Temptation

Chapter Twenty-Six

As the next week went by, Tom and Alice decided to focus more on the play as their performance dates were coming very quickly. Alice spent her office hours with Tom working on her paper for her senior project on the play, determined to get the best grade possible. Alice made sure that the choreography was looking neat and sharp. Towards the end of March, she was pleased with how it was looking and very impressed with them all. It was a struggle at first finding a way to fit herself into the dance as well as teaching it but she got the hang of it. Tom watched Alice during rehearsals and went over her paper for her senior project. He admired the hard work she put in to everything as well as still working at the cabaret show. He wanted to surprise her and treat her for the work she's done.

During one of his office hours, Tom was able to get Pierre's number, explaining how if anything happened to her, he could get in contact with them to alert them. When Alice left, Tom told her he wanted to go over some more of his notes. She kissed his cheek before exiting the room. As soon as the door closed, Tom called Pierre.

"Hello?" He heard Pierre answer.

"This is Tom."

"Alice give you my number?"

"I asked for it."

"Any reason?" Pierre chuckled.

"I want to organize a surprise for Alice. I know her birthday is coming up. March twenty-third." Tom explained.

"That sounds nice. Where do we come in?"

"I know it's on a Monday, so you'll all be free. She's been working so hard on the play here and I just want her to unwind and relax. By the pier, they just opened a small amusement park type place. Is there any way you guys could get there by six and I come with Alice at seven and you guys surprise her."

"How would we surprise her? Wouldn't she know we're there?"

"Tell her you guys have some other type of event that day. Tell her you'll celebrate with her after the twenty-third."

"Alright. I'll get the others in on it. Alice might get suspicious. She usually gets us to celebrate with her. And given that this is her twenty-first, she's expecting us to drink with her. And when I say drink, I mean drink." Pierre told him.

"Please, help me out. I want to treat her to a fun night and let her unwind for a bit."

"Of course. I'll tell them the plan." Pierre chuckled.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem. And congrats on getting Esther's approval. I don't know what you did but it worked. You must really love our girl."

"I do." Tom beamed.

Once Alice made it back to her apartment, she took off her coat and set it on the hook.

"Alright, guys! The birthday's next week! What are we doing?" Alice called out.

She watched as Pierre and Cory emerged from their bedroom.

"We're real sorry, hun. We're going to have to celebrate it after the twenty-third." Pierre spoke.

"What? Why?" Alice scoffed.

"Cory's mom needs surgery on that day and she's got no one to take her in. We're going to help her out. But we can celebrate it on Tuesday. We're free that day."

"What surgery?" Alice narrowed her eyes.

"Hernia." Cory replied.

"How'd she get that?"