The Three Alliances - 1

"How can you say that?" Alvarez asked in confusion.

"I am sure of this. I am sure because I saw them following me. When Mr. and Mrs. Wang were staying in our hotel, we cleaned their room and I saw that spider tattoo. I was very anxious that day, I know Mark noticed it but he decided not to ask me instead he watched me the whole day. After our shifts, I went to the coffee shop near our hotel to spy on the couple. I invited him to the coffee shop but he refused because he said he was very sleepy and tired so I went there by myself. Minutes passed, and I felt anxious again, so I carefully roamed my eyes and saw a man, in an all-black outfit with a cap and mask, on the other side of the road. I knew it was Mark. He followed and watched me not only at the coffee shop but until at his residence of Wang. When I was looking at their mansion, Yael Wang, the youngest son, suddenly went out and left. Later I realized that that car was familiar. That car was Mark's old car."

"You mean, Mark is an ally of the Wangs?" He said and she nodded at him. "But, why? I mean, how did that happen?" That was the question Lanie also wanted to ask. Why and how Mark became their ally?

"Should we investigate him? If we do, maybe we can find some information about why he is on the side of the Wangs." She thought of some possible way to know the true identity of Mark but she can't think of any. He has not talked that much since he met him. He was always with them but she doesn't remember that he talked about his family or relatives to them.

"Later," She said. "Let me find a way to find it out in a natural way."

***

Lanie was dozing off in the pantry. She did not sleep that much last night so here she was, getting a strong coffee. "Damn." She cursed when the hot water burned her pointing finger.

"You're sleep-deprived?" Mark asked when he entered the pantry. Lanie only shook her head. He got bottled water and was ready to go out but Lanie called him.

"Can I treat you to lunch tomorrow?" She asked. He was caught off guard a little bit then raised his eyebrow. "Why? Do you like me?" He asked what made Lanie cough and for Pete's sake, she was drinking her coffee! Mark smirked. He liked it when he teased her.

"W-what? No! I just realized that we do not hang out often because we are both busy. We also deserve some rest, you know?" He chuckled at her reaction.

"Chill! You are so defensive. Sure, tomorrow, your treat, right?" Lanie smiled and nodded. He just winked at her before leaving.

Althea curiously looked at Lanie when she arrived at the lobby. "What happened?" she asked.

"Huh? What happened?" Lanie confusedly asked. Althea shrugged and pointed in the direction of Mark.

"Both ears are so red and he's smiling like an idiot." Lanie laughed at what she said.

"Oh! That. It's nothing. I invited him to have lunch tomorrow and he joked about me liking him, so…" she explained and shrugged. Althea nodded and looked at her like I said something amazing.

"Hmm. Enjoy, then." She smiled menacingly at her before going back to work.

***

Lanie updated Alvarez that she will be having lunch with Mark today. She also told him that Althea knew about this lunch. That's why he suggested that he will watch them from afar and he will also check if Althea will spy on them.

"Where are we eating?" Mark asked while looking at the good place to eat.

"Where do you want? I told you, it's my treat. I will let you plan this day for us." she said while wiggling her eyebrows. After they walked for half an hour they finally decided where to eat. He chose a not-so-expensive restaurant.

"It's been a while since we did this. Going out together. Only the two of us. There are so many whines when we are hanging out." she chuckled.

"It was because you are killing the joy of whatever they want to do or wherever they want to go." He just scoffed. When the food arrived, they started talking about some stuff. Alvarez texted Lanie that he will be just near them but they will not notice him. She wondered what he would do. Is he in his disguise or what? He also said that there is no sign of Althea.

"Ah! I forgot to say this to you," Mark put down his fork and looked at her to listen to her.

"When I visited my Grandmother, she asked if it's okay to bring food to your parents. You know, she likes doing those things. She also asked about Althea and Penelope but I forgot to tell them." Mark drank his water. He became serious for seconds before giving her a forced smile. He knew what Lanie was planning to do right now. Mark can easily read her actions.

"She can give it to me. I don't have a parent." He said in a casual tone as if he doesn't care that he is an orphan.