The doctor's scrutinizing gaze only added to my unease, his eyes flickering between me and Alice as if searching for answers in the silence.

Then, like a beacon of warmth in the chilling atmosphere, Alice walked beside me, her hands enveloping mine in a tight embrace. Her touch, filled with reassurance, flooded me with a sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty.

But just as hope began to flicker in my heart, the doctor's final breath cut through the tension like a sharp blade. His words, so matter-of-fact yet laden with implications, pierced the fragile bubble of relief that had enveloped us.

"Alice... just has a normal fever, whatever Elizabeth told you it was a lie." he declared, the weight of his revelation settling heavily upon us.

I was worried this might happen, and yep, it did. Lies, all lies. Elizabeth lied to me.

The room seemed to spin as disbelief painted itself across Sho and K's faces, mirroring the turmoil raging within me.

Alice's grip on my hands tightened, her voice a soothing melody amidst the chaos. "Calm down, okay," she implored, her eyes reflecting the turmoil of emotions swirling within us all.

My voice trembled with a mixture of disbelief and anguish as I turned to Alice, my eyes pleading for understanding.

"Are you seriously telling me to calm down in this situation?" I implored, my voice betraying the turmoil that raged within me.

How could I calm down? It's impossible to calm down!

K's voice trembled as he struggled to articulate the weight of his emotions. "He's right. How can we stay calm when... when my mom..." His words trailed off, a painful reminder of the shadows lurking just beyond the reach of our fragile hopes.

And then there was Sho, his voice barely a whisper as he dared to voice the question that haunted us all. "So does... that mean... My sister?" His words hung heavy in the air, a poignant plea for reassurance in the face of uncertainty.

In that moment of vulnerability, K reached out, his hand resting gently on Sho's shoulder in a silent gesture of solidarity.

K's mother died, and we don't even know if Elizabeth treated her or not. Not to mention, Sho's sister is also with her. What if she dies too?

Elizabeth undoubtedly lied to all of us. She is neither a medical professional nor anything of the sort. She lied to me from the very beginning, using me as a pawn. But now, I am determined to put an end to her deceitful actions. I cannot let her go unpunished for what she has done to me. I am going to kill her with my own hands.

As the tension lingered like a heavy fog, the arrival of DCS shattered the uneasy calm that had settled over us. Her presence was commanding, her demeanor betraying none of the turmoil that churned within.

"Alvin, a moment," she beckoned, her voice cutting through the silence with a steely resolve. I released Alice's hand reluctantly, a pang of longing tugging at my heart as her touch slipped away. But before I could fully retreat, Alice placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, her silent gesture a testament to the unspoken bond that bound us together.

DCS's words hung in the air like a heavy cloak, laden with the weight of untold secrets and unspoken truths.

"Elizabeth has lots of dark secrets," she confessed, her tone grave. "This is just one of them. Anyway, don't dwell on it too much. Tomorrow, she's going down."

I nodded, the gravity of her words sinking in with a heavy finality. Despite Elizabeth's deception, tomorrow would mark the end of her reign of lies. Justice would be served, one way or another.

Taking a seat on the sofa alongside K and Sho, I felt Alice's presence close beside me, her hand finding mine once more. Her touch was a lifeline in the sea of uncertainty, a silent reassurance that we were in this together, come what may.

As DCS announced the impending meeting, the weight of our collective resolve hung heavy in the air. With a sense of determination, we followed her lead into the meeting room, where the other detectives had gathered, their faces etched with a mixture of anticipation and resolve.

As the meeting commenced, the weight of anticipation hung heavy in the air, each member of the team poised on the edge of their seats, eager for the unfolding plan of action. DCS, the epitome of authority and command, wasted no time in setting the stage for what lay ahead.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please," DCS declared, her voice piercing the silence with urgency.

"The time has come for action. Elizabeth Murphy, a long-standing target in our pursuit of justice, is the focal point of our upcoming operation. Tomorrow, she will be hosting a lavish party at her mansion, attended by influential figures and known associates in the drug trade. This presents a golden opportunity for us to apprehend her and dismantle her operation once and for all."

As the gravity of the situation settled over the room, I felt compelled to voice my concerns. Clearing my throat, I addressed the gathered detectives, my words laden with a sense of apprehension.

"Catching her won't be easy," I began, capturing the attention of my colleagues. "We don't know who will be attending the party, and without a solid plan, we risk walking into a trap. There will be other strong drug dealers, who are connected with each other. We need someone on the inside to gather intel and ensure our success."

After finishing my sentence, I couldn't shake the feeling that all eyes were on me. It dawned on me that this was meant to be detective's meeting, and as an outsider, perhaps I shouldn't have spoken up.

