"Hiss...

" Ernest let out a soft grunt., It wasn't pain I heard in that sound, but a shiver of sensitivity. I could almost picture a rather naughty scene in my mind. I had to admit, I was getting more mischievous by the day., After my playful tease, I straightened up and casually sipped my coffee as if nothing had happened before turning to leave. Ernest seemed thrown off by my antics, not reacting at all., Back in my office, I sat down and set my coffee cup down, rubbing my face and chuckling., I didn't even know why I laughed. It felt good, like the joy you got from being naughty., My phone buzzed with a message, snapping me out of my amusement., It was from Allen, who sent me an address., Opening it revealed a spot in the city's industrial area marked Crestpoint Investments., Why would Allen send me that? Was it a mistake? Or was he teasing me with a cryptic message?, As I pondered, another message from him popped up. Wanna see my dad? Head here., 'Has Lord checked out of the rehab facility?' I wondered. 'Is it for real, or is Allen playing games with me?', I'm not one for guessing games, so I called him. Allen picked up, and before I could even speak, he said,

"If you don't believe it, don't bother coming.

",

"Didn't you advise against meeting your dad? Saying it wouldn't do any good?

" I reminded him of his previous caution. Yet there he was, sending me an address, inviting me to meet his father. Talk about mixed signals.,

"Yeah, I did say that. But you want the truth, right?

" Allen snorted, adding,

"Ignore the message if you're uninterested.

", That's just classic Allen, always a bit of a hothead., Before I could reply, Allen threw in one last challenge.

"I've given you the address. Whether you see my dad or not is up to you.

", With that, he hung up, leaving me no chance to respond., Sighing, I twirled my phone, torn. To go or not to go?, Jacqueline had been clear, and Allen's warnings weren't without merit. If the truth about the accident was as grim as I feared, Lord might side with the living, keeping the secret from me., Looking at Allen's message left me torn. If I didn't go, it would mean accepting my parents' death as an accident. But could it really be just that? They didn't have other family; I was all they had. If their death was due to foul play and I did nothing, wouldn't I be dishonoring their memory?, I might be overthinking, but seeking answers would bring me peace. In the end, I decided to go. Even suspecting it might be a trap, I needed to know for sure., While leaving my office, I passed by those gossiping girls in the break room again, who seemed ready to head out, too.,

"Director Hudson, heading out?

" one of them greeted me., I nodded, and we entered the elevator together.,

"Did you see Mr. Collins?

" she asked., Thinking back to my earlier mischief, I cleared my throat lightly.

"No, why?

",

"You missed it. Mr. Collins made rounds through all the departments. We saw him,

" they giggled excitedly.,

"Oh?

" I feigned surprise., One girl pointed to her neck.

"A love bite.

",

"Right here,

" the other added, touching her throat.

"A big one.

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