Chapter Six
Meeda watched the crowd get off the ferry, and she watched out for a woman alone, but she didn’t see anything.
When the ferry was empty and getting ready to reload for the return journey to Emerald, a figure emerged wearing a hood and carrying a backpack, walking along the dock and toward the market area.
“Harper?”
The figure turned, and Meeda saw the porcelain skin and midnight hair. The emerald green eyes and ruby lips confirmed the identity.
“Morning, Meeda. Where is the studio?”
“Do you want anything to eat or drink? Tea, a scone?”
She shook her head. “No. I am good. I am just here to do a job and then head back to Emerald.”
“Did you get the music?”
“I did. It’s fine. I do need some male voices.”
Meeda nodded. “Serin arranged it already. There are two ex-J-Pop singers on the island. They will meet us there.”
Harper nodded. “If everything is set up, I can lay out the vocals until they arrive. I don’t have to be there when they are.”
Meeda smiled. “I know. I think they might be late risers. They are new to Wonder and partied last night.”
Harper nodded. “Right. Lead the way.”
Meeda chuckled, and they walked through the streets to the tourism bureau. A very pregnant Serin was there with Deno, and she beamed when Harper walked in.
“You must be Harper! Meeda has a few ideas for the islands and their clothing lines, and she is sure that you are the best voice for the job.”
Harper nodded. “I will try.”
Serin was flushed and said, “Aren’t you hot in that outfit?”
“No. I am fine. The warmth will keep me from tensing up as I sing.”
Serin blinked. “Right. We are just waiting on Skaay Daring to run the board, but in the meantime, you can set things up in the studio.”
Harper nodded and walked back with Serin to the studio that was part of the marketing scheme for the Wonder Islands.
Meeda wandered in behind to see her acquaintance at work.
Harper paused and handed a packet to Deno. He grinned and nodded his thanks.
Meeda was nervous. Harper felt different from the last time that Meeda had met with her. There was something very still in her personality now. She used to be optimistic and bubbly, and she was excited to be engaged. Now there was no ring on her finger, and she was so... still.
Harper activated the console, set the controls, walked into the booth, put on a headset, and then waited and began to sing.
Serin’s mouth fell open. “Holy hell. Her voice...”
Deno blinked. “She set it to record?”
Meeda nodded. “She did. There’s something wrong about her, though. She feels wrong.”
Serin stared as the siren did what she did best. “She doesn’t sound wrong.”
“No, but there is something. Her bubbliness is gone.”
Skaay came in and heard the voice through the speakers. “Oh, wow. I had better get to my station.”
Meeda couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right, but as they waited, Harper rolled into another version of that song while the next was prepared.
The songs were part of an ad campaign that was going to highlight the islands and the swimwear and sportswear lines.
It was going to be the tale of a pirate pulled from the sea, running across the sand and through the jungle, and eventually, playing on sailboards, catamarans and lying on the beach with a cocktail.
Meeda was going to ask Harper to be the pirate, but now, the whimsy was gone. She would ask her, but she was no longer confident of the answer.
* * * *
Harper repeated each song three times, and when she had been at it for an hour, she called a break. She took the headphones off and hung them up. There was a tiny crowd of six outside.
She straightened and made sure her hood was up. She stepped out and asked, “How is it sounding so far?”
The man on the panel grinned. “Your voice is amazing.”
“Thank you. It was installed at the factory. I am going to go get something to drink. I will be back at it in twenty minutes. Only six more songs to go, and I need a cup of tea.”
The two men with Asian features and alpha height looked at her as she walked between them. “Please excuse me.”
She walked outside and went looking for a café. Not finding one, she headed for the hotel.
Harper got a table and ordered some hot tea. When it arrived, she added a bit of sugar and stirred slowly.
A shadow fell over her table, and she heard, “Harper?”
She froze and looked up. “Hello, Tez. Were you here for the run?”
“Yeah? You?”
“Just doing some voice work. Here for the day.” She raised her cup to him and sipped.
“May I sit?”
She held her hand out and waved for him to take the other seat.
He sat across from her, and she took in his golden hair, bright blue eyes, and athletic physique.
He looked at her and rubbed the back of his neck. “I heard what happened with Devin and Skyler.”
“Of course you did.”
“You handled it well.”
She chuckled. “I just left before the wedding.”
“That was the best way to handle it. A better way would be to return with an actual husband.” His lips curled up at the edges.
Harper raised her brows. “Really? I would have to find someone to sacrifice.”
