The Golden Couple (The Samantha Project Series, # 2) (25 page)

Natalie continued with the makeup lesson. An hour later we were finally done. I knew that by tomorrow, I would forget everything she’d taught me. And I didn’t care. Why did I need to look good to sit in a GlobalLife prison all day?
 

Next Natalie worked on my hair, showing me what to do with all the bottles and sprays under the sink. It appeared that they were specially chosen for my naturally wavy, and sometimes frizzy, hair. The hair lesson took another hour.
 

When it was over, Natalie stood back to look at me. “Now the clothes. I’ll be right back.” She left, then returned holding a deep blue dress and some black heels. The dress was a perfect fit, almost like it had been specially made using my exact measurements. I walked out of the bathroom to find Erik still sitting in the chair, looking completely bored.

“What took you so—” Erik stopped when he saw me. My form-fitting dress, makeup, and flawless hair took him by surprise.
 

Natalie smiled. “She looks lovely, doesn’t she? I’ll be leaving now, Samantha, but Jonathan will be here soon to coach you on what to say.”

She left and I went over to Erik. He was still staring at me. “You look really good, Sam.”

“As opposed to what? How I normally look?”
 

Before he could answer, the door opened again and two well-dressed men walked in. The first one greeted us. “Hello, I’m Jonathan and this is Kendall.” The men looked nearly identical. Both were young with short blond hair and dark suits.
 

“Erik, you’ll be coming with me,” Kendall said. “I’ll show you how to do a proper shave, then we’ll clean up that mop of hair on your head.”

“I already know how to shave. And what’s wrong with my hair?”

Kendall gave Erik a look that implied he had no choice in the matter. The two of them left for the bathroom and Jonathan sat down next to me.

“So you’ll be meeting with Mr. Owens today.” Jonathan sounded as if I’d won a prize. “He’s our biggest investor. Very powerful man. And an excellent dresser. Has all his clothing handmade using the finest of fabrics.”

“When am I meeting him?”

“In an hour. But before that, we need to go over some things. For instance, just look how you’re sitting. All hunched over, legs twisted up like a pretzel. Sit like this.”

He sat sideways on the small velvet sofa, his shoulders and head upright. His legs were together but not crossed and his hands rested on his knees. “This is how a lady sits. Now try it.”

Jonathan spent the next 50 minutes lecturing me on proper body language and how to answer questions. He gave me words and phrases to use that seemed to come from the GlobalLife employee handbook. “As you know, GlobalLife is a leader in tomorrow’s technology. And I’m honored to have such an important role in shaping the future.” Jonathan spoke like he was recording a commercial. “Now repeat that back to me.”

“I can’t even remember what you said. Why can’t I just answer his questions?”

“Just repeat it back to me. Hurry up.”

I sighed. “GlobalLife is a leader in—” I stopped when I saw Erik.

He came out of the bathroom wearing a dark suit, white dress shirt, and tie. He was cleanly shaven and his hair had been trimmed.
 

Jonathan stood up. “Excellent job, Kendall. Much improved. Samantha, I hope you memorized what I said because it’s time for you to leave for the interview. Erik, come over here so I can go over what I just told her.”

Erik walked past me and I got a whiff of his cologne. He smelled as good as he looked. I felt an indescribable attraction to him once again. Just like I had when we first met back in Texas. Even more so.

“Just look at them together,” Kendall swooned. “Aren’t they a wonderful couple? A perfect match.”
 

“Yes, they certainly are,” Jonathan agreed.

The door opened and Eve walked in. “Samantha, you look so much better. And Kendall, you’ve done a splendid job with the boy.”
 

Kendall smiled, reviewing his work again.

“Samantha, let’s go. Mr. Owens is in the conference room.” She took my arm and led me out. The office was buzzing with people, a much different scene than when Erik and I had arrived there. It felt strange to not be cuffed or secured in any way. But it’s not like I could like make a run for it. Armed guards stood at the building entrance and a few more were scattered around the lobby.
 

