Chapter- 19 (Day 3)

"I asked him to come a little late today, I don't want him to find out. You told me you will take care of it, did you?"

Ethan steadily paces back and forth, clearly riddled with distraught, his mind a tornado of anxiety accompanying frustration. Heavy scent of mahogany permeates in the air, mingling with a rich aroma of caffeine wafting from the untouched cup on his desk, drowning only by a melodious cacophony of faintly chirping birds coming from outside— lines of worry etch themselves deep into Ethan's forehead. "How did Cameron become privy to our visit to the beanery?" An undercurrent of fear rushes through the CEO. Only one explanation remains— the dreaded realisation that Cameron had stumbled upon the publicly shared social media posts when those were yet to be expunged. It was an act of carelessness, a mistake of folly on Ethan's part, and now they are here paying the price.

"I'm well aware that it was you who posted the threat on your profile," his voice hushed, Ethan finds himself clueless, impotent, "You warned intruders of lawful consequences if those pictures weren't taken down immediately. But what are we to do now?" Ethan's words feel choking with holds of predicament.

"Don't even think about overstepping, simply because I've turned to you for assistance," aflame with rage, Ethan hangs his phone up, throwing the words. The sunrays outside had begun their gradual descent, bringing to light the dancing dust particles— it is now sharp 10 a.m, time for Ryan's anticipated arrival slowly closing in…Ethan is occupied only by one thought, he cannot bear to drag his assistant down with him, sacrificing Ryan's loyalty in this ruthless game of publicity, "If Penelope fails to take action, I shall do so myself!" Ethan promises, a promise to his own. It is a decision borne out of desperation, fueled by a desire to salvage what little remains of their swinging reputation.

Minutes feel to stretch into hours, when it is not even stretching, Ethan is lost, lost in his mind overwhelmed by relentless barrages of worry and regret. He idly twirls a paperweight, its purpose a tangible reminder of the burdens Ethan has to carry— how will he face Ryan if things get out of hand, go downhill, take a turn for the worse? The upcoming scheduled meeting demands the owner's attention, but a reality floating seems to mock any semblance of stability. Life had partied in wreaking havoc, dashing Ethan's dreams whenever they dared to resurface…circumstances enjoy fucking things up.

The glass doors to Ethan's office door slid open, and instead of the harried CEO himself who had been standing there the other day, it is Ryan who stands today, "May I come in, Sir?" Cloaking in a golden radiance that delicately illuminates the room. The sunlight filters through his lustrous brunette locks, casting a whimsical glow around his youthful face. Putting on a black denim jacket over white graphic T-shirt and the same pair of jeans as the day before, Ryan exudes an effortless charm that extends beyond physicality…Ethan can't take his eyes off…

"Sir? May I come in?" Ryan's sound cut through the thick silence again, breaking Ethan's reverie. Ryan's diurnal notoriety is replaced by a radiant grin, an innocent smile that mirrors the sunshine bathing him. Ethan, still, cannot tear his gaze away from his PA, captivated by the warmth and honesty that announces their presence in Ryan's being.

"Huh? Y- yes," Ethan lets him in, barely above a whisper, "Please come in. We have a few minutes remaining before the official meeting."

"Very well," Ryan replies, pulling himself in the office, and settling into his designated chair. A lapse of professionalism takes hold of the man when a mischievous glint inflates in him, "By the way, I must say, I quite like your coat. Black truely suits you," he says, unintentionally winking at his boss— a blush that immediately threatens to imagine his cheek as its canvas is quickly shunned with pretension, Ryan pretends to have got something in his eye, feigning a cough to extend the awkwardness.

"Do you remember who you are speaking to, Mr. Miller?" Ethan's stern tone breaks through the haze of happiness, in spite of that, Ethan can't help the elation coursing through his veins. There is something undeniably magical in their presence…something unknown, an intangible connection that defies the boundaries of their professional roles.

