NOVPUB
Chapter 64 - 64- a part of plan
Cynthia's mind raced as she pieced together the strange connections. The old man, the mysterious Jim, and now Monica—everything seemed more complicated than she had imagined. She couldn't deny that part of her curiosity was piqued. What did Albert Wilson really want with her family? Was he playing some twisted game?
Monica, seemingly impervious to Cynthia's guarded demeanor, leaned closer, a sly smile playing on her lips as she toyed with the idea of a drink. The invitation hung in the air, almost too tempting to ignore.
Cynthia narrowed her eyes at Monica, still not fully trusting her. "You really think you're the only one who can read him?" she asked skeptically, her tone betraying just a hint of doubt.
Monica winked, her confidence unwavering. "Believe me, honey. I know more about my boss than anyone else. And I'm pretty sure I can guess what's on your mind."
The gleam in her eyes told Cynthia that Monica was not just playing games; she genuinely held some insight into Albert's thoughts. But how much of it was the truth?
Cynthia paused, weighing her options. She was not one to drink casually, and certainly not with someone like Monica. But if it meant getting closer to the answers she desperately needed, it might be worth a shot. With a resigned sigh, she finally gave a nod.
"Alright, one drink," she muttered, almost to herself. "But you better have something real to say."
Monica's smile widened, satisfied with the arrangement. "Deal. And don't worry, I always deliver the truth... in style."
Monica, clearly pleased by the idea of having Cynthia accompany her, flashed a grin at Maureen before leading the way out of the room. Cynthia followed her, glancing briefly at her aunt and uncle, who were still sitting at the table. Despite the tension hanging thick in the air, she didn't want to add to it by explaining further. Besides, there was something about Monica's attitude—so carefree, yet calculating—that intrigued her.
As they walked down the corridor to the exit, Cynthia could feel the weight of Albert's gaze on her back, almost tangible, like he was watching her every move. It irritated her, but she refused to let it show. She had already made up her mind—if she was going to understand what Albert really wanted, she had to play this game his way, even if it meant spending a little time with the woman who seemed so easily comfortable in his world.
Monica led them to a quieter corner of the venue, away from the dining area. It was a small, intimate lounge, perfect for conversation—if one could call it that. Monica immediately ordered drinks, her bubbly attitude at odds with the slightly sinister undertone that had been lingering since Cynthia had entered the scene.
"Relax, Cynthia," Monica said, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she leaned in. "We're just going to chat, you know? No harm in that."
Cynthia took a seat, still uneasy, but determined not to let it show. "Alright, let's talk. What's really going on between Albert and my family?"
Monica's grin never faltered as she sipped her drink, clearly enjoying the tension in the air. "Oh, honey," she began, "it's not as simple as you think. But you'll figure it out soon enough... Trust me, you'll get all the answers you need tonight."
Cynthia narrowed her eyes. "Is that a promise?"
Monica leaned back, her tone a little more serious now. "I don't make promises. But I do give you something better—insight. And that's worth more than you know."
As the conversation unfolded, Cynthia felt the weight of the evening pressing down on her. She wasn't sure if she trusted Monica, but she had no other choice. If she was going to survive whatever game Albert Wilson was playing, she needed every scrap of information she could get.
Cynthia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Monica's exaggerated theatrics. She was starting to get the sense that Monica was far more than just a bubbly, flirtatious figure. Behind her playful demeanor, there was a sharp edge, a sense that she was more aware of things than she let on. Despite her earlier reluctance, Cynthia couldn't help but feel a little intrigued.
"Monica, stop making fun of me," Cynthia said with a light chuckle, though it was laced with a touch of frustration. "I'm not in the mood for jokes. Tell me what's really going on between Albert and my family."
Monica's laughter died down, but her mischievous grin remained as she tilted her head thoughtfully, clearly enjoying the tension in the room. She didn't seem to be in a hurry to give Cynthia any answers. Instead, she took a slow sip of her drink, savoring it before setting the glass down with a soft clink.
