Alycia Reese who is sitting inside her office, gently taps on the desk as she waits for a response.
Didn't he hear her? Why is he not saying anything?
Perhaps he does not know her name. However, this possibility is immediately struck off when she recalls how the Colonel brought her home.
How did he even know her house?! It is still too strange.
"Mr. Kent, are you there?" She waits again but this time, the response does not take long though it is not what she expected.
"Just a moment."
Inside the General's office, Colonel Mason briefly glances at General Patrick who is giving him a curious look. "Excuse me," he says to the General and slightly nods his head before walking out of the office.
"I apologize for earlier, Miss Reese," Mason Kent promptly apologizes once he is out of the room. "I was in a bit of a situation."
"It's fine," Alycia quickly remarks and adds, "I am the one who calls without a heads-up. You must be surprised." Making a deliberate pause, she quickly explains by saying, "Last night... I don't think I even thank you properly for it. That's why I asked my assistant to get me your number. I hope you aren't offended."
A faint smile appears on the Colonel's lips. "Not at all," he assures. Putting one hand in his pocket, a hint of nervosity could be seen on his face when he says, "I am glad you called. As you were quite drunk last night, I was afraid to be misunderstood."
Alycia Reese wonders what exactly Mason Kent is referring to.
Is he talking about how he ended up handling her the other night? Or the fact that he took her home when they had never even once talked to each other before?
Did she perhaps tell him her address while being drunk?
"I admit I have many questions," she honestly states after a moment of silence. "But I think I can trust in your motive, Mr. Kent. No bad guy would be so kind to handle a stranger like that."
The word 'stranger' sounds abnormally loud in Mason Kent's ears compared to other words. His mind even recalls many memories which are known to only him but he says nothing about it. "I am glad to hear that," he calmly responds instead.
The moment he finishes talking, the conversation he happened to hear and witness the other night crosses Mason's mind, making him feel at a loss for words to say.
If she were to know that he heard and saw everything, how would she think of it?
"Are you alright?" The question unconsciously escapes his lips and he is very quick to shut his eyes.
Why must he say that?!
Alycia Reese who is in the other line, raises a brow when she hears the question.
The other night, she went to a gathering to meet Elliot who just returned from a dangerous mission. She did not tell Elliot beforehand as she planned on surprising him by suddenly showing up but... that was how it ended.
Before she got Mason Kent's number, Alycia did some thinking and realized that Mason Kent was also present at that gathering. However, the fact that he happened to witness everything does not even cross Alycia's mind. As such, she ends up wondering what the question was for.
Did he ask her about her hangover? After all, she drank quite a lot the other night.
"I am fine," she finally replies and recalls her phone call with Mrs. Saunders earlier. "I still have your jacket with me. How about I return it? I am indebted to you for last night; so, if it's okay with you, I wish to buy you a meal."
She is not even aware of the effect her words have on the Colonel whose thoughts wrestle inside his mind!
A meal with her? The thought brings a smile to Mason's lips, only for it to slowly fade away, all because of the other thoughts entering his mind.
At one point, he even finds himself strange. Just a simple invitation for a meal, all because of her wish to express her gratitude, manages to make him feel happy and scared at the same time!
Of course, he would love to have a meal with her but... what about the aftermath?
Maybe he knows himself too well, making him overthink the possibilities. He is not usually like this. She makes him this way and she does not even have a clue about it.
"Alright," the Colonel ends up agreeing despite his inner war and asks, "What time would be fine with you?"
"I think you should choose that," Alycia quickly says. "You are in the army and I know how busy and unpredictable your schedule could get."
Mason Kent knows very well that Alycia could say such things because she is the lover of Captain Elliot McCall. 'Ex-lover,' he corrects his own thoughts as he is immediately reminded of the other night.
"That means the sooner the better, right? Then... how about tonight?" He sounds more eager than he intended and quickly adds, "I am sure that I have time tonight but for tomorrow and the rest, nothing is sure."
Unaware of the Colonel's thoughts, Alycia Reese faintly smiles in understanding but the pain that has become quite familiar to her immediately resurfaces at the thought of her ex-boyfriend who also lives a life similar to that of the Colonel's.
"It's decided then," she says, having no idea of how big of an effect the decision she just made would have on her life soon enough. "I will text you the time and place," she concludes and ends the call once Mason voices his agreement.
Slowly putting down his phone, Mason Kent narrows his eyes and stays that way for a moment before his lips curve into a little smile.
Getting a phone call from Alycia Reese is already a pleasant surprise but... having dinner together? He never once thought that he would see this day!
Putting his phone back inside his pocket, Mason Kent walks back inside the General's office, only to notice how General Patrick is eyeing him, suspiciously.
"That was suspicious," Patrick Cortez remarks before Mason could even say a word. "Who was that?"
Mason Kent lets out a light chuckle and occupies his seat before simply saying, "Someone I should not talk too much to."
Does it even make sense? The powerful General finally sighs and shakes his head. "Your words do not match your action," he points out.
He just walked out and spent a few minutes talking to that person and now... someone he should not talk too much to?
Mason Kent simply smiles it off and glances at his wristwatch before shifting his attention back to the General. "I think I should leave a bit early today." A little smile flashes across his face as he adds, "I have an important appointment."