My Not So Sweet CEO

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."