The black dress had been the right choice. Daniel's eyes followed me as I entered his office at exactly 7 PM. The mechanical cricket sat heavy in my purse, like a secret wanting to be told.
"Dr. Martinez," he smiled, standing. "You do not look like you're here to discuss quantum filtration."
The next hour was spent with Daniel explaining cricket's sophisticated technology, though I noticed he carefully avoided mentioning how much he knew about it. The device, apparently, was more than just a mechanical toy - it was a highly advanced surveillance tool.
"So someone was monitoring the dinner," I said, rubbing my temples. The implications were dizzying.
"Or trying to send a message," Daniel suggested, his fingers tracing the cricket's metallic surface. "The question is - to whom?"
I thought about Calvin's pale face and Mily's too-quick recovery when the cricket appeared. "I have some theories."
"Care to share?"
"Not yet." I stood, smoothing my dress. "But two weeks in the Bahamas might change that."
"Speaking of which," Daniel's smile turned playful, "should I pack my quantum analyzer, or is this strictly a pleasure trip?"
"Both," I admitted. "I've already spoken to Mr. Anderson. He's intrigued by the idea of us collaborating. The vacation gives us cover to discuss everything... freely."
"Away from prying eyes and recording devices?" He held up the cricket.
"Exactly."
Over the next few days, preparation for the vacation consumed every spare moment. Letty helped me pack, providing a running commentary on my wardrobe choices.
"The blue bikini is a must," she insisted, tossing it into my suitcase. "And pack that white sundress that makes you look like a scientist on holiday."
"Is that a look?" I laughed, folding the dress carefully.
"It is now." She paused, holding up my formal evening wear. "So, Daniel agreed pretty quickly to this vacation plan."
I busied myself with organizing my toiletries. "He understands the importance of what we're working on."
"Mhmm." Letty's skepticism was clear. "And the fact that he's devastatingly handsome has nothing to do with your invitation?"
"This is about work," I protested, though my cheeks felt warm.
"Right. Just like you packed this little black number for 'work.'" She held up a dress I definitely hadn't planned on bringing.
My phone buzzed - Mily: "Daniel? Really, sis? This should be interesting. Hope he likes family drama."
Another message followed quickly: "Calvin's not happy about the new addition."
"Of course he's not," I muttered.
"What was that?" Letty asked.
"Nothing." I zipped up my suitcase with perhaps more force than necessary. "Just family dynamics."
"Speaking of dynamics," Letty sat on my bed, "have you thought this through? Two weeks with your sister, her husband who's secretly in love with you, and the mysterious man who somehow knows all your secrets?"
"Don't forget the high-tech surveillance cricket and potential Defense Department implications," I added dryly.
"Oh, is that all?" Letty rolled her eyes. "Just a normal family vacation then."
"Maybe I'm here to discuss why you have access to classified research," I countered, settling into the chair across from his desk.
His smile didn't waver. "Or maybe you're here to ask me about that interesting device you found at dinner."
I froze. "How did you know?"
"The same way I know about page 47." He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Lily, what you've discovered, it's bigger than clean water. The Defense Department's sudden interest isn't a coincidence."
I studied him as he spoke, explaining connections I had begun to suspect. Brilliant, intriguing, and possibly dangerous, yet something told me I could trust him.
"I have a proposition," I said when he finished. "My family's planning a vacation to the Bahamas. Two weeks. Come with us."
His eyebrows rose. "A vacation? Now?"
"Think about it: two weeks away from prying eyes. We could figure this out together." I pulled out the cricket. "Starting with this."
"Your family won't mind?"
I thought about Calvin's likely reaction and Mily's calculated smiles. "They'll manage."
"There's something else," I said, watching his reaction. "Elena told me about the Defense Department's interest in our current project, so I suggested you as a partner for the project."
Daniel leaned back with a mix of surprise all over his face. " And what made you think that was a good idea, considering your suspicions about me?"
"Keep your friends close," I smiled. "And your expertise would be valuable with Mr. Anderson's team."
"Ah, the Defense project." He stood. "You realize this puts us in an interesting position. Knowing about your research, we are potentially working together officially..."
"Which is exactly why you should come with me on this vacation," I pressed. "We can sort all of this away from the facility, away from..." I hesitated, thinking of the message, "Whatever' is happening here."
He turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "Two weeks in the Bahamas with your family, working on classified research while pretending we're just vacationing?"
"Well, when you put it that way," I started, but he laughed at me.
"I'm in." His eyes met mine. "Though I suspect your brother-in-law might not be comfortable with my presence."
I felt my breath. How did he know about Calvin? "What makes you say that?"
"I'm good at reading people, Dr. Martinez. Very good." He picked up the cricket from his desk. "Just like I'm good at reading technology. Shall we discuss what this little device really is?"
The next hour was spent with Daniel explaining cricket's sophisticated technology, though I noticed he carefully avoided mentioning how much he knew about it. The device, apparently, was more than just a mechanical toy - it was a highly advanced surveillance tool.
"So someone was monitoring the dinner," I said, rubbing my temples. The implications were dizzying.
