Chapter 27: Ana’s ex.

‘I have heard about this one,’ I say to myself. Although I abandoned games for a long time, this one is just too famous. In fact, it’s ridiculously famous for a game that hasn’t even been launched to the general public. It is said that after the release, this game will compete directly with Virtual Life, the most famous VR world and the only 6 stars rated game.

“I thought that there were only 1000 copies of the prelaunch event digital cards, how come do you have one?” Ana asks looking at Mr. Smith.

“Hahaha,” Mr. Smith lets out a hearty laugh, “High Plains Entertainment developed this game and did a huge publicity campaign, they distributed the thousand copies amongst the most influential Virtual Reality developers, and so, being part of BME, it happens that I have one left.”

“But Mr. Smith,” Interjects Jasmine, “If my memory doesn’t fails me, there are rules to give those, not everybody is qualified to play that game.” She says in a worried tone.

What Jasmine said is totally true. Although High Plains Entertainment distributed the digital cards, there is a strict guideline for whom is able to play the pre-launch event so this copies couldn’t be just sold and auctioned. Basically only remarkable players of the gaming industries are allowed to play the game.

“Yes, yes, I know, but it has been 8 months since it started, if anything happens, I’ll deal with it personally. However,” Mr. Smith pauses and looks at me, “I hope that even if you can’t compete against the leading players, at least you will not fall too far.”

I scratch my head because I don’t understand what Mr. Smith just said. “Leading players?” I ask with a confused tone.

“You will understand, you will understand. Jasmine can explain you the details later or you just can find them by yourself.” Mr. Smith says with a big grin.

I hold the Digital Card in my hand and look at it for some seconds. “If you say that this can help me, then I believe that it must be as you say. However, I don’t have a VRD right now, it’s silly that as a student from Tidem in the faculty of Virtual Reality Studies I don’t have one, but that’s my case.” As I say this, I extend the Digital Card towards Mr. Smith. Ana sees my actions and slaps her face.

“Kid, determination, determination! Don’t be so weak willed! I can’t give you the fish, but I can teach you to fish them.” Mr. Smith says trying to lecture him and pushes gently my hand. “You said previously that you will be a professional gamer if it doesn’t interfere with your studies and it is profitable? What if I tell you that the top 100 players earns, in average, 800 dollars by playing an hour? And that’s just for the streaming rights! Publicity, community donations, they earn a lot, they earn a lot!”

“What?! Isn’t that a lot for just a game that hasn’t even been launched?!” I say with a shocked expression.

“No Marcus,” Ana says, “What Mr. Smith says is true. The expectative Downfall of the Champions has generated is just incredible. The viewership of the streams is counted in the tens of millions daily!”

Mr. Smith grins, “What the lady says is true. Without being launched they have at least 40 million copies in presale, but don’t have high hopes, although is a highly profitable game, every single player inside is better than you and they have eight months of advantage. Enough of that.” Mr. Smith says and waves his hand in the air, “If you make money out of this is up to you, I’m giving this because this game can only be played in deep dive mode and is said that the difficulty is extremely high, just what you need.”

I recline in the chair and take a deep breath. When I’m about to talk, Mr. Smith intervenes again, “Any worker of BME is provided with the necessary gear for his functions, in the case of testers and gamers, we provide them with VR drives. Since you are not still part of us, I can’t give you one. However, I can help you assemble one.”

“What do I have to do?” My eyes lit up upon hearing this. After all, BME is not only a VR developer, is a widely known branch of gaming gear.

“Jasmine, give him access to the 3rd warehouse. What you do there is up to you, but don’t plunder everything, ha-ha-ha.” Mr. Smith laughs slowly.

“The 3rd? But Mr. Smith, that is…” Jasmine says while frowning.

“Yes, yes, the 3rd.” He doesn’t pay much attention to Jasmine’s words and then he offers me a handshake, “Do what you need to do kid. Come here in two months to report you advancements, if you need something just ask Jasmine.”

“I won’t disappoint you.” I say and I accept the handshake.

