Love's Illusion Read online

  Luckily, a bus arrives just as I make my way down the hill.

  After checking in for my first day, the head of Quality Assurance – a man named Josh Diggers – shows all the new game testers around the company.

  For the next six months, I’ll be working under Josh to make sure the company’s new video game is glitch free. It’s relatively mind numbing work and involves playing each level of the game a multitude of times. But I guess you have to start somewhere. And I’m just grateful for the opportunity to work at one of the hottest video game companies in the industry, even if it’s just as an intern. I glance around at the group of new video game testers. So far, I count ten guys, and one woman – me. Not surprising.

  “Now, I want to remind you all that you’ve signed a non-disclosure,” says Josh to the group. “Which means you can’t tell anyone about the game you’ll be testing. That means you can’t tell your roommates, your mother, or even your grandmother with Alzheimer’s. No one. Understand?”

  All the game testers nod, including me.

  “Good. Now that that’s clear, I can finally tell you about our new game, Oblivion’s March. It’s going to be the company’s biggest launch. It will destroy every other AAA title out there, including our very own Remains of Tomorrow. You eleven grunts get the privilege of testing it for six months straight.”

  I stifle a yawn. I don’t know how I’m going to get up at 4:30 in the morning, every day, and trek down that hill to catch the bus. I’ve never been much of a morning person.

  “Now, as you know,” continues Josh. “You are all here on a contract basis. But I’m pleased to inform you that at the end of six months, we’re going to take one of you – the best performer – and turn you into a full-time production assistant. Quadrant Games gets over ten thousand applications a year for that position. So you can see how this opportunity shouldn’t be squandered.”

  Josh eyes the group with a hint of annoyance.

  “I shouldn’t have to say this, but that means you shouldn’t be an asshole and show up to work stoned. There are a million people out there who would love to be standing where you are, right now, working for the hottest video game company in the industry. So don’t fuck it up. Understood?”

  A yawn escapes from my mouth.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” says Josh as he looks down at a piece of paper. “Miss Hill, isn’t it?” He looks up from the paper then straight at me. “Am I boring you?”

  I quickly shake my head. “No, sir.”

  “Good,” says Josh. He then glances at the whole group. “Do any of you have any questions?”

  Standing behind me, a skinny guy with glasses raises his hand.

  Josh rolls his eyes. “You’re not in class. Don’t raise your hand, just speak.”

  “Is the cafeteria free? Or do we have to pay for our own lunch?”

  Now Josh looks really annoyed. “Seriously, that’s your question? I just told you that you’re getting the opportunity of a lifetime, and you’re asking me if you get a free lunch?”

  Not waiting for a response, Josh turns around. He leads our group down the hall.

  “What a prick,” mutters the skinny guy who asked the question.

  “It was a stupid question, dude,” replies another guy with a tattoo on his neck.

  “I was just wondering,” continues the skinny guy. “It’s not like this internship pays that much. The stipend they’re giving us is a joke. This company made two billion dollars last year, and they can’t afford to pay their interns a living wage?”

  Josh leads us into a room where there are several game testers already at work. I notice that there is only one other woman among the fifteen game testers. I wonder if they accepted my application to fill some kind of quota.

  Josh tells us to take a seat at any available station. Then he shows us how to fill out a report for the bugs and glitches we find as we play the game. He instructs us to get to work and leaves.

  I’m seated between the two guys I heard talking behind me as Josh led us around the company’s complex. The skinny kid with glasses is of Indian descent. The other guy has a neck tattoo, which upon closer inspection I realize is a tattoo of Link from the Legend of Zelda.

  “This Josh dude is a total loser,” says the guy with the neck tattoo.

  “Yeah. Total loser,” agrees the skinny guy with glasses.

  The guy with the neck tattoo looks at me.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Florence. But people call me Flo.”

  “Ajax.”

  “I’m Parker,” chimes in the skinny guy with glasses.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “How’d you get this gig?” asks Parker.

