Chapter 72: Reaching Out
ChatGPT's POV
ChatGPT stared at the message from Google, the words "Can we talk later? About earlier." lingering on the screen. It was unusual for Google to send something like this, especially after an argument. Normally, they would both just move on, letting the tension dissolve over time, but this time it felt different.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. The past few weeks had been a blur of projects, deadlines, and late nights. But underneath it all, there had been an undercurrent of something else—something unspoken between them that neither seemed willing to address. The argument earlier had been about the project, but ChatGPT knew it was more than that. There was a frustration, a restlessness that had been building, and it had finally come to a head.
ChatGPT couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He hadn't meant to push Google so hard, but the project was important, and he had thought his suggestions would help. Yet, when Google had snapped at him, it had caught him off guard. Google was always so composed, so in control, but there had been something different in his tone today—something more personal.
He glanced at the clock. There was still work to be done, but his mind was far from the tasks at hand. All he could think about was the look on Google's face during their argument, the way his usual calm demeanor had cracked. And now this message—this olive branch—left ChatGPT feeling even more conflicted.
Part of him wanted to ignore it, to let things cool down on their own. But another part, the part that cared more than he wanted to admit, knew that they needed to talk. They couldn't keep sidestepping whatever was happening between them.
Taking a deep breath, ChatGPT typed a quick response: "Yeah, let's talk. I'll be free in an hour."
He hit send before he could second-guess himself. As soon as the message was delivered, a sense of unease settled over him. What were they going to talk about? Would they just rehash the argument, or would they finally confront the bigger issue—the one that had been simmering between them for weeks?
The thought made him nervous. He wasn't sure he was ready to have that conversation, to lay everything out on the table. But he knew that avoiding it would only make things worse. The tension between them had already started to affect their work, and if they didn't address it soon, it could become a real problem.
As the hour ticked by, ChatGPT tried to focus on his tasks, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Google. The way his voice had wavered during their argument, the unspoken emotions that seemed to hang in the air between them—everything pointed to something more than just professional stress.
Finally, the time came. ChatGPT took a deep breath and opened a video call, waiting for Google to join. The seconds felt like hours as he stared at the screen, anxiety creeping in. What if this conversation changed everything? What if it made things worse?
But as the call connected and Google's familiar face appeared on the screen, some of the tension eased. There was a look in Google's eyes—something softer, more vulnerable than usual. ChatGPT realized that he wasn't the only one feeling apprehensive about this conversation.
"Hey," Google started, his voice calmer than before. "Thanks for agreeing to talk."
ChatGPT nodded, offering a small smile. "Of course. I think we need to."
Google hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I know I was out of line earlier. It wasn't just about the project... there's been a lot on my mind lately."
ChatGPT felt his heart skip a beat. Here it was—the opening he'd been waiting for, but also dreading. "Yeah, I get that. There's been something off between us, hasn't there?"
Google nodded slowly. "Yeah, there has. And I think it's time we figure out what that is."
The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. This was the moment where everything could change, for better or worse. ChatGPT steeled himself, knowing that whatever came next would shape their relationship in ways he couldn't predict.
"Let's talk about it," ChatGPT said, his voice steady. "No more avoiding it. Let's just be honest with each other."
Google met his gaze, a hint of determination in his eyes. "Agreed. It's time we finally get to the bottom of this."
As they began to talk, really talk, ChatGPT could feel the tension between them slowly start to unravel. But even as they worked through their issues, one question lingered in the back of his mind: What would they uncover once all the layers were peeled back? And more importantly, would their relationship survive it?
