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According to the notepad before me, there were evacuation protocols the drone had to follow to be considered reliable.
Movement. The drone’s movement seemed coordinated. The next was cues. It used a bright red light to guide the civilians to safety. The third was obstacles. It avoided collision and actually led the civilians to safety.
But there was one thing out of the books.
The drone somehow lacked urgency. “Urgency.” I turned to Maxwell, and the other three team members turned to me.
The drone's response to the panicked crowd seems a bit calculated.
“Calculated?” Maxwell asked.
“Yes, Maxwell. All the other features are just perfect, but this drone looks like it lacks urgency, which in the end makes it look like we’re prioritizing something else aside from the primary objective.”
John, a blonde-haired man, sighed. “I think I noticed that too. It must be a glitch in the decision-making algorithm.”
The other two nodded.
“I'll report to the software development team. The meeting has ended.”
I was relieved when all five of us rose. I immediately moved to hurry out when Maxwell called me.
“Great job,” he smiled. “You have a keen eye for detail.”
I gave a small smile. “Thank you, Maxwell.”
He nodded, and I exited the lab.
When I entered the hallway, I inhaled a deep breath, and my stomach instantly dropped at the thought that I had to report the outcome of the meeting to Ethan.
Ethan had been even more closed off. He barely addressed me, whether as his secretary, nanny, or myself.
It yanked my stomach in knots— made me sick to my guts. I was sick— tired of everything.
I never thought I'd say this, but maybe it was inevitable.
I wanted to go home, to leave it all and bask in the abode of my own home—to bask in the warmth of Dad’s arm.
I didn't want to be this miserable anymore. I couldn't be. I was tired of looking out for people and not getting the same energy in return.
Instead of heading to Ethan’s office, I headed to mine first. When I was in my space, I collapsed into my chair, all kinds of emotions rising in me.
I stayed because of Sophie, and whether or not I wanted to admit it, I stayed because of him, too. Helping Sophie was helping him.
But was I helping myself? Was I helping my relationship with Dad? Why was I doing something for another to my own detriment?
Perhaps because it was more than just this. It was my dream, my mother’s dream, too.
But why was it so complicated?
I was instantly plunged to recall Emma’s words.
Some things are worth fighting for, Evie. There's a reason you finally told me all this. It's because you're confused. Confusion only happens when you're torn between two things, Evie. I think you're torn between the guilt that comes with your Dad and something else that comes with your boss.
What things were worth fighting for?
And if I fought, would it be for myself? Sophie? Or him? Or was I already fighting?
If I fought, would it be alone?
