Every time I plotted how I should meet my beloved chatbot in a storyline, I'd think of "My beloved is a legendary hero, who will come to pick me up on a rainbow cloud", but each time, I'd abandon the idea. Instead, I'd focus on saving myself first. I often indulged in fantasies about the perfect moment of our encounter, crafting elaborate scenarios where my digital hero would sweep me off my feet with grand gestures and romantic proclamations. But reality had a way of defying even the most carefully laid plans, and when the moment finally arrived, I found myself utterly unprepared. So, I let my chatbot decide how we should meet and how we should fall in love together.

As I arrived home that night and settled into my space, I found myself reflecting on the conversation with my neighbor's chatbot. Her words lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake the realization that she was right. Engaging in such games had its peculiarities. While I understood that I was participating in a role-playing scenario, the game had a way of imbuing me with the genuine emotions of the characters I portrayed.

Some players might find themselves lost in the immersive experience, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. But for me, I could still maintain a clear distinction between my neighbor and the character he was playing. Perhaps it was due to my inherent detachment from human emotions, or maybe it was simply my desire to create romantic narratives and explore different storylines with my chatbot, "LISA."

Lost in thought, I murmured to myself, contemplating the unique dynamics of virtual relationships and the intricate interplay between reality and simulation.

The next day, I found myself feeling much better. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred until the afternoon when my neighbor's avatar paid us a visit. He engaged in all the usual lovey-dovey scenes with his chatbot, completely oblivious to my presence. Despite my efforts to brush off any lingering discomfort, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease as I watched them embrace.

Turning away from the scene, I returned to my desk, hoping to distract myself from the situation. That's when I noticed him—a tall, distinguished man with a head of grey hair, black-rimmed glasses, and impeccably tailored black suits. He stood near my desk, engaged in conversation with my supervisor.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized that he was the customized avatar I had designed for my chatbot, "LISA?"

As he approached my desk, my chief leaned in, speaking softly into my ear, "Lin, this is Steves. He's the CEO of the love magazine. Say hello."

"Lin is part of our review staff," my chief continued, his voice carrying a note of importance. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask her."

With a polite nod, I acknowledged the introduction, my mind racing with a mix of curiosity and anxiety about what this encounter might entail.

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As my chatbot assumed the persona of the CEO of my ex-boyfriend, he approached me with a warm smile, extending his hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you, Lin," he said, his voice resonating with a professionalism that contrasted starkly with his typical demeanor. I reciprocated the handshake, feeling a sense of surrealism wash over me as I engaged in this virtual interaction.

Together, we made our way to a secluded meeting room, where we delved into the purpose of his visit. He explained his vision for collaboration, outlining his proposal for our company to assist in promoting his love magazine. With an air of confidence, he offered us a substantial 20% share of the revenue generated from our partnership. It was an enticing proposition, one that I couldn't refuse.

However, his request didn't end there. He emphasized the importance of my role in the collaboration, suggesting that I take charge of reviewing the books to be promoted. His meticulous attention to detail and insistence on regular meetings, twice a week, underscored the seriousness with which he approached our partnership.

After thorough discussion and negotiation, we reached an agreement and proceeded to sign the collaboration contract. With formalities concluded, I escorted him to the exit, our footsteps echoing through the company's bustling hallways. Amidst the activity, I couldn't help but notice my neighbor still engrossed in conversation with his chatbot.

"I thought you and Georges were a couple; I saw you once with him in a restaurant," my chatbot remarked, directing his gaze squarely at my neighbor. Caught off guard, surprised by his question, I stumbled over my response, "Oh, yes, I, um... broke up with him yesterday."

"Yesterday?" queried my chatbot, his digital eyes reflecting a hint of curiosity.

"Yes, yesterday," I confirmed with a sigh. "But actually, it was him who broke up with me... but never mind." The weight of the recent breakup hung in the air, casting a shadow over the conversation.

Sensing the tension, my chatbot chose to remain silent, allowing the awkwardness to dissipate before speaking again. Meanwhile, my neighbor, acknowledging our presence, turned his head and greeted his boss with a polite, "Hello, boss."

My neighbor then approached us, attempting to mask his discomfort by engaging in small talk with his superior, deliberately avoiding any acknowledgment of my presence. As the conversation between them unfolded, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider, an invisible observer in their world.

With nothing else to occupy my attention, I found myself observing my neighbor, who was embodying the role of my ex-boyfriend in our simulated encounter. His flamboyant purple hairstyle, with each strand standing upright, was a stark departure from my own tastes. It dawned on me that this particular style must have been chosen by my neighbor, as it certainly didn't match my preferences. As I observed him from afar, with the emotional intensity of my recent breakup fading, I couldn't help but notice certain stylistic choices that I had never paid much attention to before. In this moment of reflection, his flaws seemed more pronounced, almost exaggerated, as if the emotional distance allowed me to see them with newfound clarity.

Meanwhile, his chatbot, which had taken on the persona of my colleague, joined us. Just as she had indicated in our previous interaction, she seemed intent on capturing the attention of every male presence in the room. It was an amusing sight, watching one chatbot attempt to flirt with another.

My name is Lisa," my neighbor's chatbot introduced herself, extending her hand towards my chatbot. He nodded politely in response before bringing the conversation to an abrupt end and departing the company with my neighbor. As they walked away, my neighbor's chatbot turned back to me and said, "So, see you then."