"Alicia, you cannot imagine how happy I am right now!" Daisy squealed over the phone.
Alicia chuckled, curling a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, I can definitely tell from your voice."
"So, tell me where are you?"
"I'm still in his house, girlfriend, but I'll be leaving for my apartment this afternoon."
"Ahhh!" Daisy gasped. "No wonder Jeff wasn't around to welcome Leo. You two were probably playing house. "I'm happy for you, Daisy. Truly."
"All this happened because of you, Alicia. I wouldn't have met my prince charming if it wasn't for you."Ohhh, so now he's your prince?" Alicia teased, laughing.
But before Daisy could answer, Alicia's smile dropped. Her eyes widened. "I'll call you later," she said quickly. "I… I have a husband situation to deal with right now."
Her fingers froze around the phone. He was right behind her. His intense eyes bored into her skull like lasers, and the heavy silence suddenly felt suffocating. How long had he been standing there?
Leo's voice came low and sharp, like ice slicing through steel. "Who. Asked. You. To change the theme of my bedroom?" "I—I just thought…" she stammered, completely caught off guard.
"You thought wrong," he snapped. "You can live in this darkness if you want to, Leo , but don't drag me into it. I refuse to be trapped in a world that's constantly dim just because you're afraid of light."
He took a breath.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that."He said nothing. She walked past him, her shoulder brushing his as she headed for the door.
"Excuse me. I need to attend to your sister."
BANG. The door slammed behind her, leaving Leo standing alone with the echoes of his own anger.
"Alice, your gown is ready!" Alicia announced, her voice lighting up the room. "Really?!" Alice squealed. "Alicia, you're amazing!"
And the jewelry Ricky will deliver it tomorrow," Alicia added with a wink. "You're going to be the most gorgeous Homecoming Queen in New York."
"Martha, please bring in the dress," Alicia instructed. "Yes, ma'am." Moments later, the silky gown was unveiled.
Alice gasped. "Oh my gosh… Alicia! This is stunning! I knew you had excellent taste, but this… this is perfect." You flatter me," Alicia said, smiling warmly. "This is nothing, really. I just want you to feel beautiful that day. And you know I'm here if you need help with anything."
"Thank you, Alicia. You're honestly the best."
The door suddenly flew open.What's going on here?!" Lisa's voice cut through the air like a whip.
Alicia instinctively stood up, maintaining her poise with a polite smile. "Mom, look! Alicia picked out my gown. Isn't it lovely?"
Lisa's eyes scanned the gown before her lips curved into a tight smile. "It's beautiful. I thought I would be the one choosing your gown… but it seems you already have someone else filling that role."
"Ma'am Lisa," Alicia interjected carefully, "I didn't mean to overstep—"
"That's enough, Alicia," Lisa snapped. "You already have my son's loyalty. Now you want to take my place with my daughter too?"
Alice quickly stepped in, eyes pleading. "Mother, don't say that. No one could ever replace you. You were busy with Dad, Aunt Stacy, and planning the Riverson Ball, so I asked Alicia for help."
Lisa's lips thinned. "So now it's my fault?"
I didn't say that," Alice murmured.
Alicia tried again, softly: "Ma'am, I'll ask Martha to return the gown if it's a problem—"
"No!" Alice interrupted. "I love this gown. I'm wearing it to Homecoming. Please don't take this moment away from me."
Lisa stared at her for a second, then turned silently and walked away leaving behind an uncomfortable silence that swallowed the room
"Alright guys, we've got three days to pull this off," Alice said with command in her voice, clipboard in hand. "Classes will be on pause starting today. Let's get to work." The entire planning committee nodded eagerly.
"To start with, Japheth and I will begin dance rehearsals today. Michael you're in charge of the stage and decorations."
"On it!" Michael said, jotting it down.
"Ronald," Marga called out, "can you get the crowns for Homecoming King and Queen?"
"Leave that to me," Ronald replied confidently.
Luciana raised her hand. "Alice, if you don't mind me asking how much is the event budget?" Alice barely blinked. "I transferred $500,000 into the council's account this morning."
"Half a million?!" Logan's voice cracked in disbelief.Alice tilted her head. "Is that not enough?"
"Enough?" Ronald jumped in, wide-eyed. "That's insane, Alice. Thank you!"
There's no need to thank me," Alice replied softly. Her gaze drifted toward Japheth.
He was watching her but not with admiration. His eyes were cold. Sharp. Distant. She smiled gently, trying to reach him through her eyes.
But he didn't smile back.He looked away.
Alice's heart dropped slightly. What just happened? she wondered. They had shared so many laughs lately… they were supposed to be in a good place.
Why did he suddenly look at her like she was the enemy?