After bidding farewell we leave the office. Ana let out a relieved sigh and then looks at me, “To think that you almost rejected a copy of Downfall of the Champions, if any gamer with two brain cells hear this, they will want to kick you to death.”

Jasmine laughs after hearing Ana and I just scratch my head, “What’s in the 3rd warehouse?” I ask while looking at Jasmine, I have a general idea but I want to confirm my suspicions.

“Uhm, you see…” Jasmine laughs nervously, “Let’s just say that in that warehouse is stored the gear that doesn’t pass the quality control tests. Generally those pieces are donated, that’s why Mr. Smith gave you access.”

“Oh, I see.” I say while nodding, it is as I suspected, however I couldn’t help but smile. ‘Parts that need repairs? No problem!’ I laugh inwardly.

While walking towards another floor, Jasmine has an apologetic look.

Three minutes later we get to the 18th floor. After opening some doors and flashing her ID in some sensors, Jasmine finally opens the doors of the 3rd warehouse. “Holy shit!” I couldn’t help but exclaim loudly. There are multitude of rows of metallic shelves neatly organized. I take some steps around and I couldn’t help but be surprised, if this is the “garbage” of BME, the assembly line must be gigantic.

I take the lead and start watching some pieces, Jasmine and Ana follow me quietly. Everything needed for building a high end VRD is here, even the pieces that I need for some of my projects are here. I cough a couple of time, now I understand why Mr. Smith said to not plunder everything. This pieces just need some love and some repairs.

If I knew that the 1st warehouse is 5 times bigger than this one, I would have a seizure on the spot.

“I think I can work with this, but I will not take out anything today. Is there a problem if I bring anyone else next time?” I ask Jasmine.

“Really? Is this okay for you?” Jasmine says a bit surprised, she shakes her head and regains her composure, “Excuse my behavior, of course you can bring someone else, I’ll have the necessary checklists ready the next time you come.” Jasmine says while smiling sweetly.

“I’ll appreciate that.” I say with a sincere tone, “Then I think that I’ll take my leave.”

“Marcus, aren’t you forgetting something reaaaally important?” Ana says while tugging my shirt.

“What do you mean?” I answer with a confused look, I have no idea what she means.

Ana slaps her face, “The money, you dummy!”

“Oh that!” I slap my face too.

We return to Jasmine’s desk and she help us with the check. Although Ana was the one that signed the inscription form, she insisted that the check is made at my name. Since I have no problem with that I agree. After finally receiving what we came for and much more, Ana and I finally decide to return to the apartment.

We arrive around 4:00 p.m. I lazily stretch my body while entering the apartment. However, as I check the surroundings I couldn’t help but frown. This is not the first time that I prepare the lunch in the morning for Leeloo, but she didn’t even touch it, and she clearly is in her room. I want to talk to her about something but I think her mood is not right, so I dismiss the idea for now.

In the evening nothing much happens. I mainly talk with Ana while hearing music. She ask me a lot of things about the university, she really liked Tidem. Leeloo never left her room.

The next day is eventless too. Ana accompanied me again to the campus in the morning. In the afternoon I worked a little at the workshop while obviously showing her the surroundings. Ana catches the attention of a lot of students because she is not wearing a uniform, but she just leans closer to me.

Before returning to the apartment I go with Ana to another shopping center. Here she buys some souvenirs for her parents.

Again at the apartment, I notice that Leeloo is in her room and she didn’t touch what I made for her for lunch. I try to think if I did something to upset her but I couldn’t come with a conclusion. She has to talk to me eventually, so I just stop thinking about that.

“So, you are returning tomorrow in the 11:00 train?” I ask Ana who is beside me in the couch.

“Yes, I can slack anymore, I don’t want to go! But I have to…” Ana says with unwillingness.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like you will not see me anymore, I’ll be sure to keep in touch with you and maybe pay you a visit.” I say trying to comfort her.

“There’s no need for that.” Ana says with a laugh.

“What do you mean?” I turn my head to look at Ana a bit confused.

