The Wrong Woman

As a bioweapon, hydronium was incredibly powerful. Anyone who owned a hydronium- based weapon was practically undefeatable.

A combination of hydronium and ultrasonic waves could kill half the earth’s population painlessly and unknowingly in under two hours.

Every country wanted to get their hands on hydronium.

Some countries were even offering to pay five billion dollars per gram of hydronium.

The conversation in the living room died off.

When Suzanne brought the tea out, she saw Nathan looking through the file about Project Foghunt.

She walked over and placed the tray on the coffee table. Then, she knelt by the table and began serving the tea.

With well–practiced motions, she set out the cups and saucers and poured the tea into the

cups.

Her movements were elegant. None of the others could bring themselves to interrupt her. Even Nathan couldn’t help but look at her. He was distracted from his reading.

Suzanne offered a cup of tea to Donald first. “Here you go, Mr. President.”

Donald beamed and took the cup. “I received several boxes of expensive Earl Grey tea from a neighboring country some time ago and gave General Morrison a box. This is that tea, isn’t it? It’s expensive, but it’s a little too bitter for my taste.”

Suzanne smiled. “Try this cup. It shouldn’t taste bitter.”

Donald took a sip and exclaimed, “This is good! I guess we steeped it the wrong way, You have good taste, Mrs. Morrison.”

then. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The other men drank their tea and had similar praises.

Suzanne handed the last cup to Nathan.

He put down the file and took the cup. As soon as he lifted the cup to his lips, he could smell the faint aroma of the tea.

He took a sip.

The tea was just the right amount of fragrant and fresh, with only a light hint of sweetness from the milk. The smooth brew rolled off the tongue easily and left him with a delightful aftertaste.

It wasn’t just the quality of the tea that he was impressed with; he was also surprised by Suzanne’s skill in brewing tea.

Suzanne served another round of tea before excusing herself.

After she left, Donald asked curiously, “Where is your wife from, General Morrison? She doesn’t seem like a commoner.”

Nathan furrowed his brows slightly. “She’s just a regular person. She grew up in a middle- class family.”

Donald shook his head. “Trust me, I know these things. Your wife isn’t an ordinary woman.”

He downed his second cup and poured another for himself. “If she has the time, could she teach my assistant how to make a good cup of tea? My assistant’s rubbish at it. He’s been wasting the good stuff all this time.”

“Sure. I’ll let her know,” Nathan said politely.

Donald nodded while still holding on to the teapot.

After leaving the living room, Suzanne went to the garden and sat down at the little table set up outside.

Lazily, she leaned back in the chair and let the morning sun warm her skin.

Before she knew it, she had nodded off.

Nathan saw his guests off at the gate. When he came back, he found Suzanne fast asleep in the garden.

He walked over slowly.

Suzanne’s face was rosy from the sun. Nathan stared at her for a while.

He looked around and saw a large umbrella by the security post at the door.

A light breeze fluttered through the garden.

Suzanne woke from her nap. Her arm was a little numb from the prolonged pressure. As she shook out the pins and needles, she looked up to find a large umbrella set up over her.

A strange smell made her look down at her feet.

Under the table, there was a small bowl of smoldering sage to keep mosquitoes away.

Suzanne was touched. She looked around, wondering who would care for her like this. There was no one around.