The crowd started murmuring.

Luke

I looked at the screen and my mind went blank. Since when does this thing need a password? What the hell am I supposed to do now?

The crowd was dead quiet. But that silence felt louder than a plane taking off right next to me.

I did not even know what password to try. I had no clue where to start.

“Just give me a few seconds…”

My voice came out confident at first, then it broke. People were watching. I tried not to let the panic show on my face. I just needed more time. That was all.

Then my darling, Marina, stood up from her seat.

She walked over to me. I had told everyone she was my co-creator, so it made sense.

“Do you know what the password might be?” I asked her.

She kept her voice low. “Was there a password before?”

“No. I watched Rebecca check it herself. There was nothing.”

“Then she is playing you. Right here in front of all these people and everyone watching online. Text her right now. Tell her to send the password.”

I had not thought of that at all. Thank God she said it.

I grabbed my phone and typed fast.

“Rebecca, if you know what is good for you, send me the password right now. What did you put on it? Send it immediately.”

I stood there staring at the screen. Kept looking at my phone. Nothing came back.

“Did she send it?” My darling asked quietly. I was already embarrassed.

“No. Not yet.”

“Then go to the restroom and call her.”

That was the only option left. But would these people actually wait?

“Everyone please give us a few minutes. Mr Luke needs to generate the required code.”

My Marina said that into the microphone.

As I walked away, I heard people talking under their breath.

“Is he not the one who built this software? Why cannot he type in the password?”

“He should have finished everything before inviting the public like this.”

“Did he even test it at all?”

That was the kind of thing they were saying. I needed to get that password and prove them wrong.

I got inside the restroom and called Rebecca immediately.

“Pick up, you son of a bitch.” The words came out before I could stop them. My fingers were shaking. The phone kept ringing.

“Hello, Rebecca,” I said when she finally answered.

“I know why you are doing this. But forget that for now. I will not be angry when I get home. Just tell me the password.”

“Password?” She sounded genuinely confused. “I did not put any password on it.”

“Please. Do not play games with me right now. The whole world is watching. I know I have been treating you badly lately. But do not do this to me. I promise I will forgive you.”

“Luke, what are you even accusing me of…”

“Stop. Just stop and send me the code.” I yelled into the phone. Sweat was pouring out of me now.

“I did not set any password. Maybe whoever actually owns it did.”

“Are you stupid? Are you working with Collins?” I stopped myself. Was getting angry going to help? Or did I need the password more? I lowered my voice.

“Please. Do not humiliate me like this. I will let you go on your research trip. Take all the time you need. I know I have hurt you. Things will change starting today. Just believe me and send the password.”

“If I knew it, I would send it to you.”

“If you do not send it, you will regret it when I get home.” I changed my tone again. This time I meant it as a threat.

“I did not put any password on that software.”

I hung up because I was too angry to keep talking.

A few seconds later, someone knocked on the door.

“Darling, did she send it?”

“No. That bastard refused.”

“Then what do we do now? I always knew Rebecca did not have a heart.”

“If we can not get this password, then everything I have been saying was for nothing.”

I wanted to dig a hole right there and climb into it. I had to walk back out there with no answer.

“What if you just apologize? Tell them you made a mistake and you are sorry. Say you will fix it and come back later.”

“That is actually a good idea.” I pulled her into a hug. Those were the exact words I needed to hear.

“Come on. Everyone is waiting. All you have to do is say sorry. No one will know the real reason.”

We left the bathroom. I stood in front of the crowd. The noise was getting louder. Then I spoke.

“Technology is complicated. It works in strange ways, like the human brain. My antivirus software reset itself in a way I did not expect. I need to go back to the drawing board and…”

“Are you really going back to the drawing board? Or are you going to stand here and tell all these people the truth? That this software is not even yours?”

I knew that voice. My eyes went wide. My heart was slamming against my ribs so hard it hurt.

“Mr Collins Hart? What are you doing here?”

The crowd started murmuring. A lot of them.

And there was no way he could know the password Rebecca made. No fucking way.