Chapter 19 Crazy/Interlude

Chapter 19 Crazy/Interlude
"A shocking development in Arclight as Sentient Technologies partners with the uprising Auralis & Zade Technologies and Innovations to develop the microchip referred to as a magic cube by many Engineers in the field. The chip named, Z359 was originally developed by the genius CEO Adam Freeman before his death and is now the focus of his wife Zina Freeman who appears desperate to continue his legacy"

"Word has been going around over the past few weeks about the mysterious new genius in Arclight who appears to have inexplicable insights into Z359. . . "

Andrea glanced up at Lucia, who had just paused the news display on the tablet she held.

"How did this get out?" Lucia asked curiously, her expression showing some annoyance.

"I have no clue" Andrea shook her head slowly.

"This makes my job a million times harder." Lucia groaned and collapsed into the sofa beside Andrea.

Just then, Gabriel walked in, buttoning his shirt. He paused at the sight of Lucia but continued unbothered.

"Have you seen the news?" Lucia asked casually.

Gabriel paused and looked straight ahead, his eyes flashing an intense blue light for a second and then he resumed his actions.

"Just did" he replied.

"Don't do that" Andrea glanced up at him and scolded.

"Already did," Gabriel replied, earning a scowl from her.

"How did the news get out?" Gabriel asked turning to Lucia.

"That's what I'm here to find out" Lucia replied, her frustration evident.

"Here?" Gabriel asked again, narrowing his eyes.

"Well? Do your thing" Lucia shrugged.

Gabriel scoffed and turned away from her heading into the kitchen.

"Hey, you just watched the news in like a split second, just take a second and find out what happened," Lucia urged.

"That was a slip, and I'm not doing it again. You'll have to investigate the old-fashioned way," Gabriel replied from the kitchen.

Lucia turned to Andrea for help but the latter simply shrugged at her. She turned again to Gabriel who stepped back into the living room with a piece of bread in hand as he chewed.

"What the hell are you doing?" Lucia asked scowling.

"Swimming?" Gabriel replied without missing a beat forcing Andrea to let out a snicker.

"Am I crazy? Are you eating? Is he eating?" she directed the last question at Andrea.

"Lucia, just get Tony on it" Andrea spoke up to rescue the exasperated Lucia.

"Also get Fiona to amp up security, no more single vehicles"

"Is there something wrong?" Lucia asked, her expression turning solemn. Gabriel also paused his chewing to stare at Andrea, obviously interested in the answer.

"The police have decided to reopen Adam's case and there was an attempt at the lab"

"Someone is targeting us" Lucia's expression turned frosty. She was in charge of security, but Andrea always got information before her, thanks to her access to Gabriel.

"Your work was getting harder anyway," Gabriel said to Lucia and walked back up the stairs.

Lucia watched him go then turned to Andrea.

"He's different" she commented.

"His codes are changing and he's not consciously doing it" Andrea replied, a small pleased smile on her face.

"He's realized a subconscious?" Lucia gaped.

"Apparently" Andrea shrugged.

"Is that even possible?"

A moment later, Gabriel was down, his suit gone, he was now wearing blue colored jeans and a grey t-shirt.

"What happened to your meeting with Zina?" Andrea asked in surprise at his changed outfit.

"I'll reschedule," Gabriel replied.

"No, it's okay, I'll take care of everything, you go. Just be cautious" Andrea refused.

"Are you sure?" Gabriel asked squinting.

Andrea nodded in reply and rose from the sofa dropping her tablet as she did.
She was wearing an oversized shirt, her thighs and legs bare. The shirt did nothing to hide her lithe figure, her body perfectly toned.

Gabriel faltered at the sight of her nipples poking through the shirt, and he swiftly turned around and returned upstairs.

"Oh wow," Lucia seemed amused at his reaction.
"When did that happen?" she asked, turning to Andrea, who stood frozen in surprise.

"I have no clue" Andrea replied. She had always appeared this casual before Gabriel, and it never mattered, but now something was changing, and it both pleased and unsettled her.

"He didn't react to me" Lucia teased. While she was more appropriately dressed, her belly was exposed from the crop top she had on.

Impassive to Lucia's teasing, Andrea's gaze simply shifted to her, brows raised to express her displeasure at the joke.

"I'll head out" Lucia chuckled and made for the door.

"Lucy," Andrea called quickly, and Lucia stopped.

"Be careful"

Lucia seemed to melt, her shoulders dropping slightly and she smiled warmly before nodding.

As she headed out, Gabriel came back down. Andrea turned her gaze to him and caught his gaze lingering on her chest. The corner of her lips twitched as a smile threatened, and she folded her arms, making her boobs pop out slightly.

Gabriel shifted his gaze and marched for the door.

"I'm heading out, be safe," he warned, but his tone was not as collected or commanding as he usually was.

"You as well," Lucia replied, watching him go with a soft, loving smile on her lips.

Her gaze lingered on the door even after Gabriel was out of view and she heard the sound of the car starting.

She glanced down at her tablet on the sofa and a frown appeared on her face at the tabloid open on it.

'Conspiracy: Adam Freeman killed by mysterious man over Z359'

The heading read.

Just then another popped open on her screen.
'Adam Freeman Dead?'

A few more flooded the screen.
'Who is Gabriel Auralis?'

'The traitor of Sentient Technologies'

'Shadow power hanging over Min'

'Hidden details of the One Love capture and release in Min"

The headings, each more ridiculous and clickbaity than the last popped up after another on the screen as Andrea stared at it solemnly.

A small victorious smile suddenly appeared on her face.

"I will find you" she muttered.