Director's Scene

Aiden's POV

Amidst the deafening silent travel, Enzo suddenly opened his mouth to ask something. He's sitting on the backseat whereas I am comfortably controlling the steering wheel without tearing my eyes off the road.

"Uhm, Aiden, can I ask you a question?"

"You're already asking, Mr. Romero," I answered, deadpanned.

"Yeah, I know," he stealthily rolled his eyes not knowing that I've seen him through the rear view mirror. "Why are you so serious?" He smiled at me sheepishly and creased his head.

"And so If I am an inclement man? Does it bother your mind or even affects your livelihood? Does it make you wealthy?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Nope, you know what I am trying to point out." I just let out a short sigh because of him.

"What? I didn't get any point of your stupid statement, you scumbag." My dirty mouth was activated and harsh words started to slip out due to his foolishness. I didn't know what will be his reaction towards my words but who cares? Definitely, not me.

"Oh, sorry! Don't worry, I will not ask any more stupid questions." the way he said the word stupid seemed like he's trying to mock me but instead of giving him my response, I chose not to and focus on driving.

If you're wondering why I'm acting like this, I'm sure you're also interested to dig my past, I'll assure you that you wouldn't like to even know it.

Yes, I am a shrewish and uncouth.

Yes, I don't give a fucking damn on people.

Yes, I don't have feelings to validate.

Yes, I fear nobody.

But...

It all started when someone killed my father last five years ago. This impinged me in a way that it drastically changed me from being a kind and sweet guy to a hideously stern boss. His death brought me so much grudge and indignation that it keeps me wanting to find the culprit and give him/her the taste of his/her own medicine. As far as I perfectly remember, my father was shot straight to his head, in front of all big people whilst he's in the middle of the launch for his biggest project, the EHH or known as the Elevator with Hypersensitive Hearing that could make a breakthrough here in the Philippines. Sadly, he didn't get the opportunity to witness his legacy. Just like me, his life was placed in dire jeopardy when people in the company eavesdropped about the issue pertaining to my father as the next chairman of Gomez Robotics.

It's been years since the rivalry in the higher position started in the company and I swear to the traitors that I will be their next chairman that they will make their knees wobbled.

"I will find you, killer! I will put you to the right place which is your eternal suffering no matter who you are!" because of the overwhelming emotion of anger, I didn't notice that I was already crying while gripping the steering wheel hardly. My eyes squinted in rage as the grudge inside me started to arise.

I was halted from my tremendous anger and insanity when I saw Enzo controlling the steering wheel while trying to bring back the car to the proper lane and when he found the control, he stopped it.

"What are you doing, huh?!" My brows knitted when I heard Enzo shouting at me with his burning and killing stares.

"H-ha?"

Extremely angry. "I've been telling you to stop the car because we will get road accident and yet you keep on doing drama! You even almost hit the other cars! What's wrong with you, huh?!" I can clearly see in his eyes the fear and worry.

Instead of giving him my response to his sentiments, I averted my gaze outside the car to recuperate myself. I found ourselves stuck in the middle of the crossing and making nuisances. Enzo was keeping on ranting and shouting his anger out.

"You know, Mr. Limo Guy, I still want to live and if youㅡ" he wasn't able to finish his line when I suddenly revved up the engine and depart.

"What are you doing, huh?!" He's screaming his lungs out, giving me sore ears.

"Can you please shut your mouth?" I said nonchalantly though he's giving me vex.

The car is moving so fast reaching beyond the normal speed and anytime we can be apprehended by policemen. The cacophony in my mind was mixing up my thoughts to the point that it is giving me ache.

What's happening?

Why have I lost my sanity while reminiscing the tragic past of my dad?

Couple of minutes had passed until we finally reached the Gomez Robotics. The company was designed after my great grandfather's term. Very innovated and mesmerizing. Everything was made out of batteries, wires, metals and machines.

My personal body guard, Enzo Romero, hop out of the car first to take the responsibility of opening my car's door. I fixed my coat first before we finally setting our feet inside the building.

"Good day, Director Gomez!" was all I could hear from different employees whenever they passed by at me. But here I am, not giving a single damn.

"Can you treat your employees just like how you treat those people with higher positions? They are humans too." Enzo whispered at my ears whilst following me from behind.

"Shut the fuck up, okay?" I muttered lifelessly.

"Tsk." Upon reaching the elevator, I turned around to look at him and warned him from going beyond his job but he just looked away and winced.

"My grandfather is trusting you but that does not give you the right to meddle with my life. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Gomez Robotics hypersensitivity hearing activated, fourth floor," I said out of nowhere, then the elevator started to function based on what I've told it to do.

"This is so cool!" Here we go again with this innocent reaction from a programmer.

The moment we reached the fourth floor, we immediately strode the way through the Chairman's office. I knocked the door thrice and opened it immediately. I saw my mother, CK, and Chairman inside the room while talking about something.

"So, he is your programmer? Wow, he looks like your body guard." I just looked at him lifelessly and averted my gaze to chairman. Enzo and I bowed in unison to pay respect.

"After a couple of minutes, we will go to the conference hall for the meeting about your project, Aiden." the moment Chairman finished his line was the time CK smirked and I find it annoying.

"Okay, get yourself ready," said CK while he's trying to prevent himself to burst in laughter.

"You wish," I retorted.

"Will you not stop?" my mom's menacing voice made us stop.CK freshly stood up from his sit before giving Chairman a bow.

"I'll go ahead first, Chairman." before he could even go outside the office, he looked back at me.

