"I told you we can do it" Lilian said clinking glass together with Jane who only gave a smile
"And girl, I didn't lie when I said you're a wiz?"
"Oh please, It was a team effort"
That was Jane trying to be modest. She couldn't believe that her little tech idea could put her on the global tech map. Thanks to the selfless effort of Lilian who was the moneybag that helped her secure a firm that invested in her little AI platform "EchoMind". A revolutionary AI platform that was designed to help people with mental health problems.
They had just signed the deal a few minutes back and had come to celebrate their big win. Finally, she could leave her father's garage, where she had made a small makeshift office, and rent a proper office space.
A few years later EchoMind was living up to the reason it was created. Helping users deal with emotional and mental issues, being their therapist and shoulder to lean on. Its success attracted investors from all works of life, who were eager to join the team of the next big AI industry.
While Jane focused on the creation, development and invention of more groundbreaking ideas for the tech. A double effort that didn't just elevate them in the tech ladder. But also help the world and users at large. Lilian handled the administrative and managerial departments. Securing deals, creating positive PR and pushing boundaries Jane wasn’t comfortable crossing for the company.
Everything went smoothly until Jane discovered a deal that Lilian signed, which was totally against what EchoMind was known for.
"How can you agree to such a deal?" Jane barged into Liliana's office, raging like a lion that had just been let loose.
"Good morning Lilian. Would be better before yelling at me when you haven't even told me why you're angry or what I have done", Lilian, shocked at Jane's attitude, said, looking up from the computer she was working on.
"The deal with the government, I just saw the paperwork. You never told me anything about selling our user's data to them" Jane continued pushing the papers she had with her to Lilian's face.
"Oh, that." Lilian relaxed on her chair. “Dr Lee knew you'd react this way that's why he asked never to tell you"
"Dr Lee from our tech school? Our mentor?" Jane looked up at the ceiling like she was expecting explanations from there. "Lilian, you know Dr Lee can be too greedy; you know he's jealous of our success. He's using you to get to our company"
"Come on Jane It's just business dear"
"Just business? Did you say just business? Lilian, our users trust us that their data is safe and..." Jane couldn't explain how she felt. She had a lot to say but her rage was withholding a lot.
"Oh, come on, Jane", Lilian cut her short. She stood from her chair and walked over to Jane "Think of the money, they influence. We're now working directly with the government"
Pulling back from Lilian, "I don't care, and I don't want to be a part of it. Call the government and call that deal off!" She gave a stern warning and stormed out of Lilian's office.
She couldn't believe that Lilian would talk like that considering that millions of people had trusted them with their secrets, baring their souls to EchoMind. Seeking for help other than surveillance.
She thought of how Dr Lee had in the past tried to push them off the industry after he had realised that their AI was more successful than his. How can a mentor be too jealous of his students, she thought.
A few months later, Jane sat at home trying to make dinner when she heard a loud bang at the door. She wiped her hands clean and walked over to open it. It was Lilian. She had tear stains on her face.
"Jane, I'm so sorry. I should have believed you" Lilian cried
"What do you mean?" Holding her hands and guiding her in "Come in first"
When they were seated, Lilian continued, "Dr Lee made a copy of the contract with the government leaked to the public. And we're losing investors and users. They're backing off Jane"
Jane sat there, mouth open, looking into space. Her years of hard work was going down the drain. She wanted to shout but something within her held her back
"It's alright. It's not the end of the world. We just have to find a solution and re-strategize" she consoled her friend. And just as she said it, she meant it. She wasn't one to back down in tough situations
"I'm so sorry," Lilian cried.
They spent the following months calling off the contract, rebranding and working with reputable PR companies to save their company.
It took them over a year, but finally, they were able to sail the stormy seas. However, EchoMind lost a fair share of its users to Dr Lee's new replica app.