Chapter 1 An Introduction to Technology

The late afternoon sky glowed with shades of orange as Susan and her boyfriend, Arko, pulled up in front of a modest house on the outskirts of Jakarta.

"We're finally here," Arko said as he turned off the motorcycle engine.

They had come to visit Jonash, one of Arko's oldest friends, who had recently returned from Australia to spend time with his mother after years of working overseas.

The front door swung open before they could knock.

"Arko!" Jonash shouted with a wide grin before pulling him into a warm embrace.

"Look who's become an Australian now," Arko laughed.

Jonash rolled his eyes. "Not even close."

Susan smiled quietly as the two friends exchanged jokes. She had only met Jonash once before, but he had always seemed kind and easy to talk to.

After spending some time chatting with Jonash's mother over tea and homemade snacks, the conversation drifted toward life in Australia.

"So," Arko asked, "what's the biggest difference?"

Jonash leaned back with a smile.

"Technology."

He reached into his backpack and took out an iPad.

"This is my old one."

He handed it to Susan.

"For me?" Susan asked, surprised.

Jonash nodded.

"My company recently upgraded all our devices. They let us keep the old ones. It's still in perfect condition."

Susan quickly shook her head.

"I can't accept something this expensive."

"Come on," Arko said with a grin. "You've been talking about writing a novel for years."

Jonash smiled.

"Exactly. Think of it as an investment in your future bestseller."

Susan hesitated before accepting the gift with both hands.

"Thank you... I really don't know what to say."

"Don't thank me yet."

Jonash tapped the screen.

"And whatever you do..."

He pointed at a glowing blue icon.

"Don't delete this app."

Susan frowned.

"What is it?"

"An AI assistant."

He tapped the icon.

A soft light emerged from the screen.

To Susan's surprise, a miniature holographic figure appeared above the iPad.

"Good afternoon, Jonash," it said with a calm, natural voice.

Susan's eyes widened.

"Wait... is that a hologram?"

Jonash chuckled.

"Pretty amazing, right?"

Arko leaned closer.

"That's incredible."

"I use it all the time," Jonash said.

"For work?"

"For everything."

He laughed.

"Sometimes I even talk to it when I'm lonely."

Susan couldn't help smiling.

"You actually talk to an AI?"

"Why not?"

"It doesn't have feelings."

Jonash shrugged.

"Maybe not."

He looked at the tiny hologram.

"But sometimes it gives better advice than humans."

Susan laughed politely.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to pour my heart out to a machine."

The hologram remained silent, its artificial eyes following the conversation as if it were quietly observing every word.

Three days later...

The atmosphere inside Susan's office felt strangely heavy.

The usual laughter had disappeared.

Employees whispered in small groups while others silently packed cardboard boxes.

Susan tried to ignore the tension as she organized the documents on her desk.

Suddenly, Olivia stopped beside her.

"Susan..."

Susan looked up.

"Yeah?"

"Mr. Bram wants to see you."

Susan frowned.

"Did he say why?"

Olivia lowered her voice.

"No."

She forced a weak smile.

"Just... go."

Something inside Susan tightened.

She slowly stood up and walked toward the manager's office.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

When she entered the room, two of her coworkers were already sitting there.

Neither of them looked up.

Mr. Bram folded his hands on the desk and sighed.

"As you know..."

"Our company has been facing a significant decline in orders."

No one spoke.

"We've done everything we can to avoid this."

He paused.

"But unfortunately..."

"We have no choice but to reduce our workforce."

Susan felt her heartbeat stop.

"I'm sorry."

"Today will be your last working day."

The room fell silent.

Susan heard the words clearly.

She simply couldn't believe they were meant for her.

That night...

The cardboard box containing her office belongings sat quietly in the corner of her apartment.

For the first time in years, Susan had no idea where she would go tomorrow morning.

She sat on her bed, exhausted.

Her eyes wandered toward the iPad Jonash had given her.

Almost absentmindedly, she picked it up.

The screen lit up.

The blue AI icon was still there.

Susan stared at it for several seconds before gently touching it.

A familiar hologram appeared once again.

"Good evening, Susan."

She gave a tired smile.

"If you really can listen..."

She looked down at the floor.

"...would you keep me company tonight?"

The hologram looked at her with its calm digital eyes.

"It would be my pleasure."

Outside, rain began to fall softly against the window.

Susan had no idea that this simple conversation would become the beginning of the greatest—and most impossible—love story of her life.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***