"Ah, you're serious now, huh?" Monica asked, her voice dropping to a lower, more thoughtful tone. "Well, let me tell you something, Cynthia... Albert doesn't do anything without a reason. He's got a plan, always. You don't think he's just playing around, do you?"
Cynthia felt her stomach tighten at the mention of Albert's calculating nature. "So you're saying he's after something? What exactly?"
Monica chuckled again, but this time it wasn't playful—it was a bit more cryptic, as if she was choosing her words carefully. "You think I know everything? I only know what I see... And what I see is a man who doesn't let go of anything he wants. And right now, I think he's just... enjoying the game."
Cynthia's heart sank. This was the last thing she wanted to hear. She had hoped for a clearer answer, something that would give her some reassurance that Maureen and the others were safe. But the more Monica spoke, the more she realized that Albert's actions were far from straightforward, and he was playing some dangerous game that Cynthia didn't fully understand yet.
"Look," Monica continued, clearly picking up on Cynthia's growing unease, "you'll find out soon enough. But for now, just remember, Albert's got his eyes on the long-term. He's not the type to do something out of impulse." She gave Cynthia a sly smile. "So, what you see with him... might not be what you get."
Cynthia tried to keep her composure, but her mind was racing. Monica's words were like pieces of a puzzle she couldn't quite put together, but she was getting the feeling that whatever game Albert was playing, it was far more dangerous than she had originally thought.
Monica noticed the skepticism on Cynthia's face and couldn't help but laugh. It was a sharp, teasing sound, almost as if she was enjoying seeing Cynthia's disbelief.
"Yeah, I know it sounds crazy," Monica said, shaking her head with a playful smirk. "But believe me, even Albert has his moments. He might be cold and ruthless, but there are times when he feels... responsible. You really think he's completely heartless?"
Cynthia narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced. The more Monica spoke, the more it sounded like she was trying to justify Albert's actions, or at least make them seem more understandable. But Cynthia couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on behind the scenes—things that Monica wasn't sharing.
"I don't buy it," Cynthia replied firmly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Albert Wilson doesn't do anything unless there's something in it for him. If he helped Wendy, it's because he's got an angle. And I'm pretty sure that whatever it is, it's not out of some misplaced sense of guilt."
Monica raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Cynthia's skepticism. "Alright, alright, so maybe he's not going to turn into a saint overnight. But you can't deny that there's something in him that wants to make things right sometimes... Even if it's just to keep the peace for his own sake."
Cynthia shook her head, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. She wasn't sure what Monica was playing at, but she wasn't about to let her off the hook so easily.
"So, what exactly are you trying to say?" Cynthia asked, her voice sharp with impatience. "That Albert is some kind of conflicted hero now? That he's just doing this because he feels sorry for me? I'm not buying it, Monica. I've seen how he operates. He's not a man who does things out of the goodness of his heart."
Monica leaned back, tapping her finger against her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe not. But let me tell you something: Albert's not the only one playing games here. You're a smart woman, Cynthia. You know how to read between the lines. And I'm sure you know that there's more at play here than just your little spat with him."
Cynthia's brow furrowed, a realization slowly dawning on her. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.
Monica grinned, leaning forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and something else—something deeper. "I mean that whatever Albert's up to, it's not just about you. It's bigger than that. And maybe, just maybe, you're right about him being selfish. But you're also part of his plan. Whether you like it or not."
Cynthia felt a chill run down her spine at Monica's words. She had a feeling that what Monica was saying was more than just speculation. There was a bigger game going on, and Cynthia was tangled up in it more than she'd ever realized.
Cynthia's eyes widened, the sudden shift in Monica's tone catching her off guard. She could feel the weight of Monica's words sinking in, and the playful gleam in the other woman's eyes only made the situation feel more unsettling.
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Cynthia asked, her voice low and cautious. She wasn't sure if Monica was just teasing, or if there was something more serious lurking beneath her words.
