Feels Like Hot Calamity

Nikki is checking her newly done manicure while Bo drives her to the hair appointment. Bo volunteers to drive her because he wants to talk to her.

"What if I tell you, there's a better opportunity where you can make even more money? A better one than Zabby?"

That's what Bo wants to talk about. To convince her not to work with Zabby, or more specifically, Zach Evans.

"I'm not interested in another opportunity, thank you. Plus, Zach Evans's offer is good enough for me."

"He's not an honest man. He breaks contracts."

"Who cares. He likes me, and I like him. I think I have a real shot. This time, finally a guy who is really single."

Bo grits his teeth. His heart is filled with hatred right now.

"And you don't care how I've helped you to where you are now?" Bo decides to bring it up, again.

"What do you want, Bo Wang? Why do you always like to talk favors? Who's keeping tabs? We were friends, I mean we still are, so friends shouldn't ask things in return."

Nikki was an ugly duckling growing up. Bo was the only person who talked to her, always bringing her snacks, helping her with math and science homework. The first valentine's card Nikki received was from Bo. That means something to Bo. But not so much to Nikki.

Years later, after Bo started working for a well-known tech company, making very decent income, Nikki called. She has become so much prettier since Bo last saw her. She could be a model.

Bo was able to afford a nice flat downtown, and he let Nikki crash there.

Nikki was indeed aspired to be a model and make it to the cover of a sports magazine. When she heard about a swimsuit model contest, she immediately signed up for it. A week before the final day of the contest, the online voting numbers showed that she was ranked number six. So close.

She cried to Bo. Bo said he had a way to help.

A week passed. When the winners were announced, she was on number one and she won. How? She doesn't want to know.

That launched her "career" and she's also an online video sensation now.

Bo introduced her to Zach but he now regrets tremendously.

**** **** **** ****

Zach Evans is working in the lab alone right now. He's wired in, doing something that he said he was going to do for Wes Warren.

After being confronted by Wes with this name, Vienna Rae Novak, Zach Evans felt like his blood went cold for a second.

Not simply because Zach's been caught. It is mostly because how Wes said her name, so assertive, like Vienna Rae Novak was his, and that means trouble. That name is in a soft spot in his heart now, he wants that to be exclusively his. Judging from Wes's tone, Wes wants that to be his, too.

"So..., you figured it out." Zach doesn't think there's a point to cover it up anymore. It's not the biggest crime. He didn't damage Wes's property or anything.

"What troubles me the most is, why is she calling a robot with my image 'Zach'?"

"I didn't tell her to do that, if that's what you are asking. I believe it's a pure coincidence."

"Does she know you?"

"Not really. She was given the robot by one of the engineers, not me. I didn't even know she had it. She. only had it for two days. I... got the robot back from her but I don't really know her and she doesn't really know me."

Zach wonders if he should mention that they've met in college briefly, and because of Rae, how she reprimanded him, he has since been working to come up with a better algorithm that eventually leads to this A.I. system that they are even talking about. But that's probably too much information.

"Also," Zach wants to add, "I think she has changed the robot's name now. So, no more Zach." He can kind of understands why that bothers Wes.

"You do realize, it is still a breach of our contract, where you were not supposed to show this to anyone else outside the lab."

"I understand. I..., I think we meant to test it out because we work on it all the time, we might have a blind spot or a bias. She also signed an agreement that she would not reveal anything about this project."

Wes is still thinking. Zach is apprehensive now. What Wes says next can make or break his own project.

"I am really not happy that Rae saw it, so...."

"Are you interested in her?"

"Excuse me?" Wes turns his face sideways.

"How about, to make up my oversight, what if I place another A.I. system to track her for a...um... a very short period of time for you, only to make sure that seeing and meeting your robot has no effect on her?"

"That... will be a little unethical, don't you think?"

"Oh, please, even if I'm not monitoring her, all the social media websites and any sites she visits are tracking her. How else do you think social media suggests all the advertisements to you?"

Wes shakes his head lightly.

"It won't be anything too private. It will only monitor or listen in when she asks for it."

"So, similar to the voice-control home assistance?"

"Yes. Just to have a little insight. Nothing too personal."

What Wes doesn't know is, Zach already told Rae he is going to bring Z back to her life in another device. Now all Zach has to do is to report back to Wes if Rae is really bothered or affected by knowing Wes's robot secret.

Wes is a great businessman but Zach isn't too dim either.

**** ***** ***** **** ***

It has started to sprinkle a little. It's the kind of precipitation that doesn't warrant turning on wind shield wipes but then it gets blurry if you don't. Wes is not too bothered, he is eager to get back to his sumptuous bachelor pad. He turns into his spacious driveway and sees the car he sent for Rae just pulled up.

"Hi," Rae waves with a big smile.

"Hi," Wes gets out. He sees Rae is holding a tote bag of what looks like grocery.

"What did you bring? Food?"

"Oh I hope you don't mind. It's just some ingredients for bread. I'm making bread for you."

Wes's eyes glitters with joy, and he seems touched, "Well, come on in, it's cold out."

They got in, Wes sees Rae's hair is covered with tiny drops of the misty rain. And her full eyelashes, too. She looks pretty.

"Let me get that for you," Wes takes the bag from Rae's hand, and they walk to the kitchen.

"I forgot to ask you if I should bring you some food on my way here. Sorry about that. I did buy what I need for the dough, but I'm just showing you how to make bread, but we won't be able to eat it today."

"That's OK. Let's order in, and feel free to use the fridge, store anything inside for now if you need."

Rae smiles again, she is very, very excited to be standing in this big kitchen and a huge island in the middle.

He doesn't know why, but all he wants to do now is turn around and kiss Rae. And do something else other than making bread on this island in his kitchen.