Mrs. Invisible

by Christina Hagmann

  “Ah, no.” Emma stifled a chuckle.

  “Emma, you know I’m kidding, right?” Weston waited for an answer. Emma thought he sounded nervous, which was ridiculous.

  “I just need to get a second opinion.” Emma bit her lip, trying to decide how much information to disclose. “There’s something going on and I don’t know if Trevor realizes how much danger he is in.” She held her breath, waiting for his reply.

  “Wait,” Weston’s voice dropped, and hedged with concern, “are you okay?”

  Emma rushed, “I’m fine, it’s just. Can you help me?” What am I doing? Emma thought to herself. This man was engaged in criminal activity. He could be dangerous.

  “I’ll send a car to you,” he answered. All the flirting and fun had seeped out of his voice.

  “It’s fine. I can drive.” Emma answered, ready to hang up.

  “Emma, let me send a car to you. You sound a little out of sorts, and I wouldn’t forgive myself if I let you get behind the wheel.” Emma let out a choppy breath. She felt the prickle of tears threaten at the corners of her eyes. She was embarrassed to be hit so hard by emotions, but it was an odd thing to feel that a stranger worried more about her than her own husband.

  “Okay,” Emma responded. “Do you need the address?” she asked, watching her reflection flicker in and out.

  “No. I’ll be right there, Emma.” His final words were a whisper in Emma’s ear.

  She closed her eyes, her heart pounding against her chest. When she opened her eyes, her reflection had completely vanished. Emma turned and made her way up the stairs to get ready.

  By the time Emma arrived in the master bedroom, she was visible again. The act of getting ready took her mind off what she was doing. She ran a brush through her hair and slid on some black jeggings and a blouse with a fitted leather jacket over top. She went to the mirror and applied mascara and lip gloss.

  As the minutes ticked by, Emma considered calling Weston back and telling him to forget it, but she was sure the car was on the way. Her small town sensibilities made her feel guilt at the slightest inconvenience she offered anyone.

  She was sitting on the couch, nursing a glass of wine, when the doorbell rang. She jumped, sloshing the last dredges in the glass's bottom.

  She walked to the kitchen and placed the glass in the sink. She straightened herself out and resisted the urge to go look in the mirror and check herself one more time. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to see herself.

  Instead, she walked to the door and opened it. Her jaw dropped. In front of her stood Weston Morley.

  “I,” Emma stuttered, “I thought you were sending a car.”

  Weston’s eyes sparkled, and his gaze was direct. “Emma, there is no way I’d let you be alone right now. You sounded worried.” He tried to be polite about it, but Emma felt horrified about what Weston had heard in her voice.

  Emma’s yard light was too bright as he led her down the front steps of her home and to his waiting town car. She eyed the neighborhood, feeling the eyes peering out from behind curtained windows. When they arrived at the car, he opened the door for her.

  Emma paused, looking once more around the neighborhood before meeting Weston’s gaze. His eyes seemed to sparkle in the night as a smile played on his lips. What am I doing? Emma thought to herself as she slid into the backseat.

  During the short ride, Weston was on the phone to reserve a private room at a restaurant. Emma felt relieved that he wasn’t taking her to his home, but then felt the weight of what it would mean if someone saw her sneaking around with the single Morley in public.

  Weston must have seen the panic on her face.

  “I have a private room at Bella Donna. No one will see us, and don’t worry, we won’t be alone.” Once again, his eyes sparkled as the corner of his mouth bent up in a smile.

  Emma took a deep breath before exhaling a gush of words. “This was a bad idea. I shouldn’t be here. This isn’t who I am.” She gripped her hands together, realizing she hadn’t even grabbed her purse.

  Weston reached over and placed his hand over hers, and Emma flinched at his brief touch. He pulled back, as though burned. “Sorry,” he said.

  Emma shook her head, seeing his smile was gone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t. I mean, I know you’re trying to help.” Emma tried to look out the dark window as they pulled up to the side entrance of the popular and expensive Bella Donna. “I’m just so confused right now.”

