Chapter 388 - 388: Acting in Front of His Colleagues

Elle was not lying when she told Sandy that she was on the way now, going to XXX Crime Investigation Headquarters. As Erick gave Elle a ride this morning, they talked about the collaboration requested by her in which the Unit Head denied. 

It turned out Erick was the only one who made that decision. The Unit Head was not consulted at all. He said that because he just wanted to avoid working with Elle after he learned that she became James's fiancee. 

Since Erick and Elle already reconciled with each other, she would continue covering Catseye's case for the purpose of catching Catseye and unfolding his identity.

After hearing Sandy's reaction over the phone, Elle could tell that she was upset about this. She didn't want to do this but since she was part of Aliyah's team, she had no choice but to comply.

Of course, Sandy was against this not only because she was thinking about her safety but also because she was worried about Elle. Sandy could see the determination in her for doing this case.

After informing Sandy, Elle hung up the phone immediately before Sandy could rant at her. She knew her well. If she didn't end the call, Sandy would continue to nag her.

She was now riding a taxi. Her mind wandered back again to Charles.

'I will try to monitor and visit him secretly next time. I want to find out how he is doing. I will do the same with Master Phantom. I wonder if he's already back here. I learned that he also took medication in the States. I hope he is doing fine now.' Elle thought to herself.

When she was in the States, she requested James to find the whereabouts of Master Phatom. As far as she could remember, he was also exposed to bio-weapon two years ago.

Through Supremo's help, they were able to track him. She learned that Master Phantom was also staying in one of the hospitals in the States, doing his recovery.

However, she couldn't visit him due to her health condition. She blamed herself for Phantom's mischief. She was the one who asked his help to track down Alfonso. That's why she felt responsible when Phantom got hurt. 

With that, Elle decided not to involve him with her revenge once she came back to City Z. She didn't want to put their lives in danger once again- both Phantom and Charles, as well as her other brothers, Phantom's henchmen.

The guilt consumed her heart especially now that Lu's condition didn't improve yet. He was still in critical condition. No antidotes. He was barely hanging. He was in this predicament because he saved her.

Erick told her that they already traced Alfonso's location. Now, Elle was so determined. She needed to find a way and steal antidotes at Alfonso's bio-weapon facility.

Now, it was her turn to save Lu. She would use her skills not to kill someone but to save someone. She would now protect everyone close to her heart with all her might.

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*** At XXX Crime Investigation Headquarters ***

Erick's team noticed the changes in Erick's mood the moment he entered their office this morning. Everyone was puzzled why suddenly Chief Lee became lively and cheerful once again.

They could feel the positive vibes emanating from him. They were worried that once the day passed Erick's mood would change again.

Despite that, they were glad to see him like this instead of seeing his sullen and gloomy expressions. They wondered if the progress of their case had something to do with this.

Erick informed them that they would be having another team meeting this afternoon after lunch. They would summarize all the findings of Catseye's case for the past few days. They knew that they were making progress.

Since Chief Lee was in a good mood today, the team decided to invite him to eat lunch together. They would try their luck whether he would not refuse them today, unlike before.

As usual, Bryan was the one who was urged by the team to talk with Erick. He was about to enter Erick's office when Elle arrived. Alpha Cinco didn't expect her arrival today.

"Eh, why is it Miss Aliyah is here? I thought their request to cover this case was denied by Unit Head?" June whispered to Carl who was beside him.

Carl just sighed deeply. He remembered how stubborn Aliyah Ross was. The night Samuel Sy was attacked by Catseye in his hotel room, Aliyah and Josh were there.

Carl knew that Aliyah was aware of the surveillance operation they were doing against Samuel Sy. She even helped them before. That's why, even though her request was denied, she was still doing her own investigation about the case. 

Furthermore, Aliyah knew that they were monitoring Samuel Sy at the hotel that's why she also came that night even without permission from Erick.

"[email protected]! I forgot to tell Chief Lee about Aliyah." Carl tapped his forehead. 

He was worried that Chief Lee and Aliyah would get into arguments once again just like how Bryan described to them what happened between Aliyah and Erick on that same day.

"Hello, officers! Good noon!" Elle greeted them with a bright smile.

Everyone was dumbfounded after seeing her expression. They couldn't explain but she was giving off the same positive vibe that Chief Lee had.

Carl frowned in confusion and disbelief. This was not the kind of expression she was wearing the last time he saw her yesterday at the hospital. He thought Erick and Aliyah had another argument yesterday.

'[email protected]! I couldn't figure out these two people. What's happening to them? So weird!' Carl pondered to himself why eyeing Elle strangely.

Meanwhile, everyone greeted her back with a smile though they felt a little bit awkward.

"Hi, Ms. Aliyah! Are you here to see Chief Lee?" It was Bryan who asked her. Others were also curious whether she was here because of Erick.

'Are they going to fight again?'

Elle nodded with a smile, "Yes, I came to see him. Is he inside?" Elle pointed out Erick's closed office door.

Bryan scratched the back of his head, unsure of what to reply. He was hesitating, afraid that Erick's mood would change if he would see Aliyah.

Others also averted their gaze to Bryan, anticipating his reply.

"Eh--" Bryan didn't finish his sentence because Erick's office suddenly opened and he emerged from the door.

They didn't know if they were just imagining it but the moment Erick saw Elle, his eyes sparkled with delight and his lips turned up into a gentle smile.

But since Erick remembered Elle's request to treat her as Aliyah Ross in front of his colleagues, Erick's soft expression changed in an instant. He was able to conceal his emotions. 

Now, he looked calm and composed, his expression was unreadable. But deep inside, his heart was singing with joy. They just got separated for several hours but he already missed her so badly.

His body also reacted the moment he remembered last night's happenings inside his room. He conquered her. He made her scream his name over and over again.

'[email protected]! I want to kiss and hug her now!'

Erick's eyes darkened with l.u.s.t but his colleagues misinterpreted it. They thought Erick was not happy to see Aliyah. The gentleness in his expression a while ago was just an imagination. Now, Erick was wearing a very serious expression.

Everyone inside felt the tension except for Erick and Elle.

'I want to commend my hubby. He also knows how to act and pretend.' Elle laughed inwardly.

"Do you need something, Miss Aliyah?" Erick said with his flat tone.

The room was engulfed by deafening silence. Erick's colleagues were rendered speechless.

'Is Chief Lee acting cold again towards Aliyah?' 

Elle suppressed the urge to smile. "Yes, may I talk to you for a moment?"

Erick nodded and said, "Okay. Follow me inside."

Erick signaled her to come inside his office. Erick's colleagues exchanged meaningful glances with each other. They were asking Bryan to do something.

But Bryan just narrowed his eyes at his colleagues as if telling them, 'Why Me Again?!! Why are you pushing all this responsibility to me?!'

Erick's team had no choice but to wait for them outside, hoping that the two people inside would just be fine talking with each other. They wished no conflict would arise between the two of them.

But little did they know, the conflict they were thinking would not happen. The moment Elle and Erick entered his office, he locked the door immediately and pulled her into his arms.

He crushed her lips with his in a hungry kiss. He couldn't get enough of her. He wanted to kiss her forever... every day. He was addicted to her. 

Elle giggled in between their kisses. She didn't expect Erick to be this bold and aggressive. He launched an attack as soon as they got out of his colleagues' radar.

With a playful thought in mind, Elle intentionally bit Erick's lower lip until it was swollen. She wondered how he would explain that to his colleagues if ever they noticed it.