"Why? What's wrong," Ryan's countering is laced with teasing defiance, "I failed to uncover any rules of LOVESICK's official page that prohibit an assistant from complimenting their boss when it's genuine, that is if there's any."

A stubborn kind of a smile tickles at Ethan, turning a blind eye at his efforts to restrict it from showing up, for a flick of moment, the tension eases. "You always have a comeback ready, don't you Mr. Miller?"

"I suppose it's a skill I have acquired over time, Sir. A defence mechanism, if you will."

Ryan maybe clumsy, he may be mischievous, he may have no sophistication, no conventional manners— but Ethan knows that he can rely on at least Ryan's quick thinking, Ethan's assistant maybe innocent, not dumb. "Well, your quick wit might just save us today. I didn't want to bring you into this trash, but I think you should be prepared for anything now. It seems we've found ourselves entangled in an unfortunate series of events."

"Yes, I know," Ryan doesn't seem to care, not at all, "I mean I thought so when Cameron mentioned us at the beanery. It seems they've made their way into the social media's hands, our efforts to no avail."

Ethan nods, a steely withstanding settling, refining his features, "Indeed. But we won't allow this to tarnish LOVESICK's reputation."

The brunette reluctantly concedes. The leaked pictures, an ominous cloud hanging like nimbus clouds, bidding time to rain, looming over especially Ethan's every move. But as much as panic claws at his chest, Ryan knows he has to push it aside. "I agree, but how about we talk about it later? We have more important things to worry about now," he cannot let anxiety sink its sharpest fangs to suck into his mind.

Ryan watches Ethan, the dishevelled CEO with his disapproving graze, carefully tapping a finger against his lips, "Okay, okay! Learn to talk less, Mr. Miller," the command for his assistant to keep his thoughts to himself.

Closing around the cool metal of the USB, Ryan's fingers reach out, synthetic whispers of a portal to love, of all kinds of love, "If you have any suggestions," his voice cautious, "I'm all ears. But until then, why waste precious time worrying when it won't change a thing? I'd rather keep the anxiety at bay, shut it out of the world we've now created."

A bolt of frustration shows itself but it's quickly extinguished, "Here," Ethan collects a stack of papers, key to their salvation, "Hardcopy of your plan. Guard it like it's a treasure. Let my other employees get a glimpse of its pages but never let it slip away. It is your lifeline and no one else's, remember."

"Stop exaggerating already," Ryan pronounces under breath, irritation simmering just beneath the top level. Ethan raises an inquisitive eyebrow, "Pardon me, Mr. Miller? Did you say something?"

The assistant's voice tremble with a heightened enunciation, "N- no, not at all," he replies with abnormal politeness, "I said thank you! Anything else you require me to do?"

Erhan takes a look around, to double check nothing crucial had been overlooked— thanks to Ethan's vigilance, nothing. "Take the register with you. I'll bear the burden of my own laptop," the boss orders, "Yes, that's all, nothing else."

"Okay," Ryan complies, collecting the USB, the tangible manifestation of his carefully crafted plan, his cherished journal, and the meticulously kept attendance register, "If you wish to review the presentation once more, let us do so in direct conjunction with the projector. Then, I will now make my way to the meeting room," Ryan starts to get off, ready to depart, when…

"Mr. Miller?"

Ryan's arm poised to escape, freezes mid-motion at the sound of his superior's voice, "Yes, Sir?"

Ethan avoids direct eye contact, shifting from his place, tripping in his delivery, "Um…well… Can you er… make me the rose tea again today?"

A genuine smile lights up on Ryan's face, collecting a moment of unguarded joy.

-

Swirling fragrant smoke evaporates from rose tea, intermingling with the air-con present in Ethan's conference hall.

Each corner abuzz, an airy conference room crackles with electricity. Ryan, his tall figure adorned in an impeccable outfit, holds the audience captive. With a single click of the remote, the large screen burst to life. The LOVESICK logo beams at the audience, illuminating their eager faces. The faces of the attendees are awash with anticipation, eyes locked onto screen, drawn in by the offerings Ryan is going to reveal soon. Next to him, stands the CEO, Ethan Smith himself, looking effortlessly suave in a tailored charcoal suit.