  “No worries, Emma. Let’s go inside and have a bite. You can just relax. No pressure. You don’t have to say anything.” He pushed his door open. Once again, he reached out to Emma. This time, she took his hand. They both slid out the back seat and into the night air.

  The lighting in the private room in Bella Donna was dark but flickered with the warm glow of candles and the soft glow of the chandeliers. The hum of classical music and muted mauve tones were intoxicating.

  A host appeared and led them to their table. He reached down to pull out Emma’s chair but Weston waved him off and grasped the back of the chair, gently sliding it out from under the table. Emma watched his movements. He wasn’t showing off. It was just his natural instinct. Emma tucked her legs under the table and closed her eyes. Why was every moment with Weston like a scene from a movie? Emma thought. It was hardly fair.

  “Emma, why did you call me?” he asked. His directness took Emma aback. The waiter came in and placed two plates of steaming food in front of them. Emma’s back stiffened at the thought of Weston ordering ahead for her.

  She grabbed her napkin to keep her hands busy. “I know you are tight in the science circles. Your gala hosted everyone who's anyone in the business. I thought you might know what was going on.” Emma twisted the napkin as soft music played around her.

  “What’s going on with Trevor? Your husband?” He shook his head in confusion. “I mean, you would know more than I do. He’s your husband.” Weston picked up his own napkin and spread it across his lap.

  Emma felt tears prickle at the corner of her eyes and she closed them tightly. She silently cursed herself as she remembered the tone in Charla’s voice when Emma didn’t know about Trevor’s project.

  Weston leaned forward and reached out across the table. “I’m sorry. What did I say?” he asked. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “I didn’t know about his project, but now I do.” Her hands were entangled in her napkin and he pulled back, his eyes widening. She studied his face, feeling his gaze see through her.

  “He did it, didn’t he?” Weston moved closer to Emma, studying her eyes. “He managed to create nanotech for invisibility.”

  Emma blinked away the tears that threatened her. “What are you talking about?” Emma asked, realizing she may have said too much.

  Weston paused and inched his chair her way. His voice was barely a whisper. “It was you. At the gala. I caught a whiff of your perfume in the room when I was changing. You were there with me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Emma sputtered. She threw her napkin down on the plate, eyes darting around the room for an escape.

  Weston leaned forward; his eyes hungry but not for the array of sauteed vegetables steamed on his plate. “He did it, didn’t he? I thought he might be close.” Weston shook his head while the hint of a smile played on his face.

  Emma crossed her hands in front of her. “It wasn’t him,” Emma answered, her lips a thin line. “He doesn’t even know.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. Then how did you,” his voice trailed off, and he leaned back to take her in. She could see his eyes scanning her, calculating probabilities before he came to his conclusion. “You did it?” he asked.

  “It was by complete accident. I was just messing around with his work. I’m an idiot.” Emma shook her head, trying to look anywhere but at Weston.

  He reached over and grabbed her hands. “You’re amazing, Emma,” he said. His eyes sparkled with excitement. “I knew you were brilliant.” Emma looked down
at their hands and pulled hers back.

  “I’m not sure why you’re excited. I told you it was an accident.” She reached her trembling hand out and grabbed her glass of wine. After taking a sip, she continued. “That’s why I couldn’t tell Trevor. Not after all his hard work. I mean, on one hand, he’d be done, but on the other,” her voice trailed off.

  Weston forgot about his food and his drink. His eyes darted across Emma’s face. “You don’t have to tell him. As long as Trevor and the people he’s working for don’t find out.”

  “But what does this have to do with you?” Emma asked. A waiter approached to check on them and they paused their conversation until he left.

  “Emma, you understand that this technology in the hands of the government would give the government the ability to spy on anyone. There are no scenarios where being invisible is a good thing. If we have it, you know someone else will get it. But if no one knows it’s possible, we all remain safe.”

  “But that’s not possible, because you know it exists.” Emma surveyed his face.

