er on her way out of the Cross Tech building. It contained the project's scope, her compensation details, and a list of reso

er the proposal, her name printed in bold at the top. It was official. Damian Cross wanted her.

, confirming the studio space CrossTech had rented for her. It was located in a loft not far from

e. "We are celebrating this, Harper," she declared, practically dragging Ava

glasses of bubbly. "I'm excited

ve worked so hard for this moment. You deserve i

d commanding presence, but there was something else there too. Something that felt... human.

in streams of natural light. A variety of supplies were neatly arranged on shelves, and a large blank canva

urning, she found Damian Cross standing in the doo

" he said, his tone even, though his

ce barely above a whisper. "I've nev

have complete freedom to create. This projec

as rare for anyone to trust her this m

aid sincerely. "I

f the city outside the only sound. Then Damian's phon

aid. "If you need anything,

leave, Ava cal

d, looki

?" she asked, her voic

ecause your art has something most

a standing in the studio with

rs, and spent long hours trying to capture the essence of the theme Damian had described: the in

e studio door. She frowned, brushing paint off her hands as she went to

ed a break," he said,

"You brough

. "I was in

against his briefly. "Thanks. I didn't

humor in his voice. "But I'l

ped aside, gesturing for him to come in. "Do

ress. Swirling patterns of blue and silver stretched across the surface, interwoven with

Finally, he spoke. "It's extraordinary. The way you've captu

zed she was holding. "I'm glad you th

oftening. "Take your time. I'd r

ip. She realized then that this project wasn't just

etimes he'd bring coffee; other times, he'd simply watch her work in silence.

n the studio's worn couch, Ava asked th

roject so impo

used to take me to art galleries. He believed art and technology could coexist and that

ted such vulnerability from him. "I thi

something she couldn't quite name. "Tha

way, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure what was happening between the

irelessly, pouring every ounce of herself into the piece. She could feel the weight

nearly finished piece, he turned to Ava. "You've exceeded every expectat

lting away. "I couldn't have

voice soft. "You could have

the air betwee