“Alright,” Frankie said. “Let’s just all agree to forget we ever saw this.” Anchovy nodded.
“Did I miss the team huddle?” A voice echoed through the rounded doorway. One of the older M.E.R. soldiers was leaning in the door frame with folded arms. The four of us quickly moved away from each other. “Ready, Eric? It’s time.”
“Right behind you,” I replied. The soldier nodded and marched off. I said one last good bye to my team and kept my head down as I marched towards the nearest staircase. The hallways were silent as I got closer and closer to the upper level hatch. Commander Z was waiting for me. He had a small black backpack in his hand.
“All the information you’ll need is in this bag.” He handed me the backpack. I put it around my shoulders, barely noticing it was there, and waited for further instruction. Another soldier handed me a wet suit from the tall wardrobe standing in the corner. “We’ve come as close to shore as we can. You’ll need to swim the rest of the way.” I squeezed into the wet suit as the hatch was opened. I could already feel the cold night air start to rush in. Fresh air is exhilarating when you spend most days underwater in a small submarine.
“I won’t let you down, Commander.” He smiled and looked towards the open hatch.
“Good luck, soldier.”
“Yeah,” I muttered. My heart was beating even faster now. I couldn’t wait to dive into the brisk water. But my loaned freedom was nothing compared to the doom and gloom of the Commander’s next comment.
“And soldier,” Commander Z added. His voice sounded harsh. “If you don’t acquire that file by sunrise, you’ll be left behind.”
MARIELLA
2
The Missing Guest
“I can’t believe she stuck her nose in my business!” My psycho stepmom was already trying to ruin my summer.
“Stepmoms suck, Elle. That’s a fact.” Carmen couldn’t quite contain her laughter.
“Easy for you to say. Your mom doesn’t force you to go to boring business parties.”
“Just ignore her. Cynthia could care less.”
“She’ll learn not to cross me . . . eventually,” I replied. Carmen grabbed the remote from my nightstand.
“So what do you have planned for tomorrow?” I looked up.
“Ugh! Don’t remind me! I’m trying to forget about William’s lame dinner party.” Technically, William was my father but you’d never guess it. We were completely different in every way possible. And yeah, his friends from work were incredibly dull. “I’m gonna try to get out of it.”
“How?” Carmen switched on the television and found a comfy spot on my bed.
“Stomach ache, flu, I’ll think of something . . .”
“You should threaten to dump laxatives in everyone’s drinks,” Carmen suggested. “Remember when you did that to Marcy Jenkins in the eighth grade?”
“Too much work,” I replied. “I’d have to sneak into the kitchen and distract the cooks . . . Besides, you wouldn’t want me to miss our concert next weekend would you?”
“Fine.” Carmen was rapidly flipping through channels.
A sudden banging on the door made both of us jump. My bedroom door swung open revealing Cynthia, the psycho stepmom. Her cheeks were a fiery red. I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing. I’d noticed our housekeeper, Rosa, doing a load of Cynthia’s whites. I may have thrown in a bright blue sweater.
“What’s wrong with you, Mariella?” Cynthia scowled. “Are you aware that you completely ruined my new cream blouse? I don’t know how Rosa is going to get it back to a perfect shade of white? Mariella! Are you even listening?” I shrugged and bit my lip so hard that I pulled off a piece of dry skin. “Your father is sure to hear about this, young lady!”
“What makes you think it was me?” I asked. “I’ve been with Carmen all day.” Carmen waved her hand for a brief second.
“We both know who did it. Your behavior these past couple weeks has been completely inappropriate!” Cynthia put a hand on her stomach and glared at me.
“Completely,” I sarcastically agreed. “Maybe you should leave?” Cynthia shook her head.
“If this continues, I won’t be the one leaving.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t need the extra stress right now,” she complained. “I trust you haven’t forgotten about tomorrow? Iris will be up in a minute with your dress.”
“About that,” I began. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. How about you tell everyone I have the flu or something.” I looked down at the floor and waited for Cynthia to have a meltdown.