“Nothing.” Ana sticks out her tongue and doesn’t says anything else.

I decide that I will skip classes tomorrow. I have to change the check for real money to give Ana her share, and obviously I have to accompany her to the train station.

I lay down in the couch and try to sleep. I close my eyes, but before my consciousness fades I feel someone crouching in the couch. I open my eyes and I see the figure of Ana wrapped in a blanket crawling towards me. “What are you doing?” I ask by reflex.

“Just let me be here today.” Ana says and lays down at my side. She nests in my chest and just stays there.

I sigh inwardly and feel warmth in my heart. When we were kids we usually shared a bed, but as adults this has a totally different meaning. However I couldn’t help but remember those times. I silently stroke Ana’s head and her ears while I close my eyes. Ana remains unmoving and her heartbeat and breath steadies, she is asleep. I continue caressing her cheeks and after some time I fall asleep too.

In the early morning Leeloo wakes up to raid the fridge. She walks with careful steps towards the kitchen and glanced at the couch, then she notices Ana and me sleeping. Leeloo tilts hear head and seems thoughtful, she stares for some time but then a smile appears in her face. Not long after the smile transforms into a mischievous smile. She grabs some snacks and then she returns silently to her room without saying or doing anything.

A while later I wake up and I immediately notice Ana by my side. I stand up without waking her, and after a bath I leave the apartment. I go to the bank and exchange the check. After discussing with Ana for two hours last night, she only accepted 10 thousands as her share. I tried to convince her to accept half of the prize, but she was reluctant to do it, so after changing the check I deposit her share and mine in our respective bank accounts.

I return to the apartment around 9:30 a.m. and find that Ana is ready. She says that she already bid farewell to Leeloo. I shoot a glance to her door and notice that is still closed, I haven’t seen her since the Sunday. I sigh inwardly and then help Ana with her luggage. It’s not surprising at all that she is returning with more luggage than what she brought initially.

We arrive at the train station and we are quietly waiting in some chairs. It’s 10:40 a.m. and her phone suddenly rings. She checks the phone and furiously cancels the call. The same happens around 100 times in the next ten minutes, but she seems that doesn’t want to block or turn off her phone.

“Haha, Ana, I finally found you.” A feminine voice says from afar. When Ana hears the voice she suddenly shivers.

“This, this… No way! Just no way!” Ana says while looking to her right and standing up.

I try to look where Ana is looking and notice that someone is approaching us jogging. Short crimson hair, flat chest, slim body, but dressed in manly clothes, she has feminine features but her form of jogging and clothing is definitely manly. I couldn’t help but watch her and frown.

Ana is petrified and slack-jawed, she doesn’t reacts and when the manly dressed girl reaches Ana, she hugs Ana tightly. Ana tries to free herself from the hug and says hurriedly, “Why? What are you doing here Chelsea?!”

“I thought you missed your ex-boyfriend.” Chelsea answers happily.

“Ex… Boyfriend?” I raise an eyebrow and mutter slowly.

“It’s not what you are thinking Marcus, I swear that it’s not what you are thinking!” She says with a flushed face struggling with Chelsea to free herself, but it seems that not only Chelsea dresses manly, she has a masculine strength too. “Let me go!” She says helpless.

“Come on, don’t be so shy.” Chelsea says playfully, “Oh? Did they grew up in just one week?” Chelsea talks to herself and then places her hand near Ana’s chest.

*Boing.*

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH” Ana shrieks loudly.

Ana finally frees from Chelsea’s grip and looks at her menacingly, “Why are you here? How did you knew I was here?” Ana says with a flushed face.

“That’s easy, mom told me.” Chelsea says in a carefree tone.

“Mom?” Ana says and looks confused, then she clenches her fist and waves it in the air, “Stop calling my mom as if she is yours too, you meanie!”

*Whistle.*

Ana looks at me and her face turns totally red, “I swear that it’s not what you are thinking Marcus!” She says and then Chelsea grabs her luggage with one hand and her right arm with the other.

“Let’s go sweetie, the train will depart soon and your ex-boyfriend wants to know about your stories.” Chelsea says happily.

