CHAPTER 3: Main Laboratory

Aiden's POV

I went straight to the Chairman's office where my mother and brother are also waiting there for my arrival. There are guards following my way so they could secure me from any kinds of threat and danger. My life has been like this since my father's death.

It has been four hours since I arrived here in the Philippines from Hong Kong after my almost one year staycation in that country. I came back in the Philippines for an important account to finishㅡI want to find the killer of my father.

"Chairman, Aiden is already here." Janus led the way first before letting me in. Janus is chairman's trustworthy personal assistant. He really trust him so much.

The moment I entered the office, the first person that I saw was my step brother named CK and my mother Lorrie. My mama stood up immediately and strode the way to greet and hug me.

"We really miss you so much, Aiden! You have been away for almost one year. How was it? Was it worth staying for?" there's a streak of curiosity in her voice but also excitement that exudes to see me.

"How's your life in Hong Kong?" Chairman asked with a blank face. He's sitting on his chair whilst we are sitting on the couch facing him.

"It's good," was all I said.

"Will you not continue the investigation about the murder case of Gibson?" My eyes shifted to CK as I heard his plain stupid question. He's surfing on his phone when he asked that.

"Do you care?" I asked back nonchalantly. The tension between us was starting to build up.

Since we were younger we get used to argue about everything, really. He always wanted to oppose my wants or worse he ruins everything about me having stuffs I love the most. He was raised and was born to be envious.

"Stop that argument." Chairman suddenly dowelled.

"What's the point of coming back?! Why don't you stay there forever?!" CK's voice escalated immediately but instead of getting fear out of it, I chuckled.

"Why? Are you afraid of having competitor in the chairman's position?" I asked with a hint of mockery in my voice.

"Aiden, we both know that I have no interest to that position. It's all yours then if you want." I saw the treachery in his eyes.

"Enough the drama, Aiden and CK! Aren't you respectful enough for you to have an argument in front of the Chairman?" when our mother butted in the argument, I stopped immediately.

I love my mother so much and I don't want to stress her just because of my stupid brother. The commotion subsided in an instant when the Chairman opened another topic.

"Aiden, you told me on the phone that you have something to tell? What was it?" Chairman asked in a curious tone.

"Chairman, the programmer in Hong Kong declined the offer that's why I opened the hiring for the personal programmer of this company, I ordered the technical team last two months ago to post a hiring." I explained.

"Personal?" CK asked in doubt.

"I'm sorry, I mean company's programmer." I corrected. CK just rolled his eyes to me before I dwell my attention to the Chairman.

"Aiden, take charge in the application and interview in the conference room 10. You are much capable in reading people's capability over CK." I just hinted a smirk and purposely made it loud so CK could hear it.

That's why he is hardhearted. Chairman doesn't believe in CK's sincerity in the company.

"Chairman, I can handle the application and interview." CK stood up in defense to prove Chairman that he's capable of leading too.

"I have to go, Chairman." I stood up and bow my head to pay respect.

CK just looked at me with dire agitation while I am exiting the office.

My step brother is tremendously hilarious.

Before I could even reach the conference room 10, Jennica showed up in the way.

She bowed first. "Director, the applicants are already positioned inside the conference room 10." I just nodded at her as my response.

The moment I entered the spherical-structured room, all applicants fell in quiet. I sat myself down on the swivel chair on the end part of the table.

"Welcome to Gomez Robotics!" I welcomed them casually. I plastered an austere and nonchalant face for them to think that I am not an easy boss.

My eyes dawned at the right side of this conference room where the man who disrespected me was sitting on.

"Good morning, everyone! I will not say anymore words and let's tend to the main objective of this application. The standard that I am looking for my employee is he or she has the ability to formulate a chip for our on going project, the humanoid robot. And I also asked you to at least prepare a mini project or plan for that to present in the interview. I guess you were aware of that."

"Yes, sir." they responded in unison.

