Page 20 of Claws and Controllers

Ellie studied him, her heart racing. Everything in Zy’s reaction seemed genuine. Could it be possible that he truly hadn’t known?

“It’s in the past now,” Ellie said softly. “I’ve moved on, built something I’m proud of. But I won’t lie – it’s been hard to trust anyone in the industry since then.”

Zy nodded, his expression solemn. “I can only imagine. Ellie, I want you to know – I would never knowingly participate in something like that. Ethics in business are paramount to me. If there’s been any wrongdoing on Ashford Entertainment’s part, I promise you I’ll get to the bottom of it.”

The intensity in his golden-flecked eyes made Ellie’s breath catch. For the first time since they’d met, she allowed herself to truly consider the possibility that Zy might be exactly what he seemed – a decent man caught up in circumstances beyond his control.

“Thank you,” Ellie said, surprised by the emotion in her voice. “That... means a lot to hear.”

A comfortable silence fell between them, filled with the ambient noise of the city and the weight of shared understanding. Ellie found herself studying Zy’s face, noticing details she’d overlooked before – the slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled, the way the sunlight brought out golden highlights in his light brown hair.

Zy cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “So, tell me about Infinite Odyssey. What inspired you to create such an expansive, customizable world?”

Ellie’s face lit up, her passion for her creation shining through. “Oh, where do I even start? I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of limitless possibilities in gaming. The chance to be anyone, do anything...”

As she launched into an enthusiastic explanation of her game’s core concepts, Ellie gestured animatedly, nearly knocking over her drink in the process. Zy caught it smoothly, his hand brushing against hers in the process. That same electric spark jolted through her again, and this time, she was sure Zy felt it too. His eyes widened slightly, and he pulled back, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

“Sorry,” Ellie mumbled, flustered. “I get a little carried away sometimes.”

Zy’s smile was warm and genuine. “Don’t apologize. Your enthusiasm is... infectious. It’s clear how much you love what you do.”

Their conversation flowed easily after that, ranging from industry gossip to their favorite classic games. Ellie found herself laughing more than she had in months, surprised by Zy’s quick wit and self-deprecating humor.

EIGHT

As their lunch break stretched well past its intended duration, Ellie’s phone buzzed insistently. She glanced at it, seeing a string of messages from Noa about urgent deadlines.

“Oh, shoot,” Ellie sighed, reluctantly standing. “I hate to cut this short, but duty calls.”

Zy nodded, rising as well. “Of course. We should probably get back to work on those character mechanics anyway.”

As they walked back to Ellie’s office, their shoulders occasionally brushing, Ellie found herself wishing the afternoon could stretch on indefinitely. It was a dangerous thought, one that sent warning bells ringing in the back of her mind. But for once, she chose to ignore them.

Back in her office, they dove back into their collaborative session with renewed energy. Zy’s insights into AI behavior patterns proved invaluable, and Ellie found herself scribbling notes furiously as he explained a particularly complex algorithm.

“That’s brilliant,” she breathed, looking up at him with undisguised admiration. “How did you come up with that?”

Zy’s answering smile was a mix of pride and something softer, almost shy. “Years of trial and error. And a lot of late nights fueled by too much coffee.”

Ellie laughed, the sound bright and genuine. “Oh, I know that feeling all too well. I think I’ve got permanent caffeine jitters at this point.”

As the afternoon wore on, Ellie became increasingly aware of Zy’s presence. The way he leaned in close to examine her code, the brush of his arm against hers as they worked side by side. Each casual touch sent a thrill through her, equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.

It wasn’t until the golden light of sunset began to stream through her office windows that Ellie realized how late it had gotten. She stretched, wincing as her stiff muscles protested.

“I can’t believe how much we’ve accomplished,” she said, surveying the pages of notes and revised code scattered across her desk.

Zy nodded, looking equally impressed. “It’s amazing what can happen when two minds work in sync. I have to say, Ellie, your creativity and technical skill are truly remarkable.”

The sincerity in his voice made Ellie’s cheeks warm. “Thank you. I... I’ve really enjoyed working with you today. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

A shadow of something – regret? Guilt? – flickered across Zy’s face, there and gone so quickly, Ellie wasn’t sure she’d seen it at all. But before she could dwell on it, Zy’s expression cleared, replaced by a warm smile.

“The pleasure was all mine,” he said softly. “I look forward to our next session.”

As they packed up their things, a comfortable silence fell between them. Ellie found herself stealing glances at Zy, marveling at how drastically her perception of him had shifted in just one day.

At the door, they paused, an awkward energy suddenly crackling between them. Ellie’s hand hovered near the doorknob, her heart racing.

---