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)
A bald man – Steve, I believe his name is – approaches. Luke introduced us when I first arrived, but with so many names, it's difficult to be sure. I know he's the co-lead designer, though.
He offers a tight smile that looks strained, as though he'd rather be grimacing. "So, you work for TechGuard."
I nod.
"You've seen some of this code before, then."
"Not the part I've been given," I tell him. "That's new to me. As I understand it, TechGuard was just a small part of the project."
He runs a hand over his bald head. "A cynical man might say that having a coder from TechGuard working on this project post-sabotage is tactically unwise. Luckily, I'm not a cynical man."
"Why do I get the sense you're insinuating something?"
He holds his hands up. "If I've given you that impression, all I can do is apologize. It wasn't my intention."
"My boss, Graham, is the husband of the woman who saved my life. He's a kind, selfless man. One of the best I've ever met. He would go above and beyond to do what's right, both for his business and the world. He genuinely cares about AI, and right now, he's dealing with far too much to think about sabotage."
I grab my coffee and return to the conference room, ignoring the shocked look on his face. When I sit down, my cell phone buzzes. It's Luke.
Luke: Are you okay?
Sera: I'm fine.
I reply “fine”... but that isn't exactly true.
Chapter Eight
Luke
I do my best to focus on my work, but I can't stop myself from glancing across the table at Sera from time to time. When I do, my assistant, Andy, and my co-lead, Steve, both look at me... with wildly different expressions.
Andy is excited for me. He's often pestered me about finding a woman. Steve looks pissed, probably because he knows Sera works for TechGuard.
There's no way for me to explain in a way he'll understand... She would never betray me. It’s a feeling I get in my gut when I look at her. She might technically be a stranger, but she doesn't feel like one. Even considering her as a stranger seems like a betrayal.
It's midnight when I text her again.
Luke: Are you sure you're okay? Has something happened?
Ever since returning from her coffee break, she's had this... aura. Before Sera, I never would've used words like aura, but it's no surprise that she's changed me.
Sera: I'm just trying to focus on the task at hand.
Luke: Did Steve say something to you when you went to get coffee? I saw him follow you.
Sera: It's fine.
Her words say one thing, but her posture is tight, her expression no longer her usual bubbly, excited self.
Luke: Tell me.
She looks up, catching my eye. Without her needing to say or text anything, I get a clear message... You're not going to quit, are you? I smirk and shake my head. She smiles as if happy I can read her so easily. She quickly taps out a reply on her phone.
Sera: I don't want to cause any trouble between you and your colleagues. He has every right to be suspicious. I work for a company that should, technically speaking, be on your list of suspects. He just voiced that concern, that's all. I don't blame him. And I don't want you to say anything to him.
Luke: You've got a mature perspective about his suspicion. Maybe something else is bothering you?
Sera: I'm still betting on you implanting a chip in my brain, Luke. You're reading my mind way too easily.
Luke: You seem sad. Not angry, not offended, not outraged at Steve's suggestion... You seem SAD, Sparkplug, and that's got me thinking.
She smooths her hand over her head, flattening some curls that have sprung loose from her bun. She looks so beautiful. It's been an effort this entire time not to rush around the table and embrace her in front of my team.
Sera: When Steve mentioned TechGuard, it got me thinking about home... Graham, my boss. He's married to the woman who saved my life. My parents always had issues, but during my teenage years, they got violent with each other. Eleanor taught IT at my school. She would stay late with me, encouraging my love of computers and, eventually, convinced her husband, Graham, to hire me at TechGuard.
Luke: She sounds like a wonderful woman.
Sera: And now she's dying.
Sera stares bleakly across the room, her shoulders slumped.
Sera: She has glioblastoma multiforme, a rare brain cancer requiring experimental treatment. She's like a mom to me. I don't see my parents much. They are who they've always been. But Eleanor is different. She's my best friend and my parental figure.
As I process this news, a selfish thought crosses my mind. There's no way I'll be able to persuade Sera to leave the East Coast. She's too kindhearted to leave this woman during her difficult time.