Allison Blake—mastermind hacker, part-time toddler gang leader, and full-time chaos enthusiast—was ready to make her move. Sitting cross-legged in her lair, still wearing her pajama bottoms emblazoned with cartoon pandas, she stared at a flowchart on one of her monitors titled "Operation Befriend the Carters." At the top, in bold letters, were the words: "Phase Four: Act Like a Normal Human Being." Beneath it, in parentheses, she'd written, "Or at least try."
"Alfred," Allie said, twirling a pen between her fingers. "What's the likelihood of me coming across as a perfectly normal, harmless schoolteacher?"
Alfred, her ever-sarcastic AI butler, answered without hesitation. "Madam, based on your historical behavior, I'd estimate the probability to be approximately 3.7%."
"Ouch." Allie winced. "That's… generous. Okay, let's brainstorm. I need a way to casually bump into Rob Carter or Max Carter that doesn't scream 'I've been secretly stalking your family for years.' Suggestions?"
"You could stage an accidental encounter at the Carter estate," Alfred suggested. "Though your interpretation of 'accidental' tends to involve elaborate disguises and pyrotechnics."
Allie gasped, clutching her chest. "I am offended! I'll have you know, this time there will be zero pyrotechnics. Maybe a fake dog, though. People love dogs."
"A bold choice," Alfred said drily. "Shall I order a realistic animatronic puppy for your escapade?"
Allie grinned. "Not a bad idea. But no, I think I'll go with the classic 'dropping my groceries' move. Timeless, relatable, and low-budget."
"Groceries it is, madam. Shall I simulate a shopping list?"
"Please do," Allie said, spinning her chair around dramatically. "Alright, it's settled. Today, I infiltrate the Carter's world as a humble schoolteacher with a tragic fondness for organic kale."
With a quick hop she was out of her chair and on her way to the Carter estate.
Sure, it was a row of mansions one after the other on a hillside, and a teacher walking with groceries didn't exactly fit in...
But Allie would figure shit out.
An hour later, Allison stood at the gates of the Carter estate, clutching a reusable grocery bag filled with carefully chosen items: a baguette for visual appeal, a carton of oat milk to seem health-conscious, and a single, slightly bruised apple for authenticity. She took a deep breath and adjusted her glasses, part of her new "Nancy the Innocent Schoolteacher" persona. Her clothes were modest, her hair was tied back in a practical ponytail, and her expression radiated unassuming charm.
"Here we go," she muttered to herself.
The gates opened just as Allie strategically stepped forward, and out drove a sleek black SUV. Timing it perfectly, she let out a theatrical gasp and stumbled backward, flinging her bag into the air. Groceries rained down like confetti as she landed with an exaggerated "oof" on the cobblestones.
The SUV screeched to a halt, and the driver—a sharply dressed old man with salt-and-pepper hair—stepped out. Rob Carter himself. Allie's heart raced, but she maintained her wide-eyed, flustered expression.
"Oh my goodness! Are you alright?" Rob asked, crouching down to help her up.
"Oh, I'm fine," Allie said, brushing nonexistent dirt off her skirt. "Just… clumsy me! I'm so sorry for startling you. I'm new in town, and I—oh no, my groceries!" She clapped her hands to her cheeks in mock horror.
Rob, ever the gentleman, began picking up the scattered items. He held up the bruised apple with a raised eyebrow. "You really know how to pick them, huh?"
Allie laughed, a perfectly tinkling sound she'd practiced in front of the mirror. "What can I say? I like my apples with character."
Rob chuckled, handing her the bag. "Well, I'm glad you're not hurt. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Absolutely," Allie said, flashing her most disarming smile. "Thank you so much for your help, Mr…?"
"Carter," he said. "Rob Carter. And you are?"
"Nancy," she said, clasping her hands in front of her. "I'm a teacher at Bright Horizons. Just started last week. It's so nice to meet you!"
"Ah, the new teacher," Rob said, nodding. "Max has mentioned you."
Allie's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, has he? What did he say?"
"Something about how you let the kids use finger paint to create 'masterpieces.' He seemed… impressed," Rob said, his tone amused.
He was surprisingly nice about the shenanigans, and Allie's approval toward him was skyrocketing by the minute.
Of course, as the harsh and terrifying patriarch, she'd expected him to be a little more- harsh and terrifying?
Instead he looked pretty nice.
Allie's grin widened. "Well, I do believe in fostering creativity. Max is a bright boy. You must be very proud."
Rob's expression softened, the wrinkles on his face looking less harsh now that he had the stern look off his face. "I am. He's a good kid."
Before Allie could milk the moment any further, a voice called out from the SUV. "Grandpa, we're going to be late!"
Allie peeked into the car and saw Max's little face peering out the window. She waved enthusiastically, and to her delight, he waved back with a shy smile.
"Well, I won't keep you," Allie said, stepping aside. "Thank you again for your help, Mr. Carter. It was lovely meeting you."
"Likewise," Rob said, getting back into the car. As the SUV drove away, Allie stood there, clutching her grocery bag and grinning like a maniac.
"Phase Four: Successful," she whispered, heading back to her lair to plot her next move. This was only the beginning.