“Oh no you don’t! Your father made it clear that you are to attend tomorrow.” Cynthia smirked before turning to slam my bedroom door. “And that is exactly what you’ll do!”
“Yikes,” Carmen commented as Cynthia stormed out. “She hates your guts. I’m surprised she didn’t have you locked in the wine cellar or something. What do you want to bet she bought you the ugliest dress money can buy?”
“Yeah, she probably did and I don’t plan on wearing it. You know I hate dresses. What do think of jeans and a t-shirt?” Carmen smiled as she twirled a piece of her short black hair.
“That would really piss her off.”
“I know,” I smirked. Another knock at the door made Carmen sit up straight. She was anxious to witness another Cynthia attack. “It’s just Iris.”
“Afternoon, girls,” Iris said as she entered my room with a plastic garment bag. Being my dad’s assistant meant Iris had to put up with Cynthia’s nagging. I could tell Iris detested my stepmom just as much as I did. The difference was she had to be polite if she wanted to keep her job. Iris put the plastic bag on my bed and nodded at Carmen.
“Well, what did she choose this time?” Iris smiled and unzipped the garment bag. There was a small shimmer of something glittery and I knew right away that I would hate whatever Iris pulled out.
“Your brilliant stepmother requests that you try it on.” I stared at Iris as she lifted my dress out of the bag.
“Yeah right,” I muttered as I glared at the pink sequins. “So not wearing that.”
“You haven’t even tried it on,” Carmen giggled “Give it a chance.”
“Shut up.” I held the dress against my shoulders and turned around to look in the mirror. I looked ridiculous, and even Iris let out a sympathetic giggle. The pink sequins and poofy skirt made me look like some kind of deranged ballerina.
“It’s not that bad,” Iris tried to sound reassuring. I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah,” Carmen continued. “After all, the pink matches the color streak in your hair.” I threw the dress to the floor and shook my head. The pink streak in my hair was the only amount of pink I could handle.
“There’s no way I’m putting that thing on,” I argued. Cynthia was crazy if she thought I’d actually wear something she picked out.
“You can’t wear jeans, Mariella. This is a formal party.” Iris looked worried – it was her responsibility to make sure I behaved.
“How about these?” I held up some fishnet stockings that went along with last year’s Halloween costume. Iris was speechless.
“Ummm . . .”
“I’m only kidding!” I threw the fishnet stockings on the floor. The majority of my closet consisted of ripped jeans and small t-shirts.
“Why don’t you wear that?” Iris pointed to the cream colored dress I hadn’t noticed before.
“This?” I pulled the dress out and held it against my torso. “Where did this come from?” Iris smiled. I walked towards the mirror in my room and glanced at my reflection.
“Well, it’s better than the pink one,” Carmen said.
“Fine, I’ll wear this one. Is that low key enough for you, Iris?”
“It’s perfect.” Iris put the sparkly pink dress back in its garment bag.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
“I’m sorry?” Iris was about to rush out of the room but she paused, confused.
<
br /> “I said thanks,” I repeated. Iris nodded before shutting my door.
“Looks like you’re going then?” Carmen giggled as she stared at the TV. I stuck my tongue out and found a seat next to her on the bed. The only thing I could hope for now was the opportunity to pull some sort of subtle prank. It was much more fun to improvise. William’s dinner parties always felt like they lasted for years. And I always left them feeling like I’d wasted a night of my life.
“I wish you could come with, Carmen. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had someone to make fun of Cynthia with.”
“You’ll be fine Elle. You always are.” Carmen was right, but sitting through party after party was starting to get old. I didn’t want to start my summer that way.
* * *
Cynthia rolled her eyes as I walked down the stairs. She raised her eyebrows, looking down at my choice of footwear – my favorite pair of converse sneakers.
“Honestly, can you not act normal for one evening?” Cynthia placed her hands on hips and looked me up and down. Her bright red dress made her stick out like a wart-covered thumb.