  Weston let out a deep breath, and Emma felt the warmth of it hit her face. “Emma, that’s what I was doing at the gala. I know what Trevor and Jenny are working on. I have known. My people inside told me they are getting close.”

  “That makes sense.” Emma was speaking more to herself than Weston. This explained why Trevor was gone so much. “But they’ll figure it out.” Emma’s brows drew together. “I can’t keep it from my husband. Besides, I only figured it out by accident.”

  “Emma, I hope you know I can’t let this happen. To you, I might seem like the bad guy, but I’m more like Robin Hood or Batman. I act, but I have good intentions. You know that if I wanted to, I could buy out your husband. I could hire him on my team. The only thing I’m worried about is the government getting their hands on invisibility.”

  “Weston, how do I know that you’re not selling me on this just to get your hands on this power?”

  “It’s easy. No one knows you’re here. I just keep you. How would anyone know?” Weston raised his eyebrow. Emma looked around the dimly lit room. She knew beyond the walls moved other customers and the kitchen staff, but mostly, they were alone. Emma felt stupid that it hadn’t occurred to her she could be walking into a trap. Weston had been complementary and flirtatious. She’d felt comfortable around him, and she had to admit that she let her guard down.

  She pushed her chair out and stood. “Okay, I’m ready to go home now. Thanks for the meal.”

  Weston let out a chuckle before getting up. He reached out his hand to her, but she stared at it. “Emma, don’t now. You know I was only kidding.” He stepped closer. “Besides,” he whispered leaning down into her, “if I kept you it would be for purely selfish reasons.”

  Emma shook her head. “But you wouldn’t. You’re Robin Hood. And I’m married.” She put her hand on her hip and waited for his reaction.

  Weston’s eyes traveled up and down her body before he broke into a grin. “Emma, you’re one of a kind.” He shook his head at her and let out a bark of laughter. “Let’s get you home.”

  “Really? That’s it? But I know what you did.” Emma cursed herself for speaking. It was almost like she was trying to convince him not to let her go.

  “Well, now we both have something on each other.” Weston stepped closer, leaning over her. Emma could smell his aftershave and the heat that radiated from his body. “Emma, please just think about what I said.” His eyes darted back and forth between hers.

  She gave him a slight nod as he led her out of the restaurant and into the night.

  When Emma crawled into bed next to Trevor, she waited for him to ask her how she was doing, but she knew that even if he was awake, he wouldn’t. She wanted to believe it was because he thought she was strong, not because he didn’t care.

  Emma felt herself slowing, like a baseball launched straight up into the sky. Gravity was pulling her back to Earth, trying to ground her. If there was no one there to catch her, the crash would be devastating.

  Chapter 12 More Than a Mom

  For once, Emma was glad Trevor was gone in the morning. She fumbled for her phone on the nightstand and sent an emergency text to Jane, who responded that she’d be over right away. Emma slumped into the kitchen and brewed some strong coffee while making avocado toast for them.

  “Knock. Knock!” Jane called as Emma heard the front door shut behind her friend. Jane whisked into the kitchen like a gust of fresh air, and she swept Emma up into her arms.

  “Oh sweetie!” Jane called, and even though Jane didn’t know what was going on, Emma felt better.

  Emma led Jane over to a chair at the kitchen table and guided her friend into the seat. She placed a plate of food in front of Jane and slid in across from her. Emma folded her hands at her chin.

  “Oh, no, Emma. Don’t do this to me. I’m freaking out.” Jane leaned forward, knocking her elbow on the plate as it slid across the table.

  “Jane,” Emma reached out and grabbed Jane’s hand, “I need you to calm down.”

  “Wait, did you and Trevor decide to get a divorce?” Jane squeezed Emma’s hand.

  Emma’s words caught in her throat. She bit her lip, unsure how to answer that question. “It isn’t about that. This is something, well, something you won’t believe. You know after that night we went out? The Weston Morley night?”

  “How could I forget.” Jane’s eyes grew round. “Oh my gosh, you did something with Weston Morley!”

