The two days in Orlando crawled by at a snail’s pace. I felt as if I was just going through the motions of the interviews, appearances, and signing events. My mood further angered and depressed me. I should be thankful for everything that I had been given by Astafar Unlimited. There wasn’t a man on Earth who wouldn’t have changed places with me, except for maybe Garf and Jax. But they were my two best friends, and I knew that they had struggled to stand in my shadow for the first year when we all became famous.

Instead, I just thought about quitting.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Ohlavar Quest and my NPC friend Artus. Thoughts about Zarra, her offer, and what it would mean for my future enticed my imagination. I puzzled over the strange note warning me about the purple eyes. Granted, Jacob was probably still sick with his mental illness, but the writing made me think that Zarra was up to something diabolical, even if the woman hadn't given me any reason to think that way.

I also thought a bunch about my parents. It had been a year since I'd been able to have a real conversation with them. I missed them so much, but I had been terrified to visit them after the last episode when my mother had thought I wasn't her son and had tried to attack me. Could Zarra deliver on her treatment? Other than Jacob, the patients I had spoken to had seemed to have made a happy recovery from their illness. They spoke about seeing their families and had plans for the future. Would my parents be able to recover? The idea kept me awake at night, and my dreams had been filled with childhood memories of their love.

I also couldn’t stop thinking about President Arnesto’s strange threat. Well, maybe it wasn’t a threat, but the more I thought about his words, the more I believed that the man would not be happy with me if I decided to work on a new game.

In some ways, I was looking forward to Sal’s island vacation. I needed to relax and lie on the beach for a week. In other ways, I wasn’t looking forward to the trip. Sal had some high-powered foreign dignitaries scheduled to ‘party’ with me every day while I was there. He said he was going to do a good job of making sure I still got some rest, but I didn’t know how I would be able to relax with a bunch of diplomats and their trophy wives buzzing in my ear all day.

More than anything else, I wanted to log back into Ohlavar Quest and find out what was happening to Artus.

“Alright, Champ! Just a quick drive to the airport, then we’ll be on the plane to the island!” Sal’s words jarred me out of my reverie as he sat on the leather seat next to me.

Garf, Jax, Chip, and Dale, slid into the limo after my manager. The four men were arguing about one of the latest Astafar Unlimited dungeons. Garf, Chip, and Dale were trying to convince Jax about a build they all preferred with the team makeup, but my Viking friend wouldn’t have any of it.

“It won’t have enough DPS, it is a bad idea.”

“It will be okay, it is safer because the second boss has that area of effect attack. If we use your build we’ll all wipe at that part and--”

My cell phone buzzed in my pocket, and I fished it free of my jeans. I got random text messages, phone calls, and requests to connect from people all day long. I had wanted to get a new number, but I just hadn’t found the time since the championships, so I just ignored the phone. My friends’ conversation didn’t interest me, though, so I decided to check and see if any of the messages were more engaging.

-Champ. This is Ky. Sorry, I’m texting you. I got your number in the company database. It is about Artus. Can you text me back?-

The message made my breath catch, and the voices of my friends seemed to fade into the background noise of the limo’s movement across the road.

-Hey Ky, what’s going on?-

I messaged him back.

-So I kind of did something bad, and I could get fired, but I thought you would want to know. You can’t tell Ms. Zerne, okay?- He wrote.

-What’s up? Why would you get fired? For talking to me?-

-Well, that too. She’s worried that you won’t work with us. She doesn’t want anyone reaching out to you. It is about your fenia friend. I asked one of the patients to go to Cutno, which was kind of a big deal since she was eight hours of travel away.- He wrote quickly and then there was nothing for what felt like a few minutes.

I almost replied to him to make sure he was okay, but then another message popped up on my phone.

-They are still looking for you, but no one has heard anything or seen you since you killed the lord’s son on the street. They offered a reward, but of course you aren’t there to catch. They are going to execute Artus in four days when the sun sets. Sorry champ, I remembered you said you liked him.-

I closed my eyes and leaned back into the leather seat of the limo for half a minute. Then I looked at my phone and typed a message.

