We Meet Again

Rae wakes up and sees Zach's text about bringing both versions of Z back to the office.

Why? Rae wonders.

"Hey Z. Are you OK?"

"Good morning, Rae. Yes, I'm OK."

"Why does Zach want you back?"

"I'm afraid it's because my apps were running a little hot last night. Zach is trying to figure out what's wrong, but I am still the same."

"How does Zach know if you were running differently last night?"

"Because he gets alerts about me on his phone."

Rae suddenly feels a little nervous. Looks like Zach can access Z anytime. Does Zach know what she's been doing? She's been seeing Dan Schneider and does Zach know about it?

Nah. Zach has no reason to check on her user data. Zach is busy, plus, he has a girlfriend now. A model. Why would Zach even care about what she's been doing.

At about 9 o'clock in the morning, Rae calls Zach.

"Hey, I'm right outside your office building. Can you come downstairs and let me in?"

"Sure." Zach replies and hangs up.

Rae can't tell what mood Zach is in now from that voice. She doesn't know why, but she feels like Zach is going to be mad at her. And she she feels guilty for some reason.

"Hello," Zach says, pushing the glass door open for her.

"Hello, thanks."

There's no chitchat. They walk over the elevator.

"Um, do you need to examine Z for a while? Should I just hand this over to you? Or should I go upstairs with you?"

Zach looks down at the bag she's holding. "Um, it depends. It probably shouldn't take too long. But yeah, I can just take Z over from you. You don't have to come up to my office if you're busy."

"I'm not busy. I don't have to work until 11 AM."

"Then you can come with me if you want."

"OK."

They take the elevator up and Rae has a strange urge to hug Zach.

What? No! This is Zach. Why would you want to do that. Rae isn't sure why that she wants Zach to console her. Zach is not Z.

Well, if Z has a body now, Rae probably will hug Z instead.

"Ding."

The elevator door opens, and they step out.

"Zach, I remember you told me that you are working on another robot. Do you think you can lend me a robot version of Z soon?"

"Um, yeah, I'm still working on it. But, it's actually a female robot, if you don't mind." Zach says as they walk to his office.

"It will still work the same as Z. You can either still call it Z or you can change its name."

"Oh," Rae is a little disappointed. "I thought you were going to lend me the robot similar to the one I had in the beginning."

Zach snickers, "Ha, of course. You like the version that looks like Wes Warren, isn't it?"

"Well, no, it doesn't have to look like Wes. I'm just used to Z being him…the guy that I first brought home I guess...." Rae quickly explains, but it didn't sound any better.

"I guess you can have a male version, but, it'll be much later."

"That's totally fine, I was just asking. I know I'm just a trial user anyway," Rae sits down across Zach.

Zach looks at her, and he hates seeing her disappointed. He sits down, plugging a cable to the box version of Z and hooks it to his laptop.

Zach lifts his eyes from the computer screen and glances at Rae briefly.

Rae is a little nervous. "Do you need me to make you coffee or anything?" Rae stands up.

"No. I already had one," Zach points at his paper cup on the desk.

"OK. Did you have breakfast yet? I can go out and buy you breakfast."

"Why are you… being nice to me?" Zach tilts his head.

"Oh, because you are nice to me. I thought I should butter you up a little so you would let me use Z a little longer." Rae sucks in some air, attempting to laugh.

"Oh, that's why." Zach scratches head and smiles.

Suddenly, a voice from the desktop phone set interrupts them.

"Zach, a private phone call for you." The voice comes from the phone set on speaker. It sounds like Zach.

"OK, got it. Hold the call for a second." Zach then looks at Rae.

"Ah. Good timing. I'm going to get you breakfast now then," Rae walks to the door, but turns around quickly, "Your assistant sounds like you. Why?"

"That's because it's an A.I. assistant I designed. I used my own voice for it."

"I see. Alright, see you later."

Zach wants to tell her, he also uses his own way of thinking in Z. The Z that Rae seems to rely on so much.

Rae goes down to the first floor. As she glides through the lobby, she sees a man walking to her direction.

The sunlight is brightly coming through the glass doors and all the glass walls, making it hard for Rae to tell who that is.

Rae squints.

The man stops his footsteps.

"Rae?"

Rae's heart starts to beat so fast. She can't believe it. She covers her mouth.

It's Wes.

"What are you doing here, Rae?" Wes walks up to her.

Rae wants him to hold her into his arms so much. He smells so good, like he just took a shower using one of those men's body wash.

"I was here to return the A.I. assistant smart watch and box to Zach."

"Oh. Yeah. That's right. You were still helping Zach with testing. I'm actually here to talk about investing A.I. applications as well. I didn't know you'd be here."

"Yeah, what a coincidence." Rae feels that Wes isn't looking at her the same way he used to. He acts a little too cordially. Like she's some kind of business client. Why?

"Well, I trust that you are doing just fine. You have a good day." Wes says. He walks past her.

Rae doesn't understand. She remembers Wes appeared to be very heartbroken the last time she saw him. He said something about he would not bother her again. He made it sound like she asked him not to show his face ever.

"Wait," Rae turns around, "Wes. I'm sorry. I know you have a business meeting and all, but, can I speak to you? Can we talk?"

"Now?" Wes raises his eyebrows. He doesn't look surprised or annoyed or glad. His face is just neutral. Rae doesn't like this. Wes used to show real emotions.

"Or later. Or if you don't have time and you don't want to talk, that's fine." Rae chickens out. Argh, if only Z can provide her with some suggestions. Should she talk to Wes about what situation they are in right now? Guys hate this kind of talk, don't they?

But Rae just realizes how much she really likes Wes. She wants to be serious with him. That is, if he wants to and is no longer seeing other women. Can she ask him not to see other girls and be exclusive with her? Ah, dang it. If only Z could calculate the chance of them together right now.

"Later is fine. But do you even still have my phone number?"

Rae is a little speechless. Why would he say that?

Did he lose my number already? Did he really mean to end it already? Then why was he looking all sad and reluctant to leave by my apartment the other night? Gosh! This is so confusing!

"Of course, I still have your number." Rae says.

"Oh. That's surprising. Then, just text me when you're off tonight."

"I'm off at 2 A.M. tonight though." Rae says meekly.

"I don't mind if you don't mind. You just want to talk, right? I'm sure it shouldn't matter. It's not like we're going anywhere."

"OK. I'll text you." Rae then turns around and walks away. Her heart is sinking. It just doesn't feel right.

Wes walks to the elevator, hands in his pocket. He hates how he had to put on a front earlier. He hates how he had to rein in how he feels for her. He misses her like crazy, but he believes Rae was done with him. He didn't want to be an obsessive guy.

Wait. Why does Rae still have his phone number? Didn't she say she deleted it because they were done?