Artificial Mates - Chapter 10

After the initial surprise, Demos got to his feet and crossed the distance separating us. I flinched when he reached out and took me in his arms. I didn’t resist his embrace and buried my face in his chest almost breaking my glasses in the process. Grant hesitated as he approached us. He leaned closer and I turned to him with teary eyes. He reached and took my glasses off.

“Hey,” he said while stroking my cheek. “It’s ok, we’re here for you,” I frowned at him. It was not ok. Everything will go south from this point on. What about the bills I have to pay? I’ll surely be fired, and the worst I won’t be able to keep them. I turned my face away from him as tears rolled down my cheek. Demos’ arms tighten around me. My shoulder rock with heavy sobs. I sniffed in his chest getting his blue T-shirt soaked. I’ve realized with horror they were the only thing keeping me afloat lately. That shoulder I could cry on. The hand that reached out to pull me from my darkness. The smile that brightened up my day. I shook my head in denial and pushed Demos gently away to catch my breath. I wiped my wet eyes with the back of my hand. Both of them peeked at me with concern yet they didn’t ask for the reason behind my tears.

“I kinda had a rough day,” I sniffed and gave them a smile that quickly faded. Demos nodded, his frown didn’t disappear. Grant lowered his gaze; he stood farther from us still holding on my glasses. I was doing a damn good job at ruining their moods. Here I was messing up again with my drama. What about movie-night? It sounded fun. I exhaled walked to Grant to retrieve my glasses. He instantly looked up.

“Can we watch that movie? I sure need some distraction,” his eyes lit up, followed by a smile stretched across his face. There it was my sunshine was back.

“Sure, Liliane,” he nodded eagerly. “I know it’s a little early, but I can start dinner and I’ll bake you a cake to cheer you up,” I chuckled at his elaborated plan to salvage movie night. The dark clouds that weighed me down were gently dispersing.

“I’ll buy the ingredients,” added Demos a little too quickly. We swirled around with arched eyebrows. He has been so quiet I almost forget him. “What!” he glared at us. I shrugged my shoulder my smile gradually coming back.

“Do you even know where to go?” he nodded while staring at me. “What about money?” He shook his head once. His eyes were intense I had to look away.

“Be safe,” I murmured as he reached for the knob. He paused.

“I will,” he answered, then he was gone. I let out a sigh. Every conversation with him drained all my energy from me. I sunk into the blue couch; Grant followed me to the living room he sat beside me. I leaned back and closed my eyes.

“Do you want me to take off your shoes?” I laughed at his ridiculous proposal. That sounded like a foot-fetish thing. I threw my hand over my closed eyes.

“What are you talking about? You don’t have to do that… you’re not some sort of servant or slave,” my head was throbbing, every muscle from my back ached. The long hours perched on a chair at work took its toll.

“I only wanted to be helpful,” he added with a hint of disappointment. I turned my head in his direction and opened my heavy lids.

“Just your presence is enough, so don’t try so much,” I muttered. His face lit up.

“Really?” he straightened up.

“Yeah,” I closed my eyes again. “Come here, I’ll pet your fluffy hair,” the cushion creaked beside me. I felt a solid shadow cast over my face. My eyes flipped open and found Grant hunched over me. His arms on both sides blocking any escape and one of his knees between my thighs. He looked down at me with his silver eyes gleaming.

“I want more than you petting my head,” he said with one corner of his lips curled up. I blinked at him. Was he joking? I planned to brush him off. It must be one of those artificial jokes humans don’t get. I raised one hand to push him away.

“I’m not in the mood… for jokes,” I sighed; he grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. I stared at him with wide eyes. What was happening? His eyes met mine. They looked like liquid metal on a stormy night. My heart raced at our proximity.

“Learn to trust me… trust us with your pain. Share your worries,” he let go of my hand and sat on the floor between my legs in a fluid motion. I blinked, my brain unable to keep up with what was happening. He reached for my hand and placed it on his soft curls.

“I don’t mind being a pet today,” he said with glee.

“Wh-what was that?” I laughed nervously. He looked straight ahead with his shoulders pressed against my knees.

“I just had to remind you that I am also your mate. Cause lately you’ve been intimate with Demos and sort of forgot about me,” I opened my mouth to protest but immediately closed it. I gazed at my immobile hand on his head.

“I’ve never been in this kind of relationship. I can’t develop feelings for someone over time. It’s still too weird for me… I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it,” I muttered to myself. I stroked his hair unconsciously as I spoke. He nodded.

“I’ve never been in any kind of relationship before,” he laughed and I joined him. “Yeah, imagine that! I was born like… four months ago. All I know were the technicians in quality control and the evaluator,” he kept laughing but sadness-seeped in. “I knew you before I actually saw you. I’ve watched your interview feed you’ve sent Sognare in loops. My AI was later transferred to my body but I wanted to meet you so damn much,” he paused and tilted his head towards me. “I was ecstatic, the day you switched me on. I really wanted to sync with you… but Demos kept telling me not to pest you with that. Demos he is the patient one… I’m just,” he looked away and pulled my hand back on his head to urge me to keep on. I was speechless. My hand automatically caressed his hair. He sighed and leaned into me.

“Liliane?”

“Mmh?” I said as I stared into the distance. I’ve never imagined this situation from their point of view. I assumed they were programmed to feel the way they do.

“Will you one day accept us?” my hand stopped in its motion. He groaned and placed his hand over mine asking for more. I chuckled at him. Cute.

“Please, don’t ask… I can’t give an answer right now,” I frowned at him. He let out a sigh.

“I want to kiss you…” my hand froze I didn’t have the time to let the words sink in when the door in the entrance opened. Demos stood there studying us. Grants sitting between my lap and me stroking his hair.

“What is going on?” he groaned, his eyes flashing blue. Grant tipped his chin at him in defiance.

“How does it look like to you?” my eyes darted from angry Demos to arrogant Grant. He crossed the room in a couple of steps letting the grocery bag sunk to the floor. I flinched away from Grant. Were they going to fight or something? Demos stood with his fist on his h.i.p.s towering over us.

“Pet my head too!” he glared down at me. My mouth hung over no sound came out.