Love algorithm

g across the holographic keyboard projected in front of her. The glow from her multiple screens reflected in her sharp, dark eyes, highlighting th

gic ruled and emotions had no place. And that was just how Elena preferred it. Her world was one of ones and zeroes, data

sterpiece. Lovematch Industries had developed a reputation for bringing technology into every aspect of life, and now, they were on the verge of revolutionizing love itself-or, at least, what most people cons

-and yes, she allowed the irony-to create the dating algorithm that would change the future of relationships. Love as people knew it was flawed, messy, a

ission to strike. Just one more test, one more simulation, and it wou

iced anyone approach. Sarah Nguyen, her closest friend and fellow programmer, stoo

hovering. "I could ask you the same thing,"

t under a lab coat, and her dark hair was tied back into a messy bun that somehow looked effortless. "Well, unlike you, I actually h

k of her neck. It was stiff, no doubt from hours of sitting in the same position. "You kno

e been saying that for weeks. If I didn't know an

arched an eyebrow, he

now, that thing that happe

s overrated. Besides, why waste time on all that when we have the tools to perfect it?" S

head with a small laugh. "Do you really think this is go

t complicated because they refuse to look at the data. They get swept up in emotions and chemistry, b

in her teasing. She knew Elena's view on relationships well enough b

end's more sentimental take on things. Sarah was all about feelings, emotions, and spontaneity, the exact opposite of Elena's me

ave a hot date tonight, so I'm heading out. But you should serious

. "I'll rest w

d the hallway, she turned back, her expression softening. "Take care of yourse

urning back to her work. But as the door slid shut, Sar

ind wasn't entirely focused on the code. Was Sarah right? Had she lost

is was important. More important than late-night bar-hopping or

last section of code, but before she could press down, her computer chimed w

requests your presence in the

9 PM, and she wondered what could possibly be so urgent. Knowing Jasper, it could be anything from a minor PR disas

long, and she could feel the tension in her shoulders. She quickly saved her work an

he algorithm's progress, along with glowing charts and projections of market growth. The company prided itself on being at the forefront of technological innovation, an

om door and hesitated for a

arismatic CEO of *Lovematch Industries*. He was in his early forties, with salt-and-pepper hair styled neatly back and an air of confident authority about him. H

a smile that didn't quite reach h

s was known for his more laid-back, creative approach to coding. He was the kind of person who thought outside the box and didn't always stick to the

her eyes at Marcus, then back

hesitation, she took a seat across from Marcus, doin

sslike. "The board is excited about the progress we've made with

onstration? But it's not rea

her concerns. "The board wants to see it in action,

tiffene

is project. The lead developer. No one knows the algorithm better than you,

spotlight. Her work spoke for itself-she didn't need to stan

on for that," she began cautiousl

f again. "You're the perfect person. And besides, it'

Elena's ey

d of smile that sent a shiver down her spine.

m. She stared at Jasper, then at Marcus, who

peated, incredulity c

ve the algorithm's effectiveness than to demonstrate it personally? You run the program, find your perfect match, and go

ut of the algorithm-glitches, public skepticism, maybe even

began, but Jasper raised a ha

dening. "This isn't negotiable. The board has al

e she had always carried with her. She looked across the table at Marcus, e

a smirk tugging at t

g one last time to reason with him. "Jasper, this algorithm is about data, not publicity stun

l show everyone that the algorithm isn't just a theory-it's real. Now, I

whirling. There was no getting

made her way toward the door. As she reached the thresho

fully commit to this. No half-me

out of the boardroom, her heart pounding in her chest. For the first time sin

-