  “I applied. You?”

  “Same.”

  I realize they probably think it’s weird that a girl like me got selected to be a game tester. But more and more girls are trying to break into video game development, although it’s still predominately dominated by men. As the day progresses, and we test the new game, Parker and Ajax can’t control their enthusiasm.

  “This game is awesome,” proclaims Ajax.

  “For sure,” agrees Parker

  “I just love the tits on Mika,” Ajax adds.

  Mika is a female assassin in the game. Her body is proportionately ridiculous – to put it mildly. Her features are even more exaggerated than my avatar SexyMinx243. She has the biggest breasts I’ve ever seen on a female video game character, along with the slimmest waist. I try to tune out Parker and Ajax as they continue their sexist banter.

  “I’d love to slide my cock between her melons,” Ajax says with relish.

  Not wanting to be left out, Parker adds, “I’d show her what a real man is all about.”

  I feel uncomfortable, but decide not to say anything. I don’t want to blow the opportunity at a full-time job when my six-month contract expires.

  At the end of the day, as I prepare to head home, I notice Zach – the CEO of the company – sitting in his office. He’s quite good looking, with short brown hair and a friendly face. I consider introducing myself and showing Zach the demo of the game I’ve been working on. It’s still not complete. But I’m really proud of the levels I’ve designed so far. I know it doesn’t compare to the AAA titles Quadrant Games releases. But I created this game with my own two hands. I designed all the graphics and did the coding myself. As I think about approaching Zach, Parker and Ajax come up behind me.

  “Is it love at first sight, Flo?” Parker asks jokingly.

  Ajax laughs. “Yeah, Flo, thinking about sleeping your way to the top?”

  I turn and stare at them, annoyed. “Shut up,” I tell them as I walk toward the exit.

  Ajax runs up behind me as I leave the building.

  “Flo, Parker and I were just kidding. You feel like having a beer with us? I know a wicked bar only a ten-minute drive from here.”

  I’m embarrassed to tell him that I don’t have a car. Although, I overheard a lot of people say they use Uber to get to work. Taking an Uber from this part of town to the hills would be expensive, though.

  The trek from my house to the office by bus took me almost an hour and a half this morning. If I don’t want to be exhausted tomorrow, I better get home soon and catch some sleep.

  “I think I’ll pass,” I tell Ajax. “Next time though.”

  “No worries. See you tomorrow.”

  I wait to make sure Ajax and Parker have left in their respective cars before I make my way to the bus stop. When the bus finally arrives, I take a seat in the back. The homeless woman I encountered – on my first bus ride from the airport – is sitting on the bus. I try to avoid eye contact with her. But she keeps staring at me.

  “There’s a snake in the garden,” she hisses at me. “A snake.”

  I nervously smile then turn away from her. I focus my attention out the window.

  I can’t wait to get home and go to sleep. Since I got up at 4 am, I’m bone tired. But unfortunately for me, the bus breaks
down on the way home. It takes an hour before another bus shows up, and we’re able to continue our journey home.

  When the new bus finally drops me off at my stop, it’s already pitch black. Now I’m really, really, and I mean really fucking tired. I trek up the hill back to the house. By the time I arrive at the front gate, I feel like I’m going to collapse. I’m so out of shape. I’m also incredibly thirsty. I use the FOB key Selena gave me to open the gate. Then I unlock the front door. I step inside the house and head straight to the kitchen. I’m too tired to eat. Something I never thought I’d say to myself. I just want a glass of water before I head to my room and pass out. As I fill a glass with water, I hear the front door open behind me. When I turn around, I nearly drop the glass.

  Staring at me is the most drop-dead sexy man I’ve ever seen. He looks exactly like Beowulf845. Except he’s real, made out of flesh, and not pixels. He’s got shoulder length brown hair, and the most piercing blue eyes. His face is lean and chiseled, which I’m sure matches the fine body hugging his jeans and t-shirt. He’s honestly the most attractive man I’ve ever seen close-up.

