Emily’s attitude toward Ryan had returned to being a fake display of affection and admiration. “That’s so smart, Ryan!” Emily exclaimed. He deserved a little praise from her. He had put her in a good mood, after all.

  She had finally gotten some information about the mysterious Project CANE. It wasn’t a lot, but it was way more than she had before—which was nothing.

  Ryan continued to blush. “It’s nothing really. I mean… it’s not nothing. The plan itself is simple. But deploying it is actually a bit complex. But you probably don’t want me to bore you with the details,” Ryan said nervously.

  “Nuh-uh,” Emily said, shaking her head vertically. “I wanna know more. A lot more! Tell me what that big brain of yours has planned.” Emily slightly tapped on Ryan’s forehead.

  Ryan placed his palm on it and kept it there. He felt his temperature rising as he did. He also felt his heart race uncontrollably. He felt nervous and excited at the same time.

  No one had ever treated him this way. No one had ever made him feel this special—not even his own mother. Ryan was in a trance.

  “In fact, why don’t I help you?” Emily suggested. Ryan dropped his hand from his face, confused by Emily's question. “Help me? Help me how?” Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “You know? Helping you find Project CANE,” Emily said, twiddling her thumbs. Emily’s first plan to learn what Project CANE was had been a success. It was now time for her to proceed to her second plan—or rather, her original plan.

  Using Project CANE to blackmail Oliver. But she had to find it before he did, and by "he," she meant Derek and his team of developers. Ryan’s use wasn’t done—not completely.

  Ryan, after hearing what Emily had just said, began to chuckle. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Emily. But… I just don’t see how you can,” Ryan said.

  “Don’t underestimate me, Ryan. You know how well-known I am in the Overdrive Online community. You said Project CANE was still in the game. My guess is that a hacker has it. Maybe they’re also a racer. I could ask around and find anything strange or something,” Emily said.

  Ryan looked at Emily with more adoration than he ever had. She’s amazing. She likes me so much that she wants to go out of her way to help me. It’s cute, Ryan thought, completely oblivious to the fact that he was being used.

  Please. Please say you’ll let me help, Emily thought. Finding Project CANE without Ryan would prove quite difficult. No, it would be impossible. She had no leads, but Ryan just might.

  While Ryan continued to see Emily as an angel who could do no wrong, Emily waited anxiously for Ryan’s answer. “Again, that’s thoughtful of you, but there’s no need for you to get involved. When the program is complete, Project CANE will be found,” Ryan said.

  Emily’s heart sank when she heard Ryan’s answer. She had failed. Or had she? There was one more trick in her arsenal that she could use. If this didn’t work, then nothing would. Well, nothing except getting him into bed—but that wasn’t an option for her.

  Time for a little selective honesty, Emily thought. Emily rested her back on the chair completely, placed both of her clenched hands on her knees, and faced downward.

  “Ryan, there’s something I should tell you,” Emily said in a low tone. She glanced at Ryan, revealing a depressed look in her eyes. This made Ryan feel curious and a bit sad at the same time.

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  “What’s the matter, Emily?” Ryan asked. Emily let out a deep sigh. “Oliver’s going to let me go. He’s been doing it to a lot of racers in the company,” Emily said.

  “Yeah… I’ve heard. I’m sorry, Emily. Really,” Ryan said. “Thanks,” Emily said. She returned to facing downward. “But what does this have to do with that?” Ryan asked.

  Emily quickly jerked her head upward, staring intensely at Ryan. “It’s my way back in! If I help find Project CANE, I’m sure that will make Derek happy, and he might put in a good word for me. And maybe it will be enough to make Oliver not fire me,” Emily said.

  Ryan slumped back in his chair, looking away and at Emily. He looked conflicted. “That’s a lot to take in. But I’m sorry—I can’t help you,” Ryan said.

  “What? Why not!?” Emily asked, her voice breaking. “I already told you why earlier when you asked me about Project CANE. You’re asking me to risk my career,” Ryan answered.

  “I’m asking you to save mine!” Emily exclaimed so loudly that others in the restaurant turned their gazes toward them. Ryan turned his head constantly out of fear and embarrassment, while Emily continued to stare at him, not caring about what strangers thought.

  Eventually, the people in the restaurant all returned to their meals. “Seems like a lover’s quarrel. My guess is he brought her to a public place to break up with her, hoping she wouldn’t make a scene—but she did anyway,” a woman said.

  Ryan had heard this comment and began scratching his cheek with one of his fingers. Oh, they think we’re a couple. That’s nice, Ryan thought. Ryan’s gaze returned to Emily, who still stared at him intensely.

  “I have worked so hard to get where I am. Given as much as I can. You know, as well as I do, if Oliver fires me, I will be in debt, and without the funding that I get from the company, my career will be as good as it is dead. So please, if there’s anything I can do to help—some lead or some clue that points me in the direction of Project CANE—please give it to me. I’m not asking you to stop what you’re doing to find it. I’m asking that you give me some time before you complete it,” Emily finished.

  Ryan didn’t reply immediately. He just sat there saying nothing. “Just answer me one thing,” Ryan demanded. “Anything,” Emily said quickly. “Is this the real reason you asked me out? So I could help you keep your job?” Ryan asked.

  Emily paused. He had figured it out. She needed to convince him otherwise, and she needed to do it fast. “It’s not the only reason. I do like you, Ryan. One of the reasons I asked you out was because I may not have a chance to if Oliver fires me. I don’t want that. Do you?” Emily lied.

  She placed her hand on top of Ryan’s. Ryan looked at her hand that was on top of his, and he looked at Emily. He looked skeptical. Did it work? Emily thought.

  Ryan let out a sigh. “Derek has always valued results more than the actions used to get them. If by some miracle you do manage to find Project CANE, he might not mind that I told you about it,” Ryan said.

  YES! Emily screamed internally. “Thanks, Ryan! Thanks a lot! You’re the best!” Emily exclaimed. “Sure,” Ryan said. He slowly removed his hand from under Emily’s.

  He reached into one of his pockets and brought out a USB drive. He slid it across the table toward Emily. Emily picked it up and examined it. “What is this?” Emily asked.

  “Remember that program I told you about? The one that would reveal where Project CANE is by exposing its tag? Well, think of this as a prototype. This will reveal the tags of everything in the game as long as you are looking at it. If you somehow manage to lock your eyes on Project CANE, its tag will be revealed,” Ryan said.

  Emily grinned. She had gained a helpful tool. It looked like Ryan had bought her half-sob story. “This is really helpful, Ryan. Thanks again,” Emily said. “Don’t mention it. Seriously—DON’T,” Ryan said.

  Emily wasn’t sure, but she might’ve detected hostility in Ryan’s words. If it was there, it was too little to confirm. “Okay… let’s continue the date then,” Emily said.

  “Actually, I’m full, and it turns out I have a lot of work to do. Don’t worry—I’ll pay the bill,” Ryan said. He called the waiter and paid for both of their meals with a card.

  “You can install the program by placing the USB drive in the built-in port of your virtual reality headset,” Ryan said. He got up and walked out of the restaurant.

  Emily smiled as soon as he left. Overall, things went as well as they could. She had found out more about Project CANE and now had a way to find it.

  She clenched the USB drive in her hand. “You’re my ticket to freedom, little guy,” Emily said.