Conflict Of Interest - Part 2 (When Your Crazy Ex-Sister-In-Law...

The catch

two days later

Alicia ran her fingers through her ponytail and raised her chin as she stared back at Tamayo, her nostrils dilated. She never liked the guy, but a moment ago he managed to advance so much on the list of the people she just couldn't stand that he was about to kick the Professor out of his leading position.

"I know that you don't like this..." he said. "But he made all our mess public! This is our only way out with the least damage..."

"With the least damage for you probably." Alicia replied bluntly. "Because for me it certainly isn't." she added laughing bitterly. "Even if with an expensive lawyer and some good collegial support I manage to stay out of jail, my whole career, my whole life basically... will be fucked."

Tamayo hesitated before he answered. "Your career will inevitably suffer." he said eventually. "But you will be fine, I've told you! We'll take care-"

"I got it! I don't want to hear it again." Alicia raised a hand to silence him, than stood up from the chair she was sitting on. Are you really influential enough to move enough strings for me to get out of this? I don't trust you...

She placed a hand on her belly and stretched her back as she took a deep breath, while doing her best to not tear up. Honey... you're not just going to be born into a fucked up world, you'll also get a fucked up mom! It will be a fun ride...

"So... can we count on you?" Tamayo asked.

Alicia clenched her jaw. Sure... I'll carry this whole mess on my shoulders, while you walk away brushing some fluff away from your costume... In your dreams, you spineless imbecile!

She turned back to him and nodded. "I'll do what I have to." she said pressing her lips together into a thin smile, then walked out of the tent.

And you won't like it.

.

Sergio was watching a recording of the recent news. He's been away meeting up with Jakov to make sure everything regarding the plan is going smoothly and could not follow Alicia's press conference live.

Satisfatction and guilt were rapidly alternating in him as he listened to the woman's sharp answers coming from the platform. And soon both of these feelings weres overridden by growing excitement, and his jaw dropped when the woman did not just go wild, putting the blame on the police, she went far enough to talk against the entire government on the national television.

That he did not see coming. Good job! his lips curled into a smile.

He heard some noise from the entrance of the place, so paused the video to look around. There was nothing. Probably just the pipes... He leaned back in his chair and let out a relived sigh as his glance fell on Alicia's fierce expression from his screen again. This turned out better than I even hoped it will... He couldn't help but look at her with a newfound awe, almost gratitude. In that moment, he could have hugged her.

"My world is in ruins... but looks like I acquiered a fan." he heard a familiar voice behind his back.

"Alicia-" he turned back to look at the intruder, but he jumped up when he noticed that the woman behind his back was holding a gun in her hands, pointing it at him. "Alicia... What -"

Her bitter smile just turned into a grin. "The fact that we have a common enemy now, does not make us automatically friends." she said coldly. "Your benefit from this situation is just... an unwanted side effect..."