STRATEGIC BEHAVIOR (REVISING)

CHAPTER 2: THE BUSINESS OF VICE

He was a household name, the first influencer to crack a billion followers. If Norma Reyes was the brains of their operation, then Chaz Wang was the face. He had been a beautiful mistake in her dating history, but a merger with his brand had kick-started her career in the private sector. Now, three years later, Wang & Reyes Lifestyle Tech was the name on everyone's lips.

Chaz air-dropped a destination to her Lyft. "The Camp?" Norma grumbled. A night in the wilds held little appeal for her. Her ex, on the other hand, loved the exclusive island resort off the coast of California. The place was designed for the fabulously wealthy, far from the spotlight.

Once on site, Norma endured an invasive run through security. (She checked to make sure her user-ID was set to a pseudonym.) Then, she followed an unpaved trail cluttered with other twenty-somethings. Everyone was bathed in the LED glow of pop-up bars and clubs, and the warm night pulsed with dance music.

Still, there were more trees than establishments. Norma took in the panorama of the starry sky. A carbon-eater floated serenely overhead. A perfume of sea spray and tropical flowers colored the breeze.

She arrived at a crowded tent that was a passionate shade of red. At a central floor table, she spied Chaz. Typical of him. "Norma, baby!" He shouted and waved, and she shrank into herself. Much as the influencer knew she preferred going unnoticed, he couldn't not be the center of attention.

Sure, she could navigate a maze of people sitting on the floor sharing hookahs, drinks, and delicious-smelling foods to get to him. Glowering, Norma made her way through the diners. She sidestepped a belly dancer undulating beneath yellow string lights. She swatted velvet incense that wisped in her face as she tried not to trip over layers of plush vermillion, citrine, and royal purple rugs. The atmosphere was borderline enchanting—borderline—but her ex ruined the tableau.

Chaz Wang stood to his feet with arms wide. He glammed in a lapis lazuli blue suit that complemented the sunny undertones of his skin. He was as tall, handsome, and fit in real life as he was online, to Norma's chagrin. At least once, she wanted to see him look human. Fashionable glasses framed mesmerizing almond eyes. He pushed the specs back into black and cobalt hair and brandished a killer smile as he reached for her.

Norma settled on her side of the table. Sans the hug. "And how are we supposed to have a conversation here?" she spoke over competing music and chatter. Her grinning companion sat back down and handed her what looked like a credit card. It was a file. She scanned the magnetic strip over her wrist to install the app it contained.

Gradually, the cacophony of the lounge decreased to a comfortable volume. "...An ambient noise diffuser." Chaz's melodic tenor voice became audible. "Each file card uses biometrics to set up groups of as many as ten people. We've eliminated any chance of hacking, which allows privacy in a loud public space like this. Unless they're right next to you, no one except your chat group can hear what you're saying."

"Built-in voice filter?" Norma asked, impressed.

"Filters, plural. To smooth the sound quality. The primary one I'm using now is called Trustworthy."

"How misrepresentative." She smirked.

With tapering laughter, Chaz peered over her shoulder. "Don't be catty," he murmured. She followed his gaze and wasn't sure if he meant about his device or her former assistant, Xara Jane, weaving toward their table.

"Not professional, Chaz," Norma hissed.

"Hey, there you are! I've been searching everywhere for you, honey." The woman with whom he had cheated placed a possessive arm around his neck and did a double take at her. "Oh, wow, Norma Reyes? Look at you! I haven't seen you in ages."