Capítulo 12: Spending Time With My Girl
[Everhart HQ]
The package arrived mid-morning amidst the usual flurry of deliveries. It was unremarkable, wrapped in plain brown paper with no return address. Security protocols dictated that all mail be checked, but the letter inside—a polite and somewhat vague message about returning a "found item"—seemed harmless. No one thought twice about it as the package was passed along to its intended recipient, a mid-level employee with a reputation for being somewhat careless.
By the time the employee arrived at his desk, the package was waiting for him. Curiosity piqued, he tore it open, revealing the small USB stick and the accompanying note. His brow furrowed as he read the letter, but the mystery was too intriguing to ignore. Against better judgment, he plugged the USB into his computer, eager to see what it contained.
The moment the device connected, a silent cascade of commands began to execute. In mere seconds, the stick's malware had infiltrated the company's network, giving Travis full access to Everhart HQ's systems from the comfort of his home.
"Wow, that was easy," Travis thought, leaning back in his chair as streams of data began flooding his screen. Security at Everhart HQ was laughably weak—no firewalls strong enough to keep him out, no immediate alerts to detect the breach.
Smirking, he started his work. Lines of code flickered across his monitor as he began siphoning sensitive files, uncovering Lyra Everhart's business dealings, financial records, and private communications. Every piece of data was a thread he could pull to unravel her carefully constructed empire.
As he worked, the faint scent of jasmine filled the air. A warm presence interrupted his focus as Mariana slipped into the room, her soft hands resting on his shoulders.
"You seem stressed," she murmured, her voice low and sultry as she leaned close to his ear. "Let me calm you down."
Before Travis could respond, she straddled his lap, her fingers deftly unbuttoning his shirt. Her lips brushed against his neck as she whispered, "You work too hard."
He chuckled, leaning back slightly to give her space. "What would I do without you?"
Mariana slid down between his knees, her eyes locked onto his with an expression that sent a jolt of heat through him. With deliberate slowness, she tugged at the waistband of his pants, her nails grazing his skin as she undid them.
As her lips began to tease him, Travis leaned his head back against the chair, a satisfied smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'm such a lucky guy," he thought, his free hand brushing over her hair as the other continued typing with calm precision.
Multitasking had never been so enjoyable.
After hours of meticulously navigating the maze of Lyra's assistant's computer, Travis finally broke through and accessed her schedule. His eyes scanned the calendar until he spotted something of interest.
"Okay, tomorrow she's attending some famous guy's party for whatever reason. That sounds like a plan," he thought, already envisioning how he'd blend into the scene.
Using the party details he had found, Travis crafted his own version of the invite. It was flawless, indistinguishable from the original. He grinned at his handiwork, satisfied.
Stretching as he stood, he felt a surge of energy ripple through his body. His unique ability to bypass exhaustion was a constant advantage—one he made good use of both during his schemes and in his nights with Mariana.
Walking over to the fridge, he grabbed a bottle of water, his thoughts drifting as he looked down at his rumpled pajamas. "I need new clothes," he thought, then turned his gaze to Mariana, lounging on the couch without a stitch of clothing.
"And so does she," he mused, suppressing a chuckle.
"Hey, let's go shopping," he said, breaking the silence.
Mariana perked up at his suggestion, her lips curving into a smile as she nodded. They left the apartment hand in hand, the bustling shopping district just a short walk away.
When they found a boutique that caught their eye, they stepped inside and explored the racks together. Travis had never been one to splurge, but today was different. He picked out sharp suits, casual wear, and even accessories. Mariana was no different—she tried on dresses, shoes, and lingerie, each choice more stunning than the last.
By the time they were done, they had bought so much that the store offered to deliver everything to their apartment. Travis readily agreed, relieved they wouldn't have to haul it all back themselves.
With their shopping handled, they wandered through the streets, enjoying the crisp air and each other's company. The day was relaxing in a way that Travis hadn't realized he needed.
"By the way, hubby, when will you visit your parents?" Mariana asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
The question hit Travis unexpectedly, pulling him back to a part of his life he hadn't thought about in a while. He frowned slightly, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I'm not sure if I ever will," he admitted. "I'm not angry at them or anything. I just… I don't think I'm ready to face them after everything I did."
Mariana looked at him, her expression softening. She could feel the weight of his words, the unspoken guilt and complicated emotions buried beneath them.
"They always tried to visit me, but I wouldn't come out to see them," Travis thought. "After a while, they stopped. And as much as I was relieved, a part of me was… sad. I don't even know how to explain it."
Mariana slipped her arm around his, pulling him closer. "Take your time," she said gently. "I don't necessarily need to meet my in-laws right now."
Her words brought a small smile to his face, and he turned to look at her. "Yeah, though I know you and my mom wouldn't get along."
Mariana's eyebrows shot up in mock indignation. "Why would you say that? I'm the perfect wife!" she exclaimed, feigning offense.
Travis laughed, shaking his head. "You are, but my mom's always been overprotective. I'm their only child, after all. She always hovered."
Mariana smirked, resting her head on his shoulder. "Well, maybe I'll win her over with my charm… or not. Either way, I'm not worried."
"Yeah, I'm sure she'll love you once she realizes she has no choice," Travis teased, earning a playful swat from Mariana as they continued walking down the lively streets.
They went to the movies and chose a romance film, hoping for something lighthearted and sweet. Thirty minutes in, however, they both couldn't take it anymore. Travis groaned as the latest over-the-top scene played out, and Mariana pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Without a word, they got up and left, slipping past the other patrons and out into the cool night air.
"How is cheating supposed to be a turn-on these days?" Travis asked, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked away from the theater.
"I know, right?" Mariana agreed, shaking her head. "And why do they think a sex scene automatically proves the main characters love each other? Can't they show that in non-sexual ways, like actual connection or meaningful gestures?"
Travis nodded. "Exactly. Guess that's modern storytelling for you."
They walked a little further in companionable silence before Travis turned to her with a soft smile. "Whatever. Let's just head back home. Wanna bake something together when we get there?"
Mariana's eyes lit up, and she looped her arm through his. "I was just thinking that! You really know how to read my mind," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Travis smiled as they made their way home, enjoying the warmth of her touch. "I really am a lucky man," he thought, glancing down at her with quiet affection.
TO BE CONTINUED
[ A/N: DAMN we get it bro. Stop rubbing it our face. ]
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