Bliss

Ch. 8: Jessica

Monday morning in Kingston had a certain rhythm to it—the hustle and bustle of the city streets, the rush of commuters heading to work, and the steady hum of activity that marked the beginning of a new week. For Damian, Carla, and Talia, it was a return to normalcy after their intense and transformative trip to Jamaica. The trip home had been a balm for their souls, but now it was time to focus on work, and their responsibilities awaited them.

The trio arrived at the office, their professional masks firmly in place. They had a debriefing meeting scheduled with Jessica, the head of their department, to discuss the outcomes of their business trip to Atlanta. While they had prepared for this meeting like any other, there was a subtle undercurrent of tension—an awareness that the dynamics between them had shifted dramatically, and that their shared experiences might not be as private as they had hoped.

As they entered the sleek conference room, Jessica was already seated at the head of the table, her sharp eyes glinting with her usual mix of intelligence and intrigue. She greeted them with a warm smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and as they took their seats, Talia couldn't shake the feeling that Jessica knew more than she was letting on.

The meeting began smoothly enough, with Jessica asking standard questions about the trip. She inquired about the business deals they had secured, the potential partnerships, and the overall success of the conference. Damian, ever the consummate professional, handled her inquiries with ease, detailing their achievements with his characteristic poise.

But as the discussion continued, Jessica's questions began to take on a different tone—one that was more personal, more probing.

"I must say," Jessica began, her voice laced with a hint of amusement, "I've heard that Atlanta has a way of bringing people closer together. It's amazing how a change of scenery can really... transform relationships, isn't it?"

Carla glanced at Talia, her brow furrowing slightly, while Talia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Damian remained composed, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—recognition, perhaps, that Jessica was hinting at something more.

"Indeed," Damian replied smoothly, "Traveling always offers new perspectives."

Jessica nodded, her smile widening. "And it's those new perspectives that can lead to... unexpected developments. Sometimes people discover new sides to themselves, or to each other. It's fascinating how much we can learn when we step out of our usual environment, don't you think?"

Talia swallowed, her mind racing. Jessica's words were innocuous enough on the surface, but there was an underlying implication that made Talia's heart skip a beat. Did she know? How much had she seen?

Carla remained outwardly calm, but Talia could see the subtle tension in her posture. Damian, however, didn't miss a beat.

"Absolutely," he said, his voice steady. "It was a very productive trip, both professionally and personally."

Jessica's eyes gleamed with satisfaction at Damian's measured response. "I'm sure it was. And I have no doubt that the bonds formed during such trips can be... quite lasting. I trust that the three of you have a newfound appreciation for each other's strengths?"

There it was again—another sly reference that could easily be dismissed as casual conversation, yet carried a weight that none of them could ignore. Talia felt a chill run down her spine. Jessica was playing a game, toying with them in a way that was both unsettling and deeply disconcerting.

"Yes," Carla interjected, her voice smooth and confident, "we work well together, and the trip only strengthened that."

Jessica leaned back in her chair, her smile never faltering. "Good to hear. It's important to have a strong team, especially when dealing with delicate matters. After all, trust and understanding are key, wouldn't you agree?"