Piper

Relationships

"There cannot be relationships unless there is commitment, unless there is loyalty, until there is love, patience, persistence."
- Cornel West

Once the two divers were pulled back into the company's yacht, Sanders greeted them. After shaking their hands for a job well done, the boss didn't waste any time to get right to business. 

His motto was time is money, and  made sure not to waste any precious moments to do his work. It was as if he was itching for productiveness and resented any failures in life.

Sanders got straight to the point and asked Gustavo if he was able to retain the prism they found on the radar earlier.

But Gustavo's mouth fell silent for a minute because he had an inkling that if he took all the credit, he'd be in more jeopardy then he already was. Earlier he got the silent treatment from Mary Anne as the two swam up to the shore. Gustavo kept calling his partner's name as she took another route to board the yacht, but she never looked back. He figured that he did something wrong and Mary Anne  didn't want to talk to him as she'd burst into tears.

Thinking that she blew everything out of proportion, Gustavo decided to leave her alone. He knew she'd eventually come back to her senses and apologize.

"Yes, yes we did boss." He also mentioned that Mary Anne should deserve all the credit. "It's Haskins who was able to retrieve it before the ship's compartment crumbled upon us."

Gustavo looked at Mary Anne's reaction based on his response and was proud of himself when he saw her grin. It was a gesture that he wanted to see, for he thought she would stay angry at him forever.

"Good work, Haskins. Everett would be happy to hear that. Where is it?"

Keeping the case intact, Mary Anne took the wet box out of the bag she brought with her and handed it to her boss. She made sure to alert him that there was a warning message written within it as well. she could control her urge to follow what the note said, but was fearful that others would not.

In case if this box is ever found, do not open it.

And Mary Anne's prediction came true, as soon as Sanders held the prism. His sweaty hands were eager to do the unexpected ... that is until he got interrupted by her voice.

"Is he the same Mr. Everett who had a psychologist for a father? I think I know him."

Both divers  took off their swimsuits at this time, as they had their regular clothes underneath it.  Both were appalled when they saw some unusual writing on their shirts as if someone left graffiti on a wall.

"And what do we have here?" Both of them asked in unison.

"If you are saying I did it Mary, you're wrong. You know both of us had clean  uniforms before we wore our diving suits."

It left Mary Anne in awe. But she didn't want to say anything in return. She could think of one logical explanation, and that was that both of them got entangled with some sea creatures below that injected ink on their clothing. But she didn't recall that happening, so she just shrugged her shoulders and let that matter be.

She changed the subject by asking more about Everett. All she knew about the man was that he was an archeologist who loved to travel abroad and search for relics of all kinds. 

Gustavo pouted as he knew he was no longer part of Mary Anne's attention.

"Don't tell me your jealous Gus. I think he's a former classmate that I dated in college. That was decades ago, I don't think he'd remember me."

By then this squabble irritated Sanders, and interfered by yelling at the two lovebirds.

"Sush you two, look we are here just to do what the archeologists told us to do. Anything unrelated to this mission can be done on your own time. Don't do it in front of me, or I will write in on your record!"

Being upfront, Sanders wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind. And soon the bickering stopped, as the yacht sailed back to their headquarters in Mauritius.

A man in a tailored black suit came into the Marina Bayou Lab. His chiseled jaw lifted as he  grinned. His eyes were of a sparkling green, and his soft, feather-like black hair brushed away from his brow. 

Nevah Everett didn't  change much since they met, and just looking at him caused Mary Anne's cheeks to redden.

The gentleman looked at her and was astounded to see who he was looking at.

"Mary Anne Haskins. Is that you?"

Mary Anne's eyes deepened like the ocean, so full of life yet so uncertain. The blue-green hue carried her emotional currents, and before she knew it, she could fall in love again with her ex.

"Nevin? You remember me?"

"Of course, I'd never forget a pretty face like yours. I go by Nevah now, but you my dear, can still call me Nevin." He grinned from ear to ear as she blushed.

Hearing that, Gustavo became annoyed. Gus knew now he finally had some competition and was ready to attack.