The Ruse

Ben was already in the shower the next day when Selene woke up, stretching her muscles, which were sore from the previous night's activities. As she sat up, she remembered that today was the day they had set up the lunch with Hybrid's CEO to fake out everyone that she was going to possibly be working with them. Dreading what was to come, she slid back down and pulled the covers up to her chin.

That was how Ben found her when he came out of the bathroom in just his underwear. "What's wrong," he asked, concerned at the look on her face. Not even the sight of his amazing body was enough to get her to sit up.

Selene sighed and replied, "I'm just really not looking forward to today." As Ben walked around to her side of the bed, she continued, "I'm not as scared as before, but just thinking about leaving the house still makes me anxious."

Ben leaned down and pulled her into a hug. "I know. I'm so proud of you for doing this," he told her. He laid her back down and then still leaning over, looked at her, his eyes filled with adoration. "What can I do to help you feel better?," he asked as he started caressing her cheek.

She put her hand over his and then kissed his palm. "I think you're already doing it," she replied.

He leaned back down and gave her a little kiss and then said, "Let's get going then. I'll make breakfast while you shower."

After breakfast, Ben drove them to the lab, surrounded by an entourage of cars with bodyguards. There was expanded security in the building as well, with extra cameras, check points, and "extras" milling about. These "extras" were actually bodyguards pretending to be clients and employees of UniTech. Once Ben pointed everything out to Selene later in her office, not only was she impressed, but it also made her feel much safer being there.

Everyone welcomed her warmly at the lab, although they said she had come back to soon and should rest more. Yakov especially told her that he could handle things and she shouldn't worry so much. Selene joked, "Are you after my job, Yakov?"

He laughed, "As if I could replace the mighty Dr. Serian!" Everyone joined in the laughter.

Most of the morning was spent in the lab catching up on work, but Ben stayed with her, under the guise of wanting updates on what was happening thus far.

When the time came for the meeting with Hybrid, Selene had to make a "show" about telling everyone that she had lunch meeting that she had to leave for but that she would be back soon. Only Yakov knew she was meeting with Hybrid. She had to tell him, since he was her partner on the project.

It was expected that she would leave with a few bodyguards, so nobody questioned that. Nor did they question Ben walking with her to her car.

Despite all the security, Selene was still nervous the entire ride to the restaurant since Ben was not with her. Obviously, Ben had to stay behind at UniTech and make it look like he was going up to his office, before he left to follow her to the restaurant.

House Sushi was a popular restaurant, so it was not surprising that it was fairly busy by the time Selene arrived. Despite it being busy, however, she somehow managed to find a parking spot in the back lot. (One of Ben's people conveniently drove out of a spot as soon as she arrived.) The cars that had been flanking her found spots along the street and the guards made their way to her car. She waited until they arrived before exiting her car. They escorted her to the front entrance of the restaurant.

Once Selene entered the restaurant, the "hostess" asked about the guards and Selene had to explain that they were her bodyguards. The hostess pretended to not know what to do and said she had to call her manager. The "manager" arrived and told Selene that she could only bring two guards in with her since it would disrupt the customers. Selene looked at her guards and they all shook their heads.

Selene spoke the lines she had rehearsed, "Come on guys, it's a small restaurant and two of you should be able to keep an eye out. The rest of you can watch the exits or something, right?"

The bodyguards looked at each other and one of them said, "Maria and George, you go in. We'll stay out here."

Selene was seated at a table that was conveniently close to an exit. Maria stood against the wall nearest to her and George was on her other side near a room separator. Also seated one table over, within eaves-dropping distance, of course, happened to be a gentleman who was being interviewed by a famous journalist for the Ball Avenue Journal. That gentleman was a friend of Ben's and a highly sought-after investor. Ben had made a lot of money for Jonas Saxbury so he did not mind doing Ben the favor of moving the interview to this restaurant at this time.

Selene was a few minutes early so the "server" stopped by with water, and she ordered an iced tea. Fred Garette, the CEO of Hybrid, arrived on time and was seated at Selene's table. They made the usual pleasantries and then it was a bit awkward as they ordered their food. Selene was nervous and she could tell that Garrett was a little nervous as well. She decided that it was best to just try and relax since they had at least another half hour to go so she leaned back in her chair as casually as she could and said, "I must admit I am curious about your interest in our project."

Garrett smiled awkwardly and replied, "Well, we were curious too why we were one of the few companies you did not approach regarding the project." He chuckled and Selene looked down, faking a chuckle as well.

Then she remembered his involvement in her kidnapping. She answered, "Project Phantom is dear to my heart, and I wanted to make sure it was in the hands of a company I trust. To be honest, we were going to approach your company, but due to some personal reasons, we chose not to." Selene almost kicked herself. Ugh, she was supposed to be making it sound like there was going to be a deal. Instead, she was saying how she actually felt! Clearly, she was no actress! At least her voice had been raised a little so maybe the journalist heard her say the name of the project?