"Wait 'til you see me work." and there he finally got out of the office with the smirk in his lips.

"Aiden, don't mind your brother, okay?" my mom caressed the back of my head, trying to soothe me. "Let's go, Chairman and in no minutes, the meeting will start."

We went straight to the conference hall where the shareholders, directors, different departments and also the chairman are all ready at their respective seats. We sat on the first row and there the lights were all turned off. A short video was suddenly appeared on the screen, showing the objectives, purpose, and the goals of the GR humanoid 1.0 project. After flashing the short video, a digitized voice was suddenly heard all over the place.

"Because of the commending ability and intelligence of one director, this project became possible to happen. Proper planning, preparation, and process of making this project turned to a reality. Everyone, please all welcome the next chairman of Gomez Robotics, Mr. Aiden Gomez!" everyone raised themselves before using their hands to give me around of applauses.

What a good acting, traitors!

I went upstairs to the stage where Francis 1.0 was standing at. Francis 1.0 is the first humanoid robot we will ever release in the market. He was encapsulated in glass while wires were all connected to him. I stood up straight in front of the podium showing them my lifeless yet damaging aura. The huge screen behind my back flashed the logo of Gomez Robotics indicative of the start of my speech.

"I am very glad to see all of you here, my traitors," I said in my most cold voice with my brows arched. I saw the flabbergast on their faces while some of them were immovable because they get used to this attitude.

"I made a breakthrough because I want to feel the same feeling as my dad when he launched his project. At the same moment and at the same spot." My voice hinted a little reminder on what happened to my father here but I still composed myself to show how powerful and adamant I am.

"The humanoid is not just a typical project, and as of the moment, we're still on the process of putting some hyper sensitivities to make the humanoid a human-like living on this planet together with a traitorsㅡ" I wasn't able to finished my line when CK stood up and retorted. He caught everyone's attention.

"Our company has spent a lot of money and time just to finish your project. My question is, what's special about your project and everyone is getting hyped of it?" He asked, showing his insulting smirk. I was silenced due to his question that made me bow my head.

"What are you bowing for? CK was just asking." and there I heard the gossips inside the conference hall. I gradually lifted my head while repressing my evil laugh. My lips curved and let out a creepy grin.

"Your question has no bearing just like you, my brother. You better ask me a question like this, what is the difference between a human-like robot to a real human?" my creepy smile suddenly changed into serious one.

"What?" he's confused.

"Why would you compare a robot to another robot if you can compare it to human?" I fueled as I saw the anger in CK's face. You'll never win a game against me, CK. Better find another opponent to defeat. Someone who's weaker than a chick.

I faced the huge screen and pointed the controller in my hand. "This is the first phase, the skeleton of the humanoidㅡ" I showed them every details they need to know until Mr. Wang stood up to ask a question. He's sitting beside CK.

"Isn't the purpose of your project is too mediocre and shallow?" my brows raised in an instant after hearing his concern. "Your purpose is just too unnecessary. Yes, it will give entertainment and satisfaction to the people but can't you think they'll better off find a real friend than to spend a million pesos just for a humanoid robot?" I was about to defend my project when CK retorted.

"Or let's just say, you're putting your dad's case again in this project that's why you chose this to present? What do you think?" he's acting like he knew nothing when in fact he's just taunting me.

The gossip was formed again inside the conference hall right after CK's banter until one guy stood from his seat and started to walk towards me.

"You all have a point, however, did you really give your full attention to the presentation or you're just looking for a hole to use against the director? I think you based your concerns only on the purpose and not on the objective and goal of the project. The target is to provide the truthfulness of a camaraderie. Yes, it is easy to find a friend but a real friend? I highly doubt it." the moment he arrived on the stage, standing beside me, he took the controller to my hand and clicked next the presentation on the huge screen showing the skull of the humanoid robot.

"As you can see, this is the artificial and digital brain of the humanoid robot. In the lower hemisphere, we will put there the chip for body control, in other words, this will served as the cerebellum of the brain. On the upper part of the brain will be the place of thoughts, just like a normal human. The humanoid robot itself can also think with the help of automotive searching. It will served as the cerebrum of the brain." I was rooted to my place while watching him but when he signed me to continue his explanation, I immediately gathered myself and did what he offered.

"And also, there are three additional parts that will be planted in his brain. First, the chip for rules. There are thousands of rules that will be planted on his brain that he will follow once he's activated. Second, the chip for emotion, this chip is responsible for sensing the right and appropriate emotion for a certain situation. And the third one is still on the process, and this is the hypersensitivity movement in order for Francis 1.0 to move like a real human." Enzo smiled at me before continuing my last line.

While he's in the middle of explaining the details, I roamed my eyes around to find if they're getting it already. My brows knitted when I saw a red laser coming from the other side of the conference hall pointing towards me.

"Those parts are only available on the humanoid robot, something that human can't have. Robot has no ambitions to reach whereas ambition is what kills peopleㅡ" I wasn't able to hear everything when my vision started to get blurred whereas the surrounding began to move slowly.

I didn't notice that I already fell on the floor.

"Aiden?!" Enzo suddenly moved towards me and carried me with all his force. Before I could even close my eyes, I heard and saw everyone getting chaotic inside the conference hall.

The last person my eyes got laid on was CK who's still freshly sitting on his chair while smirking at me. Watching me lose my life.

"I made a breakthrough because I want to feel the same feeling as my dad when he launched his project. At the same moment and on the same spot."

The history repeats itself. I think I have seen this film before, but I am one of the characters in the movie now.