Eve took me to a hallway in the back of the building. We entered a room with the longest table I’d ever seen. Tall leather office chairs surrounded it. At the end of the room was a wall of windows that displayed a stunning view of snow-covered mountains.
 

A man in a black suit was standing with his back to us, looking out at the wintery scene. He turned when he heard us enter.

“Mr. Owens. Sorry to keep you waiting. This is Samantha.” Eve pushed me toward the man. “Samantha, this is Mr. Preston Owens.”

The man appeared to be in his mid-seventies. He was taller than average and had a full head of gray hair that was held in place with some kind of hair product. He had a very distinguished look. I could tell that he was used to holding the power in the room. In fact, Allie’s mom seemed almost fearful of him. She tried to cover it up by standing straight and smiling a lot.

“Well, I’ll let you two talk,” Eve said. “I’ll be just down the hall. Call me when you’re done.”

Eve left and Owens motioned me to sit down. “Very nice to meet you Samantha. You’re a beautiful girl. And I hear that you’re very intelligent.” Owens’ mannerisms and the way he spoke reminded me of how rich people are portrayed in old movies.
 

“Thank you, Mr. Owens. What is it you would like to know?”

He turned and looked out at the mountains again. “Such a majestic country, don’t you think? Practically untouched by man. Nature in all its beauty. I love it so much that I built a home here. Just one of many. I have homes all over the world.”
 

He continued talking about Iceland, causing my mind to wander. When is this interview going to start? I thought. Does he just like listening to himself talk?

“Samantha, do you hear me? If you do, clear your throat.”

Owens was still staring out the window and had started talking about the weather. I looked around to see if someone else had entered the room.
 

“Do you hear me? If so, tell me. Cough. Or do something.”

I realized that his voice was in my head. I was hearing Owens’ thoughts, even though the brain wave scrambling device was clearly displayed on his suit jacket. It was the same circular piece of metal that Eve wore.

I coughed, then cleared my throat.

“Good. Now you need to listen to every word I say.”

I tried hard not to react. I was sure we were being monitored. “What did you say was the average temperature here in Iceland?”
 

Owens turned away from the window. “I believe the average yearly temperature is 46 degrees. That’s Fahrenheit. Chilly for most people, but I don’t mind it. I’m originally from upstate New York, so I’m used to the cold.”

He sat down and began asking me basic questions about where I grew up and what subjects I liked in school. As I answered, I listened to what he was telling me through his thoughts.
 

“Now remember that I can’t hear your thoughts, so don’t try to think back to me with your mind. You’ll just have to listen to what I’m thinking while you continue to talk out loud for the cameras. Got it?”
I gave him a quick smile to let him know I understood.
“I’ve been involved with GlobalLife for many years. I’m one of the Founders. It’s a very powerful group. You’ll learn more about them later. I’ll be here all week preparing for the event on Saturday.”

As he talked, I kept wondering how I was able to hear him. I moved my hand along the neckline of my v-neck dress, pretending to adjust it but stopping right where the brain wave scrambling device was on his jacket.

Owens picked up on my question.
“I have a device on that disables it. Don’t try to ask me any more questions. It’s too obvious. Now I’m working on a way to get you and Erik out of here. But you both need to help. I can’t do this alone.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Why would this guy want Erik and me to escape? And why would he help us? I desperately wanted to ask him but couldn’t.
 

“I know you need those base codes and I know for a fact that they are in this building. There are two small vials of the alien genes hidden somewhere on this floor. I don’t know exactly where. You and Erik will need to find that out. When you do, you’ll need a password to access them. The vials will also be protected with some type of biometric. I’m not certain what that is. I know it’s not a fingerprint or retinal scan. That technology is too old and too easy to copy. You need to find out what else it could be.”

“And so I’ve always been interested in science,” I said, continuing to talk about myself while also trying to hear Owens’ thoughts.
 

“I’m going to try to show you maps of the building and the surrounding area. I don’t know if you’ve ever received an image instead of words via your thoughts but you need to try. You’ll need these maps for your escape. I will imagine one section of the building at a time, showing key points of entry and exit. Memorize them. I will then show you the outside, including a route to the place you’ll need to go when you escape.”

