Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
I text her good morning... and good night, and that's all I can manage. I haven't worked this hard since the company first launched. Plus, there's a three hour time difference, which means she's normally asleep when she gets my good night text.
Toward the end of the second day, Andy buzzes through on the intercom. My assistant and go-to man has seemed depressed since leaving Vegas, too, or maybe that's just me projecting how I feel onto everyone else. "Steve is here to see you. And sir, he looks..."
"Speak your mind."
"Unhappy."
I stand. "Send him in."
Steve marches into my office, opening and closing his hands into fists. "I just got some news from the AI team," he says. "They finally found the rogue code. It was well hidden... but they found it. You're not going to like this."
"Lay it on me," I demand.
He grinds his teeth, suddenly reluctant.
"Steve, don't tiptoe around this."
"It was TechGuard," he says.
I drop into my seat, shaking my head. "TechGuard..." The company that Sera works for. "She..." She promised me they weren't involved, I almost say, but I don't want to show how vulnerable I feel in front of Steve.
After the surprise performance with Delilah Sky, we shared a bottle of champagne and then fell asleep together... well, she fell asleep. I held her for a long time, savoring the moments, knowing I'd never experience happiness like that again.
In the morning, saying goodbye was the hardest thing I've ever done. But I had to do it. For the company. And now Steve is telling me she was involved. Her department was, at least.
What if she knows nothing about it?
"I'll get to the bottom of this," I say firmly.
Steve flinches. "We need to sue them into the dirt."
I will not tear her world to pieces before I have all the information. But that's not the excuse I'm going to give to Steve. Plus, there are other concerns.
"We don't want it to look like we're not taking responsibility for this. So far, we've won some PR points by being open and honest. If we try to pin it all on some smaller company, a contractor, we look weak. If a small department in TechGuard can derail us, what are we worth?"
He sighs. "After this, no more contractors."
"You're getting no argument from me there. It's my fault for caving to the shareholders and their greed. They've learned their lesson now."
Steve gives me a rare smile. "I know. I heard you on the call with them. I've never heard somebody flayed over the phone before."
I laugh. He's not wrong. I unleashed fury on them, so they'd understand a few million extra in profit isn't worth a fuck up of this magnitude.
"I'll make enquiries," I say. "In the meantime, fix the code. Fix the AI. Fix the car."
"We will," Steve replies. "But please..."
“Go on,” I say tersely, when he looks down and stops pauses.
He swallows. “I’m sorry, but please don’t tell her anything.”
“We’re done here,” I say, my voice devoid of emotion.
He turns and quickly leaves the room. The thought that he thinks he has any right to speak about her makes me sick. Who does he think he is? He doesn’t know her.
Sure, I don’t know her, not as much as I’d like, but those days in Vegas were meaningful. I formed a connection with her I’ve never experienced with anyone else. Ever. I have to believe that counts for something.
After another conference call, I take out my cell and text Sera. It will be around seven PM on the East Coast right now. I’ve moved one of my meetings… using the excuse I’m digging into the TechGuard mess. But a precious few minutes to talk with Sera? That’s worth more than even a billionaire could pay.
Luke: How’ve you been, Sparkplug?
I smile when she replies almost instantly.
Sera: Woah, is this something more than ‘good morning’?
Luke: I’m sorry, beautiful. I’ve been so busy.
Sera: I’ve seen online. But it looks like you’re doing a good job. You’ve kept the share price steady apart from an initial blip.
That’s true, but trust in the AI feature is at an all-time low. If I can’t make it work – and get answers – the share price situation will change drastically. People expect results… not bucketfuls of cash sunk into research and development to receive no real gain.
Luke: How have you been keeping yourself busy? Apart from fantasizing over a certain CEO, of course…
Sera: LOL. I wish I could shoot you down, but I can’t. If I was a cool, calm, and collected sort of chick, I’d tell you I haven’t thought about you once. But the truth? I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Furthermore, the last couple of days have proved how difficult long distance can be.
She’s right. I want to tell her it’s just because I’m going through a busy period, but huge portions of my life – weeks and months at a time – are busy periods.