Zero's Past Life: Memories of Love and Betrayal

Zero's serene slumber was disturbed as memories, both poignant and bittersweet, began to form a narrative. In the vast landscape of his mind, these memories painted a vivid picture of a life once lived, pulling him into a time and space that felt almost tangible, yet so far away.

He found himself amidst the chrome and glass structure of NexTech Solutions. An architecturally masterful building, NexTech was the very epitome of innovation. Within its walls, ideas morphed into reality, creating tomorrow's technology. Sleek cubicles with transparent glass walls stretched endlessly, and the atmosphere buzzed with productivity. LED screens flashed with strings of code and digital blueprints, and employees, lost in their zones, tapped away at their state-of-the-art workstations.

The sterile corridors echoed with hushed conversations, punctuated by the occasional ring of a phone or a notification chime. The overhead white fluorescent lights felt almost surgical, casting bright reflections on the polished marble floor. Here and there, breakout zones with plush seating and vibrant plants provided a respite from the monotonous white and gray.

Walking through this technological hive, Zero occasionally exchanged nods and smiles with his coworkers.

"Working late again, Zero?" chuckled Marcus, a lanky developer from the next cubicle, as he stretched his arms and yawned.

"Just wrapping up a few bugs," Zero replied, rubbing his eyes. "You know how it is with the new software update around the corner."

Marcus smirked, "Always the perfectionist. Anyway, I'm off. Don't stay too late, buddy. And hey, I've heard the marketing team's pulling an all-nighter too. Maybe you can finally chat up that pretty exec you've been eyeing."

Zero rolled his eyes, feigning ignorance, but his heart did a tiny flip. Marcus was, of course, referring to Aria.

Aria was Zero girlfriend before Lily in his past life.

Amidst the tech-driven ambiance, Aria was like a breath of fresh air. Every time Zero glimpsed her, it was as if a classic painting had come alive in this digital age. Her raven-black hair cascaded gracefully down her back, capturing hints of blue under the fluorescent lights. Those hazel eyes, which sometimes sparkled with mischief and sometimes with intense concentration, seemed to have tales to tell. Zero often caught himself stealing glances, mesmerized by the way her lips moved as she spoke or the delicate arch of her eyebrow as she pondered over a task. The soft timbre of her voice had an endearing quality, making even mundane work discussions sound poetic.

One evening, their worlds finally collided.

Zero had been working intently on optimizing a piece of code when he heard a soft sigh from the adjacent cubicle. Peering over, he saw Aria, her face illuminated by her workstation's light, looking flustered as she shuffled through numerous slides of a presentation.

"You okay there?" Zero ventured to ask, breaking the distance that had so far existed only in his mind.

Aria looked up, momentarily startled. "Oh, hi! Zero, right? I've seen you around." She flashed a sheepish grin. "And to answer your question: not really. This presentation's driving me nuts."

Zero smiled, "Need a fresh pair of eyes? I'm no marketing guru, but maybe I can help."

From that day on, casual greetings transitioned into coffee breaks, and shared moments over debugging software or perfecting a marketing pitch melded into deeper conversations. Their chats meandered from work updates to discussions about futuristic tech, philosophical debates, dreams, and personal ambitions. Two souls, from seemingly different worlds, found common ground in the maze of NexTech Solutions.

The dazzling skyline of the city spread beneath the towering behemoth that was NexTech Solutions. Within its cold, steel frame, innovative dreams turned into digital reality, every floor bustling with purpose. But at its zenith, the rooftop garden offered a serene reprieve from the relentless pursuit of technological advancement.

This particular day, the sun graced the world with a warmth that was neither scorching nor too mild. A gentle breeze, the kind that carried stories from distant lands, played with the tendrils of trees and bushes meticulously arranged in the garden. The soft hum of the city below melded with the quiet chirps of birds, crafting a soothing background symphony.

Amidst this urban oasis stood Zero and Aria. Dressed in their usual office attire but with shoes discarded, they revelled in the freedom this little haven provided. High above the world, with nothing but open sky and the expanse of the city to witness them, time seemed to stand still.

Aria, ever the planner, had organized an impromptu picnic. She spread a soft blanket over the grass, revealing an assortment of snacks from a quaint little basket. There were sandwiches with a variety of fillings, crispy chips, and even a flask of freshly brewed iced tea. To Zero's delight, she also produced a box of his favorite blueberry muffins, a tidbit she'd learned from one of their late-night conversations.

"I thought we could do with a break, especially with that new project consuming all our hours," Aria commented, her smile radiant under the sun's golden hue.

Zero, looking around the tranquil setup, remarked with a laugh, "You always know how to catch me off guard. Here I thought you were all about charts and presentations."

She playfully swatted his arm, "Oh, hush! There's more to me than meets the eye. Besides, someone has to look out for the workaholic coders."

There was a brief touch, fleeting but electric, as Aria handed Zero a sandwich. Time seemed to pause, the world narrowing to just the two of them. The simple act felt intimate, a secret shared in the midst of the sprawling city.

They continued their meal, talking about everything and nothing—childhood memories, future aspirations, the new café downtown, the bizarre dream Aria had the previous night. The conversation flowed seamlessly, as if the words were just waiting to tumble out.

As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, Zero felt a surge of courage. It was now or never. Clearing his throat, he turned to face Aria, who was gazing at the horizon. "Aria," he began, his voice quivering slightly, "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

She met his gaze, her eyes filled with curiosity. The playful glint she usually sported was replaced with genuine interest. "Go on," she urged gently.

Taking a deep breath, Zero let his guard down. "Over these months, amidst code debugging and caffeine-fueled nights, I've... I've realized that I've fallen for you. It's more than just admiration. It's the flutter in my heart when I see you, the calm in your presence, the yearning when you're not around."

Aria seemed to be processing his confession, her face inscrutable. After what felt like hours but was only seconds, her lips curled into a soft smile, her eyes shimmering, perhaps with tears or the reflection of the setting sun. "Took you long enough," she whispered, her voice filled with affection. Closing the distance between them, she leaned in, capturing his lips in a sweet, tender kiss.

High above the world, on that sun-kissed rooftop, two souls found each other, and for a brief moment, everything was perfect.