“But you’re doing such a good job of it already. Maybe you can give me some pointers?” Cynthia opened her mouth to scold me but she suddenly stopped when William walked into the room wearing a sleek gray suit.
“There you are honey,” he said, smiling. “I was starting to wonder where you went.” Cynthia had a huge smile on her face as she linked arms with her new husband. The tone of her voice had completely changed.
“Don’t you look beautiful, Mariella,” William commented. “Is that the dress you picked out for her, dear?” I spoke quickly before Cynthia could open her mouth.
“Actually, I dressed myself this evening.” William grinned but a flash of movement from down the hall caught his attention.
“Excuse me ladies,” William said quickly. “There’s something I need to take care of before our guests arrive.” He nodded at me and Cynthia before he left the room. Cynthia’s cheeks went rosy again. I waited for her to yell at me but she stomped out of the room without saying a word.
Waiters wearing white suit coats walked back and forth with trays of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. William’s guests were starting to arrive. The sound of their shoes and laughter echoed through the front foyer. I walked towards an empty sofa in the living room. The room had just been redecorated. How clever of Cynthia to choose white, cream, and beige for the color scheme. It added a bland, unwelcoming feeling to the room. It was just like Cynthia’s personality. The sofa was stiff against my back, a perfect beginning to my dull evening.
“Can I get you anything, miss?” A waiter had come up right behind me.
“I’ll just have one of those umbrella drinks,” I responded casually. The waiter smiled.
“I’m sorry miss, but how old are you?”
“I’ll just have a Coke.” The waiter nodded and hurried towards the kitchen. I leaned back, putting my sneakers on the coffee table. Time to people watch.
The first person I noticed was a tall woman wearing an excessive amount of jewelry around her neck. I thought she might topple over any minute. She had a cheeky grin and watched each step she took in her shiny high heels. Cynthia gravitated towards her with a wide smile. The two ladies kissed cheeks and immediately started chatting. I giggled as I watched the woman’s husband tail along with his wife’s purse.
The front doors remained open and I could feel a cool summer breeze swirl through the formal living room. A waiter carrying a drink tray came walking in my direction.
“Thanks.” I took a sip and almost choked. A guy I’d never seen before slid through the door. He glanced around and followed the crowd of people into the dining room. He looked like he was in a hurry. But what really intrigued me, other than the strange fact that he didn’t seem to be with anyone, was his golden hair. It was shiny in the light as if it was wet. I jumped up and followed the crowd of guests to the dining room. I walked so fast that I almost tripped into a passing waiter.
The long dining room table was set with a white lace tablecloth and silver utensils. My eyes searched through dark suits and hideous dresses, but I couldn’t see him. He had disappeared.
“Please take your seats everyone,” Cynthia announced. “We’re just about ready to start dinner.” Cynthia rolled her eyes at the sight of me.
“Just sit down and try not to embarrass me,” she hissed in my ear. “One more screw up from you and it’s year-around boarding school.” I was used to Cynthia’s rude remarks, but this boarding school threat was new. I gulped, trying to hide my frustration.
I scanned the crowd once again. The mystery guest was nowhere to be found. Where could he have gone? Suddenly, my view was blocked by Iris’s tall bun of red hair.
“Over here.” Iris pulled out a chair near the head of the table. “This is your assigned seat.”
“Hey, did you see that blond guy that walked in a few minutes ago? I saw him walk this way. Do you know who he is? He must be new around here.”
“I guess I could go check the guest list?” Iris patted my seat and looked around as other guests began to sit down and ask for drinks.
“Nah, it’s fine.”
“If I see him, did you want me to give him a message?”
I raised my eyebrows and took my seat at the dining room table. I made a sour face as my fingers ran across the lacy tablecloth. The place settings were even worse – small delicate plates with pink flowers. These must have been the ‘crazy expense’ custom china plates Cynthia had been raving about. She loved grabbing every opportunity to show off.
