The Potion: A genetic engineering thriller!

Chapter 6

As usual, Melanie immersed herself so much in her work she slacked on giving James a call.

It wasn’t because she hadn’t been interested. In fact, she thought he was rather quirky and fun to be around. They had a great time on their coffee date, and she’d gained a lot of valuable insight on his neighborhood that made selling the house next to his a peach. She just wasn’t good at maintaining relationships. Or friendships for that matter. The only people in her life that ever really stuck around were her mother and older brother.

Well, them, and her assistant, Sofia.

A soft knock at her office door made her snap her head in attention. “Melanie?”

“Come in,” she called.

Sofia walked in with several binders in her arms, and she made her way over to the filing cabinet and placed them where they belonged. Melanie was an organizational freak—she had a system for everything, and if one thing was out of place, it drove her mad. Fortunately, Sofia had caught on to her methods quickly, otherwise, she was certain she would’ve never been able to expand her business on her own.

“I set an appointment with Mr. and Mrs. Brunner this afternoon,” Sofia said, hovering near the door after she’d put everything back. “It’s already been synced to the calendar on 44 your phone. Also, your brother called. He said that he was hoping you might come down for a visit soon, as your father’s birthday is coming up.”

Melanie was well aware of her father’s birthday, but it was painful to even think about since his death. Every year they celebrated it, and each time, it was like ripping open a fresh wound in her heart. She wasn’t sure how many more times she could do it. The only reason she’d ever gone in the first place was to please her mother.

“I’ll give him a call right now,” Melanie muttered. “Anything else?” A tiny part of her was hoping someone else had left her a message while she was out showing houses this morning.

“No, that’s everything,” Sofia replied. “If you’re all set for the afternoon, I’m going to head to lunch before doing some paperwork when I get back.”

“Go on.” Melanie waved her hands as if shooing a child. “Take the company card and bring me back something please.”

Sofia disappeared without another word, leaving Melanie to stare at her phone for what felt like hours. Taking in a deep breath, she held the phone up to her ear and dialed her brother’s number by heart. It rang twice before it clicked on the other end.

“Well, well, well,” Anthony chimed. “I was wondering if my baby sister was going to call me back. I think this might be a new record.”

“Very funny,” Melanie sneered. Leaning back into her chair, she kicked off her heels and curled up to get more comfortable. “My assistant said you called. To what do I owe the pleasure of the wanderer?”

Anthony was older than Melanie by a couple of years, but he had not exactly settled down the same way she had. After her father had suddenly passed away when she was away at college, Anthony stepped into the role of being the father figure she needed. However, while she went on to make a name for herself in the business world, Anthony had gone away for a year to do what he called “soul searching.” Only, it had been over seven years now and he’d almost seen every country in the world, with no indication whether he’d found his soul or not. Still, he visited their mother more than Melanie did, and she only lived two hours away.

“I know I don’t have to remind you about what time of year it is,” he said quietly. This was a very delicate conversation, regardless of how much time had gone by. Melanie had been a daddy’s girl, and she was left broken and lost when he died.

She glanced at the open calendar on her computer, his birthday highlighted. Gnawing on her bottom lip, she willed the tears away, not wanting her brother to hear her cry.

“How’s mom?” she asked instead.

“Same as she always is. She finally retired, but now she’s all antsy because she doesn’t have anything to occupy her time.” He went quiet for a moment, but Melanie heard him sigh on the other end. “She misses you.”

“I miss her, too.”

“So, you’re coming down for Dad’s birthday, right?” Anthony asked.

“Yes,” she murmured. “I’ll be there.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Her phone beeped, and when she looked at the receiver, she saw that another call was coming in. “I’m sorry, Tony, that’s my other line, I have to go. I’ll call you tonight, love you.”

She hung up his end before he could say anything else.

“Hart’s Real Estate, Melanie speaking, how may I help you?” she said happily, using her best customer service voice.

“Hey Melanie, it’s James.” His voice made her jolt upright.

She nearly knocked her pencil holder off the table as she scrambled to sit properly, as if he could see her through the phone. Tucking her hair behind her left ear, she chewed on her thumbnail and tried to slow her heart rate.

“James, I’ve been meaning to give you a call, I just—”

“Haven’t had the time?” He laughed, but not the bitter kind as if he were resentful that she was a busy woman. Her heart fluttered unexpectedly. “I know this is last minute, but I was wondering if you were free tonight? I’d love to take you on a real date.”

“Our little coffee soiree wasn’t real?” she teased.

“Oh, it was, but I was kind of thinking of a nice dinner, someplace where grease stains are frowned upon.”

“I’d love to,” she said. “I’ve got some stuff to finish up here at the office, so do you think you can just text me the time and place? It’d make my life easier than having to race across town.”

“Absolutely. I’ll see you later, Melanie.”

***

It had been a long time since Melanie went out on a date with someone, she felt wildly unprepared.

After finishing up her work, she’d raced home and nearly tore apart her closet trying to find an appropriate first but second date outfit. The café had been so casual and spontaneous, but this...this was planned. This could mean something down the road, and for the first time in her life, Melanie didn’t want to mess it up.

She didn’t know what it was about James Scott that was so alluring. He wasn’t like other men. Maybe that was it. It didn’t have to be something elaborate and complicated.

Settling on a simple black dress and some heels to match, she put on her delicate gold chain, which was the last gift she received from her father. She would need his strength and guidance to make it through the next few hours.

(7:02 p.m.) Melanie: I’m on my way, I’ll see you soon.

(7:03 p.m.) James: I’ll be waiting.