-Thanks for letting me know. Just a game right? The AI made a great character.- I wrote as my stomach clenched. Why was this bothering me so much? Maybe it was because, at the core of it all, I always wanted to be a hero. That was why I played these games and worked so hard at the sport. I wanted to bring hope and help those less fortunate. Was it arrogant? Maybe, but growing up poor had taught me that role models and heroes were all that some people had to comfort their woes. I made a lot of money, but most of it went to care for my parents or various charities. I didn’t need the money that Zarra offered me, but I could do a lot of good with it.

And I wanted to play Ohlavar Quest.

Most of all, I wanted to cure my parents.

-Yeah. Okay. Just wanted to tell you. Don’t let Ms. Zerne know please.- Ky texted back.

-Thanks for letting me know. Your secret is safe with me. Talk to you later.-

“Everything okay, Champ?” Sal asked from his seat next to me.

“Yeah. It is okay. Hey, how long of a drive is it to the airport?”

“Ten, maybe fifteen minutes. We’ve got a private jet that the resort is lending us for the trip, and--”

“Ask the driver to pull over for a second,” I said to Sal.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I want to stretch my legs.”

“We just got in the limo five minutes ago.”

“Yeah, but I need to walk for a bit.”

“Champ, what’s wrong? You’ve been acting weird for the last few days,” Sal whispered to me as he leaned into my ear.

“I just want to take a little walk and make a phone call.”

“It’s this girl, isn’t it? Champ, nothing good ever comes from getting caught up with a girl that is half as pretty as you say this one is. I haven’t even bothered to study her offer. She’s just trying to scam you.”

“I’m not going to sign her contract. I just want to talk to her for a couple of minutes.” I leaned over Sal to press the button on the divider glass, and the screen descended.

“Hey, buddy. Can you pull over for a minute?” I asked.

“Sure, Champ. Anything you want.” The car started to slow, and my friends looked at me with confusion.

“What’s going on?” Garf and Jax asked at the same time. Jax’s eyes opened wide, and it looked as if he was about to say “jinx,” but Garf shot him a glare.

“I need to take a little walk. No big thing. You guys stay in the car, we’ll be moving in a few minutes.”

“Huh? Why do you need to--”

“He wants to chat with this girl,” Sal groaned. “Talk some sense into him.”

“Meh, not when he gets like this. He’s just gotta work it out,” Garf said as he crossed his thick arms over his chest.

“I agree. We’ll wait here.” Jax winked at me.

“You two are just trying to piss me off,” Sal rolled his eyes at them.

“Naw, Sal, we love you too much. We just don’t want to piss Leo off. He can get stubborn.” Jax stuck his tongue out at our manager.

“I’ll be right back,” I said as I scooted past Chip and opened the door to the limo.

“Want us to come with?” my bodyguard asked.

“No one is going to come after me right now. I'll be ten feet from you,” I said to him as I stepped out of the car.

We had parked on the side of a well-manicured road by some estate homes. There was a nice sidewalk path that was flanked by strips of Florida green grass. I thumbed on my phone and then typed in Zarra’s name before I clicked to call.

“This is a surprise,” the beautiful woman answered after three rings.

“I’m wondering if you are ever surprised,” I said with a chuckle. Had she told Ky to call me? It seemed like that would have been manipulation of the psycho level, but the warning from Jacob's note ran through my mind again. Maybe that was part of the reason I was calling Zarra. I wanted to see if she would say something about Ky, or hint at her game.

Fuck, maybe I was just being paranoid. It had been a long time since I'd felt attracted to a woman.

“Sometimes. By a certain handsome man in particular,” she purred.

“Flattery doesn't work on me,” I said with a laugh.

“Who says I am speaking about you?” she returned my laugh.

“So now you are trying to make me jealous?”

“Is it working?” she asked, and I was glad that I didn’t have the video feed up on my phone.

“Maybe.”

“Ha! There you go and surprise me again. I thought you were supposed to play hard to get?” She laughed again.

