My Not So Sweet CEO

After trying the dress, I had to admit that Letty was right about fitting me.

"Now for the groceries," I said as we left the boutique. "I need to make something for dessert. Mom always likes it when I bring something homemade."

"Like your famous tiramisu?" Letty suggested as we headed to the supermarket.

"Perfect. Maybe if everyone focused on dessert, they would be too busy to ask about my non-existent love life or why I'm wasting my talents at the research facility instead of joining Dad's company."

"You know," Letty said, as we examined coffee brands, "You never finished telling me exactly what Daniel said about your research last night. You kind of got distracted with the dinner."

My hand froze over the package of cookies. The weight of last night's revelation came back. Between family tension and dreading seeing Calvin again, I almost forgot about Daniel.

I leaned in closer to Letty. "Daniel knows something about the blue file that goes beyond water filtration. He talked about.' molecular restructuring.' having other applications."

Lett's eyes narrowed. That sounds dangerous. How could he even access that research?"

"Exactly what I've been trying to figure out," I muttered

Later, preparing for dinner, I carefully applied makeup, the green gown hanging read. But my mind drifted between Daniel's mysterious knowledge and tonight's family dinner.

Back in Calvin's Mansion, Mily meticulously selected her outfit with a blend of elegance and control. She knew exactly how to present the perfect image of a happy wife with her practiced smile while Calvin stared at his reflection, memories of Lily flooding back. Years of suppressed feelings roiled beneath his controlled exterior. Mily's threats echoed in his mind, preventing him from revealing his true emotions to Lily. He had to play the dutiful husband while stealing glances at the woman he truly wanted.

I stood at the entrance of the Thompson Mansion; as I was about to step in, Letty's words echoed in my mind: Remember, you're not a nobody; you are Lily Martinez, a brilliant scientist, a loving daughter, and a great sister." I smoothed my gown, took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell. 

Mily opened the door; her smile was exacting and methodical. "You're right on time," her arm, reaching out for what felt like a preemptive hug.

I saw Calvin standing at the dining table, staring at me. Still, I looked away to avoid remembering all those moments in high school and university when his words cut the deepest, how the basketball star thought that tormenting the science nerd was amusing entertainment.

Mrs. Thompson was still radiant in her sixties and dressed impeccably as always, rushed out from the kitchen. "Lily, darling! You look stunning. Come on in; dinner is almost ready. "Her warm greeting carried the weight of years of family friendship.

Dad was already seated at the dining table with a glass of red wine in his hand. He smiled warmly; his eyes were crinkling at the corners."There is my beautiful princess." The pride in his voice made me both warm and uncomfortable. My mum also stood up to give me a warm hug.

As we settled around the elegantly set table, I could feel the evening beginning. The weight of unspoken words and hidden tensions settled around us like an invisible fog.

I caught Calvin occasionally glancing my way but remained deliberately focused on my meal and family conversation. The roast beef was perfectly cooked.

Mily, clearly sensing the underlying tensions, maintained her performance in domestic harmony. Her laugh and her touch on Calvin all seemed delicately balanced, like moves in a complex dance.

The dinner conversation meandered through a polite territory as Mrs. Thompson asked about my research while Dad discussed his company's latest projects. I could feel Calvin's occasional glances, though he remained quiet. His hand rested near Mily's on the table, but I noticed a distance between them that spoke volumes.

"I heard you are not working in your Dad's company, Lily," Mrs Thompson asked politely.

My fork paused halfway to my mouth as I heard her."Yes, godmother, I want something of my own, and I think my parents also understand me." I replied

"So you are now a scientist?" Mrs. Thompson asked again.

"Yes, godmother, I work for NovaTech Research Laboratories, and I just sealed a contract with Mr. Anderson of A&E Enterprise. And we are about to take our new research project to the next level with the help of Daniel Park." I replied with a calm expression.

"Wow, I am proud of you, darling!" she said with a bright smile on her face. "If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, godmother," I replied with a smile on my face and continued eating.

