"...but you also have the audacity to lie to your temporary boss?"
Ryan is left to contemplate Ethan's earlier words, he finds himself speechless, unable to conjure up even a word of defence. Ethan, seizing upon the opportunity, presses him further, "Yes?" Asking for an explanation. "I am not entirely sure I am comprehending your accusations too well," bewildered, Ryan appears, responding with an air of uncertainty, "Of course I lie, just like any other human being does. But, I have yet to recall a moment when I have lied to you especially."Ethan, unsatisfied, pivots his laptop around to face Ryan, pressing him on the evidence, "Then what are these, Mr. Miller? These ideas…are you suggesting that you did not send them?"Squinting at the screen with fierce intensity, Ryan leans in— his heart sinks with the realisation that Ethan is right. His very own e-mail, with the subject line, 'Few Brainstormed Ideas' is staring back at him, a damning piece of evidence against what he is claiming as the truth. "What on earth?" Ryan recoils in shock, thoroughly caught off guard. "I can tell you with absolute certainty that I did not send those emails."Ethan interlocks his fingers, putting them on the table top, as he awaits Ryan's justification, hoping the latter has one— he has got to have one; his eyes are fixed on Ryan, some unreadable expressions draping the ravenette. "I can only think of one possibility," hesitantly, the youth admits. "And what would that be?" Demands Mr. Haughty, his voice dripping with a scary anticipation. "Lillian," Ryan reveals. Ethan groans in frustration. "Who on earth is that now?"Ryan's face breaks into an embarrassed grin, and he chuckles slowly, his words oozing with self deprecation. "How much of a stupid am I? Why didn't I think of this earlier? Of course, it is my brother!!"Ethan's eyes widen in disbelief…and disappointment, too— how could Ryan be so careless as to let his own brother have access to his emails in the first place? "Why didn't he tell you?" Mr. Haughty probes, his voice ingredients a pellucid scepticism.Ryan scratches the back of his head, blushing a deep shade of red. "When I left for work this morning, he was still groggy and disoriented. Lillian always takes a while to wake up properly and completely after a night of intense studying. Besides, I did not log out last night, in case you were wondering," Ryan elaborates sheepishly, "I must have missed his texts. He is a considerate brother usually, I bet he thought he was doing me a favour by sending those ideas to you. He is usually too naive too, by the way."Ethan pauses contemplatively for some moments, mulling over Ryan's words, "Are you positive it was your brother?"Ryan erupts a sigh of relief. "Think about it, Mr. Haughty," he implores. "If I really did send those emails to you myself, why would I risk my job by pulling such a prank? And even if I were playing a joke, wouldn't I have let you in on immediately?""Fair point," Ethan considers Ryan's words and begins to see the logic in his argument, "Alright, then," he concedes, retrieving his device. "Since we have resolved this issue, let's take a look at your brother's ideas. Shall we?"Ryan stretches to stay mum— yeah, as if Mr. Haughty is awaiting his approval. "Of course I am not seeking your input. But let me boss you around," Ethan scans through the ideas quickly, stopping abruptly when a thought strikes him. "But, Mr. Ryan Miller," he takes off quietly, "Does not your brother seem more compatible with our company than you? Why should I choose you over him?"Ryan lets out a small sigh, steeling himself for his overseer's response. "I would have loved for my brother to join the company," he says wistfully. "But he is not really interested in this particular field. He is pursuing a career as a compiler, specialising in unsolved disappearances.""Lillian has put forth a valiant effort, I must concede," Ethan murmurs, his disappointment more fiery than ever before, "However, these suggestions fail to inspire awe. And as we both are well aware, LOVESICK demands nothing short of extraordinary. Improved functionality, audio-video quality enhancement, liberated features, and the ability to delete messages are already at the forefront of my mind. I hardly needed these thoughts reiterated to me, the owner, by any external party."The ravenette, while still engrossed in his computer, senses Ryan's burgeoning emotional disclosure. "Don't keep me in suspense, Mr. Miller," he declares, not bothering to raise his gaze from the screen, "It is quite evident that you are clearly thinking something. Something important to impart?""Well…er…" the younger bloke bites his lower lip before continuing, "Yeah, I have been ruminating. But, I must clarify that none of what I am thinking right now, my views, are coming from a dating app standpoint, nor from a rival dating app at that. In simpler words, my sentiments are just a candid reflection of me. If I say anything now, I will be speaking