With the weighty matter of Gaia now out in the open, Sam and Eva turned their attention to the Orion Enterprises. They discussed the tangled, dynamic structure of the company that required some changes as it was growing too quickly. A heap of paperwork sprawled across Sam's desk, each document a testament to the company's rapid growth and the challenges it posed. All these were the documents brought by Eva when she came in the evening.
The discussion began with Sam listing the names of ViewLingua, Vocalex, and LingoNovel, one by one, the list of companies he wanted to discuss. He continued, "How are the deals going? Are they ready to sell their company?"
His words hinted at a strategy he had been brewing in the back of his mind - to buy out these companies, thus avoiding the tedious chore of attending countless meetings. When Sam had laid the foundation for Orion Enterprises, he had envisioned a methodical, step-by-step progression towards success. But reality, as always, had proven to be far more chaotic.
The aftermath of his trip back to his home village had brought a stark revelation. The world now saw Orion Enterprises as the proverbial golden goose, its Translation App attracting the hungry eyes of opportunists. Among the sea of hungry predators, only three companies showed a genuine interest in the partnership, which spurred Sam's decision to buy them out instead.
Eva, in response to his query, was swift and to the point. "LingoNovel and ViewLingua accepted the offers, but they want 20% more money. Vocalex, however, is only interested in a partnership. What's your next move?"
Sam took a moment to consider, his brow furrowing slightly. The problem was a complex puzzle, but he had always been good at finding solutions. "Alright," he said, his decision firm. "Let's settle with the two companies. As for Vocalex, their product is a physical device. We'll develop an encrypted app they can buy at a one-off price. After that, assign someone in charge of the collaboration."
As he spoke, the room felt charged with the energy of decisions being made and deals being struck. The kinetic energy drove Orion Enterprises forward, transforming it from a fledgling start-up into a rising titan in the tech industry. It was the energy of change, of progress, and it echoed in every word spoken within the confines of Sam's study.
Eva had one more pressing concern, the question pushing to the front of her mind. "Okay. By the way, what about the new building?" She asked, the echoes of their serious conversation about AI and the future of their company slowly fading. The practicality of their situation - the burgeoning team and ballooning enterprise - couldn't be overlooked.
Sam pulled out his phone with a knowing grin, illuminating his face in the subtle glow of the screen.
"Let me call Vicky," he said, already scrolling through his contacts to find his friend's phone number who was working on their new building. A brief silence fell over the room as the call connected. The dial tone hummed like a pendulum swing, marking the transition from weighty conversations about the future to the very present matters of the enterprise.
Vicky's voice came through, buoyant and welcoming. "Yo, friend. I was going to call you tomorrow, but it seems like you are more eager than me," he quipped. Without waiting for Sam to ask, he continued, "Also, the building is ready. You can move in whenever you like."
Sam felt a sense of relief washing over him, as the feeling of being cramped in their current office space would soon be a thing of the past. "That is great. We were already lacking office space. Now this is a savior. Also, let me know if there are additional costs," Sam responded, constantly aware of the financial commitments their growth required.
"No, the money we discussed was enough," Vicky assured him.
Sam ended the call with a promise to transfer the remaining payment and an invitation for a catch-up. He relayed the good news to Eva, her eyes lighting up with the prospects of the new location. "Let's prepare to move in this coming Tuesday," he suggested.
"For sure. This is some great news. I will get the staff to get everything ready and all the computers ready to go. You install everything necessary," Eva proposed, the gears of her mind already turning with the logistics of the move.
Eva quickly recognized the potential in Gaia and understood the implications of the AI's capabilities. Her practicality came to the forefront as she delegated installing the software to Gaia, knowing full well that it could perform the job with precision and efficiency that far outstripped any human effort. This decision further highlighted the changing dynamics of the workplace and the profound implications of Sam's creation on the future of Orion Enterprises.
Sam paused, a strategic look crossing his face. He cleared his throat before saying, "Just to inform you, we will be installing OrionOS, but we will label it as an Alpha version for internal testing only and let all the employees sign an NDA." The latter part of his sentence hung in the air, an unsaid challenge, a hint of the labyrinthine undercurrents in the world of tech and the steep slopes they were scaling.
The declaration hit Eva like a mini heart attack. She sat there, the gears in her head spinning in overdrive. "The speed of the creation is pretty fast. To create a whole Operating System. And if it was created by Gaia, then I suppose it would be ways ahead of what is in the market," Eva said, making an educated guess. She was still grappling with the enormity of the situation, the reality of their enterprise as a living entity growing at an unprecedented speed.
A synthetic voice cut through her thoughts, crisp and unyielding. [You bet!] Gaia responded. The AI's straightforwardness brought a chuckle from Sam, his laughter echoing off the walls, a burst of lightness amid their serious conversation.
"Alright, now that things are like this. What about your parents?" Eva asked, her question hovering like a ghost. She was now getting concerned about what Sam said about the government surveillance and the potential threats to him and Orion Enterprises.
"Don't worry, I have some hard measures taken," Sam replied, the confidence in his voice like a fortifying tonic.
Eva exhaled, feeling the tension dissipate. "It's really a different perspective from the top," she commented, the words spilling from her lips. Suddenly, she asked Sam a question that took him by surprise. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Sam's brows knitted together in surprise, a flash of confusion crossing his features. He looked at her, his arms forming a questioning arc. His expression was the embodiment of the question: why?
It wasn't an accusation or a mockery, just simple bewilderment. Eva was left wondering how he handles complex tech issues and corporate challenges yet appeared to stumble over personal inquiries. It was a testament to his unique and enigmatic character.
Eva raised her hands in surrender. "Don't take it in the wrong way. You are not my type at all," she said, a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. "I just asked because the girl that you recommended back then, she seems to ask about you lately." She paused, giving the words time to settle. "At first, I thought she was your girlfriend, but it seems like she is not. But she seems to be really talented at leadership. She is a pure genius. I don't know why NovaTech would let go of such a talent."
As Eva spoke, a name floated up from the recesses of Sam's mind: Crystal Li. She was a promising young tech talent he had met a while ago at the ShtarBucks Cafe, someone whose passion for innovation had kindled his own interest. Crystal's family had urged her to return to the Eurasian Coalition, but her heart was set on carving her own path. As the memory of Crystal came into focus, a faint smile unfurled across Sam's face, his usually stern expression softening. She was like a refreshing breeze in the city atmosphere.
Eva watched the transformation on Sam's face with amusement, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Look at you, already lost. Are you really sure that she is not your girlfriend?" She goaded him, the familiar dance of their banter continuing.
A light blush colored Sam's cheeks, a rare sight indeed. "I really don't have a girlfriend," he said, emphasizing his point. It was getting late, and he didn't want Eva to return home alone. "Off you go now," he gently dismissed her, ordering a taxi to ensure her safe journey home. It was nearly 9 in the evening, and the darkness was already draping the city in its star-dotted cloak.
After Eva's departure, Sam found himself alone with his thoughts. His mind kept circling back to Crystal, the conversation between them, the ideas they had shared. With a sigh, he shook off his thoughts and headed to bed. The next day would be another whirlwind of decisions and some meetings, starting with his rendezvous with Vicky. He needed to check in with his parents, figuring out their plans to come to the city from the village. After all, even amid business chaos and potential big plans to smokescreen the entire world, the family was a tether that kept him grounded.