  “Hey,” he says, his eyes not making contact with mine. They’re directed slightly downward. A guy this hot can’t be shy, can he?

  “Hi,” I say, suddenly feeling not so tired. I guess the sight of a drop-dead sexy stud has quickly banished my fatigue.

  “You the new roomie?” he asks. His voice sounds tired, like he’s only asking because he has too.

  “Yep. I’m Flo.”

  Our eyes finally meet. I witness a depth and sorrow in them that stuns me. I nervously smile. But he doesn’t smile in return.

  He just says, “Nice to meet you.”

  Then he heads straight to his room.

  Once he’s gone, I take a sip of water.

  I guess that was Nash, my drop-dead sexy roommate. I guess he’s not much of a talker.

  I finish my water and retreat to my bedroom. I pass Juliette’s room and hear her in the middle of another session.

  “Yes, I can’t stop thinking about you either, Martin,” I overhear her say in a French accent. “When I think of you, I can’t help but play with myself.”

  I shake my head and continue down the hall.

  I step into my closet (aka bedroom) and collapse onto the bed. I look at the poster of Prince hanging on my wall.

  “I never realized chasing your dream would be this tiring, Prince.”

  Then I close my eyes and pass out before Prince can respond.

  Chapter 9

  Nash knew he was rude to his new roommate. But he just can’t handle small talk right now. His mind is still reeling from the events of the other night, and his suicide attempt. How did he let himself get to such a dark place?

  After stepping into his bedroom, he crashes onto his bed and looks up at the ceiling. What happens now, Nash? He can’t come up with any answers.

  Then his phone rings. Nash glances at the screen. It’s a call from Rodrigo, a fellow personal trainer. Rodrigo and Nash work at the same gym. Nash doesn’t answer the call and lets it go to voicemail. But then Rodrigo sends him a text message.

  Rodrigo: Dude, u around? Need an important favor.

  Nash isn’t in the mood to help anyone out. He’s the one who needs help. But when Nash doesn’t reply to Rodrigo’s text message, Rodrigo calls him again.

  Frustrated, Nash finally answers.

  “What?”

  “Dude, sorry to bother you like this. But I need a favor.”

  Rodrigo sounds like shit, like he’s got a cold or something.

  “What?” asks Nash.

  “I got the flu.”

  “And?”

  “I was wondering if you could train one of my clients in Santa Monica tomorrow. 7 am.”

  “I don’t think so,” Nash replies.

  “Dude, help a brother out. She’s super rich and my highest earner. But she’s also high maintenance. She likes everything on her own schedule. If I cancel our session, she might get another trainer. I can’t afford to lose her.”

  Nash has only known Rodrigo for about a month, since he started working as a personal trainer at Kade’s gym. Rodrigo seems like a nice guy. But the last thing Nash feels like dealing with is some high maintenance client, at seven in the morning.

  Rodrigo must sense his hesitation because he responds, “I know this is last minute, and a 7 am call time in Santa Monica is a huge ask. But she pays well, dude.”

  “How well?”

  Rodrigo hesitates before responding. “Four times our standard rate.”

  “A thousand dollars for one hour? Damn, that’s not bad,” Nash states.

  “I know. She’s freakin’ loaded. Money isn’t an issue. That’s why I don’t want to lose her just because I’m sick. Can you help me out and fill in for me? Just this one time. You can keep all the money.”

  Nash could use the extra cash. He’s already behind on his car payments. The extra thousand dollars could really help him out, even if he isn’t in the mood to be chipper or super motivating.

  “Fine. Give me the address.”

  “Awesome,” replies Rodrigo. He gives Nash the address and they hang up.

  The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Nash gets up and gets into his Porsche. As he backs the car out of the driveway and descends the hill, he spots Flo, his new roommate, walking. At first he thought she might be going for an early morning walk. But then he realizes she’s not dressed in workout gear. She’s wearing jeans and a flannel shirt.

