There's One Thing I Like About Him

Chapter Twelve

Trisha

"How about we create a new app that would really attract people's interest? Maybe a gaming app?" Alexa suggested.

"What kind of gaming app are you thinking of?" I asked her, intrigued. We were in the meeting room, where I had called the entire team together to brainstorm ideas for a new project to propose to Mr. Cliff. I noticed him walking past our office and, when our eyes met, I quickly looked away, trying not to make it obvious to my team that he was there. What is he doing here? He could see that we were in a meeting, and his presence was only adding to my stress.

"Maybe something that single young adults could play?" Alexa continued, her excitement palpable. "Like an MMORPG with a dating feature integrated into it."

The room fell silent as everyone processed her idea. I leaned back in my chair, considering the possibilities. "That's interesting," I responded. "A game that combines the thrill of online gaming with the potential for real-life connections. It could attract a large audience, especially among single young adults who are looking for both entertainment and companionship."

I glanced around the table, noting the mixed reactions of the team. Some seemed intrigued, while others looked uncertain. The idea was bold, no doubt, but it was also risky. We'll be entering a competitive market where the line between gaming and social networking is increasingly blurred. Yet, that same risk could set us apart if we executed it well.

"The challenge," I continued, "would be to create a balance between the gaming aspect and the social aspect. We don’t want it to feel like just another dating app with a few games tacked on. It needs to be immersive, something that keeps players coming back, not just for the social features, but for the gameplay itself."

Alexa nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! We could design the game world to encourage interaction, maybe through cooperative missions or team-based activities that require communication. And instead of traditional dating profiles, players could customize avatars and meet each other through in-game events. Or we could also add a guild system and a chat box for communication purposes."

As the discussion unfolded, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. I glanced towards the door again, but Mr. Cliff had already moved on, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease. His sudden appearance made me question how much time we had before the next project review. If we were going to pitch this idea, it needed to be fleshed out quickly—and perfectly.

"We’ll need to do some market research to see if there’s demand for this kind of game," I said, shifting back into work mode. "And we'll have to figure out the technical aspects—how to integrate real-time communication, maintain privacy, and ensure the game is engaging enough to stand on its own. Let's break into smaller groups to tackle these questions. We need a solid pitch ready for Mr. Cliff by the end of the week."

The team sprang into action, each person taking on their tasks with renewed energy. As we wrapped up the meeting, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. We were venturing into uncharted territory, and if we pulled it off, this could be our most ambitious project yet.

But I knew one thing for sure: all eyes would be on us, especially Mr. Cliff's. And that meant there was no room for mistakes.

A week later, I found myself standing outside Mr. Cliff’s office, nervously clutching my notes. The team had worked tirelessly over the past few days, refining the concept for the gaming app Alexa had suggested. Now it was time to present our ideas and see if Mr. Cliff would give us the green light.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a brief pause, I heard his voice from inside. "Come in."

I entered the office, the soft click of the door closing behind me making my heart race. Mr. Cliff looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable. "Trisha, take a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

"Thank you," I replied, sitting down and placing my notes on the table. I could feel his eyes on me as I organized my thoughts.

"So," he began, leaning back in his chair, "I understand you have a new project proposal?"

"Yes," I said, meeting his gaze with as much confidence as I could muster. "We’ve come up with an idea for a gaming app that we believe has a lot of potential. It’s designed to appeal to single young adults, combining the excitement of an MMORPG with the social aspects of a dating app."

I watched for any reaction on his face but saw none. I continued, "The game would be set in an immersive world where players can embark on quests, form alliances, and engage in team-based activities. We want the game to encourage real-time interaction, so we’re planning to include features like a guild system and a chat box for communication purposes. This way, players can form connections naturally, through shared experiences and teamwork."

Mr. Cliff nodded slightly, but his expression remained stoic. "And how do you plan to integrate the dating aspect?"

"We envision the dating feature as something that’s organically woven into the game," I explained. "Instead of traditional profiles, players would customize avatars that represent them in the game world. They could meet other players through in-game events, cooperative missions, and the guild system. The focus would be on building relationships through gameplay, rather than just swiping through profiles. We believe this approach will make the experience more engaging and less superficial."

Mr. Cliff leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "It’s an interesting concept, but it’s also a very competitive market. What makes you confident this will stand out?"

"We’ve identified a gap in the market," I replied, feeling more confident as I spoke. "While there are plenty of MMORPGs and dating apps out there, very few combine the two in a way that feels seamless and genuine. Most games with social features are either too focused on the gameplay, neglecting the social aspect, or they feel like dating apps with a few games thrown in. We want to strike the right balance, creating a game that’s fun to play but also offers meaningful opportunities for social interaction."

He was silent for a moment, contemplating what I had said. The tension in the room was palpable, but I held my breath, waiting for his response.

Finally, Mr. Cliff nodded. "Alright, Trish. I’m willing to let you and your team develop this further. But I’ll need to see a detailed plan, including market research, budget estimates, and a timeline for development. If you can present that to me within the next two weeks, we’ll move forward."

A wave of relief washed over me. "Thank you, Mr. Cliff. We’ll have everything ready for you."

He gave me a rare, small smile. "Good work, Trish. I’m looking forward to seeing what your team can do."

As I left Mr. Cliff's office, a surge of excitement coursed through me. The hard part was over, but the real work was just beginning. We had a chance to bring our vision to life, and I knew the team would be just as thrilled as I was to dive into the next phase of development.

But as I walked down the hallway, the rush of excitement slowly gave way to a familiar, haunting thought—Ethan. It had been three months since the accident, and three months since he fell into a coma. The memory of that day was still painfully vivid, and not a moment passed without it creeping back into my mind.

Ethan was sent to America for specialized care shortly after the accident. The doctors here had done everything they could, but his condition was too complex, too delicate. His parents had made all the arrangements, ensuring Ethan received the best possible treatment, but despite all the resources poured into his recovery, there had been no change. He remained in that liminal space, suspended between life and something else.

Every time I step into Mr. Cliff’s office, the faint scent of Ethan’s cologne seemed to linger in the air, bringing back memories of when everything was normal, when he was right there beside me, full of life and energy. I had half-expected Mr. Cliff to mention Ethan during our meetings, maybe to give me some small update on his condition. But he never did. Perhaps he thought it was too painful, or maybe he didn’t have anything new to share. Either way, the silence around Ethan’s condition was deafening, a void that I couldn’t seem to fill.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I walked back to the meeting room. The team was waiting, and I needed to focus. There was no time to dwell on what I couldn’t change, no matter how much it weighed on my heart. We had a project to launch, and it required my full attention.

But as I reached for the door handle, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever get the closure I needed, or if Ethan would ever wake up. The uncertainty was a constant ache, but I had to push it aside, at least for now. There was work to be done, and I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get in the way.