"To be honest, I haven't really considered it. I only think about you," Alex admitted with a sheepish smile.
Director White raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why are you thinking about me?"
Alex shifted in his chair, suddenly feeling more self-conscious. "I'm just thinking about how to spend a good New Year with you and Emily," he replied, feeling a bit embarrassed. To be honest, he had romantic feeling but he feels that in coming some days he might able to sort out this feeling.
Director White let out a soft chuckle, "Silly brother," she said, her voice dropping to a more affectionate tone. "I'm glad someone cares enough to think about me, but you should also think about Sarah." She paused, studying Alex's reaction. "It seems like she has feelings for you. Secretary Jessica mentioned it to me, she wouldn't be so concerned otherwise."
Alex felt his stomach twist at the mention of Sarah's name. He had never quite thought of her in that way. "What do you think?" he asked, almost nervously. "I'll listen to you. Whatever you say is fine with me. I'll leave it up to you."
Director White gave him a soft, yet slightly scolding look. "You can't just leave that decision to me," she said, her eyes sparkling a bit as she leaned forward. "You need to think about your future, Alex. This could be a very important step for you. Secretary Jessica is a warm-hearted person," she continued. "She wouldn't say something like that without reason. And Sarah? She's an excellent girl. It wouldn't be a bad match."
Alex's thoughts wandered to Secretary Jessica, and he felt compelled to share something he had seen earlier. "Sister, I... I saw something strange in Secretary office today," he began hesitantly. "There was a photo... of a man, um, naked."
Director White's laughter rang out softly, "Oh, don't think too much about it. Secretary Jessica's situation isn't easy. She's been separated from her husband for more than ten years. Her eldest son hasn't come home since then."
Alex's curiosity piqued. "Why not?"
Director White sighed, settling into her story. "Her husband made some terrible mistakes, Secretary Jessica could either be with her husband and might face some serious consequences or sever ties with him to save herself and her children. She sever ties. Her eldest son didn't understand, so he went back to live with his father's family. When her husband was finally able return, correcting the mistake, they remarried, but their relationship had already deteriorated. It wasn't long before they separated again."
She hesitated for a moment, watching Alex's face. "Very few people know about this, Alex. Please, don't mention it to anyone else."
"Sister, I'm really touched that you trust me with all of this. I promise I'll never share it with anyone. I just want to make you proud. I want to be someone you can depend on," Alex said.
Director White gave a soft, sad smile. "Oh, Alex," she said gently. "There's no need to be so serious in front of me. I'm telling you this because I trust you. Sometimes, as a woman, I just need to vent. Just don't find me annoying."
Alex shook his head firmly. "Not at all. I don't think you could ever be annoying."
"Good," Director White responded, her voice lightening a bit. "Now that I've shared all of that, I do feel a little better. Are you okay living alone at your place tonight? If not, there's a makeshift bed in the study. My husband used to sleep there when he worked late."
Alex felt a surge of awkwardness and quickly waved the offer away. "No, no, that's fine! I'll head back. It's getting late, and I've got to prepare for tomorrow."
"Alex, you're such a sensitive soul," she teased. "I'm not kicking you out. I just thought you might prefer not to walk home this late."
"It's not that, I just... I really should go."
"Alright then," she said, smiling as she stood up from the bed. "Let me check on Emily before you leave."
Just as she reached the door, Emily appeared, wide-eyed. "Uncle, are you leaving already?" she asked, her tone sounding almost disappointed.
Alex gave her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, it's late. I'll come back and we'll spend more time together, okay?"
Emily's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "I'm just jealous that Mom got to spend so much time with you tonight," she teased.
Alex laughed softly, shaking his head, but as he was about to leave, Emily's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Uncle," she said, a little more softly now, "can I hug you before you go?"
Both Alex and Director White seemed taken aback by the sudden request. Emily's eyes were wide, filled with hope, as if this hug was the most natural thing in the world to her.
Alex blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "Of course, Emily," he replied softly, stepping forward.
As Emily wrapped her arms around him, Alex felt a warmth that seemed to spread from his chest all the way through his body. The softness of her embrace, the way she pressed her head lightly against his chest, made something in him stir.
Her body was small and warm against his, her arms tight but not uncomfortable. He could feel the faint pulse of her heartbeat through the hug, and the scent of her hair, faintly floral, tickled his nose. For a moment, time seemed to stop, and all that mattered was the simple comfort of the embrace.
Director White looked on with a gentle smile, finally breaking the moment with her soft voice. "Emily, let your uncle go now. It's late."
Emily giggled as she pulled away, her face beaming with happiness. "Goodnight, Uncle. Come back soon."
Alex smiled warmly, his heart fuller than when he had arrived. He waved goodbye and stepped out into the night.