Tez smiled. “You would not be searching long for a volunteer.”
“Yes, well, that isn’t why I am here, and I have an excellent life over on Emerald.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. I moved the company headquarters to the islands as soon as I realized my fiancé was screwing my brother. I pulled all the funds they were living on.”
Tez grinned. “They have been looking for you.”
“I have been avoiding cameras since I came out here.”
He looked at her hood. “Wow. That will do it. What are you doing for dinner?”
“Eating.”
He sighed. “I meant, would you join me for dinner?”
She sipped at her tea, emptying the cup. “I could. Could you not mention that you had seen me?”
“That will be difficult, but what is in it for me?”
She scrubbed a hand over her face. “Dinner?”
He grinned. “Deal. Meet you here at seven?”
“I had an early morning and will be working all day. How about five thirty?”
“What are you doing?”
“Vocals. A friend asked me to help, and I was in the neighbourhood.”
“I look forward to seeing what you have been up to.”
“Right. It isn’t that exciting. I have just been working. The same thing that made all the money that those idiots wanted.” She smiled. “I have to get back to my project now. See you here at five thirty.”
Tez smiled. “I look forward to it. Do you use the cuffs?”
“Not when I am on a project.”
“Could I persuade you to put one on?”
“Not while I am working.” She got up, and he did the same. Harper passed him. “Nice seeing you, Tez.”
“See you later, Harper.”
She felt him watching her as she paid for her tea and walked back the way she had come. She returned to the studio where the two alphas were laying in the companion tracks. Wonder was getting its money’s worth today.
Harper picked up a tablet and read the music and lyrics for the next few songs.
Serin rolled over on a chair and said, “Hey, Harper, what do you think the odds are for you to dress up like a pirate for part of the video?”
“Slim to none. I haven’t dressed up in years and certainly don’t own a pirate outfit.”
“We can manage that. We now have some excellent seamstresses. There is someone who can raise a wreck, and we will shoot you on that.”
“Is this going to be a trampy outfit?”
“Yes and no. The base will be some of the new sportswear Mia and Meeda have been working on. The outerwear is being designed by a friend of theirs from Loric City.” Serin grinned.
“The other participants will be wearing swimwear and activewear from local designers. One of the new arrivals is even doing five days of surf lessons for clips.”
Meeda smiled. “She was terrible when she started. A true noob.”
Serin chuckled. “She got better.”
Harper smiled and looked at the two men, who were singing with the ease of a lot of practice. “You are throwing a wide net?”
Serin grinned. “They were in a J-Pop band with another local. Xo. They have come to wish him and his wife well on their new union and stayed for the race. They grabbed one of the local betas and ran with her.”
Meeda chuckled. “Xida. She had a lot of fun.”
Harper saw Meeda staring at her. “You have a question?”
“Yeah. Why are you dressed like that?”
“Hiding from biometric sensors and long-range photography.” Harper sighed. “I just don’t want to deal with what is on the other side of it if they find me.”
“Dangerous?”
“Annoying, and I am going to start hitting people.” Harper cocked her head. “I could just sing until their heads explode.”
“Can I find out why? I can introduce you to my new partner?”
Harper smiled slowly, got up, and hugged her friend. “I am so very happy for you, Meeda. It’s a solid match?”
“He’s really solid and a sea monster.”
Harper stroked her cheek. “So you caught him?”
“Yes. How do you know that is part of courtship?”
“I read. A lot.”
“I wish I had consulted with you. Mind you, I did try eating him the first time I saw him and not in a fun way.”
“And blood is part of your courtship. I am glad you have met in the middle.”
Meeda blushed. “Several times.”
“That is how it’s supposed to be.” Harper touched her cheek again and then heard the silence in the room. The singers were in the room with them and staring at her. Serin had a soft smile, and Skaay was grinning.
“You are up, Harper. Seven more to finish.”
“We are laying an entire album?”
Serin smiled. “We are collecting tons of video footage, and have an excellent editor on hand and are launching Wonder as more than just a hideaway to get laid. We are trying to get more single female travellers.”
Meeda laughed. “So that they can find partners with the ridiculous number of local alphas.”
Harper blinked. “We are making a dating video.”
Serin smirked. “And a tourism video.”
Harper nodded. “Okay. I will go a bit more seductive on the tone.”
Serin blinked. “You can go more seductive with the tone?”
Harper chuckled. “Hold my beer. This is going to go fast.”