11
Nathaniel
She’s the reason the tests are failing?
“I don’t understand. How?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.
Is she trying to sabotage me? There was a randomness to the failures that made me suspect foul play but I instantly discounted that paranoia because I trust my team. They wouldn’t do that. But what if my father …
“Why?” I ask and that seems to break her anxious silence.
She sets down the box in her arms. It would have been a victory only a moment ago but now I’m warring with myself after what she said. I had such an instant connection with her. I trusted her and bonded with her like nobody I’ve ever met. Had I completely misjudged her character? Was I so broken I can no longer tell good from bad? Or had I been played? Was this a sick trick, sent by my father to show his power?
She’s holding up her hands. “Not on purpose.” Her cheeks burn red, flushing all the way down her neck. “I promise. I believe in this team and this project. You have to trust that. I would never do anything to hurt you. Or Lite-Brite,” she adds hastily.
“Okay.” I stand motionless, waiting for her to explain. When she doesn’t say anything else, just stands there looking like a small, wounded animal, I add, “Can you tell me more?”
She rubs her red and glossy eyes. “Fuck,” she says on an exhale. “I can’t really explain. But … I can show you.”
I am hesitant as she puts her hair into a ponytail. “I’m going to regret this,” she says.
I swallow and feel an unaccountable dread warring with my own curiosity.
“It’s a far drive,” she mumbles to herself. “Unless … is there a cement room somewhere? Somewhere you can see me, but not be close to me.”
She trails off but her eyes light up and at the same time we say, “The testing room.”
“You know I can’t let you go in there. Especially now. You just told me you’re causing the tests to fail,” I say flatly.
“I know.” She rubs at her forehead, thinking. “You have no reason to trust me, but I’m trustingyouby showing you this. So much. I don’t know what else to say to convince you except, Ifeellike you feel the same about me?” she says with question in her voice.
There is no accounting for it, but I believe her. My curiosity has gotten the best of me too. I can’t even imagine there is anything that she could have been doing to mess with the tests. She’s been nothing but helpful since she joined the team.
“Let’s go,” I say.
A few minutes later she’s standing alone on the other side of the thick glass. We moved out the laser and some of the more expensive equipment. Her hands are by her sides and she shakes them out, tilting her head side to side to stretch.
“Ready?” she calls, her voice muffled through the glass.
I give her a thumbs-up but have to admit that uncertainty is making me wary. What do I actually know about this woman?
She takes a steadying breath and shakes her head, mumbling something I can’t catch. Like she can’t believe this is happening either. Slowly, she begins moving and I recognize some of the tap dance steps from the brewery. In growing horror, I realize she’s dancing. I can only blink. Have I let a crazy lady into the most classified area of the lab?
She stops and shakes out her hands. “It’s hard without music,” she explains. “I’m nervous, so it’s not working.”
I press the call button to speak into the room. “You don’t have to do this.” I know my voice betrays my disappointment.
She looks crushed. She balls her fists and lifts her chin. “Give me a minute.”
I nod once but I know my face is anything but pleased. If this got out …
This is how I destroy my career. By a beautiful brunette whose smile and dorky humor reeled me right in. I would have made a terrible spy.
She tugs off her shirt, revealing a tight, thin-strapped undershirt. Even now her body distracts me. She closes her eyes and starts to hum a melody. I can’t make it out. Her body rocks slowly back and forth. She sings softly about watching someone and ocean eyes. Her voice is sad and sweet. It’s as beautiful as her dancing. She’s an enigma, this confusing woman.
Then her body begins moving again as she quietly sings about being scared. The lyrics spread chills over my arms. The happy steps and jumps are at odds with the heavy, mournful lyrics.
It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.
