Not Dangerous, Just Mysterious

He seems to know her well?

Alycia Reese blinks upon hearing the housekeeper's words. 

Apart from Elliot, there isn't any man whom she is close with. Though she has no male friends, she is on good terms with most of Elliot's close friends. Her older cousin, Nathan Reese, comes to her mind but she is sure that it wasn't him. After all, there was no reason for Nathan to not show his face or walk away like that. He didn't even have to press the doorbell in the very first place.

Then... who could it be?

Thinking of how the unknown man even knows her house, Alycia Reese is struck by a bad feeling.

Could it be someone dangerous? Was she being stalked or what?!

Nevertheless, her uneasiness goes down a bit when she recalls how the stranger safely escorted her home. Maybe he was not dangerous, just mysterious.

Should she ask the security guards about it? But they were always on duty inside the walls. They cover the vicinity of the house but not outside the gate.

While Alycia is completely absorbed in her thoughts, Mrs. Saunders places a glass of honey water on the table for her and says, "If it bothers you that much, you can just check the CCTV."

Alycia Reese ends up blinking once again.

Yes, the CCTV! How come it didn't cross her mind before?!

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Saunders," Alycia promptly says. "You always help me out."

Mrs. Saunders simply smiles and glances at the wall clock. "You are getting late for work. What about breakfast?"

Alycia frowns at the reminder and glances at her wristwatch before reaching for the honey water. "I will just have this. Don't tell my mother though."

The housekeeper ends up chuckling, perhaps because of the sly tone of the young lady. "Fine; but just this time."

Alycia smiles in appreciation, yet it is rather forced. Putting aside the time, she does not really have an appetite, especially after what she went through the other night.

* * *

"This is the video you asked for."

Alycis Reese is sitting inside her office when her assistant and bodyguard, Kevin Shaw hands her a tablet that contains a video ready for her to play. The office is located on the top floor of the building of CR Securities, a security management company affiliated with Reese Corporation.

Reese Corporation is among the top conglomerates in the country which leads many business fields. The current Chairman is Anthony Reese, the older brother and only sibling of Alycia's mother.

Though CR Securities is officially regarded as an affiliate of Reese Corporation, many people in the business circle know that it pretty much belongs to Alycia Reese and is only a part of Reese Corporation in the name.

Three years ago, it was Alycia who founded CR Securities and grew it into the top security firm in the country in such a short period.

While all other affiliates of Reese Corporation share the same name, such as Reese Electronics, Reese Apparel, Reese Hotel, and so on, CR Securities is the only one with a different name. The reason why is not known to the public and it remains a mystery even after three years.

Alycia Reese loses no time and quickly plays the video she had been waiting for the whole forenoon. In the video, she finds herself sitting next to the gate of her house, wearing a jacket that is unfamiliar to her. Though she said nothing, she was looking up at the man with her barely opened eyes.

Only the backside of the man is visible to her in the video as he is busy pressing the doorbell and talking to the housekeeper and Alycia ends up forwarding the video. She is never that patient when it comes to certain things. Finally, the man spared her a glance before turning around to leave.

Alycia Reese instantly pauses the video once the man's face becomes visible to her eyes and... she ends up blinking in confusion.

What is this?

Too shocked by the familiar face, Alycia looks up at her assistant. "Isn't he..." Her voice trails off but Kevin is very quick to speak up.

"I did not get to check his identity but I think you have seen him a few times before," he says. "He is also in the army."

Shifting her gaze back to the video she paused, Alycia Reese recalls the time Elliot told her about the man in the video. That time, they were having a bachelor party for one of Elliot's close friends in the army. A huge restaurant was filled with soldiers and a few civilians who all gathered for the bachelor party and Alycia still remembered how Elliot talked about his one superior who was sitting several tables away.

"Colonel Mason Kent?" She mutters upon recalling the things she heard from her ex-boyfriend. "He is the Deputy Commander of the unit Elliot's serve in."

Now that she finally sees the face of the man, many memories from the other night suddenly enter Alycia's mind. Not to mention that some are so embarrassing that it makes her close her eyes in shame!

Her mother was right! She should really stop drinking too much!

"Do you want me to look into him?" Kevin Shaw who remains standing before Alycia's desk with his hands behind his back asks, observing his boss's expression like always.

Alycia ponders for a while but shakes her head. "There's no need. Just get me his number." Her voice is especially low when she adds, "I should at least thank him."

"I understand," Kevin promptly responds and thinks twice before he says, "Your mother told me about -"

"I know," Alycia Reese interrupts and rises from her seat. "For now, do as she says. I will try to find a way to get out of this."

A faint yet amusing smile appears on the face of the assistant who maintains his composure most of the time. "Your mother is only worried about you, President."

"I also know that, but you -"

"I am fine with it," Kevin Shaw quickly says as he already knows what his boss is trying to say. "Working a bit extra is nothing hard." He makes a deliberate pause to observe Alycia before he points out, "But you don't look fine. May I ask if something is wrong?"

The breakup immediately crosses Alycia's mind but she shakes her head. "It's nothing. You should get back to work."

Kevin Shaw is sure that something is going on but like always, he does not insist and listens to Alycia instead. He bows and turns to leave but he suddenly realizes one thing. "One more thing, President," he says, turning back to face Alycia. "I received an update from the General's office. They want you to suggest a date and time for your proposal."

Alycia Reese slightly raises a brow but deep inside, she feels like she knows why. Still, she asks, "They aren't picking themselves while we are the ones who reach out to them first?"

"I asked them about it but they said it's the General's request," Kevin Shaw replies and asks, "Shall I look through your schedule and arrange the meeting?"

Without responding right away, Alycia Reese narrows her eyes at the small calendar placed on her desk and looks at a certain date. "The day after tomorrow looks fine to me," she says in a strangely low voice and adds, "Even better if it can be around an hour or two before dinner time."

Deciding a specific date and time for a business meeting... the President has never done this before as it is always his work and Kevin Shaw is a bit taken aback by it. Still, he does not remark and responds by saying "I will talk to the General's office and get back to you."

Alycia nods and the assistant finally leaves the office. However, Alycia's gaze is still fixated on the calendar even when a minute passes. Then finally, she turns away and narrows her eyes.

No matter what, she is sure that her mother won't like what she is up to.....