"Personal reasons you say?," asked Garrett. "That does not seem quite business-like, nor fair. Also, doesn't the University have a say in this?" He was a little taken aback, not sure where she was going with this. He thought they were pretending to start talks about a deal. She had looked like she hated his guts but now she had on a pretty smile.

She responded with, "That is true that the University has a say, which is why I am here meeting with you." Whew! Maybe they could get back on track. At this point she noticed that the journalist was definitely looking over at them, though he was trying to not make it obvious.

Salsbury excused himself to use the restroom in order to give the journalist more opportunity to pay attention to the conversation. That had been part of the plan.

Selene went on to ask, "Your company focuses on 'Information & Technology Solutions' from my understanding. How would Project Phantom, which focuses on patients suffering from phantom pain, fit in?" She made sure to emphasize the words, Project Phantom, a little.

Garrett leaned in and replied, "To be honest, we are more interested in the tech behind it. The haptic tech part. That has applications beyond your project. Since UniTech has the machine for the gaming application, our only way in is through the phantom pain angle. "

"So you have no interest in actually helping people?," Selene asked flabbergasted. She couldn't help but be a little stunned. He sounded genuine just then. Her voice was also rising to match her emotions. She had forgotten the journalist nearby, but the journalist was noticing everything.

Garret was surprised, "No, the company cares about people too and it would go on with that project as well. We would just use the technology in other applications as well."

"I see," she replied more calmly. She noticed he said the company would care. Not that he would. What a cold man. She continued, "In that case, it sounds like that would be amenable. Your company does seem to have the capability to bring Project Phantom to fruition."

Garrett smiled and boasted, "Oh yes. My company is among the leaders in our country when it comes to technology. We can certainly assist with the investment needed to complete the project—that I can guarantee you right here right now."

"That sounds great. I will let my partner and the University know and then I will get back to you," Selene said.

Before she could say anything else, the food arrived, and they started eating. Other than some comments about the food, there was mostly silence for several minutes. Selene started looking around as she was starting to get anxious. Prior to today, Ben had told her that if she ever felt unsafe or just wanted to leave, she should just excuse herself and go to the bathroom. Someone would be there to help her. If she couldn't do that, rubbing her nose was the sign and the "server" would come get her.

Selene said, "Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the ladies' room."

"Of course," Garret replied as he looked at her and then continued eating.

When she arrived in the bathroom, there were two women in there. She went into one of the stalls and waited until she heard the door swing open and shut, then she exited to see only one woman left. That woman nodded to her so Selene knew that she was there with the team.

"I don't know what else to talk to that man about," Selene said to the woman.

The woman replied, "Mr. Liu instructed that enough has been said and you can exit. Just CEO Garrett that you are not feeling well and exit through the door closest to you. It leads straight to the parking lot."

"Thank you," Selene said.

"Yes ma'am," the woman nodded.

Selene went back to her table, but instead of sitting down she started taking out the wallet from her purse as she said, "I'm sorry. I'm not feeling very well so I will have to cut this meeting short. Here is my share of the meal."

Selene started to give Garrett the money, but he waved her off, "Please, I can't let you do that because I asked for this meeting, and it is a business expense." He took out a company card and continued, "See, this is the company card, so don't worry about it."

"Okay. If you say so," she agreed with a nod, putting the money back in her purse. "Thank you for the meal. Uh, goodbye then. I'll be in touch."

"Goodbye," Garrett said as he stood up.

She gave an awkward nod as she walked away toward the exit. He returned the nod and sat back down.

Once Selene was safe inside her car, she let out a deep breath. The first thing she did was to call Ben. "So, could you really see me the whole time?," she asked after they exchanged greetings.

Ben gave a little laugh and replied, "Yes, the whole time." He had been behind the mirror that made up the entire wall behind the bar. That had been installed a few years ago, when Johnny convinced the owner to undergo some renovations to attract more customers. The owner of the restaurant had been in the military with Johnny, so they were tight. Plus, the owner was based in New York, with restaurants all across the nation, so Johnny helped look in on this one from time to time. Doing Johnny favors was a given. So, needless to say, Ben had a prime seat to what was happening at Selene and Garrett's table, not to mention the journalist's table as well.

"And thanks to the microphone hidden in the flower pot, I heard everything as well," Ben added. "You did well. I'm sure that journalist heard every word."

Selene sighed, "You lie. I was horrible. But that's sweet of you." Before Ben got a chance to console her, she continued "I managed to get the point across in the end though and that's what counts. I'm just glad it's over. I'm going to head back to the penthouse now. See you there?" She wasn't sure whether he'd need to meet with Johnny about all this or something, but she really hoped he'd go with her.

"See you there," he answered.

She smiled, her heart full.