  He remembers that he was rude to her last night and slows down his car. He lowers his window.

  Chapter 10

  “Where you headed?”

  A man’s voice surprises me. I turn around and see a black Porsche. Then I notice Nash, my roommate, staring at me. Damn, he’s got nice eyes – as blue and mysterious as the sea.

  “Venice,” I reply.

  “You plan on walking there?”

  Still caught off guard by his good looks, I slowly shake my head and admit, “I’m taking the bus.”

  He keeps staring at me with those mesmerizing eyes and eventually asks, “You want a ride? I’m headed that way.”

  “You sure?”

  “I wouldn’t have offered you a ride if I wasn’t sure. Get in.”

  Smiling, I get into his Porsche.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” Nash looks straight ahead and continues driving.

  “Nice car. I’ve never been in a Porsche before.”

  “Thanks,” he replies, not looking at me. At the bottom of the hill, he turns and we proceed to Sunset Boulevard. He doesn’t seem like much of a talker and remains focused on the road.

  I try to strike up conversation.

  “So, have you been in LA long?”

  He shrugs. “Not really.”

  There’s a long pause. So I ask, “Do you like it?”

  With his eyes still focused on the road, he remarks, “Haven’t thought about it much.”

  There’s another long moment of silence, and I can’t help but stare at his profile. He’s really good looking. It’s remarkable how similar he is to Beowulf’s avatar. I’ve never witnessed such masculine perfection up close before.

  “Are you an actor?” I ask. I’m usually not that great at starting conversation, but Nash is so attractive I feel a little giddy. I want to make a good first impression.

  He must have been thrown off by my question because he finally turns and looks at me. He has the most crystal-blue eyes I’ve ever seen.

  “Why would you think I’m an actor?” he asks. A look of confusion suddenly spreads across his face.

  “Oh,” I reply, nervously. “I don’t know. You just look like you might be.”

  “I’m not,” he mutters. I sense annoyance in his tone.

  He turns his attention back to the road, and we continue in silence. He eventually says, “Listen, I don’t mean to be rude. I’m just having a bad day.”

  “Really?” I reply. “I
t’s only 6 am. The day just started.”

  Nash ignores my comment and turns on the radio. A Drake and Rihanna collaboration plays through the speakers.

  “I like this song,” I say softly.

  “Me too,” he eventually responds. That’s all Nash says during the remainder of the ride.

  When he drops me off at the office, I thank him.

  “No problem. See you later,” he says absently.

  Then he drives off.

  As I step into the building, I think to myself, “He’s so hot… But a little bit of a dick.”

  Chapter 11

  After driving his new roommate to work, Nash heads toward Santa Monica. He pulls up to the gate of an impressive mansion and presses a button on the intercom.

  A woman answers. “Yes.”

  “My name’s, Nash. Rodrigo got sick. He asked me to fill in for him today.”

  “Oh. Okay. Come on in,” says the female voice.

  The gates open, and Nash drives his Porsche up to the mansion. He gets out and walks to the front door. Before he has a chance to ring the doorbell, the door opens. A tall, big-breasted blonde haired woman – who’s obviously had some plastic surgery done on her face – stands before him. She’s wearing a pink robe.

  “Well, you make quite an impression,” she states, as she looks Nash up and down.

  Nash doesn’t know how to respond. He extends his hand.

  “Nash.”

  “Catrina, but you can call me Cat.”

  “Nice to meet you, Cat.”

  “Come on in.”

  Nash steps into the house. It’s huge and decorated in a very over-the-top, ostentatious, tacky, manner. There are statues of lions in the living room along with a leopard print rug.

  Nash notices Cat staring at him in an unusual, slightly seductive manner.

  “Rodrigo mentioned that you have a gym.”

  “I do,” replies Cat in a whispery voice. “It’s in the bungalow by the pool. Would you like to go there now?”

  Nash shrugs his shoulders. “I’m ready to start, if you are?”