The Holo Earth

Chapter 24

Liam adjusted his tie for the third time as he walked into the office building. As he hung his jacket on the rack, his fingers brushed over the pendant in his pocket—a small reassurance amid the chaos. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders before stepping inside. The usually mundane office space had been transformed into a festive wonderland, with streamers and balloons adorning every corner. The air buzzed with excitement and the clinking of champagne glasses.

As Liam made his way through the crowd, he basked in the congratulatory pats on the back and raised glasses in his honor, nodding and smiling in acceptance. However, his moment of triumph was cut short by an unfriendly voice.

"There's the main attraction! Well, Paper Tiger, bask in your moment of glory," Calvin called out, raising his glass with a smirk. Liam's smile faltered, a flicker of contempt crossing his features. He had hoped his promotion would shield him from Calvin's barbs, but it seemed some things never changed.

His eyes scanned the room, searching for Sarah. He'd imagined this moment countless times – her eyes widening in appreciation as she took in his success, perhaps even a hint of regret for being unfair to him earlier. But as the minutes ticked by and Sarah failed to appear, a knot of anxiety began to form in his stomach.

Just as Liam was about to check his phone, the office doors swung open. His heart leapt in anticipation, only to plummet a moment later. Sarah had indeed arrived, but not with Anil, the teen passionate about video game programming. Instead, by her side stood Aurelio, the JPL golden boy, looking effortlessly dashing in a tailored suit.

This wasn't how he'd envisioned the evening! Sarah was supposed to bring someone interested in games, not someone who seemed interested in her. Swallowing his frustration, Liam forced a smile as they approached, determined to maintain his composure despite the unexpected turn of events.

"Congratulations, Liam!" Sarah said, her smile warm but her eyes searching. "This is quite the celebration."

"Thanks." Liam replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm glad you could make it. And Aurelio, good to see you."

Aurelio flashed a brilliant smile. "Wouldn't miss it, my friend. Your game release has been the talk of the internet."

Liam opened his mouth to respond, but Aurelio continued, redirecting the conversation, his eyes lighting up. "You know, the success of your game got me thinking about the rapid advancements in technology. It's fascinating how quickly the gaming industry evolves, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in virtual worlds."

Watching Sarah hang on Aurelio's every word, a tight knot formed in Liam's stomach. It was as if the room had dimmed, leaving him in the shadows of his own celebration.

Aurelio gestured animatedly. "And it's not just gaming. The entire tech landscape is transforming at an unprecedented rate. Which reminds me," he paused, his gaze moving between Liam and Sarah. "Speaking of potential, have either of you been following the latest developments in quantum computing? We're right on the verge of a room temperature quantum computer. Physics simulations are getting faster and faster. The implications for game development are amazing."

As Aurelio dove into his explanation, Liam watched as Sarah engaged effortlessly in the conversation, her eyes bright with interest. His stomach felt twisted, a mix of jealousy and an increasing sense of unease.

"You know," Aurelio continued, "it reminds me of the simulation hypothesis. The idea that our reality might be a sophisticated computer program."

Sarah nodded vigorously. "The philosophical implications alone are mind-bending."

Aurelio feasted on the attention. "Exactly! And when you really start to think about it, it opens up some wild possibilities. For instance, what if we, you, me, Liam, everyone here, are actually NPCs in this grand simulation?"