"Anyone? Who wants to present first?" I just looked at them one by one until the woman in the right raised her hand.

"Jennica, hand me her papers." Jennica followed me immediately. She took the folder to the woman and handed it to me.

Her background is good, she came from the other company, our opponent to be precise.

"How will convince me that you are not a spy? Ms. Angela?" I asked nonchalantly.

"100 percent sure, sir," she said confidently.

"Why did you leave their company? As far as I know, their sales are higher than us, I think .10%?"

"Their company is really good but they're unfair when it comes to salary." she answered honestly.

I nodded.

"Go ahead," I gave back her folder and wait for her mini-presentation.

"Good day, everyone. Sir, the GR version 1 humanoid robot project of Gomez Robotics is one of the greatest invention I have ever heard as it will help people from their daily chores once it is produced in the market. If I will be accepted in Gomez Robotics, I'll formulate a doctor chip that will be added to GR version 1. Doctor chip's purpose is to detect any kinds of failure in human's health. By that, the humanoid robot will be purposeful as it is going to inform their owner if there's something wrong with their health. As for my project's conclusion, it's better to prevent failures before it becomes worse." my lips smiled slightly because of her good proposal.

"Very good idea!" I complimented. I roamed my eyes again until it dawns to the man again.

"Jennica, that man." I pointed the man and Jennica came to him to get his folder. My brows knitted as I noticed the confused look on his face.

"Thank you," I said when Jennica handed me his folder.

Oh, so his name is Enzo Romero. What a good name of his. His background is also good butㅡ

"Mr. Romero, where's your pre-proposal?" he scratched the back of his head the moment I asked that to him.

"I am sorry, sir, I think I lost my pre-proposal back in the highway when you bumped into our tricycle." he reasoned sheepishly.

My blood boils up in a sudden when I heard his reason. I need to defend myself from this gorgeous manㅡI mean from this uncouth man.

"You and your friend were at fault earlier not us!" I yelled. Everyone's eyes widened as they saw me standing whilst shouting at the man.

"Sorry, sir." he whispered but I still heard it.

"You must be ready at all times. Solo copies are always at risk, always remember that. Common sense is free, use it. Having multiple copies of your assignment isn't that hard." I asked Jennica to hand his folder back to him. Obviously, he's automatically disqualified.

I was about to find another applicant to present when Enzo speak immediately.

"But sir, I can still present even without my tangible proposal."

I didn't say any words but just stared at him provocatively.

"Yes, sir." he answered with full conviction.

For some damn reason, the angel in my mind told me to allow him to present. "Go ahead, let's see if you can do it." I am underestimating him not because he deserves it but because I want to pull the best out of him.

He heaved a sigh of preparation.

"The project GR version 1 is very common in today's generation."

I was ticked off upon hearing his first sentence. Who the hell is he to tell that to my project?!

He continues. "I think the project GR version 1 won't make it to the market if we're going to focus on one single function. There are plenty companies out there doing the same thing and all of them are just the sameㅡ" I really can't take his words anymore. This is beyond too much. He's literally judging my own project.

"How dare you?! Aren't you aware that the project you are judging is mine, you uncouth?!" veins on my neck and forehead bulged out because of rage.

"Sorry for making you feel disrespected, sir, but please allow me to finish my explanation first."

He bowed his head a bit as a sign of asking for an apology. I heaved a sigh to calm myself and after that, I let him explain himself again. I loosened my necktie so I could breathe easily and vent out the nuisance in my system.

"There are also plenty of well known companies out there because of their production of human robots and I am sure it would be hard for the Gomez Robotics to get the whole attention of the potential buyers or even those people who can't afford to get one. But, because the Gomez Robotics is really eager to make a breakthrough to the point that they are willing to spend much money just for this project..." he blows a breath first before continuing his line. "All we have to do is to produce a humanoid robot that people would think is a real human. Looks like a human and acts like a real human when in fact, it's just a very clever creation of Gomez Robotics."