Gosh this is so embarrassing! What was I thinking!

Feeling a flush of embarrassment, I glanced to my right and caught sight of Alice, her hand covering her mouth as she stifled a giggle. Her amusement only served to compound my embarrassment.

Before I could retreat into the shadows of my own embarrassment, DCS's authoritative voice broke through the silence, her words a reassuring balm to my wounded pride.

"You're right, Alvin," she affirmed, her gaze unwavering. "Everything you've said is correct. But rest assured, we're not going into this blind. We have a detective undercover, working closely with Elizabeth. We have insider information to guide us."

I shyly nodded, still reeling from my earlier embarrassment. DCS, carried on with her briefing, outlining the plan to the assembled detectives. She emphasized that only five high-ranking detectives would receive invitations to the upcoming party, while the rest would operate from outside.

Once the meeting dispersed, DCS motioned for me to meet her outside her office. Nervously, I made my way there, accompanied by Kevin, Shoyo, and Alice, who took seats on the nearby sofa. DCS approached me, her expression serious.

"So tell me, what can you and your team do?" she inquired.

When she asked me about that topic, Kevin's begging skills and Shoyo's cooking skills suddenly popped into my head.

I hesitated before responding, "Well, Kevin is a skilled hacker, and Shoyo has remarkable reflexes. That's about it."

DCS pondered for a moment before replying, "Alright, I can certainly put their skills to good use here. They'll be valuable assets to the operation."

Well, I wish you the best of luck handling them.

"Works for me," I said with a nod. "We'll head home now; it's getting late. But feel free to call if there are any changes to the plan."

DCS nodded in agreement, and as I turned to leave, a thought struck me.

"Actually," I added, "I'd like to check in with the doctor, if that's possible."

DCS agreed and promptly called the doctor. Within a short time, the doctor arrived, and I followed him into the examination room. Inside, I opened up about my struggles with panic attacks, sharing with him the details Elizabeth had shared with me about anxiety and depression.

The doctor examined me with a grave expression before delivering his verdict.

"Well, I have to admit, everything Elizabeth said about your struggles with anxiety and depression seems to be accurate," he confessed. His words struck me like a weight, confirming my fears about the state of my mental health.

That's strange, I don't understand. She lied about Alice's health, but how come she told the truth and was accurate about why I was having panic attacks?

As he continued, his tone softened with concern. "Listen, son," he began gently, "you're pushing yourself too hard. If you continue down this path, it could lead to further complications in the future. Take it easy, and remember that everything will be alright. Just take it one step at a time."

Relief flooded through me as I absorbed his reassurance. "Okay," I murmured, grateful for his guidance. But before I could leave, a nagging thought surfaced. "By the way," I interjected, "will Alice's fever be cured?"

The doctor's smile was comforting. "Yes, I've prescribed some medication for her. She'll be just fine, but you should be worried about your health. Take care and take a good rest."

Grateful for the good news, I thanked him and stepped out of the room to find K, Sho, and Alice waiting for me. With a simple gesture, I signaled that it was time to head home. We rode the lift in silence, each lost in our own thoughts, until it deposited us on the top floor.

Exiting the restaurant, we embarked on the familiar walk back to our apartment. The night air was cool against our skin, a welcome contrast to the tension of the day.

As we walked, Alice took charge, dialing Elizabeth's number on her phone. A brief conversation ensued, and to my surprise, Elizabeth agreed to let Alice stay with me for the night. It was an unexpected but it was okay.

Finally, we arrived at our apartment. K and Sho veered off towards their respective rooms, leaving Alice and me to enter mine. Together, we stepped into the quiet sanctuary of my room, ready to rest and regroup after the events of the day.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Alice's cheerful agreement floated through the room, mingling with the soft click of the lock. I settled onto the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of anticipation in the air.

"You can take the shower if you want," I offered, trying to sound casual.

With a nod, Alice placed her purse beside my bag, a gesture that seemed to carry a hint of intimacy. She disappeared behind the bathroom door, the latch sliding into place with a quiet finality. But then, unexpectedly, the lock clicked open again, and Alice peeked out, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes.

"Do... you want to join me?" Her voice was playful, teasing, and I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, a telltale blush betraying my embarrassment.

She giggled softly, the sound like music, "I'm just messing with you."

I let out a relieved sigh, watching as she closed the door once more, leaving me to wrestle with the rush of emotions her playful suggestion had stirred within me.

You seem to take pleasure in teasing and playing games with me, don't you? Next time, kindly refrain and simply ask if you'd like to join me in the shower. I will definitely join you and I'm curious to see your reaction, cause I'll be the one grinning.