From the corner of my eye, Calvin's expression shifted to something unreadable, and I wondered what he was thinking.

Sensing the shift, Mily laughed lightly. "isn't my sister brilliant?" Her hands were on Calvin's hand, and she looked like a loving wife.

Calvin nodded and smiled at Mily before turning to look at me."I am also available if you ever need any assistance or collaborative support with your research."

I smirked. "I think I have enough help already; thanks, though." My reply was brief, but it carried a heavy expression.

Mrs. Thompson stepped in smoothly. "So, Lily," she said, her voice warm, "Any promising opportunity concerning your love life?"

Before I could answer her, my phone vibrated. Daniel's name lit up my screen, and I felt a surge of relief at the interruption.

"Excuse me," I said, standing up quickly. "I need to take this."

As I Stepped into the hallway, my voice softened, and I answered. "Daniel? Is everything okay?"

His voice carried a mix of curiosity and urgency, making me smile despite feeling uneasy. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important..."

Through the dining room doorway, I caught Calvin watching me intently. A flash of something like jealousy crossed his features before Mily quickly redirected his attention with a subtle touch to his arm.

"Sorry about that," I apologized as I returned to my seat."I had to take the call."

Mom's eyes sparkled with curiosity."Was that your boyfriend?"

I smiled, letting them wonder. The moment hung in the air until Miley suddenly proposed, "How about a family vacation? We've all been working so hard."

I noticed how everyone seemed excited except Calvin and me; both of us remained silent. Mily turned to Calvin with a pointed look. Right, sweetie?"

He smiled and kissed her briefly. "Great idea." But the excitement didn't reach his eyes.

"Can I invite a friend?" I asked, already thinking of Letty and Daniel, wondering how they might fit into this complex family dynamic.

The family immediately started teasing, wondering if it was a man.I kept my mysterious smile, neither confirming nor denying that I was enjoying this small movement of control over the conversation.

As the evening progressed, I found myself lightening up and cracking jokes. In a moment of wistful moments, I pulled Mily to dance with me. Despite everything, she was still my twin sister.

"I envy you and Calvin. You guys look good together," I whispered as we moved to the music.

Mily smiled ."Let's just say that I am lucky to have him." she murmured back, her grip on my hand tightening slightly.

The music played on, and I could see everyone watching us. Mom and Dad were beaming at their daughters.

My mother approached us. "Shall we move to dessert?"

As we settled back on the table with my tiramisu as the centerpiece, I still felt Calvin stealing glances at me. The tension beneath was almost suffocating.

Then everything changed.

Mrs. Thompson's crystal wine glass tipped over. As everyone jumped to prevent the spill, a tiny mechanical cricket, clearly planted, began chirping loudly from beneath the dining table.

"What in the world is this thing?" Dad started, his scientific curiosity immediately piqued.

The cricket chirped again, creating a moment of stunned silence as we all stared at the device. its mechanical song mocks the evening's orchestration.

"What is that?" Mrs. Thompson asked, with her voice mixed with confusion.

I picked up the cricket, examining it carefully. It was clearly a piece of technology.

Before anyone could react further, the cricket went silent. I noticed Calvin's face had gone unusually pale while Mily's smile disappeared. Something in their reaction made me want to look closer, but now wasn't the time.

"Interesting device," Dad commented, leaning forward with professional curiosity.

I tucked the cricket into my purse."I will take it to an engineer later," I said, effectively shutting down further immediate discussion.

The evening ended with the grace of years of family gatherings. Mom hugged me tight, whispering, Don't be a stranger, darling." 

Dad kissed my cheek, and his proud smile warmed my heart despite everything. "Take care, princess."

Calvin approached me with a polite smile."Drive safely, " he said. I noticed Mily watching intently, her grip on his arm firm.

"Text me when you get home," Mily instructed, her words carrying more weight than simple sisterly concern. Something in her tone made me wonder what she wasn't saying.

As I walked to my car, I could feel the weight of the cricket in my pause, another mystery to add to my collection of questions.