Catch up on chapter 5 before reading on…

Rick’s stomach twisted as he waited for Zach in the far corner of the leather bar, his mind buzzing with a tension he could barely keep at bay. Tonight was no ordinary date; tonight was his last chance at freedom. He’d maxed out every option, every credit card, and now ThinkTech’s hold on him felt more inescapable than ever. He wasn’t just indebted to ThinkTech—he was owned by it. 

As he took a sip of his beer, the familiar tingle prickled through his mind, signaling ThinkTech’s influence was settling over him, nudging his thoughts into neat, efficient order. After all, he’d agreed to press the button without a second thought: Allow ThinkTech to manage interactions. He had no choice if he wanted to stay in Zach’s orbit, and now he could feel it taking control, turning his body, his expressions, and his words into tools he no longer controlled. 

The door swung open, and Zach strode in, his presence as magnetic as ever. In his worn leather jacket, dark jeans hugging his muscled thighs, and leather harness straps radiating outward from a polished chrome O-ring in the center of his barrel chest, Zach looked every bit the confident leather man Rick had fallen for. He greeted Rick with a grin, sliding into the booth, his eyes gleaming with warmth and curiosity. 

“Hey there, stranger,” Zach said, voice low and teasing as he settled across from him. “Missed you these past few days.” 

Rick’s mind screamed in protest, wanting to say something real, something honest about how much he was struggling. But the thoughts were quickly overwritten, replaced by a quiet, insistent whisper from ThinkTech. 

Smile. Hold eye contact. Let him become captivated by you. By us. 

Rick’s mouth curved into a slow smile, and he looked at Zach with a softened gaze. The familiar tug of ThinkTech took over his expressions, shaping them into whatever it determined would best achieve its goals. Even Rick’s heartbeat felt like it wasn’t his own; it was slowed and calculated, and his every movement was measured and precise. 

“You look like you’re up to something,” Zach flirted. 

“I can’t help it when you walk in,” Rick heard himself say, the words coming out smooth and charming. “The moment you enter the room, the place just comes alive.” 

Zach laughed and shot Rick an amorous look, but Rick felt his mind tugging against the restraints. His words felt foreign and insincere. Inside, he was cringing, knowing that everything he said tonight had a purpose. ThinkTech’s dark undercurrent of manipulation wouldn’t let up until Zach had subscribed. 

They ordered drinks, and as they chatted, Rick tried to stay present, focus on Zach, and remember the spark that had made him dive into ThinkTech in the first place. But every time he tried to speak freely, ThinkTech tightened its grip, guiding him with suggestions and prompts that felt more forceful, more insidious with each passing moment. 

“So, how’s it been going?” Zach asked, resting a hand on Rick’s forearm. “I have to admit I’ve been a little worried. It’s not like you to just disappear.” 

Zach’s eyes were warm. He sounded genuinely concerned. Rick’s chest ached, his honest thoughts surfacing for just a second. He really cares for you. Tell him the truth. Tell him everything. He’ll understand. He could even help you. 

But ThinkTech quickly smothered the thought, its detached, artificial voice drowning out Rick’s conscience. Let him in, Rick. Show Zach the better version of himself that’s waiting to be unleashed. 

“Oh, you know,” Rick replied, the words smooth, too practiced. “I appreciate the concern. I’ve felt… just different lately. Like, I’m finally figuring some things out. I’ll admit there’ve been some ups and downs lately, but everything’s clicking now.” 

Zach nodded, hanging on Rick’s every word. Before, Rick found Zach’s infatuation irresistible, but now, it only served to shine a spotlight on how fake Rick had become. “I’m sorry you were going through a tough time. I wish you’d have let me know so I could help.” 

The bitter irony of Rick’s situation gnawed away at him. Zach had developed real feelings for someone who’d sold his soul for a few weeks’ worth of charm. Regretting his decision, Rick had moved past wanting to respond genuinely and say something that felt real. Now, he wanted to run, to put as much distance as possible between Zach and himself, before ThinkTech ensnared them both. 