I put all my energy into interpreting his thoughts as he imagined each section of the building. I built my own map in my head, starring sections of importance. We finished just as Eve walked through the door.

“I wanted to check in and see how things are going.” Eve turned on an exaggerated smile for Owens.

“I think we’re done here,” Owens said, getting up. “Samantha is a remarkable girl. Just as you described. I’m very impressed.”

“Oh, I’m so glad to hear that.” Eve put her arm around me, making me cringe. “Well, should I get Erik?”

“Yes, let’s move this thing along. I’ve got a lunch meeting I need to run to.”
 

I heard Owens again in my head as I left.
“One last thing. Colin and Jack are safe.”

The words were unexpected. I tried to hide any emotion, but inside I was jumping for joy. I hadn’t yet told Erik about my dream of Colin and Jack escaping the airport because I didn’t think it was true. But now it was confirmed and that, along with Owens’ plan to help us, filled me with happiness and hope.

“Well, you must have taught her something,” Eve said to Jonathan when we were back in the room. “She somehow managed to win him over. Erik, let’s go.”

“Listen to Mr. Owens. Listen to his every word,”
I thought to Erik as he met Eve at the door.

Erik didn’t respond, but I knew he heard me. A half hour later, Erik returned. We were finally alone in the room.
 

“Did he tell you?”
I thought to Erik, making sure to hide my excitement from the cameras.

“Yeah. But who is that guy? And why is he helping us?”

“Maybe he doesn’t like this genetic manipulation thing. Who cares why? With his help, we might actually get out of this place! And now we know that Colin and Jack are okay!”

“How do you know that?”

“Owens told me. He didn’t tell you?”

“No. But I could barely hear his thoughts. Eve stayed in the room during the interview and kept talking to him. I guess she didn’t trust me to answer his questions the right way. So my dad and Colin are okay?”

I told Erik what Owens said, then explained the dream I’d had that showed Colin and Jack surviving the airport explosion.
“I didn’t say anything to you because I wasn’t sure if it was true,”
I thought to Erik.
“But now we know it is! They’re safe, Erik!”

I hugged Erik, then realized the cameras were watching. I quickly pulled away.
 

“What’s wrong?”
he asked.

“It looks suspicious. Us hugging without talking. They’ll know we’re using telepathy.”

“They already know. You heard what Eve said.”

“Yeah, but still, we shouldn’t make it so obvious. If they think we’re using it all the time, they’ll think we’re planning something. We need to make them trust us. Make them think that we have nothing to hide.”

“Yeah, like they’re gonna believe that, Sam.”

“I’m just saying that it wouldn’t hurt to try to hide it more, okay?”

The door opened and two men entered carrying a table and chairs. They set the table with white linens and china and put a bouquet of flowers in the center. Then they placed two silver-domed plates on the table. The men motioned us to sit down, then left.

“Everything is so formal here.” I lifted the dome off my plate. “Salmon and roasted asparagus? For lunch?” Off to the side was a tossed salad and a roll.
 

“I hate fish. And asparagus,” Erik mumbled. “Next time, make it a burger and fries!” he shouted at the ceiling. We still hadn’t found the listening devices, but the ceiling seemed like an appropriate hiding spot for them.
 

I felt old sitting there eating a fancy lunch while wearing a designer dress and heels. Erik looked like a rich businessman in his expensive suit and tie. He took his tie off and undid the first few buttons of his shirt. He stared at the ceiling again. “And along with that burger, give me some jeans and t-shirts!”
 

“Yeah, I’ll take the same!” I called out. “And sneakers!” I slipped off my heels. My aching feet instantly felt better.

As we ate, Erik told me, telepathically, what Owens had said during his interview. Apparently the password we needed to access the alien genes was encrypted as some type of code, or cipher as Owens called it. He imagined the cipher in his mind so Erik could see it. It was the same type of code that Erik had cracked before. The same type that his brother, Luke, had left in his journal.