my mind."Ethan ceases typing, his attention solely on the brunette. "Please, do go on," he urges, "I am listening."His emotions held tightly in check, Ryan can not help but express his irk with typical dating apps, musing aloud, "Most of the dating apps seem to be nothing more than beauty pageants. Don't you agree?"Ethan nods empathetically, "I know exactly what you mean," his words appear to have carrying a lot of weight, a little bit too unexpected, almost…personal."Love should never be limited by something as arbitrary as appearances," Ryan continues with a passion, "It's just not right. It just doesn't feel right that love is confined within such shallow boundaries.""While I share your sentiments, Mr. Miller, the hard reality is that the world at large does not and will never necessarily hold the same view," Ethan interjects, "But continue anyway."The brunette youth narrows his brow in clear annoyance, "That's not the real issue here. It's not even about the world thinking the same as me. Not even a person needs to, lest the whole world.The problem is why do only those with beauty and charm find their soulmates while others get dumped? Is it simply because most of the pretty ones own too much of their own vanity that they only look for partners that match their own dazzling looks? Or is it because they want to validate their own self worth by being with someone as attractive as they are?" Ryan pauses, a rather long one,"Sir, We live in a world where beauty is considered an achievement. These people, these lucky 'achievers' take their beauty for granted and abuse it. There is nothing too boastful about being 'fine' that is according to the definition of 'fine' to per person. They confuse infatuation or a dwindling attraction with genuine love, and that is not love in the real sense of the word!" Ryan concludes ardently. The ravenette, after what now feels like a gap of exaggerated decades, feels momentarily stunned but rallied— 'momentarily'. Mr. Haughty's curiosity piques. "What are you suggesting?""What are you suggesting?"Ryan stands his ground, and he stands tall, his voice erupting with conviction. He brings his truth to the room, "Profile pictures should not be a necessity. Instead, we should conduct confidential background checks on users, just of their relevant information, to verify their real identities. Only the most trustworthy LOVESICK employees should handle this process to ensure proper verification."The older man arches his brow, intrigued, "And how exactly will this benefit us?""Pardon me, but this is not about us, it has never been," Ryan inhales deeply, his heart racing…from the depths of his soul, "It is about love. It has always been about love. Love is too sacred to be reduced to a mere physical appearance. We cannot compromise on love. Not now, not ever.""Hmm," the ravenette gentleman scoots forward, eyes flashing with curiosity, "Without profile pictures, how will they match, though?"The brunette youth looks thoughtful, his gaze distant— he had always,
Dark. Whether it had always been scary, or had always been soothing…depended. Ryan, however, was more into the amalgamation of dark and strands of scattered light. He says it is calming. Ryan, stationed by a wide open window, with a desk placed directly in front, finds himself seated in a chaotic display of scattered papers. In the aftermath of the chaos that unfolded at The Raven's Meal, Ethan's security personnel proved their reliability, resulting in the CEO granting the brunette a well deserved break.Ever since that fateful first day as Ethan Smith's assistant, Ryan has been tirelessly toiling away, devising strategies to compensate for the losses incurred. If Ryan were to be completely honest, he views LOVESICK as an application designed to mend broken souls— as per its name claims; it is supposed to heal sick souls with…love, albeit in a manner distinct from his boss's explanation…"those who are in love, are sick," the brunette remembers word for word oh so well!In Ryan's perc
In certain instances, Ryan's superior can display a great deal of true unpredictability, causing Ryan to question, stammering, "Wh- what's the matter?""Please excuse me," the older individual retrieves his device, indicating, "I must take care of something immediately first."Ryan takes a few steps backwards, distancing from the chairs, "Calm down," Ethan appears to be guarding a secret, not wanting anyone else to discover it, whatever it may be, but concealing it nonetheless. Further, Ryan adds, "I've learned how to operate desktops and laptops while in school, so rest assured that I won't accidentally delete any of your important files. In any case, I believe that you have backups.""That's not the real issue…" Ethan hastily clicks away at the keyboard, keeping whatever he is working on out of sight from the another pair of eyes towering. "I also don't have the habit of snooping around," Ryan's face breaks into an embarrassed pulp, "Just thought I would mention it.""Can you pleas