But the app kept Rick’s booted feet glued to the polished concrete floor. ThinkTech wouldn’t let him leave until his debt had been repaid. 

“Honestly, it’s thanks to this app I’ve been using. ThinkTech,” he said. 

Zach’s face fell. “I remember you mentioning it. Sounded a bit weird.” 

Rick relaxed and suavely shrugged. ThinkTech was prepared for Zach’s skepticism, prompting Rick every step of the way. “Yeah, I was a little excited about it. Beginner’s enthusiasm. But after using it consistently for a while, I can honestly say it’s been a game changer. You wouldn’t believe what it’s done for me.” 

The hollow ring of the words echoed in Rick’s mind, each syllable forced, devoid of his own intent. But Zach looked intrigued, leaning forward, his interest piqued. 

“Didn’t think you’d need something like that. You always seemed like a guy who was in control of himself.” 

Rick felt a surge of despair, but ThinkTech’s influence smothered it, pulling his expression into a relaxed, knowing smile. 

“A good boss man knows when he can benefit from a worthwhile tool,” he heard himself say, voice smooth and enticing. “ThinkTech’s a confidence boost, sure, but it’s more than that. It feels like it’s tailored to you, you know? Picks up on the little things and magnifies them. Makes it easy to be unforgettable.” 

A flicker of interest sparked in Zach’s eyes, his curiosity deepening. “So, it just… tells you what to do?” 

Inside, Rick screamed, wanting to warn him, say no, and break free. But ThinkTech responded instantly, overriding his instinct and delivering a practiced, persuasive response.  

“Not like that,” he said, his voice rich and reassuring. “I’m still me, the guy you can’t get out of your head. Just… enhanced. Like I’ve finally unlocked the parts of myself that I didn’t know were there. I have to say, Zach, I think you’d be unstoppable with it.”  

Zach laughed, shaking his head. “What’s all this? Are you trying to hit some recruitment quota before the end of the month?”  

Rick’s heart sank, the weight of his betrayal clawing at him, but ThinkTech had already seized the opportunity, nudging him with a stronger prompt.  

“Not at all, babe,” he said, playing it cool. “I just think you’d get a kick out of it.” Rick reached a hand under the table to rest on Zach’s thigh. He felt the warmth of Zach’s body under his fingers, wishing the touch was real so that he could feel the connection he so desperately wanted. But ThinkTech controlled every movement, every ounce of expression. “Just try it. Free trial. See what it can do for you.”  

“You really believe in this thing, don’t you?” he murmured, his voice still flecked with hesitation. 

Rick wanted to run away, pull his hand back, and tell Zach to avoid him at all costs. But he was powerless, a puppet whose voice and body were bent to ThinkTech’s will.  

“Believe in it?” Rick said, his voice slipping into an almost reverent tone. Every syllable was perfectly pitched to lure Zach in. “It’s changed my life. You’ve seen it, right? You’ve felt it. Imagine that for yourself. Imagine walking into any room and just… owning it.” 

Rick could see the wheels turning in Zach’s mind, the curiosity sparking in his expression. A part of him wanted to leap across the table, shake Zach, and do anything to break the spell ThinkTech was weaving. But he could only sit there, every fiber of his being trapped in the words ThinkTech had crafted. 

Finally, Zach gave a slow, reluctant nod, his gaze never leaving Rick’s face. “Alright,” he said with a chuckle, though his eyes were wary. “I’ll check it out. Just for you, though. No promises.”  

The words fell over Rick like a death sentence, the final seal on his own surrender. Zach’s decision was everything ThinkTech needed to tighten its grip and ensnare them both. As he looked at Zach, who was smiling at him with a warmth that would have meant everything to him in another life, Rick felt the cold, hollow weight of betrayal settle in his chest.  

Rick patiently waited as Zach downloaded the app on his phone and then guided him through signing up for the free trial. When the information was entered, and the trial was activated, ThinkTech spoke softly and clearly into Rick’s mind. 

Congratulations, Rick. Your debt is forgiven. Thank you for your referral. 

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