I sighed, with trembling hands, I busied myself with unpacking my pajamas, the fabric a comforting familiarity in the midst of my swirling thoughts.

A few minutes later, Alice emerged from the bathroom, the air carrying the faint scent of her shower gel, mingling with the steam that clung to her damp skin. Wrapped in nothing but a towel, her hair still glistening with droplets of water, she exuded an effortless allure that made my heart race.

Feeling my cheeks burn with an intensity I couldn't hide, I hastily brushed past her, the proximity sending a shiver down my spine. With shaky hands, I stepped into the welcoming embrace of the shower, the cool water a balm against the heat that threatened to consume me.

Peeling off my clothes, I hung them carefully on the hook, the familiar routine offering a moment of respite from the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. The water cascaded over me, washing away the tension and leaving behind a sense of calm that I desperately needed.

Emerging from the bathroom, I felt refreshed, the lingering warmth of the shower chasing away the remnants of embarrassment that still tingled beneath my skin. But as I glanced towards the bed, my breath caught in my throat.

But as my gaze drifted towards the bed, where Alice awaited, a gasp caught in my throat, stealing the very breath from my lungs.

There she sat, cloaked in another pair of my pajamas, the fabric draping over her like a lover's embrace, accentuating every curve and contour of her form. Despite the oversized fit, she radiated a mesmerizing allure, her features illuminated by the soft glow of the room, she looked undeniably adorable, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

"How do I look?" she asked, standing to give me a better view. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, her presence filling the room with a warmth that seemed to seep into my very soul. "It's a bit oversize for me, but I don't have any other clothes."

I struggled to find the right words, my gaze lingering on her as I felt my cheeks flush with heat once more. "You look good," I managed to say, the words barely more than a whisper, but they carried the weight of sincerity.

I settled onto the bed, the mattress offering a familiar comfort that seemed to embrace me like an old friend.

Without hesitation, Alice joined me, her presence a soothing balm against the tumult of emotions that churned within me. As she nestled her head against my chest, her words washed over me like a gentle breeze, carrying with them the weight of unspoken longing.

"I missed this a lot," she confessed, her voice soft and filled with a hint of nostalgia. "Ever since I left Riverwood, we haven't had much time to spend together. I'm glad we're finally be able to spend some time together even if it is for a short time."

A pang of guilt twisted within me at her words, threatening to consume me in its bitter embrace. "Yeah, I missed this too," I admitted, my voice tinged with regret. "I'm so sorry, Alice. It's all happened because of me. If I had just—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Alice lifted her gaze from my chest, her hand reaching out to gently stroke my cheek. The tender touch sent a jolt of electricity coursing through me, but before I could react, her hand came down in a gentle slap, causing a sharp sting to shoot through my cheek.

Ouch!

I winced in pain, taken aback by the unexpected gesture, but before I could protest, Alice's voice cut through the silence once more. "Stop trying to blame yourself like usual," she admonished, her tone gentle yet firm. "It's annoying."

Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring a mixture of emotions that I struggled to articulate. With a sigh, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me, seeking solace in her embrace.

"Alice," I murmured, my voice barely more than a whisper, "I forgot to tell you something. You asked me if I trust you or not, right?"

As Alice looked up at me from where she rested against my chest, her eyes held a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, as if she were waiting for the words she longed to hear. Drawing in a deep breath, I continued, my voice tinged with vulnerability and honesty.

"The truth is, I trust you a lot," I confessed, my words hanging in the air like a fragile thread. "I like you more than I've liked anyone and trusted anyone for a long time, and to be honest, it kinda scares me. I don't want to screw up what we have, or whatever it is. I've fallen pretty damn hard for you, and I just hope that I don't ruin everything we have."

A sigh escaped Alice's lips, mingling with the quiet intimacy that enveloped us like a warm embrace. "I'm glad that you trust me, you should trust me more," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with genuine warmth. "But I really hate that you don't share your problems. You just have to be open, share your problems with me. I'll be there to help you."

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I leaned down to kiss her forehead, my fingers gently threading through her hair. "Okay, got it," I replied, my voice filled with quiet determination. "Now, sleep. You must be exhausted."

Slowly, Alice closed her eyes, surrendering to the embrace of sleep, her breathing steady and rhythmic against my chest. Watching her, a sense of peace washed over me, chasing away the lingering doubts and fears that had plagued my thoughts.

Tomorrow loomed on the horizon, a day filled with uncertainty and challenges. I would have to navigate the treacherous waters of a high-stakes party, concealing my identity while keeping a watchful eye on Alice. It wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to see it through.

As I closed my eyes and drifted off into the realm of dreams, a sense of resolve settled within me. Tomorrow may be filled with obstacles, I could face anything that came my way.