“It is women that are supposed to play hard to get,” I said. Damn. I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. I did enjoy talking to Zarra.

“I’ve always preferred to be the hunter, but enough with the flirting. What can I help you with today, Leo Lennox, world champion of Astafar Unlimited? I thought you were supposed to be on a tropical island somewhere in the Bahamas?”

“Yeah. I’m on my way to the airport right now.”

“And? You miss me? Or do you miss my game?”

“Maybe both. I thought you just said enough with the flirting?” I asked with a laugh.

“It is hard to stop with you, Leo,” she said, and I felt a pleasant shiver travel down my spine. Damn. This woman knew how to push my buttons.

“I’m wondering if I could play again,” I said once I’d gained my composure.

“You can play as much as you want when you sign the contract. I’m counting on it actually.”

“No, well, I want to play for a few days. Or something. Without signing the contract.”

“Ohhh. I see,” she said. “I’m afraid that will be impossible.”

“Why?”

“Your NDA was just for that one session.”

“I can fill out another NDA. That isn’t a big deal.”

“It kind of is to our lawyers Leo. They have warned me about showcasing the game to anyone that isn’t on our payroll, especially someone who is so committed to our competitor.”

“But I’m not working for your competitor. I’m just the world champion.”

“Oh, I’ve told them. You know lawyers. Tough to please. Same with my parents, they specifically told me that you need to sign before you login again,” she sighed.

“Are you saying that I can’t come over and play because your parents said ‘no’?” I smirked as I asked.

“It is more that they feel that we’ve gone on enough dates already, and now they want to see the ring. Honestly, I do also. I’m looking for a commitment. A girl has to stand her ground on these things, or guys will just take advantage.”

“I only played for a few hours. I wouldn’t really consider that a thorough experience,” I said with probably more annoyance than I wanted to hint at.

“It was more than anyone else that isn’t an employee or a patient. I’m sorry Leo, but you’ll need to sign on with us if you want another taste.”

“You can’t be serious,” I said, and I wished that I had turned on the video feed for the call so I could see if she was smirking.

“I’m afraid I am. Sorry, Leo,” she said, and she did sound honest.

“That is kind of…” I was about to say “fucked up,” but I decided to bite my tongue.

“Hmmm?” she asked.

“Nothing. So, you are sure there is no way you’ll let me play again?”

“Maybe, but you haven’t really convinced me that you aren’t just stringing me along.”

“Me? Stringing you along? What are you talking about?” I tried to relax the hand that was clutching my phone. It seemed as if my suspicions were correct, and she may have asked Ky to call me so that she could dangle the game as an incentive to sign.

“My deal is more than fair. I’m a little miffed that you didn’t sign it right there. I bet you haven’t even looked at the contract or reviewed it with your manager. Have you?”

“Well, no. I haven’t had the--”

“I’m interested in forming a lasting partnership with you, Leo. You seem to be looking for a good time,” she sighed. “I guess this is my fault.”

“Your fault? Wait, I am interested in--”

“See, I kind of let my emotions get in the way. You’re clever, smart, successful, and handsome. You’ve got women and game designers throwing themselves at you every minute of every day. I just got a little too hopeful that you’d pick me, and my game.”

“Whoa, slow down a second, Zarra. I haven’t looked at the contract because I’ve been swamped with the stuff I’ve been doing in Orlando. I haven’t stopped thinking about the game, or you, for the last few days. I will read the contract, but I can’t just make a decision this quickly. I’m going to need to wrestle with my manager, and talk it over with my best friends.”

“Oh.” She was silent a moment, and I waited for her to speak again. “Ahhh. Did you say you’ve been thinking about me too?” She asked with a nervous-sounding laugh. “Sorry. I guess I laid it on a bit thick there. Don’t answer that question.” She laughed again, and I felt some of the tension in my shoulders relax. I really wished I’d turned on the visual for the phone.

“We haven’t spent a lot of time together, but I really liked Ohlavar Quest, and I’m more than a little interested in the woman that helped create it,” I said. Her earlier words had changed my mind. Zarra was just trying to get me to join her company. I didn't believe that she was really manipulating me like some sort of criminal mastermind. That damn note was making me paranoid.

