Later that day, Nina lay on her hotel room bed and reflected on everything she knew and was told about Aaron.
From what Harry and Margaret Smith had told her, Aaron had built the original Master of Arcadia game at 15, and founded Sirius Software on the initial revenue from that.
Father Abel, his guidance counselor had revealed that Aaron was brilliant, but had been burned by feminists and activists in the past, Nina wondered what had happened, but Father Abel, and Aaron's other friends and employees were all rather tight-lipped about those circumstances.
And then there was Aaron himself. Nina's initial impression was that he was cold, arrogant, ruthless and controlling.
His treatment of her when she was first interviewed, and the way he ruthlessly forced her to accept his authority and abide by his rules, showed that those qualities were very much still there.
However, Tomoe's recounting of how he helped her build a safe and discreet environment for the members of 7-Star-Crossed, while giving them a steady stream of income from the wealthy patrons of the maid café, as well as a long-term voice acting contract, both invaluable in the cut-throat Japanese idol business, showed a softer, more compassionate, and protective side to him.
Sighing, Nina turned to her side and spied herself reflected in the room's full length mirror.
She couldn't help but chuckle wryly at her reflection.
Four months ago, she had short cropped black wavy hair, wore a baggy gray hoodie and yoga pants, and took pride in not conforming to gender roles.
Now, she had her hair styled in wavy black shoulder-length curtains, had her earlobes pierced, wore a form-fitting white T-shirt and leggings, and still had her lipstick and eyeliner on.
Her thoughts drifted from Aaron, to herself. She felt a pang of guilt as she realized how naive and arrogant she had been.
She had viciously attacked Sirius Software, and Aaron online, trying her best to get their games pulled from digital distribution platforms, she had even successfully gotten Master of Arcadia outlawed in her high school.
Conflicting emotions welled up in her as she recalled her first interview with Aaron.
He was well aware of her feminist views, and her attacks on him and his company. Yet, he had offered her a job.
Guilt and shame washed over her as she recalled how she had foolishly betrayed his trust and generosity by trying to defy his dress-code and to force a change in a corporate culture that she knew nothing about, instead of doing the job he had hired her to do.
As Nina continued to reflect on her past actions, a small nugget of information kept prodding at her subconscious. If Aaron had started college at 15, and released Master of Arcadia at 15, when she was 15, then he was running Sirius Software for six years!
Nina sprang to her phone and pulled up Master of Arcadia's release date. Sure enough, it was six years ago.
The magnitude of this revelation crashed into her like a tidal wave.
Aaron had endured six years of cancellation attempts, vicious online attacks, doxxing attempts and concerted efforts to have Sirius Software's games banned.
With a thrill of horror, Nina recalled what else had happened six years ago.
Shortly after Master of Arcadia's release, senator Sarah Clarke, a well known Women's rights and BLM activist, had launched a massive campaign to pull the game from Steam, and had started a senate inquiry into Sirius Software with allegations of statutory rape, and sexual harassment.
However, senator Clarke herself was arrested by Interpol on charges of human trafficking and deported to the UK, before any further proceedings could be made. Her arrest had caused a slight slump in the attacks against Sirius Software, but other, less influential and less powerful activists had picked up the campaign.
Burning with curiosity in addition to her other feelings, Nina ran for Aaron's room.
Nina composed herself with deep breaths as she approached Aaron's hotel room and knocked, hoping that he was there.
The door opened and Aaron looked at her curiously. "Something the matter?" he asked.
"Can we talk, please sir?" asked Nina, fidgeting nervously in the threshold.
Aaron nodded curtly and invited her in.
"I... I have come to realize a few things. One, you created Master of Arcadia at 15.
Two, senator Clarke led a campaign and senate inquiry against you, but was arrested and deported before any charges could be brought.
Three, I feel terrible for aiding and abetting the vicious attacks against you for six years" said Nina quietly to her shoes, as she sat on a couch.
"Yes, well, that is all in the past now. You don't have to beat yourself up about it" said Aaron.
Nina sighed and looked up reproachfully at Aaron. "I would like to know more about you sir. I think the four months of me working for you has earned me at least that" she said.
Aaron regarded her thoughtfully.
"I'm not ready to divulge my entire life's story to you. However, I can share a few pertinent details. Yes, I created Master of Arcadia at 15, and yes senator Clarke did try to launch a senate investigation against me personally, however, her own crimes of human trafficking came to light, and the senate investigation ended before it began." he told her, moving to sit down next to her on the couch.
Once again, Nina was very aware of his raw presence and her own surge of attraction.
Aaron closed his eyes in thought, opened them again and continued:
"My experience with senator Clarke, opened my eyes to the broader culture war raging in America, and solidified my own convictions.
I decided that Sirius Software would be a safe haven for those who think like me, and so I came up with measures to ensure that only those individuals who share my passions and convictions would be allowed into Sirius Software.
With Harry's and James' help, I designed and built Sirius Software's headquarters to protect everything I hold dear.
The plan worked, I was able to attract extremely talented people, and Kazuya's contacts with the Japanese idol industry filled the remaining voids. Activists and spies were caught and dismissed before they could do any real damage."
Aaron finished recounting his tale, and looked at Nina with his cold blue eyes.
"I've taken a big chance on you Ms. Avanthika, I'm glad that you are able to work with me without your personal views getting in the way, and I appreciate the changes you have made" he told her seriously.
Nina gulped. "I-I think my views are changing. I can see now how hard it has been for you, and I have come to realize that your games are not harmful, and that your views are actually quite reasonable sir" she said blushing.
"I see. Well what else would you like to know?" chuckled Aaron.
"Are you single sir?" asked Nina before she could stop herself.
"Yes. However, I don't believe in mixing business with pleasure." chuckled Aaron as Nina went bright red and clapped her hands over her mouth.
The vibrating of Nina's personal phone saved her from further embarrassment. "It's my mom I have to take this" she said, grateful for the distraction as Aaron nonchalantly waved her out of his room.
"Hi Mom," answered Nina, once she was outside Aaron's hotel room.
"Hello Nina, how is Japan?" asked her mother through the phone.
"It is quite lovely. So far, I've been stuck in business meetings with Mr. Zakhrov, but we should have some free time for sightseeing tomorrow." said Nina.
"I see, and would you like to tell me why Master of Arcadia - The RPG has been launched under your watchful eye? I expected you to have worked harder at changing that company or at the very least, blocking the release of that vile game." said her mother coldly.
"What does that have to do with anything? My job is to assist Aaron without my personal views interfering. And the game isn't as vile as people make it!" said Nina bristling at her mother's attitude. Her newfound feelings towards Aaron making her extra defensive.
A petulant sigh came from the other end of the line.
"Very well, I suppose I should give that misogynistic boss of yours some credit for stubbornness. Onto more pleasant matters, I'm going to be in Boston next week, giving a presentation on Ethical AI stewardship at MIT. Think we'll be able to get together?" asked her mother.
"I'll see if I can get some time off after we return" said Nina coldly.
"Very well, I'll wait for your answer." said her mother before hanging up.
Nina stared at her phone in bewilderment. She had told her mother about Aaron's domineering attitude, but she hadn't expected the cold, harsh criticism from her over Aaron's successful game launch, and that she was to blame for not being able to foster change at Sirius Software.
With a sigh, Nina trudged back to her hotel room.