Chapter 102 You Can Sleep a Little Longer
"What's up? You don't like me picking you up?" Aidan's voice had a hint of frustration. He'd gone out of his way to transfer her to his team just to spend more time together. Why didn't she get it? Did she really dislike him that much?
Alison noticed Aidan's displeasure and gently explained, "Mr. President, I just thought you could use more sleep." She didn't want to start her first day as his secretary on a bad note, but Aidan misunderstood her intentions.
Aidan smiled, satisfied with her answer. "I'm used to getting up early. Don't worry about it. I'll be waiting at the entrance of your apartment complex tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Alison didn't have a car, so she had to ride with him to the camping trip. It didn't matter if they left a bit earlier or later.
Alison was still adjusting to her new position. Claire, as friendly as ever, showed her to the desk Aidan had arranged. "Alison, this is your spot."
"Thanks." From this desk, she could see the glass window of the president's office. Although the special glass made it hard for those inside to see out, those outside had a clear view in. Alison felt a bit awkward but sat down anyway.
The day was quiet. Apart from assigning her tasks, Aidan didn't say much to her. But thinking about the camping trip tomorrow made Alison a bit anxious. Aimée and Jack were also going, and she felt that Aimée didn't like her.
Pregnant women were more prone to irritability, so Alison decided not to dwell on it. Even if Aimée made things difficult for her, she would just have to endure it.
Early the next morning, when Alison walked out of her apartment complex, Aidan's car had been waiting for a while. He kept looking towards the entrance, and when he finally saw Alison, he happily honked the horn. He felt as if he owed Alison something from a past life; she had been on his mind constantly these past few days.
Alison jogged over, worried that the honking would wake the neighbors.
Seeing Alison awkwardly running towards the car with her backpack, Aidan quickly got out to greet her. "Here, let me help you with that."
Alison chuckled softly. The morning breeze felt particularly refreshing. Once she was settled in the car, Aidan personally fastened her seatbelt and asked, "Why did you bring so much stuff?"
"It's for the picnic. I went to the supermarket last night to buy some ingredients." Alison thought Aimée might like some nourishing food, but she was concerned that camping might not be good for Aimée's condition. However, since it was their idea, Alison didn't say anything.
As Aidan started the car, he asked with a smile, "Did you buy all this just to take care of me?"
"It's for everyone," Alison replied with a laugh, feeling a bit uncomfortable with his directness.
"Oh, they might not even come," Aidan said.
"What?" Alison realized Aidan was hinting that Jack and Aimée might not show up.
"What's wrong? Just the two of us going isn't good?" Aidan asked.
"Well..." Alison was at a loss for words. Being alone with him would be... She didn't want to give Aidan any opportunities.
"Well, you're already in the car. It's too late to back out now. Call Jack and see if he's up. If he is, we'll go; if not, we won't." Aidan said casually.
"Why don't you call?" Alison hesitated.
"You call. It'd be awkward if Aimée answered and I was on the line. It's no big deal between you women." Aidan didn't know about Alison and Jack's past. If he did, he wouldn't have asked her to make the call.
So Aimée and Jack were living together now, Alison thought. Aimée probably needed Jack's care.
"Alright." Alison reluctantly picked up her phone. She knew Jack's number by heart, having memorized it for four years. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed.
When the call connected, the familiar ringtone made Alison's heart skip a beat.
"Hello, who's this?" It was Aimée's voice, not Jack's, just as Aidan had predicted.
"Aimée, it's Alison."
"Oh, it's you." Aimée sounded annoyed. She had accidentally taken Jack's phone last night and was now holding it.
"I need to ask you and Jack something. Aidan wants to know if you guys are still coming to the camping trip today?" Alison mustered the courage to ask, wanting to end the call quickly. Talking to Aimée made her uncomfortable.
"We're not coming. Jack's still asleep," Aimée said lazily. She didn't want to give Jack and Alison a chance to meet.
"Okay." Alison felt a bit disappointed but didn't have time to dwell on it.
Just as she was about to hang up, Aimée called out, "Wait, Alison, where are you guys now?"
"We haven't left the city yet."
"Drive slowly. Jack and I will catch up. Do you need us to bring anything?" Aimée had changed her mind. She saw this as an opportunity to deal with the baby she was carrying.
Alison relayed Aimée's message to Aidan. "Aidan, Aimée asked if we need anything."
Aidan thought for a moment. "Tell them to bring their own tent. I only brought one for us."
Alison conveyed the message. "Aimée, Aidan says just bring your own tent."
Aimée agreed and quickly hung up. She ran out into the hallway in her pajamas, shouting for Jack, waking everyone in the house.
Jack turned over, annoyed by the noise. Aimée, seeing no response, banged on his door, urging him to get up for the camping trip, saying Aidan and Alison were waiting.
Hearing their names, Jack sat up, asking what she was talking about. Aimée said she wanted to go camping with them. Jack, confused, reminded her she had said she didn't want to go yesterday. Aimée changed her story, saying she now wanted to go.
Jack pointed out they didn't have a tent, but Aimée didn't care, saying they'd figure it out. She had other plans.
Aimée quickly dressed, put on sneakers, and dragged Jack out of the house, saying it was for the baby's sake, to let the baby experience nature. Jack, though annoyed, had to accommodate her because of the pregnancy.
Yawning, Jack got in the car. Though reluctant, he drove quickly. The thought of Alison waiting made him feel unexpectedly happy. He used to go camping every summer, but had been going alone the past couple of years. This year, he agreed because Aimée wanted to go.
Aimée sat beside him, pretending to be concerned, telling him to drive slowly because she was afraid of stomach pain. But in reality, she hoped the baby would be gone soon.
She had been jumping around when Jack wasn't home, hoping to miscarry, but the baby was stubbornly hanging on. She was anxious but had to pretend to care deeply about the baby, making Jack think she was willing to do anything for it.
In the car, Jack said, "Aimée, Mom said camping isn't suitable for you right now."
She smiled and replied, "It's fine. I'll be careful. Besides, I want the baby to get some fresh air."
Jack didn't say more. He had always been careful to avoid getting women pregnant, making sure they took pills in front of him to avoid trouble. He didn't want to be surprised by a child calling him daddy one day. With so many women, he'd be overwhelmed.
But Aimée was different. The Rolland family had helped his mother, so he treated Aimée specially.