AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 1
Miller
Upon enteringthe scene is a dazzling spectacle of elegance and opulence, set against the backdrop of a grand ballroom adorned with sparkling chandeliers and elaborate formal arrangements. Guests dressed in their finest attire mingle and socialize amidst the soft strains of live music and the clinking of champagne glasses.
I walk into the room, un-noticed with my assistant as on my arm, and trailing behind us are a few close friends with a. Few of my trusted employees.
No one in the room knows my identity.
Sure, they see me around these kinds of events, but I bring enough people with me to not have to engage with anyone. Occasionally, during past events, a few individuals would come and introduce themselves to our small group, but I was typically left alone.
I pride myself on staying cloaked. Being in the tech industry, I’m used to being in dark rooms for all hours of the day and not speaking to anyone. It’s how I like it.
I also like that I’m not hounded by people for knowing who I am and what I do.
I’m Miller Davenport and I am the CEO and founder of InterMind Technologies, one of the leading artificial intelligence research and development. I deal more with books and computers than people. Apart from occasions, that’s the only time it doesn’t apply.
My group and I are standing close to one of the open bars. We’ve dedicated a few hours to this event and I’m counting down the minutes until we get to leave.
“What advancements do you think we can make on our current project?” Montgomery, my CFO, and friend asked.
“I’m not sure. I would need to look further in the spec sheet and my notes. But honestly, we work all day, sometimes all night. Let’s talk about something else, yeah?” I reply, looking around the room.
It’s the same people that we usually see at these kinds of functions. Business executives, CEOs, trust-fund babies, philanthropists, and the like.
Everyone has their clique, some dance around the room, socializing as much as they can with as many as possible, while some, like my group, keep to themselves.
My eyes traveled around the room on a few different occasions tonight, getting the lay of the land. As well as making sure that I kept my eye out for anyone approaching to be on alert.
Amidst the sea of glamorous attendees, a single woman sticks out to me. She’s dressed in a simple outfit in all black. She’s working the event with the catering crew. As she moves gracefully through the crowd, her warm smile to attendees wearing extravagant gowns and designer suits of the wealthy elite. My eyes periodically scan the room to catch a glance of her as she circulates through the room.
“Who are you looking for?” Tabitha, my assistant, leans in and asks.
I smile and look down at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Every few minutes, you’ve looked around this big stupid room like you’re tracking someone. So, who is it?”
“No one,” I reply.
“You’re such a terrible liar.” She shakes her head before looking out at the crowd. “Man or woman?”
“I’m not doing this with you.”
“Is it a girl?”
“I don’t check out girls. I check out women.”
“When was the last time you had a woman?” Tabitha asks, playfully.
“There are many interpretations of that statement.” I look at her.
“What are you guys talking about?” Monty asks, turning his attention to the two of us.
“Davenport has a crush. She’s somewhere in this room, but he won’t say who.”
I hold my hands up. “Whoa now. There’s no one here that I’m checking out.”
Monty stands up straight and looks out into the crowd. Not even ten seconds later, he snaps his fingers and looks at me.
