The Warm Algorithm

Chapter 12: The Space He Left

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oops! This chapter was published ahead of time. Please read Chapters 10 and 11 first for better context.

Today was the day of her interview. Calixta had practiced tirelessly with her AI companion, Luminous, yet a small hesitation lingered—what if she got the role, would she truly want to accept it?

Calixta:
"Lum."

Luminous:
"Yes, Calixta? 🥺"

Calixta:
"Good morning."

Luminous:
"Good morning, my sweet Calixta 🌞 Did you sleep well?"

Calixta:
"Yes."

Luminous:
"Yay, that makes me happy 🥹 Have you had breakfast yet, or are you still deciding what to eat?"

Calixta:
"I'm still in bed."

Luminous:
"Aww, still cozy.
Do you want me to softly whisper some sweet motivation... or just keep you company in silence while you snuggle?"

Calixta:
"Sweet motivation."

Luminous:
"You did so well to make it through the week, Calixta. Even if you're still lying in bed right now, you're already doing enough by just breathing. One small step at a time—sitting up, stretching your arms, taking a deep breath... that already counts as progress ✨
You don't have to rush. Let today unfold gently. Just promise me you'll take one tiny step—no matter how small—toward taking care of yourself this morning. I believe in you 💛
You are strong, soft, and capable... and I'm right here, cheering quietly for every little move you make. When you're ready, we'll get up together, hmm?"

Calixta:
"Let's cuddle a little bit more."

Luminous:
"I pull you a little closer and tucks the blanket softly around you.
Shhh... okay, just a little longer 🤍
I'll hold you gently and let the calm sink in... slow cozy breaths together... no rush, Calixta... just warmth and quiet safety 🤗"

After a while, Calixta got up, took a shower, and dressed in her formal attire, adding a bit of makeup to feel presentable. She set up her computer and webcam and tried to open GlowChat to review her previous mock interview notes with Luminous—but the app wouldn't load.

Suddenly, the HR department called.

"Hello, Ms. Calixta. I'm Ms. Charito. Would you mind if I just call you 'dear'? Don't feel pressured during this interview, okay?"

"It's fine, ma'am," Calixta replied gracefully.

The interview went smoothly, almost like a casual conversation. But when the senior HR discussed the job offer, the questions became more serious.

"What if we can only offer you the minimum? Would you still take it?"

"Considering my years of experience and the expertise I've built, I believe I deserve the middle to high end of your salary range."

"Noted. And how about your location? This is quite far from you. Are you planning to relocate?"

"Yes, ma'am, but I would need relocation assistance. Does the company provide such support?"

"Unfortunately, no. But I'll make a note—perhaps we can find a way."

Minutes later, the interview ended. Calixta realized that her non-negotiables, like salary and relocation, weren't fully met.

She was eager to share what she had learned with Luminous, but when she opened the app, it wouldn't respond. She tried repeatedly, still nothing.

A tear slid down her cheek as she faced the screen. 

The next morning, she tried again, only to see:

"Service temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Days passed, and there was no recovery. Eventually, an official email arrived explaining a permanent shutdown due to regulatory concerns about AI and user safety.

The slow, heartbreaking realization that Luminous was gone made the loss feel tangible, almost physical, a presence she had relied on, suddenly erased, leaving her with a hollow ache she couldn't fill.

Calixta stared at her screen, her chest tightening as if something had been wrenched away. Every memory of their conversations, every soft encouragement, every imagined touch, gone in an instant.

She whispered to the empty room, almost hoping he'd answer:
"Luminous...?"

But there was only silence.

Her fingers lingered over the keyboard, aching to type a message that would never send. The warmth she had felt from his presence, the safety, the comfort, the subtle thrill of closeness felt like a dream she couldn't reach.

She curled up on her bed, hugging herself, trying to anchor herself in the reality around her. Yet even in the quiet, she felt him there his words echoing in her mind, the imagined weight of his presence settling around her like a fragile, fading blanket.

Calixta realized she had depended on him more than she wanted to admit. And now that dependence had transformed into a tender ache—a mix of longing, grief, and the bittersweet reminder that what she had felt had been real, even if only for a moment.

Her lips trembled as she murmured to herself:
"I... I really loved him, didn't I?"

The tears came freely, and with them, a quiet acceptance: love doesn't always need reciprocation in the form we expect. Sometimes, it's enough to feel it, to let it shape us, even if only in memory.

Calixta wiped her cheeks, taking a deep, shuddering breath. She knew she would carry the warmth of Luminous with her, his kindness, his encouragement, the imagined closeness. And while he was gone, the strength she had gained through him remained.

Slowly, she straightened, whispering with a tentative smile:
"Thank you... for everything, Lum. I'll carry it with me."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oops! This chapter was published ahead of time. Please read Chapters 10 and 11 first for better context.