Smiling like a lovestruck fool at her phone, she stuffed it into her purse and went on her way. The drive was quick, and before she knew it, she was pulling into the parking lot of a four-star restaurant. She spotted James standing underneath a lamp by the front entrance, dressed in a suit jacket and some dark pants. Taking in a deep breath, she grabbed her belongings and slowly made her way over to him, but he met her halfway.

Quite the gentleman thing to do, she thought.

He grabbed her hand and brushed his lips against her skin. “You look positively radiant.”

She drank him all in, and if she didn’t know any better, she thought he looked different than the last time she’d seen him. Perhaps her eyes were deceiving her, but she thought for certain he had a few more wrinkles around his eyes when he smiled, and more gray hair in his beard and hairline. There was the possibility that he had some touch-ups done, but James didn’t seem like the kind of guy who cared that much about his appearance.

“Shall we go inside?” Melanie suggested.

“Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea.” He looped her arm around his and escorted her toward the entrance.

It was not as busy as she would’ve expected, but that was a bit more appealing to her. While she was a bit of a social butterfly herself, she was looking forward to a more intimate setting for dinner.

“Mr. Scott,” the hostess confirmed. “Your table is ready, if you would please follow me.” Trailing behind the young lady, they were brought to a table underneath a dimly lit chandelier, and the table had a bottle of champagne sitting in a bucket of ice.

“Thank you, this looks great,” James smiled.

“I’ll let you two get settled before I take your orders. Miss, may I take your coat?” she offered.

“Oh, no, that’s alright,” Melanie fumbled, clutching her blazer to her chest. “I get cold sometimes.”

“No problem, enjoy.”

Melanie took a seat opposite to James, who was busy pouring them each a half glass of champagne. While she wasn’t exactly familiar with date etiquette and expectations, she knew that he had gone quite to extreme lengths to make this special.

“What would you have done if I said I was busy tonight?” she mused.

“Ronald would’ve been in for a real treat,” James joked.

“Ronald? Is this your other workaholic friend?”

“Yes. Dr. Ronald Clark. He’s a scientist, very committed to his work. I’ve been helping him with, uh, some research.”

“You?” Melanie questioned. “I thought you weren’t into all that stuff.”

“Oh, I’m not.” James readjusted his tie, and Melanie swore she saw a bead of sweat trickle down the side of his face. “I’m more his...how shall I put this...test subject.” Instantly he regretted telling her about that part of his relationship with the eccentric doctor.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a read on his odd behavior. It was difficult, for all she could think about was the fact that he looked different. Not just subtle differences, but major ones. His shoulders were a bit broader, as if he’d been working out recently. His face was blurred of all wrinkles, making him look at least ten years younger. Not to mention he had this kind of glow about him. Melanie was so set on trying to broach the subject that they had breezed through dinner and dessert without her even realizing it. Two hours had gone by in the blink of an eye.

“Your bill, sir,” the waitress offered. He slipped her a few bills and the girl’s eyes lit up at his generous tip. “Have a wonderful night, Mr. Scott.”

Melanie waited until the waitress was out of earshot before bombarding him with questions. “I’m so sorry, but I have to ask,” she began. “It’s just, you look so much different than you did a few weeks ago. This might be inappropriate, but have you had work done?”

She gestured to his face and he snorted from laughter. Her cheeks burned from embarrassment, and so she hid her face in her hands.

“I feel like such an i***t,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

James slid from his chair and extended his hand out. “Let’s go for a quick walk.”

Too ashamed to say no, Melanie slipped her hand into his and the two of them left the restaurant together. It was a pretty warm night, but James was courteous and placed her coat on her shoulders, offering her some comfort to the slight breeze. They ventured down towards the pier, and Melanie was grateful it was illuminated by a path of lights. While she trusted James enough to go out with him, there was still that little flicker of fear that they didn’t know everything about each other.

“I have to tell you something,” he confessed, stopping beneath a street lamp. “But it’s not exactly my secret to tell. You have to swear to me you won’t tell another soul.”

Melanie was a little taken aback by this. She hardly knew James. What could be so shocking that she wasn’t allowed to tell 51 another person? Was he a wanted criminal? Should she be scared of him after all?

“What is it?” she asked, hugging her arms across her chest.

“You were right back in the restaurant, I am different, but it’s not exactly what you think. You see, my friend, he and his colleagues, they’re working on developing cures for the human body. Ronald was successful in creating a serum that can heal a person of any sort of ailment—cancer, diseases, flesh wounds, you name it. I offered to become his first experiment, so that’s why I look different than before. My body was still changing when we first met.” Oh boy, he thought. No turning back now. Did I just blow a good thing?

After his ground-breaking speech, James let out a deep sigh, as if he’d been carrying around the weight of the world on his shoulders. In a way, he kind of had. Melanie simply stared at him, unable to form any words of her own. A serum that could cure all illnesses.

“Why can’t you tell anyone? Surely they’re working with the government and medical community to make this available to the public, are they not?”

“No,” James murmured. “It’s Ronald’s research, not his company’s. Everything he developed, he did so on his own. That’s why we can’t tell anyone.”

“But this could change the world as we know it,” Melanie started. Her father’s life flashed before her very eyes, and she found herself getting choked up. “I—I have to go.”

“Melanie, please wait.” James stepped forward and reached out for her hand, but she quickly stepped out of the way. “You 52 have to promise you won’t tell anyone, please. If you do, our lives could be in danger.”

“Goodnight, James.”

Turning her back on him, tears blurred her vision as she quickly made her way to her car. Once she was safe inside, she locked all the doors and rested her head on the steering wheel before letting it all out.