock and disbelief could be heard in her voice.

Erick let out a husky laugh.

"Come… we will be waiting for you." Erick immediately hung up the phone. 

He was rejoicing. Elle seemed really surprised. It didn't cross her mind that Erick would go directly to her office without informing her.

Erick roamed his eyes around, then he saw a Cafe nearby.

"I think we should grab some drinks and meet her at the Cafe," Erick suggested to Mr. Carter.

Mr. Carter just nodded at him. Then Erick sent Elle a message that they would wait for her in the Cafe at the front of their office building.

Erick and Mr. Carter entered the Cafe. They chose the table near the entrance so that Elle could easily find them. 

Erick went to the counter to order drinks for the three of them. He bought three different flavors of milkshake along with blueberry cheesecake.

After a few minutes, Elle arrived. She immediately saw Erick and the middle-aged man sitting near the entrance door of the Cafe. Erick waved at her as soon as their eyes met.

"Hey, I didn't expect you to see here!" Elle promptly said to Erick upon reaching their table.

"A surprise visit," Erick stated with a wide smile.

Elle rolled her eyes skyward. "What if I am on the field? Luckily I am not. Tell me first if you will come."

Cough! Cough!

Mr. Carter cleared his throat, letting the two people know that he was also there with them. That's the time Elle averted her gaze to the person sitting on the opposite side of Erick.

Elle slightly bowed her head and greeted him with an awkward smile. She recognized the person. He was the middle-aged man they rescued against the gangsters yesterday.

"How are you, mister?" Elle asked him politely.

"I am good. Thank you. Sit down first." Mr. Carter softly said to her.

Elle nodded before she sat down beside Erick. Now, the two of them were facing Mr. Carter.

"Are you the person Chief Lee referring to when he said that someone wanted to meet me?"

"Yes, I want to thank the two of you for saving me yesterday!" Mr. Carter gave her a grateful look.

"Oh...let me introduce the two of you." Erick butted in.

"This is Mr. Matt Carter. Mr. Carter, this is Elle… I mean Ali." Erick changed her name upon seeing the warning glare coming from Elle when he mentioned the name 'Elle'.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Carter," Elle said as she extended her right hand to offer him a handshake.

Mr. Carter smiled and gladly accepted her hand.

"My pleasure is mine."

After a few seconds of being in contact with Elle's hand, A deep frown appeared on his face.

"Miss Aliyah, are you sick?" Mr. Carter blurted out.

Elle and Erick looked at him confusedly. Elle smiled awkwardly before she retreated her hand back.

"No, Mr. Carter. I am just fine. I am in good health." Elle firmly said.

"Oh, let me rephrase it. Were you sick in the past?" Mr. Carter was still frowning as he asked her again.

Elle was dumbfounded for a moment. 

"N-No!" Elle replied after she recovered.

Meanwhile, Erick glanced at her worriedly. He brought his hand to her forehead to check her temperature. 

"Hey, what are you doing? I said I'm fine." Elle complained as she removed Erick's hand.

"Yes, you look just fine. You have a normal temperature." Erick stated.

Mr. Carter just shrugged his shoulders. "Forget it. I was just asking."

But deep inside, Mr. Carter felt something strange. He had his suspicion. But since Aliyah told them that she was fine, he didn't dwell on it. He just pushed the thought in the back of his mind.

They had a little chitchat together. After finishing their drinks, Elle decided to go back to their office. She also received a message from Sandy. She was now looking for her.

"Sorry, Chief Lee… Mr. Carter. I am afraid I have to go back now or else my line manager will notice my absence. My partner is also looking for me now. Thank you for visiting me. Let's meet again next time." Elle stood up as she bade them goodbye.

"Mr. Carter, take care of yourself. Listen to Chief Lee's advice. Don't go back to those dangerous places." Elle added.

"I will, Miss Aliyah." Mr. Carter responded.

Elle was about to leave when Erick called her out.

"Wait, I forgot to tell you something."

Elle turned back to face him.

"What is it?"

"Our former colleague is celebrating her birthday two days from now. I wonder if you are available. Would you like to go with me and attend the party?" Erick invited her.

Elle paused for a moment, thinking.

"What time? Where's the venue? What is the dress code?"

" 8:00 am. Centennial Resort. It is a pool party so you have to bring…" Erick didn't finish his sentence as his gaze fell on her body.

"Bikini." Mr. Carter was the one who finished Erick's sentence.

Elle's eyes widened after hearing that. Then she let out a forced laugh.

"I am sorry Chief Lee. But I have to check my schedules first. I will let you know if I can join you on that day."

'[email protected]! Bikini?! No way. I can't.' Elle thought to herself.

Without waiting for Erick, Elle turned around and she walked away.

Erick just watched her retreating back. In his mind, he was hoping that Elle would say yes. He also wanted to find something. If she would wear a swimsuit then he might see her scars. Then there's no way for her to deny that she's Elle.