Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 31

Chapter Thirty–One: What Is Sex Like?

Dreston’s eyes moved carefully over the reports sent to him by the PR team. He read every line carefully. He even read, making sure nothing was missed. When he was finally done, a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.

After many long years, Auralink was about to launch a new product.

A powerful one.

This was not just another update or upgrade. This product would place the company back at the top, just like the breakthrough they had achieved years ago. Investors would be pleased, and the board would applaud, for it is the kind of product that would shake the market.

And Tina…

Tina had made him proud. 1

The thought alone made his smile deepen. He leaned back in his chair, feeling pleased with himself and with the direction his company was heading.

Then came a soft knock.

The sound pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Come in,” he said calmly.

Wa

The door opened, and Peter Steel walked in. He held a laptop tightly against his chest. His steps were careful, and his face looked tense.

He walked straight to the desk and placed the laptop in front of Dreston.

Dreston raised an eyebrow. “What is this?” he asked, clearly uninterested.

Peter inhaled deeply, then exhaled. He stood straight, resting his hands on his waist.

“I’m sorry, sir,” he said, his voice shaking slightly, “but we have a problem.”

Dreston didn’t like that tone. Not at all. Not now that a good thing was about to happen in their company after so

many years ago.

He leaned back and stared directly at Peter. “What problem?”

Peter ran a hand through his hair. “If we launch this product, sir, the company could be sued.”

Dreston stood up immediately. His expression hardened.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” he snapped.

Peter swallowed. “Miss Ackley is not the original developer of VELUX.”

Silence fell into the office. Dreston’s face looked like he had been slapped across his face.

“What?” Dreston asked slowly.

“Someone else built it first,” Peter continued quickly. “Our upgraded system stores all data automatically. Even deleted work is kept for security reasons. I checked the records, sir. The truth is there.”

Dreston moved back to the desk, his eyes glued to the screen as Peter turned the laptop toward him.

Chapter Thirty–One What Is Sex Uke?

+25 Bonus

Dreston scrolled through dates. Then, IDs, system logs. And he saw everything. His eyes widened in shock and disappointment. How could this be? Why hasn’t he checked before announcing the launching?

The truth was right there before him.

SYSTEM STATUS: STABLE

ARCHITECT: ORACLE

BUILD INTEGRITY: ABSOLUTE

His fingers froze.

“This is not Tina’s signature,” Dreston muttered. “This belongs to someone else.”

“Yes, sir,” Peter said quietly. “And the product isn’t new. The original developer completed most of the work, a year ago. Miss Ackley didn’t even have access to the system at that time.”

Dreston’s eyes darkened.

“This ID,” he said slowly. “2309. Who does it belong to?”

Peter hesitated.

Then, he spoke. “That ID belongs to your ex–wife.” 1

Dreston dropped back into his chair. The room felt suddenly smaller.

“Are you saying… Cassienne is Oracle?” he asked, his voice low.

“Yes, sir.”

Dreston closed his eyes.

Pain spread through his chest like a slow burn.

Five years.

Five years of marriage—and he had never truly known her. He felt stupid, blind and guilty all at once.

He had doubted her, and ignored her. He let others shine while she stayed unseen. How could he have missed something as important as this about his wife?

He felt like slapping himself right now. When he opened his eyes again, they were cold.

“You may go,” he said quietly. “I’ll handle this myself. Keep this information to yourself.”

“Yes, sir.”

Peter grabbed his laptop and left quickly.

Dreston stayed seated, staring into nothing. Tina was not to blame. This was all him.

He should have known that Cassienne was telling the truth. If Tina was the original developer, she should have been able to get full access to her product. But no, he was blinded by the love he has for Tina and now, he will have to pay the price alone.

Chapter Thirty–One What is Sextike?

+25 Bonus

Cassienne sat behind her desk at Coralreach, scrolling through product after product.

Her expression remained calm, but inside, she was disappointed.

These products were… average.

Nothing special.

Nothing bold.

She checked performance records, market response, and development notes. The more she read, the more unimpressed she became.

“This is all?” she murmured to herself.

She closed the file and leaned back.

She would need to speak to the CEO about this.

Just as she was about to open another file, a knock came–soft and playful.

The door opened without waiting for permission, and Daisy walked in.

“Why are you still working?” Daisy complained as she flopped dramatically onto the sofa. “It’s closing time. Let’s go out tonight.”

Cassienne sighed. “No. I still have work to do.”

She paused, then added, “And I don’t want to get drunk again.”

Daisy laughed. “You need to live, Cass. Life is not only codes and screens.”

Cassienne looked up.

“You need fun. You need romance. You need a man who cherishes you and makes you feel wanted.”

Something about those words made Cassienne stand up.

She walked over and sat opposite Daisy, suddenly serious.

“I have a question,” she said. It was something she had been wanting to discuss with her friends. But she felt now was the right time.

Daisy straightened, sensing drama. “Go on.”

Cassienne took a deep breath.

“What is sex like?”

Daisy froze.

Her mouth opened slightly.

“What?”

But Daisy wasn’t the only one frozen.

At the door, Merrick and Corren stood still, having just walked in. They had heard everything.

Daisy stared at Cassienne, no longer amused. “Didn’t you have sex with your ex–husband?” she asked gently.

Chapter Thirty–One: What is Sex Like?

Cassienne shook her head. “No. Never.”

Another silence followed. This was a serious issue.

“I want to know what it feels like,” Cassienne said softly. “I want to live.”

“Cassienne.”

Merrick’s voice broke the moment. She turned slowly.

Merrick and Corren stood there, both completely shocked. Cassienne’s face flushed.

“Well,” Daisy said suddenly, clapping her hands, “this just got interesting.”

And the room exploded with awkward tension, shock, and disbelief.

admin