"Mr. Haughty…"Bathing the room in a radiance, the morning beams softly trickle through Ethan's majestic floor-to-ceiling windows. Every movement is agonisingly deliberate; Ryan's fingers were trembling when they reached out towards the ornate handle. In Ethan's mind, the brunette's path to the teapot is fraught with danger, unbeknownst to him. But Ethan, ever vigilant or maybe…apprehensive more than 'watchful', senses an impending catastrophe. With one sudden surge of concern, he darts towards Ryan, his long limbs encircling the assistant in a cautious fervour, creating a fortress of warmth and safety— their bodies meld together, their faces impossibly close…again, last time it didn't end well. A single heartbeat echoes like thunder resonating in the wind, within the cage of Ryan's ribs, he is enveloped in Ethan's sturdy embrace. Time stretches out, each second a labyrinth of anticipation. Their eyes lock… and an immutable connection. Strange. In Ethan's arms, Ryan finds solace? A
"HOW DO YOU ASSUME TO REGARD ME?"Uncanny— the CEO's thunderous roar slices through air, reaching unimaginable heights. A decibel so unimaginable, that it can be called uncanny. Ryan staggers, clutching his chest, relieved that he miraculously didn't plummet somehow over the balcony railings, shattering his bones on impact. The jolt rattles the brunette to his core, an uncomfortable stream of intensity shaking him."What on earth has he gotten himself into this time?" The thought prowess only for a split glimpse before the possessor of the doubts dismisses it, convinced that venturing into the lion's den of his boss's affair is not really too much of a wise choice, it will only label him as nosy. A flicker of concern crosses Ryan's face. Should he risk being labelled as an intrusive busybody, meddling in the affairs of others? "No. It's best if I don't," he weighs the potential consequences, conflicting thoughts racing at the back of his mind. But in the fullness of time, Ryan's compas
"So you're just like everyone else, Mr. Miller…"The relentless echoes of words resonate through the walls, each syllable penetrating Ryan's resolve like a thousand knives. And still, the brunette presses on, his feet carrying him forward— at the end of the day, he is a 'good-for-nothing.'But Ryan wouldn't falter. Gracing his fist around the cold steel knob, he refuses to turn back. He refuses to be labelled as just another mediocre soul, destined for insignificance. No, not this time. Not when his heart burns with a fire that no insult could extinguish; from infancy Ryan had learned how to stand straight without letting anyone bend his back.The rhythm of the latter's footsteps quicken, matching the raided heartbeats that thrum in his chest. He could practically taste the displeasure seeping from Ethan's very core, "Go. Just go!" The man seethe, a desperate plea blanketed in a poisonous command.Ryan releases his hand on the doorknob, his body shifting ever so slightly, imperceptible
"And what if he really is my assistant, Sarah?"Gut wrenched, two of the heads cork towards the owner of the speaker— Ethan Smith himself is shoving an ID card to the receptionist, that reads,Name: Ryan Miller Age: 19 yrsDOB: 01/01/20xxSex: maleGender: malePosition: Personal Assistant Address:Contact info: 9176xxxxA chaos brewing in Ryan's heart reaches its tempest tossed crescendo. Doubt and panic titillate his every fibre, rendering him immobile— how the hell did Ethan show up? Ryan is stuck in an agonising limbo. Web of assumptions entangle Ryan's thoughts. Could it be that Taylor, his supposed confidante, betrayed him, snitched on him? Or worse yet, had Ethan, his employer, caught onto the intricate net of deceit he had spun? Followed Ryan because the ravenette doesn't trust his assistant an inch? And if Sarah was playing any treacherous game, the receptionist with secrets concealed beneath her deceptively pretty, innocent face? The infinite possibilities stretch out; poss
Ah, the intriguing enigma that is Ryan. Our tale begins with the cryptic utterance of those words, "I was waiting for you, Ryan."Oh, how now the brunette must be wrestling with Cameron's existential riddle that lies within! What heads or tails is meant by dear Cameron by a proclamation similar to that? How does one usually respond when someone says something like this?With a smirk that could rival the prettiest of art pieces, mocking Ryan's confusion, "Just… you're quite an interesting personality," words drip with honeyed garnishing— the tantalising bait which dangles before our protagonist. And how does Ethan, ever the guardian of propriety, react? With a touch of rudeness of course, barging into their conversation, with what to him seems like righteous indignation, "May I have the pleasure to know why exactly would someone like you be waiting for someone you haven't even known? For MY assistant?" He wants, practically oozing with scepticism up until. Cameron, ever the master of