Everything was as planned. The transition was going smooth as the butter melted on the hot plate. However, there stood a man, who looked serious and dangerous under the dim light.
New Year's Eve.
Zane was happier than ever. Nobody looked at him in pity for being fatherless. Everyone envied him for having a cool father and a lovely mother.
Like the little responsible adult he was, he taught the kids and looked after them when they played in the vast playroom. As a kid, he joined the fun, laughed with them, and was also proud of his parents for giving the best party to his friends.
"Mommy… Mommy…" Zane ran over and threw himself on Anya for a hug. The smile was unwavering on his face. He kissed her cheek and hugged her again, "Thank you, Momma."
Anya pulled the little man away from her arms and turned him to Alvin who was looking at them. "You should thank your father, baby." Alvin and Rob stood and watched over every arrangement. They had even scared away a few workers while doing so.
Zane looked back at Anya and told her what Alvin had said to him, "Chipmunk Monster said he isn't doing it for me but you, Momma."
Anya: "...'
Why can't Alvin take the credit for what he was doing for his son?
Anyway, she ought to teach her son about his father. "Do you think Alvin did all these for me?" She pointed at the extravagant play area.
Zane looked at his friends and the playroom. Anya wasn't the one playing there and enjoying it. She was happy for them, that's a different thing. "Oh…" She exclaimed when he was able to discern it.
If Anya was missing her promise to spend time with him, she always made up another time with a surprise. So he said, "Chipmunk Monster is making up for me." Zane wasn't expecting Alvin to make up for him because Alvin didn't know about him.
Anya smiled helplessly and hummed. Alvin wanted to be the father and had his way of showing. He was learning by himself.
"Zane…. Zane…" It was Jia's voice.
Zane was about to run off but looked back at his mother, "Momma, I'm still going to hold Chipmunk Monster upside down." Nothing was going to change that.
Anya burst into laughter and watched her son join his friends. She was going to join the guests - The children's parents when her mobile beeped in her pockets.
Fetching her mobile, her brows quivered looking at the message from Captain David. [Two students' parents are hospitalized.]
Although the mission hadn't started officially, she was taking control as soon as she spread the rumors of her becoming the dean.
They were keeping an eye on some exceptional students who are from underprivileged or middle-class families. Two families meeting with the accident couldn't be a coincidence.
Could it?
Anya hoped for it to be a coincidence though. If it wasn't a coincidence, it means her plan was working. If she has to act immediately, she needs permission. She looked around and spotted Jason.
Before she could move her foot, Alvin appeared before her. "What's wrong, Little Donut?" The messages that could make her expression change and look for Jason could be only because of her next mission.
Anya calmed down first and looked at her husband. She was asking him the same question for the whole day. He was shaking his head, denying to speak why he was so serious. He didn't even give attention to Jia when she fawned over him.
"Alvin…" She softly mused, holding his hand, "There will always be something that will need your attention. A problem to solve, a project to deal with, a person to ruin the mood. Focusing on them, don't lose the happiness that is right in front of your eyes. The happiness you worked hard to gain."
She stood on her tippy toes and pecked on his lips, "And I'm here for you. I will not pry on you but I will wait." She caressed his cheek and went towards Jason.
Alvin could only sigh. His wife had her way of escaping his question. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at the kids.
He smiled when Jia pushed Zane into the pile of softballs and jumped right after. Of the smartness and obedience of his son, Jia was the perfect girl to add adventure and fun.
The laughter, hoots, and fun of kids gave him the satisfaction of the hard work and every penny spent on it. Before the night could approach, the little fellas were still eager to play more and eat more delicious food but the tiredness slowed them down and eventually they fell asleep in their parent's arms or on the couches.
What Alvin liked was parents were taking care of the kids on their own unlike how he grew up seeing nannies and secretaries tending to them.
There was the little man who saw off everyone and turned to him. Alvin was anticipating a thank you looking at the little brat's gaze but the little man raised his hands for him to carry.
Alvin obliged out of curiosity. Zane wrapped his arms around Alvin's neck, rested his head on the broad shoulder, and closed his eyes. It didn't take a minute for Zane to be fast asleep.
The butler, Oliver, and the housekeeper Sophie were tired after running around but they had big smiles ending their day and the year looking at the father and son.
….
On the other end,
Anya and Jason had to leave the party. He had no idea Anya had twisted the whole plan. Standing in front of the Chief Justice, Anya ignored their gazes.
"Officer Owen, when did your plan change?" The Chief Justice asked in bafflement.
It wasn't new for them to be working on holidays or festive days. Most of the crimes happen on holidays because it's easier to fabricate the acts of crime.
"I'm not a fool, said my husband." The very moment she knew everyone will suspect her intention behind joining the job.
Thus criminals might try to stop her from joining the company or they might speed up the process, afraid of having her in the university.
Unfortunately, Casper played the reverse card on them and put another man in the position she was thinking to use. She had fallen silent thereafter but the criminals didn't seem to believe that.
Chief Justice and Jason: "..."
Her husband knew for a long time that she hadn't resigned. Fine, they accepted they were short-sighted considering her resignation.
Jason warned her, "The short-term plans are risky." If they just had to stop the mediator, the cops were enough to deal with it. They need to watch the situation and understand it before striking their plan and finishing the mastermind.
Anya was aware of that. But, "We can't let them exploit more students." She wasn't going to sit and watch more students being taken away.
The Chief Justice sighed. He expected the people to watch Anya when she blends into the work before starting their criminal activities.
If they stop the students from being taken away, then they will lose catching the real culprit. "What is your plan?"
Anya confidently uttered, "I will disguise."
Jason snapped at her instantly, swearing at her recklessness, "Have you f**king lost your mind?"
If she can't stand watching the students being exploited in different countries, he wasn't going to let her put her whole life in danger. If she is caught by the criminals, she will be brutally tortured to death.
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