A legendary invention?

Collins

"It has been six days now and..."

"Are you trying to kick me out of your house, Phillip?"

"No, no. I would never do that. But staying here is not going to fix you. You keep telling your mom you cannot tell her where you are. I cannot find the healing you are looking for. Your mom is worried sick and you know that."

"I do not want to go to my house because Rachel is there."

"Why?" Phillip asked.

Phillip has been my friend since we were kids. In fact, he is the person I meant to call when I accidentally called Luke instead.

"My mom gave her the spare key I gave to her. My mom says I need someone to take care of me and Rachel is available."

"But Rachel is not that bad. Do not tell me you are still looking for that girl who saved you in the forest when your parachute failed."

I kept quiet. He paused, waiting for me to say something. I did not. That girl gave me a kiss that saved my life. She breathed air back into my lungs. I closed my eyes, trying to see her face again. But I could not.

When she ran to save me, a tree branch cut her. I went to the countryside looking for her. No one knew her there.

"Collins! Collins!" Phillip had to walk closer and tap my shoulder. He was sitting on the other side of his living room.

"Are you still blaming yourself for what happened? It was not your carelessness that made someone steal your software."

"But why do you take her side when I say this is my mom's fault?"

"Collins, I cannot say it is one hundred percent your mom's fault. Maybe it is something older people do. I remember my parents. They did the same thing to me."

"Is that not the reason you had a son with a woman you never loved?"

"She is my fiance, for fuck's sake." He raised his voice. My eyes went wide.

"I am sorry."

"As time went on, the love I thought I did not have for her started to grow. She is the mother of my child and I love her." He stopped for a moment, letting his own life settle down. "So Collins, stop beating yourself up. In normal circumstances, I know you. You would not sleep with someone you do not love."

Out of nowhere, I smiled.

"Why are you smiling? Am I wrong?"

"You are not wrong. But I was so obsessed with the sex with Rebecca. I wanted to know more about her. What I am about to say might sound strange, even to me. But the first time I saw her, my brain felt that rush. I mean, that smell I noticed when that countryside girl saved me..."

"A thief? You should never connect anything good with that woman. At your weakest moment, she stole something valuable from you. If she had taken your credit card or some cash, that would make sense. But if she is not a thief, why will she not pick up your calls?"

"I am confused." Silence filled the room again. "Can you get me a cup of coffee from the kitchen?"

"Will that make you feel better? I also think you should start building a new antivirus software. That will help you start feeling like yourself again."

"Hmmm." I nodded. My heart felt split in two. This software was the reason I left my multi billion dollar company with my assistant. I did not want any distractions.

"Let me go get that coffee for you."

I kept tapping my fingers on my knees. Then I decided to dial the number Luke gave me.

Like always, it started ringing. Then the ringing stopped. A message came through.

"Stop calling this number."

She really had the nerve to send me that?

Phillip ran out with his phone and held it up to my face.

"Look at this. A launch event. You can go there and it can help you heal. I know this is what you had been planning to do. What do you think? Let me play it again so you can watch..."

"Bricks corporation is proud to announce the launch of a new and most powerful antivirus software in the history of software ever created. Join the millions who will test this software on their phones and laptops after the launch. The launch will happen at Gazelle Arena. Strictly by invitation only."

"Something is missing," Phillip said. "They did not show us the software engineer."

"I guess that is part of the surprise. This is exactly what I wanted to do. Seeing this breaks my heart even more."

"I know. That is why you and I need to go there. Seeing an invention like this will light a fire in your mind. You will start thinking about building something new. Something even better."

"I do not feel like going. I do not want to see something that will remind me of what I lost."

"Are you out of your mind? There has never been a software launch like this that you missed. If you do not go, I will call your mom and tell her you are here."

"Are you trying to blackmail me? The event is invitation only. Did you not hear that? I am not invited. I can only watch from my house."

"Wait. My cousin sent the video to me. Let me call him and see how we can get an invitation."

"There is no need." But he was already dialing.

"Hey Giggs. I saw the video you sent me. How can I get in? Do you have a special invitation?"

"I can buy one. It costs a million dollars."

"Why is it so expensive?" Phillip asked.

"This is a legendary invention. The scientist behind it said the ticket is for couples. I heard he is going to propose to his girlfriend at the end of the launch. No single people allowed."

"Okay, thanks." Phillip ended the call.

"A legendary invention? That alone drew my interest. I would love to be there. I am excited to see a great mind. To hear the scientist explain the software. That demonstration excites me." I smiled as I looked at Phillip.

"Now you sound like the person I used to know." Phillip laughed. "But you heard what he said at the end."

"What?"

"Everyone who comes must come with his partner or a lady. Who are you taking as your partner?" His eyes stayed on me, waiting for an answer.

“That sounds weird.”

“But it is the criteria. Are you going to miss such a great event because you couldn't find a one-day fiancee? What about Rachel?”