The moment he finished his explanation, my chest gets loosened and my anger faded away.

I think, he's the one we're looking for.

"How will you make it possible? What are the changes and additional that our company need to deal with?" he just gave me a bit smile showing that he can answer my question.

"The highest type of chip to be planted in humanoid robot's artificial brain is no joke. The company really needs to spend a lot of money, effort and time."

Earlier in the highway, I was amazed by how strong his personality is although he's kind of annoying but seeing him right now makes me feel like he's not just an ordinary man but a man with great abilities.

"Mr. Romero, to tell you honestly, you impressed me so much although you gave me vertigo beforehand. Going back, of course I am aware that most of companies are also working on upgrading their projects but if ever our company will get the chance to make a breakthrough out of it, we will be the next powerhouse in the industry." I saw his lips lopsided. He's proud, I can say. "But, that thought would be more possible if you're with us. I think, I need you, Enzo," I said straight forward that made him feel dumbstruck.

"Thank you, sir!" was all he could say. My face still nonchalant although he's exuding positive energy.

Hours passed by until I finally finished listening to other presentations. To be honest, after Enzo's presentation, it was so obvious that they're just copying the idea of the latter so I ended up accepting the two, Enzo and Angela only.

"You two, stay a bit." I reminded them before leaving the conference room.

I went back to the chairman's office to inform him about how the application and interview went.

"Chairman, I have accepted two applicants from the interview. And one of them I think is all we need for our on going project." The chairman looked at me mysteriously before casting a bit smile.

"Bring that person to this address." I took the paper and read what's written in there.

"Main laboratory?"

"Yeah, we need to release the humanoid as soon as possible." I felt a sudden pins and needles on my chest.

"Isn't it dangerous to release the humanoid robot from the main laboratory even if it's not yet done?"

"Aiden, your life is already countable and you know what that humanoid robot means to us. As much as possible, I don't want anybody to sit on this position but only you." I can feel the sadness and worries in his voice.

"I understand, Chairman." I put the paper in my suit's pocket before leaving the Chairman's office.

I was halted upon passing the doorway when CK showed up.

"You seemed like in a hurry."

"So? Get out of my way." I ordered with emphasis but he just smirked at me.

"And why would I do that?" and because I have no time left to have a juvenile conversation with him, I pushed his left chest to have a space where I can exit. I wasn't able to leave when he hold my arm.

"Tell me, why are you in a hurry?!" he yelled with his jaw tightened.

"You don't fucking care!" I muttered. I forcibly retrieved my arm with all my force and leave him there annoyed.

I went back to the conference room and there I saw Angela and Enzo having some fun talk.

"Angela, go with Jennica and Enzo, come with me." I am such in a hurry while telling them what to do.

Enzo and I went down to the parking lot where my car is parked. Enzo looks confused because of the sudden change in my mood. We both hop in the car.

"Sir, why are we in a hurry?"

"See it yourself." I started the engine and travel the long high way.

We spent almost two hours upon reaching the main laboratory of Gomez Robotics.

"Where are we?" and he's looking around as if he's assessing for something.

"This is the main laboratory of Gomez Robotics. In short, this is the brain of the company and only the Chairman, me and YOU know about this." I explained to him.

I walked ahead of him so he could follow me from behind.

"This is so cool!" Enzo was in awe seeing the facet of the main laboratory.

We are at the bottom part of the rocky mountain and there's a metallic gate securing the whole laboratory. I stood still in front of the big screen beside the gate where my personal data will be scanned to know if I am registered here.

"Technology is really insane!"

When the gate grated open, I immediately entered the main laboratory.

"What are you doing there?" I asked when I saw him standing there still, not following me.

"Am I allowed to enter?" he's just so innocently fool.

"What's the use of bringing you here with me then if you're not allowed to come inside?"

He smiles in realization.

And I did too, but didn't show to my face.

<a novel written by kuyasitan>