Nina settled into a sort of routine as the next few weeks passed. She arrived early to Sirius Software, kept her distance from Aaron, and quietly performed whatever administrative tasks he assigned to her. He still didn't trust her with his email or calls, however, he let her rearrange and optimize his schedule, and set up any business meetings he had.
Unfortunately for Nina, any attempts on her part to discuss her concerns or feminist opinions with him were coldly, and ruthlessly rebuffed, and she quickly refrained after another massive fine hit her bank account, almost wiping out her first month's salary.
One positive effect was her monthly salary. Aaron was quite generous on the monetary compensation side, and she was able to comfortably clear her student loan payment, rent and other bills as long as she kept her opinions to herself, and didn't invite fines.
Nina woke up on a chilly November morning to a text message from Aaron. "Master of Arcadia, the RPG is launching today. Come into the office only if you wish to participate in the launch event and after-party." it said.
Nina bristled in anger. She had been swallowing her opinions and following his stupid rules for nearly three months now! And yet he didn't trust her to keep her wits about her at his launch party?
"I'll be there" she shot back as a reply and jumped into the shower to get ready for the day.
Nina pressed her black leather gloved hand to her face as she fought the cold November wind. She shivered as she pulled off her right glove and pushed her hand into the handprint lock.
The door hissed open, and she hurried inside, the door closing behind her and the comparatively warm air of the lobby radiated through her thick white winter coat.
Stashing her coat in the basement locker, Nina rode the elevator to the 128th floor, and was greeted by Aaron sliding himself into the elevator just as the doors hissed open.
"The launch party is on the 16th floor" said Aaron, punching the floor number as a startled Nina recovered from his sudden entrance. Despite working together for nearly 3 months, Nina still felt herself getting flustered by Aaron's intimidating presence and musky scent in the confined space of the elevator. "Couldn't you make a bigger elevator? You take up too much room in it" grumbled Nina quietly to herself
"The elevator fits 20 people. I believe you are the only one who feels that it is too small" chuckled Aaron as the elevator rapidly descended.
Nina's cheeks flushed in embarrassment that he had overheard her grumbling.
The elevator doors hissed open to reveal a large auditorium.
The stage was bustling with costumed Japanese girls and various film crew personnel.
"Master Zakhrov! Master Zakhrov!" squealed the costumed girls, bouncing up and down in their high-heeled boots and waving enthusiastically at Aaron, who smiled and waved back while Nina looked away from them in disgust.
A young, serious looking Japanese man in a simple black T-shirt and jeans, with a headset and microphone on his ears came up to Aaron. "We are ready to go live Mr. Zakhrov" he said.
"Good. Let's get ready" said Aaron.
The man nodded curtly and turned back to the rest of the team. He shouted something in Japanese, and the idols and film crew quickly and efficiently took their positions.
"San! Ni! Ich! Action!" called the camera operator. Psychedelic lights and smoke flooded the stage, while heavy metal music reverberated through the auditorium.
The Japanese idols burst onto the stage, sensually dancing, and twirling as cameras panned across them, capturing gratuitous shots of their bodies.
"Welcome to the launch event of Master of Arcadia, the RPG! My Kohai and I, are pleased to announce that the long awaited game will be launched on Steam, GOG, and also be available in Blu-ray! The base game is launching today, with the Extreme Expansion pack, in another six months, at which time the expansion will be available separately and as part of a limited collector's box-set! For the first time ever, Sirius Software's newest game will be available in Mandarin Chinese and Russian, in addition to English and Japanese!" announced the idol center, as cut scenes of the game projected onto the backdrop of the stage, filling it with gratuitous violence.
With a sinking feeling, Nina realized why Aaron had given her the chance to skip the launch event. It was to protect her sensibilities.
She stubbornly fought down her revulsion and looked at Aaron's broad back with a little built of guilt. It appeared that he was a little considerate after all.
The Japanese idol center went through the new combat and graphics systems of the game, and introduced the voice acting talent.
Nina watched in morbid fascination as ridiculously muscular Russian, Japanese and Chinese men, and beautiful women introduced themselves in their native languages.
She wondered how much of the enthusiasm and excitement they were displaying was scripted, and how much was genuine. Finally, the launch event came to an end with the entire voice cast bowing and urging the audience to support the game.
Once the cameras had stopped rolling, and the film crew had packed away their equipment. Aaron took the stage.
The elevator doors opened and a large group of sharp suited older men who looked like engineers and artists, entered the cavernous auditorium. They all settled down in the plush chairs, and Aaron spoke.
"It is with the deepest pride and pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate the launch of Master of Arcadia, the RPG. I know most of you were aware of the original visual novel that kicked off this company. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the hard work you have put in to make this momentous game" he said somberly as the voice cast, and other engineers politely applauded, some with tears in their eyes.
"Without further ado. Let us celebrate the successful launch!" said Aaron, as the left auditorium wall split open revealing a bar and a sumptuous dining area.
With a cheer, the employees and guests, went to the dining area, helping themselves to Japanese, Chinese, Russian and American delicacies.
Aaron rejoined a confused and conflicted Nina. "I told you, that you didn't have to come" he said quietly to her.
"I-I'm sorry. I thought you were snubbing me." she said quietly. An embarrassed blush creeping up her neck.
"Contrary to what you think, Ms. Avanthika. I'm not some monster" said Aaron coldly, leaving her standing in guilt and embarrassment.
The after-party, with the voice cast, engineers and film crew seemed very intimate somehow.
Nina felt a thrill of envy wash over her as Aaron gave his team friendly smiles and handshakes. A far cry from the cold and harsh tone he used with her.
Feeling unwanted, and unwelcome, she fought back tears, texted Aaron that she was leaving and marched towards the elevator.