It was an order

Althea approached Tyler who just went back inside.

"Did she already leave?" She asked Tyler. He just nodded and poured alcohol into his glass.

"She already knew that Mark is Wang's ally. Now, she is starting to suspect that either I am also an ally of Wang or I am your girlfriend."

Althea chuckled at what she said. The house where they were now is the house that Tyler bought just to be close to Wang. So basically, Tyler lied to Lanie that night when he said that he was visiting a friend.

"I'll leave her to you. I don't want her to get false ideas." Tyler finished off his drink and poured another.

"Don't worry. Lieutenant Alvarez will work on that." Althea said as she stood up and bid goodbye to Tyler.

"Urgh!!" Lanie rolled on her bed. "Why do I care? What now if they have a relationship? That is their lives, why do I have to meddle in that?" She just groaned and put her pillow on her face and screamed. Damn. She was so pissed off.

She stood up and dialed Alvarez's number. She needs to release this stress. "Yes?" He answered. His voice… He just woke up?

"Let's meet up." She heard his cough on the other line.

"Whoah! Whoah! Easy there, lady." She rolled her eyes.

"I have something to say regarding what happened yesterday. Don't be too full of yourself, you're not my type." She said irritably.

"Hmm. Someone's having a bad day, eh?" He teased her.

"Just meet me at the convenience store near my apartment." She said after she ended the call.

She washed up and changed into her comfortable clothes. She a pair of shorts and a sleeveless shirt then she wears an oversized hoodie. Since the convenience store is just near her apartment, it takes 3 minutes to get there. She bought cup noodles and coke while waiting for Alvarez. Almost 20 minutes had passed when Alvarez came. She already finished what she was eating and she was just about to get some sandwiches.

"Are you in a state of stress eating right now?" Alvarez asked confusedly. Lanie just rolled her eyes at him and signaled him to get his food also. She has a lot of things on her mind and one of her ways to clear her mind is to eat.

"Is Althea and Tyler together?" Patrick Alvarez almost choked at what Lanie said.

"WHAT?!" Lanie liked to cover his mouth because some of the customers looked at them.

"Nothing. Nevermind. Continue eating." She said and sighed. She played with her empty coke can. He was just staring at Lanie while he was eating. Lanie sensed that he had something to say but he was just looking at the perfect timing. He wanted to ask her if she was jealous or something but he knew she was not in a good mood today.

"About yesterday," She started. Alvarez did not speak, he just stared at her, listening.

"About Mark. He was an orphan." Lanie bit her lower lip as she remembered again what Mark said that night.

"Was?" His eyebrows furrowed. Lanie nodded.

"There was this family who adopted him. Angel Hope Orphanage was not doing well at that time so the Sisters could not afford his studies. Then coincidentally, this family became a sponsor of the orphanage and wished to adopt him." He stopped eating and leaned on the chair while listening carefully to her.

"Well, before he went to the orphanage, there was this lady who temporarily adopted him until his mother came back. But 3 months have passed, and his mother did not come back to get him until something happened to the lady's family causing her to bring him to the orphanage." Alvarez breathed, trying to process what she said.

"Where is his mother?" he asked. She stared at him for a second before shaking her head. "She died in a car accident while on her way to get him."

After she told him about Mark's life, they became silent. Until he started throwing questions again.

"Who was the family who adopted him?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Wang," Lanie answered and let out a heavy sigh.

"He is an alliance of Wang, isn't he?" Lanie asked him with a sad voice.

"Yes, he is." Lanie suddenly looked at him- surprised by his answer.

He drank his coke before continuing to speak. "Althea told me." She gasped. What is he talking about?

"Althea was there. You were followed." She looked at him in disbelief.

"But you said she was not there?"

He combed his hair backward. "She told me not to tell you that she was there. She wanted you to have a good day with Mark. A peaceful day, at least. She knew that Mark is an alliance of the Wangs, that's why she always follows you whenever you are with him." He explained.

"But why? Why would she do that?"

"Because it was an order." Lanie's mind was in chaos right now.

"From whom? Is she an enemy, too?" He shook his head.

"No. She is on your side. As well as the person who gave her the order to watch you. So, do not ever think that she is suspicious again."

"Who is that person?" Lanie asked. Her heart was beating so fast.

"Who do you think is her boss?" He asked, looking at Lanie directly in her eyes. Lanie felt her hands slightly shaking. When he did not get an answer from her, he spoke again.

"I guess you already have an idea who it is. You are right. It is the same boss from the place where she is working." He said. Lanie avoided her gaze away from him. She started to heavy breathing. Her chest tightened. No. It can't be.

"It is Tyler Lancaster, Lanie." Patrick Alvarez continued, causing her to lose her mind even more.