CXXXIII

CXXXIII
Two weeks later when the new game hits the market, I find myself pacing around my office. My fingers slipped in between my teeth and my teeth nibbled on the nails like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"How is it? How was the reception?" I fire the question into my phone.
Danielle pauses deliberately on the other end, I notice she likes to play with my feelings.
"Danielle." I warn.
"Are you sure this was not created by your girlfriend?"
My heart sinks. If she thinks it was created by a beginner then it was bad, not that I was saying Lisa did not know how to do it, but our level of expertise was vastly different, and if people did not receive this game well, then it would not do what it was intended, plus, it would be a blow to my confidence.
"No, I created Danielle, was it not received well?"
"Are you kidding me? The entire company went into shock that the boss was releasing a new game after a year and without prior notice, plus the fact that this game is breaking records again."
My heart soars. I lock eyes with Cam and Jonathan, both of them perched at the edge of their seats, looking as tense as they felt. I give them a single nod and they jump into the air, making a silent celebration.
"Are you serious?"
"No are you serious? The story line is crazy, it is fresh, it is all every one is talking about. You should go online and see what they are saying. The reception is good. Everyone is playing it, or at least talking about it."
I felt my body tingle with joy. My mouth stretched into a smile that I know would remain for weeks.
"I have not checked what is being said online. I did that on short notice. Notify the creative department to kick it off from there, the next level, and i would like to see it first before it goes public."
"Sure. Also, the guy.. the father in the game.. he kinda looks familiar."
My ears perk up at that, had Sebastian already been to the company? Did he know I own it? My blood runs cold at the thought.
"Did you see him around the company? When?"
That gets Cam's and Jonathan's attention, they turn to me with inquisitive eyes.
"I'm saying he looks like you. But that's not what you mean because you sound terrified. Should I be worried?" Danielle sounds alarmed now.
I felt myself deflate.
"No Danielle. But tell me the second you see him lurking around the company. Also, make sure the wanted poster in the game keeps appearing, even in the second part. People have to know that he is wanted."
I hear her take a sharp breath.
"But they won't know.. they'd think it's a game."
She gets it. She gets that it is serious, one thing I like about Her, once again, I'm grateful that I hired her.
"Not when the beginning starts with a disclaimer stating that is based on true life events."
She says nothing but was probably connecting the dots. I don't let her ask the questions that must be burning her mind.
"Once again, I leave every thing in your capable hands. Call me as soon as you have any urgent questions, otherwise, communicate via email. I am grateful for all that you do for Bavard."
Once I have disconnected the call, I see Cam waving his phone around.
"I created the account. The fan account that would be used to push the monster father agenda until everyone is looking out for him."
He suggested a serious fan page be built for the new game, Monsta father. The storyline was more or less my story. And players could connect to anybody in the world to play detective together to find the Monsta father, whilst killing his goons on the way.
"I have made my move. He will make his, let's just hope it won't be too drastic of a move." I say whilst scrolling on Twitter. Monsta father was trending. Not yet number one but number three in three countries. This was the first time I was're releasing a game without doing the trial run. But it was making numbers already.
My phone shrilled. And my heart ached at the caller ID. I have not spoken to her these past few days, only texting each other once in a while, partially because I was too busy, and because I was consumed by guilt.
I swiped the accept button before it rang to the end.
"Hello?"
Her voice made me realize just how much I missed her. I missed her so much it physically ached. My throat felt too dry for the words to come out.
"Hello? Are you there?" She sounded confused now.
My tongue darts out and wets my lips.
"Yeah.. I'm here."
She goes silent for a second. I'm almost choked by the emotions I was feeling.
"Was this it?"
"Sorry?"
I didn't know if I missed what she said earlier, because I did not understand the half sentence.
"Was this the reason you pushed me away? The game? Because you were creating a game?"
I blink, unsure if how she got that from me ignoring her. And lost on how to respond. I could tell her the truth and have her worry. Or lie to her and maybe lose her forever.
"No.. it isn't the game."
I could not lose her forever. That is entirely out of the question. I promised I would never hurt Her, intentionally or not. I won't hurt her. And I intend to make good of that promise.
"Then Why?" Her voice cracked. I could almost see her run her hand through her hair in frustration. There was a pang in my chest, I missed running my fingers through her hair.
"Did I do anything wrong?"
"No, God, no. It isn't you. It's me."
I hear her snort.
"Classic." She says sarcastically.
I realize that I have messed up.
"Lisa. I'm doing this to protect you. I don't know if you believe me or not."
She stays silent.
"Do you trust me?"
She stays silent for a second, then sighs, "like a fool."
I almost smile. That was enough. It was enough that she trusted me. It was enough.
"Good. Because I need a lot of that trust right now."
She says nothing. But i know I have managed to ease away her fears.
"I'm in love with you Lisa. Every second that I'm away from you I feel like i can't breathe."
"Then Why? Why are you pushing me away?"
"Because it is the only way I can keep you safe. For now, stay with mom. Until it is safe."
She says nothing. I say nothing. And she hangs up. I almost smash the phone against the wall in frustration. But i restrain myself, Sebastian is not going to do anything unless I let him.
"It's time for phase two."