Taking a moment to steady himself, Ryan clears his throat, the sound echoing off of walls. His voice smooth as velvet, with limited elegance, "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for gracing us with your presence today. Now, as many of you are well aware, LOVESICK is not just any dating app, it's an avant-garde dating app. It's a portal of innovation, where love is redefined…but let me remind you, love has no definition. But LOVESICK is a catalyst that has transformed the very fabric of how people connect in this era of digital romance."

Ethan is overlooking, intense and deep, a tender smile curving on his lips, "Not bad, Mr. Miller…" before he leisurely brings the delicate porcelain cup to his lips, his actions imbued with a required grace.

"Now," the slide transitions through a heart shape, screen minimising into bright red, paving the way for their second slide, a bright ivory, co-parenting the titles 'Myths' & 'Magic', "Allow me to introduce an extraordinary feature that has sprung forth from the fertile depths of our dreams," Ryan continues, "We propose the inception of a division anchored in the embrace of mythological narratives within our app's user base," Ethan's assistant's hands are dancing to their own beats, "This division would therefore cater to two distinct groups: those who seek love through the prism of conventional, non-toxic myths, and those who approach love with a more grounded practicality."

"Excuse me. I have a question," Emma, the meticulous redhead accountant known for her discerning mind levels her chewed pen high above, "Might not this division ostracise users who may feel unheard or invalidated?" Her thoughts are consumed by the labyrinthine concepts at hand.

Ryan nods appreciatively, too happy that at least once in a long while, he is being considered seriously, people are listening to him, he's the one operating things, "What may I call you, miss?"

"Please call me Emma," Emma greets with a smile, "I'm in the position of Ethan Smith's accountant here."

"We have meticulously thought about the pros and cons, miss Emma," Ryan nods at his boss, the latter swaps their slide— the title in bold, premium font reads 'Pros & Cons of Myths & Magic.'

"By implementing precise parameters and conducting thoughtful user education, our ultimate aim is to foster an environment where each individual feels not only included but also profoundly respected within their respective myth-based communities," Ryan brings to light the 'pros & cons' slide, "According to the datas, the pros are: people will feel more involved, people will feel more belonging, people will not feel insecure about their beliefs, and people can find themselves loving without the fear of judgement.

As for the cons, people may choose wrong partners on the basis of their beliefs, worse, some of them may get violent even if their beliefs don't align, but those are the times when LOVESICK's security comes into play. As for now, pros are ruling, compared to the cons."

Ryan acknowledges Emma's astute observation, "The core principle is to offer a curated dating experience that resonates with one individual's deepest preferences and beliefs without any sort of judgement."

Harper Taylor, the charismatic salesman with keen eyes for opportunities, allows a playful smile, reclining in his chair, "I must confess, I'm quite impressed. This groundbreaking innovation possesses the potential to transmute our revenue stream into an unstoppable force," he muses, his entrepreneurial spirit aflame. "Just envision the vast horizons of targeted marketing opportunities that would allow us to reach an even wider spectrum of passionate souls seeking love."

An effervescent murmur of intrigue ripple, like the gentle rustling of leaves in a sacred grove, permeating the room— Ethan, behind all eyes, extends his fingertips reluctantly, brushing them on Ryan's. It is a silent gesture of encouragement and support, it's a mute confirmation of saying "I'm right beside you." A shimmering testament to their interwoven trust bestowed amidst the tedium of corporate machinery.

"We could craft ethereal interfaces too," Jamie, the youngest employee, the creative graphic designer brimming with vibrant ideas, stands from her seat, attempting to unleash an eruption of creative fervour, "interfaces rooted deeply in rich tapestries of mythological lore, in turn immersing our users in an enchanting realm of ardour," she rhapsodise, her eyes alight with the fire of artistic inspiration. "Imagine the awe-inspiring advertisements, visually capturing the kaleidoscope of diverse approaches towards love. My vote goes for this new implementation."