“No, stop calling yourself that! You are supposed to dislike that nick!” Ana shouts at Chelsea.

“At first I disliked it, but then I found that it was a form of affection.” Chelsea says and leans closer to Ana, then she starts walking while dragging her.

“No, it’s not affection you meanie! You tricked me! You tricked me!” Ana says while trying to free herself with her free hand.

“Tricked you?” I mutter slowly again, however Ana heard me.

“It’s not what you are thinking Marcus!” Ana shouts while being dragged by Chelsea.

“So, he is Marcus? The one you lo…” Chelsea asks Ana but Ana suddenly covers Chelsea’s mouth.

“Shudup! Let me go! Let me go!” Ana says but Chelsea just drag her.

I stand there looking as Ana and Chelsea disappear in the crowd. After the train departs I still stand there unmoving, only a while later I regain my senses. “I really didn’t expect that.” I mutter again then I turn back towards the exit of the train station. “Guess is time to try to mix games with my life.” I say while I lazily stretch my body. From today onwards my daily life while be a little different, if I can earn an income from gaming my life maybe will change for the better.

As I walk out the station something comes to my mind, as if I’m forgetting something really important. I focus hard for a couple of minutes and then my eyes widen.

“Crap, the dress!”

END OF CHAPTER 27.

END OF BOOK 1.

And so... I succesfully finish the first book. This is the prelude of a long history, and where the actual plot begins.

First than all, I want to thank every single reader for reading my nonsense. I want to state again that my native language is spanish and I know that I have a lot of mistakes here and there, but I'm trying to improve for the sake of you while at the same time doing steady releases. It's so hard *Sniff*

Second, all critiscim is welcome. I always read every single comment, if yoou have any question, just ask and I'll gladly answer, no exceptions.

Third, I know that sometimes things seems unrealistic and you say "No way" or "Why does he do that?", like the contract and the gay disco, but that's why this is a fiction. The basic rule of any fiction is: anything goes. Although most of the time I try it to be as realistic as possible, sometimes there are things that will only make sense inside the universe of the novel, so don't try to make comparisions with real life. When I read a novel, for me something unrealistic is when a character behaves out of his normal behavior, for example, a shy MC suddenly tries to flirt with a woman, a honest MC tries to swindle someone else, etc. If you want to debate this, I'll gladly answer any question, but before you say something, I want you to read a part of the script as to why I decided the events must be done in a gay disco.

Marcus tells someone else that his father is Richard Trevor.

Ana and Leeloo has a private conversation regarding (sorry but I will not spoil).

How do I make that Ana and Leeloo leave Marcus's side and have that conversation?

-Marcus goes to the workshop: can't be done, is sunday.

-Marcus goes to work: can't be done, he told Ana that he had 3 free days, Sunday included.

-Leeloo invites Ana to go shopping: point, but why would they go without Marcus? ... They will buy clothes for him for a party.

...

...

...

...

Marcus get separeted from Ana and Leeloo at night and meets someone else to talk while drinking. Why? Who?

...

-There's a couple event and Marcus can't enter.

-Marcus talks with David.

That's a rough sketch of what I have written in my notebook, but I think you get the point. In order to connect some ideas and make the plot flow naturally while leaving some hints for future events, something like this must happen or it will not flow as I like. Besides, all the jokes can't be as good as the previous one, if you say 1000 jokes, there will be good ones and bad ones, and they will be mixed, not from bad to good, so if a part is not completely of your liking, please, comprehend that everything is for a greater good.

Sigh... I think I extended a bit. Fourth and last, but not least important, there will be an epilogue with the PoV of Marcu's father and Ana. There will be a lot of "Aha" moments. Each book will be 25-35 chapters and then a epilogue with some side stories that explain some things, if you feel that this stories are cliffhangery, bear in mind that this side stories cannot interfere with the main plot so I have to cut them so they don't spoil and ruin the plot, they are there for the sake of explaining past events, not for narrating future events.

Again, thanks for reading!