“Ummm, let me think. No, definitely not.” I stared at her impatiently. It was weird to think that Iris was once a teenager herself. She was clueless sometimes, but she was the only grown up around who actually cared.
“Oh, I get it.” Iris smiled and pretended to lock her mouth closed. She twisted her wrist and threw the pretend key over her shoulder.
“If only that lock was real,” I muttered. Iris shrugged and pointed to the cloth napkin on my place setting.
“Don’t forget to place the napkin on your lap before you eat,” she whispered. I unfolded my napkin and laid it across my dress. Iris nodded and dashed off towards the kitchen.
“Anything else to drink?” Another waiter came to take my drink order. I held up my Coke and shook my head.
“This’ll do.” There was an empty seat next to me and stared at it hoping it belonged to the missing guest.
William entered the room grinning. He greeted every guest before he retreated towards his chair at the head of the dining room table. Cynthia followed. She smiled at me which was unusual. The chair next to me moved and my heart raced as I looked over my shoulder. My stomach sank.
“How are you this evening?” I wasn’t shocked at all that Cynthia had seated me next to Ethan. He was a greasy-haired weirdo and Cynthia knew I couldn’t stand him. We’d only met once before, but that was enough. Last Christmas, Cynthia had tried to play matchmaker. She’d been over the moon when she found out that Dr. Porter – her favorite plastic surgeon – had a son my age.
Ethan was on Cynthia’s A-list, which automatically landed him on my F-list. Sitting next to him for two hours was so not how I wanted to spend my evening. And when I realized Cynthia had invented a fake story about me seeing a photo of Ethan and drooling all over myself, it was almost too easy to make Cynthia look bad.
“And you are?” I asked casually. I tried not to make eye contact with Cynthia. I’m sure a ludicrous reaction is exactly what she was waiting for.
“Honestly, Mariella. You don’t remember my name?”
“That would be a ‘no’.” I stared straight forward and crossed my arms. I didn’t know if I’d be able to sit through dinner with Cynthia’s minion sitting next to me.
“I know you’re bluffing,” Ethan smirked. “Everyone remembers my name.” I rolled my eyes.
“If I annoy you so much, why are sitting next me?” I eyed his pin striped sui
t. He looked ridiculous.
“I thought I’d give you a second chance. It’s okay to be intimidated. I usually have that effect on people.” I took a sip of my Coke to avoid blurting out something offensive.
“Wow, you don’t take rejection well.” A line of waiters came out of the kitchen carrying multiple trays of food. Their silver trays looked shiny in the huge mirror that covered the dining room wall. Another one of Cynthia’s decorating tips. She thought it made the dining room look bigger.
“It’s cool if you want to start over. I’m Ethan.” I didn’t respond. “Uh, Dr. Porter’s son?” Ethan smirked as a small garden salad was placed it front of us.
“Am I supposed to know who that is?” Ethan had an irritated look on his face.
“You have a strange sense of humor, Mariella. But I could get used to it.”
I could feel Cynthia watching me. I resorted to staring at my salad plate. Everyone was seated at the dining room table now. I searched from person to person and still couldn’t find the boy who’d snuck in. Was I the only one who had noticed? Either I was seeing things or he was a waiter who showed up late for work. “Sorry, am I boring you or something?” I hadn’t noticed that Ethan was still talking. This was our second meeting and I was already good at tuning him out.
“Excuse me, will you?” I jumped up before he could say anything and headed towards the bathroom. Ethan was going to drive me insane before the night was finished. It was time to ditch this creep and the lame dinner party.
ERIC
3
Tempted
I stood on the beach shaking my hair violently so it wouldn’t look too wet. The night swim was refreshing and it was the perfect way to calm me down. I quickly unzipped my small black backpack, finding a pair of black pants and a collared shirt all in waterproof bags. Underneath was a hand drawn map and a flash drive, along with the other basic necessities – a small handgun and an extra dose of serum in case something went wrong, and some food rations.
Mutiny (M.E.R. Series) Page 2