"Or trying to send a message," Daniel suggested, his fingers tracing the cricket's metallic surface. "The question is - to whom?"
I thought about Calvin's pale face and Mily's too-quick recovery when the cricket appeared. "I have some theories."
"Care to share?"
"Not yet." I stood, smoothing my dress. "But two weeks in the Bahamas might change that."
"Speaking of which," Daniel's smile turned playful, "should I pack my quantum analyzer, or is this strictly a pleasure trip?"
"Both," I admitted. "I've already spoken to Mr. Anderson. He's intrigued by the idea of us collaborating. The vacation gives us cover to discuss everything... freely."
"Away from prying eyes and recording devices?" He held up the cricket.
"Exactly."
Over the next few days, preparation for the vacation consumed every spare moment. Letty helped me pack, providing a running commentary on my wardrobe choices.
"The blue bikini is a must," she insisted, tossing it into my suitcase. "And pack that white sundress that makes you look like a scientist on holiday."
"Is that a look?" I laughed, folding the dress carefully.
"It is now." She paused, holding up my formal evening wear. "So, Daniel agreed pretty quickly to this vacation plan."
I busied myself with organizing my toiletries. "He understands the importance of what we're working on."
"Mhmm." Letty's skepticism was clear. "And the fact that he's devastatingly handsome has nothing to do with your invitation?"
"This is about work," I protested, though my cheeks felt warm.
"Right. Just like you packed this little black number for 'work.'" She held up a dress I definitely hadn't planned on bringing.
My phone buzzed - Mily: "Daniel? Really, sis? This should be interesting. Hope he likes family drama."
Another message followed quickly: "Calvin's not happy about the new addition."
"Of course he's not," I muttered.
"What was that?" Letty asked.
"Nothing." I zipped up my suitcase with perhaps more force than necessary. "Just family dynamics."
"Speaking of dynamics," Letty sat on my bed, "have you thought this through? Two weeks with your sister, her husband who's secretly in love with you, and the mysterious man who somehow knows all your secrets?"
"Don't forget the high-tech surveillance cricket and potential Defense Department implications," I added dryly.
"Oh, is that all?" Letty rolled her eyes. "Just a normal family vacation then."
Mily studied her reflection in the bedroom mirror, adjusting her designer watch—a "gift" from Calvin's latest business deal. "You're being obvious, darling," she said, watching Calvin stare at his phone for the fifth time. "Has my sister texted about her flight?"
Calvin pocketed his phone too quickly. "Just checking business matters."
"Of course," Mily's smile was sharp as glass. "Nothing to do with Lily bringing her mysterious new colleague Daniel to our family vacation?"
The muscle in Calvin's jaw twitched. Their marriage arrangement had been simple: she got the Thompson family name and wealth, Love was never part of the equation. But Lily... Lily had always been the complicated factor.
"I don't trust him," Calvin said, his voice carefully neutral. "The timing of his appearance"
"Oh please," Mily interrupted, turning from the mirror. "We both know this isn't about Daniel's timing. It's about who he's coming with."
Calvin moved to the window, his shoulders tense. The years of tormenting Lily in school had been his childish way of dealing with feelings he couldn't express. Now, as a successful businessman, he still couldn't find the words—not with Mily's threats hanging over his head.
"Remember our arrangement," Mily said softly, but her tone carried steel. "You maintain this marriage, and I will keep certain... incidents from Lily's knowledge. Like what really happened that night before graduation."
Calvin's hands clenched at his sides. "You'd hurt your own sister?"
"I'm protecting her," Mily's voice was honey-sweet. "From things, she's better off not knowing. About you." She paused, adding casually, "And now there's this fascinating Defense Department interest in her research."
"Leave her work out of this."
"Then play your part, darling husband. Two weeks in the Bahamas, one big happy family." Mily zipped her suitcase closed. "Though I must admit, watching you and Daniel compete for her attention should be entertaining."
Calvin turned his business mask firmly in place. "I don't compete for anything, Mily. You should know that by now."
"No?" She raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you spend our entire university years challenging every achievement she made? Why do you still keep tabs on her career? Why does your face darken every time Daniel's name comes up?"
"We have a flight to catch," Calvin said instead of answering. "And your sister doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"No, she doesn't." Mily's smile widened. "Just like she doesn't like being lied to. Remember that when you're watching her with Daniel."
As Calvin grabbed their luggage, Mily phone buzzed. Lily's name flashed on the screen: "Just landed. Daniel's flight arrives in an hour. See you at the resort."
she deleted the message before Calvin could see it, but her hands lingered over the phone. Calvin was lost in his own thoughts. How had his life become this tangled web? The woman he loved was bringing another man on their family vacation. At the same time, he played happy husband to her manipulative twin.
"Ready, darling?" Mily called from the doorway, her public smile perfectly in place.
Calvin straightened his tie, donning the role of a successful businessman and dutiful husband. "Always."
Two weeks in paradise. With the woman he couldn't have, the wife he didn't love, and a mysterious newcomer who might unravel everything.
Paradise had never looked more like hell.