“And I’m more than a little interested in you, of course. I mean, work first, and all that. I want you to sign the contract and play test my game, but we’d end up spending a lot of time together, practically living together, and I think there would be a chance--”

“Living together?” I cut her off with my question.

“Ahhh,” she sighed. “You didn’t read the contract. Read the contract, please. We want you to live on campus for the duration of your play testing.” She’d lost the cute overtones of her voice, and her tonality was all business, with a side of annoyance.

“I promise that I will read the contract, but what can we do about me playing before then?” I asked.

“Leo, I like your persistence, but I’ve already told you my answer. Why is this so important to you? Just read the contract, sign it, and then you can play as much as you want.” She sighed.

“It is going to take me a few weeks, maybe even a month to--”

“I don’t believe that. Aren’t you your own man? Or is Sal your babysitter? If you want something, don’t you just take it?” her voice purred the question.

“Yes, but Sal and I have been together forever. He takes care of me, and I need to get his opinion on the--”

“So let me take care of you, Leo, or don’t you trust me?”

“We just met, Zarra,” I laughed, “but I like you, and I want to get to know you more. Even if I don’t sign the contract, I’d still want to ask you to dinner.”

“Hmmm, I don’t want to think about you not signing on with me. Sorry, Champ.”

There was silence for a few moments, and my brain scrambled to find another pitch for her to let me play.

“So if there is nothing else, I’ll let you go. I need to get back to work. Call me if you have questions about the contract, but I can’t let you play before--”

“I’m worried about Artus. I guess that was why I called,” I admitted.

“Artus?” she asked.

“Yeah. The fenia spice trader that gave me the first quest. He got captured by the guards at Cutno. I accidently killed the lord guy’s son, and he is going to take the rap for it.”

“So?” she asked.

“So? He’s going to die because of me. It just doesn’t sit well. I want to log back in, and try to rescue him.”

“Leo, I am thrilled that you are so into the NPCs of my game, but it is just a game. He’s not really alive. Ohlavar created him. He’s just ones and zeros in a virtual world.”

“He felt alive enough to me. Listen, Zarra. It just isn’t sitting well with me, and I know it sounds stupid, but I did love your game, and I’m puzzling through my career choices right now. I want to work with you, but I just need more time. Artus doesn’t have more time. They might kill him any day now. If you can let me play, I would really appreciate it.”

“Hmmm, I like the sound of you ‘really appreciating it.’ But I am kind of wondering what that means, quantitatively. Perhaps you could elaborate on the subject?”

“I’d owe you a favor I suppose.”

“Doesn’t sound very quantitative, Leo.”

“Well, what do you want?”

“I want you to sig--”

“Besides me signing your contract right this second,” I said with a laugh.

“I suppose I’d want other things, but you aren’t a whore, are you?”

“Uhhhh,” her question took me off guard. I hadn’t planned on her actually asking me for sex so boldly.

“I’m kidding! I wish I could see the look on your face,” she laughed lightly.

“Oh.”

“Here is a deal, Leo: One of my jet pods can come get you in the next few days, or right now if you want. Then you can come login and save your virtual friend. I don’t even know how you would do that with only starter equipment, or really, why you care so much, but after you are done I want you to either sign the contract, or I want to end communication with you.”

“End communication with me?” I fought against a gasp.

“Yes. I can’t have you breaking my heart multiple times. There are other pro gamers I can work with. You’re just the best. But I don’t need someone playing with my emotions. So you’ll have to make a decision as soon as you log out, or I never want to see you again.” Her voice was surprisingly firm, and I kicked myself again for not turning on the video.

“You have to be joking,” I said.

“No. I’m not. I’m serious. I’ve got a schedule, Leo. This is a business first. The medical treatment is one aspect of it, but it isn’t going to work for us if the game isn’t perfect. So, while I am somewhat infatuated with you, I have work to do. So, either shit or get off the pot.”

“Wow,” I said with surprise.

“So what is your decision?” she asked.