  Emma shook her head and let out a huff of air. “Honey, I’m going to need you to stop talking.” Jane nodded her head vigorously and mimed zipping her lip. “Okay, so after the Weston Morley night, I was feeling a little down. Probably a little hung over. So, I went down and messed around in Trevor’s lab.”

  Emma let go of Jane’s hand and picked up her fork, pushing her food around on her plate. “Anyway, I spilled something on me and now I can turn myself invisible.”

  Emma looked up to see Jane tilt her head and open her mouth to speak. No words came, so she closed it again. That was when Emma decided that showing was probably better than telling. So, she closed her eyes and concentrated.

  She knew how it worked, her brain sent the message to the rest of her body, the nanites received the message and communicated with her cells; they did the rest with no thought at all. Emma opened her eyes to see Jane staring at her with her mouth hanging open.

  Jane jumped up, squealing. “My best friend is a superhero!” She clapped her hands.

  Emma thought about being visible again, and soon, she was. She moved to Jane. “You need to chill.” Emma placed her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “I’m a mother. My superpower is turning bread into toast.”

  “Oh, come on. Give yourself more credit than that. You could probably turn it into an entire sandwich if you really put your mind to it.”

  “Yeah, but I’d have to run to the store first, and that would require pants.”

  “Oh stop. You look better cleaning an oven than most people do on a night on the town. But even if you didn’t, you could just poof yourself so no one would see you. No pants required!”

  Emma couldn’t help but laugh at her friend. Jane continued. “Wait, why didn’t you tell Trevor?”

  Emma took a bite of her toast and chewed thoughtfully. “I think Morley got to me.”

  “Weston Morley? Hot eligible billionaire bachelor Morley? Wait, you have been bonking him?”

  Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No, I’m not bonking him. I’m married, remember?” She waved her hand at Jane, only after remembering that she removed her wedding ring so that it wouldn’t be seen when she was invisible. Jane raised her eyebrows once again.

  “No.” Emma said. “I only took it off because, never mind. I’m sorry, Jane. I’ve been so in my head. I don’t even recognize myself lately. I’m not this girl. I was always so sure of myself and now I’m questioning everything.”

  “So, what are you going to do?”
Jane asked.

  “What can I do?” Emma shrugged.

  “Do you think you should tell Trevor? I mean, this could change everything for him. This is what he’s been trying to do.”

  “I know. I know.” Emma lowered her voice. “On the other hand, what Weston said about who has this technology. I mean, one of my first instincts was to go spy on my husband.”

  “Yeah, but if you’ve got nothing to hide, what does it matter?”

  “Everyone has the right to privacy. Everyone.” Emma thought of her own life and she had plenty to hide.

  “Then you wait,” Jane finished. “Emma, I trust you, and you need to trust your instincts. You’re the smartest person I know.”

  “You mean besides Trevor.”

  “No, I mean, Trevor included. Trevor is always on a quest to see what he can discover. He’s got a one-track mind. He would never stop to think about why he shouldn’t discover something. Trevor’s got an ethical gap.”

  Emma shook her head, the assurances of her best friend lifting a terrible burden.

  “What about Weston Morley?” Jane asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Emma knew Jane wasn’t talking about being invisible anymore.

  “I can’t think about Weston right now. I’m supposed to be making things right with Trevor. I’m supposed to be trying to save my marriage.”

  “Emma, you may be a superhero, but it’s going to take more than just you to save your marriage.” Jane gave a tight-lipped smile to her friend. “Maybe if you’re not going to talk to Trevor about this,” she said, motioning at Emma’s body, “you should at least be up front with him about how you’re feeling in your marriage.”

  Jane’s words hit home. Emma had been hoping that Trevor would make things right, but if Emma was a true superhero, then she needed to do something rather than just sit and wait for her husband to notice her.

  Chapter 13 Secrets

  Instead of waiting for Trevor to show up, she sent him a text telling him to be home at six o’clock that evening for a special dinner. Her trip to the store this time was uneventful, no invisibility needed. She prepped his favorite meal to be ready when he arrived.