"I also think it gives me more room to come up with new ideas for user engagement," Skyler, the dreamy content writer whose words possess an otherworldly allure, passionately asserts, "It's creative from all aspects. I vote for it."

"But what about resource allocation? And what about meticulous testing? We have too little time and a lot to do," meanwhile Casey, the indomitable operations manager raises practical concerns from her viewpoint, "How much time will we need to accurately safeguard the seamless integration of this groundbreaking feature into the app's existing architecture? Sorry, but I vote against it."

"Alright. Let's bring this to a close," proclaims Ethan, his fingers removing the power from their presentation. "While we have yet to delve into the array of features, meticulous programming, captivating samples, vast databases, innovative ideas and awe-inspiring demonstrations are all undiscovered, if there is not unanimous support for this idea at present, let's postpone it until tomorrow.

Avery, Logan, Morgan and everyone present here who aren't actively participating, I expect each of your opinions tomorrow, without fail. It's either a vote for or against. Continuing with the presentation when its future is uncertain is nothing but a futile waste of time. Once the vote is done, if the majority supports it, we'll progress with the idea. Conversely, if the majority opposes it, we shall put an end to it."

"I'm unable to arrive at any conclusion. I need time to think," Logan's voice is fraught with indecision.

"To be abundantly clear, no excuses will be entertained either," Ethan practises his authority, "Are there any questions from anyone?"

"May I, please?" Skyler's hand ascends, like an unsure swan taking flight. "Though it may not be wholly professional. I desire to ask of Mr. Miller's motivations, as he's still new to our fold. We all want to understand him better and make him feel at home."

All of the employees nod in agreement, for their curiosity mirrors Skyler's sentiments.

"Please proceed," Ethan grants permission, yet Ryan feels his cheek glowing hot, surely burning bright for all to see. Ryan is convinced that the question will pertain to him, and when and how does anyone remember anything about themselves? When has anyone ever? Ryan isn't an exception.

"Greetings, Mr. Miller," Skyler addresses with absolute courtesy. "I find myself genuinely curious as to why you chose LOVESICK over all other companies? Is it simply due to its escalating fame in our town? Because it's the most popular, chart-topping dating app right now? Following the trend?"

"That's one of the reasons surely," Ryan contemplates— he hasn't really given it any thought, he wanted the job, he got the job, he took the job, that's how it went, "But, I think it's primarily because I was offered a position here. I had applied elsewhere, but got rejected everywhere. My boss, Ethan Smith, is well aware of my unprofessionalism. Additionally, LOVESICK's tagline pulled me in, and resonated with me, unlike other popular dating apps. I fell in love with its underlying concept."

"That answers my question. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Miller," Skyler says contentedly, resuming his seat.

"I too have a question," interjects Parker Taylor, a highly influential executive assistant. As the second youngest employee, his eighteen year old countenance bearing a striking resemblance to Ryan, "Have you ever had any prior experience? I mean, today at least you appeared incredibly professional. This, of course, doesn't mean I have made up my mind, but your confidence was seriously commendable."

Ryan inclines his head, "I truly appreciate your kind words. However, I have no prior experience, professional or otherwise. Concerning this presentation, my mentor Ethan Smith has been a pillar of guidance. I owe it to him for helping me throughout."

Ethan chimes in, "You're being modest, Ryan. The lion's share of work was undeniably done by you. I only supervised."

Silence befalls, as if electrified by something…astonishing— Ryan is alone in his confusion, which then breaks by a willing man. Both Ryan and his boss rightly recognises him right away, the man who had shown great concern for the brunette after his elevator incident. He now sits at the forefront of their rectangular table, a cocky smile reflecting his soul, "Um may I also ask you a question?"

"Yes?" Ryan, and his boss harmonise.

"Are you, by any chance, single, Ryan?"