“I’ll still need to think about--”

“Fine. Call me when you are ready for the jet pod, or call me if you have questions about the contract, but don’t call me to flirt anymore. Okay? It is a distraction that I don’t have the willpower to refuse.”

“I guess--”

“Bye, Leo,” she sighed, and then I heard the dial tone on my phone.

“What the fuck was that?” I said to myself as I looked at my screen. Yep. Zarra had hung up on me. My ego roared against my skull like my namesake, and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I couldn’t remember the last time a woman hung up on me, but maybe I deserved it. Was I really toying with her emotions? Was my request to play without signing the contract a little too presumptuous?

I took another deep breath and thought through the conversation again. I tried to look at it from Zarra’s point of view, and I realized that I probably was being a bit of an ass. She was offering me a huge lump of cash, ownership in her company, and keys to her virtual kingdom and all I had to do was play her video game and try to beat it. Yet I hadn’t even bothered to read her contract, and I was asking her to go against her parents and lawyers’ advice.

Yeah. I was probably a dick.

I walked back to the car with a cold lump in my stomach. Dale stepped out of the limo and held the door open for me, but I just leaned my head inside.

“Sal, can I talk to you for a second?” I asked my manager.

“Of course. We can talk on the drive to--”

“Privately. Can you get out of the car?”

“Leo, you’re killing me. We need to get to the airport on the double. I know you’ve got a thing for this girl, but--”

“Stop,” I held up my hand and sighed. "Can you please step out of the car for a second so we can talk?”

The short Jewish man followed my instructions with an annoyed look on his face. I gestured for him to walk with me, and we moved a few feet from the limo so that Dale couldn't hear.

“What's going on?” he asked.

“Sal, I need you to read that contract.”

“Champ, I don't need to read it to know that it is full of baloney. I’ll get to it after our vacation.”

“Sal, I love you. So I’m saying this with all my respect and love. Fucking have that contract read and red-lined for me by the end of our plane trip, or I’m going to be taking the jet back to the States. Understand?”

“Where is this coming from? Leo, you know I love you. I've always taken care of you. You are like a son to me. This deal is all sorts of stinky. Maybe you don't realize how much shit I protect you from, but this is just like the other--”

“I know you protect me, but you admitted that you haven't read the contract. I'm coming off as unprofessional when I talk to this woman. She's offering me a lot of money, and I need you to do your job.”

“Leo, my job is to--”

“Your job is to manage my career, and this deal sounds lucrative. They are also offering to treat my parents.”

“Is this about your parents? We've got them in the best treatment center in the United States. There is no way this girl has better Alzheimer's stuff. What’s really going on? I’ve always had your--”

“Sal, I know, just please read the fucking contract okay? Don’t talk, don’t meander, just read it a few times, red-line it, and then let me know what you think afterward. I’m disappointed that someone offered me this much money and you don’t already have it done.”

My friend met my eyes. I could see he was hurt, but he knew I was right. At the end of the day, I was still his boss, and he really should have been digging into that contract. He should have been staying up late to pore over it with my lawyer, and he should have been calling all of his contacts again to investigate Arnacript Inc. with the new information. Instead, he hadn’t believed me. I didn’t blame him for that since I would have had trouble believing my story about the company’s wealth, but he should have still done his diligence.

“I’m on it, Leo. Shit, I’m sorry I didn’t work on it sooner. I’ll have an update for you by the time we land on the island. Let's get back in the car. I'll get on it right now.”

We returned to the limo and climbed into the back seat. Garf and Jax both looked between Sal and me, but they must have guessed what had happened because they didn't say anything.

Dale closed the door once he sat inside and the limo sped away. Sal didn't look at me; instead, he just pulled his digital tablet from his briefcase and stared intently at the screen. A pang of remorse danced through my stomach, and I almost thought about apologizing to my friend. I couldn't remember ever chewing him out over something, and the feeling wasn't something I was used to, but then I decided that I would work it out with him, and probably apologize a bunch, once he had finished his research.

I wasn’t going to make the mistake of talking to Zarra unprepared again.