Artificial Mates - Chapter 118

I stirred and found myself face to face with sleeping, Grant. The pale light poured through the sliding door. I leaned and dropped a soft kiss on his lips. His eyes flickered opened and smile.

“Good morning, Princess,” on hearing those words. Those simple words something broke inside me. I was so used to hear him called me Princess that I never realized he actually treated me like one. My emotions bubbled up like a shaken soda bottle. I wrapped one arm around him and pulled him close. I cried. He kept quiet and just hugged me back. We stayed in an embrace like the world was really going to end right here and right now. I reluctantly pulled away.

“I’m going to be stronger,” he kissed my hair and hugged me again. Yesterday when we went to sleep he refused to have s.e.x with me even though I’ve hinted and did suggest it without using words. He has very politely declined and climbed in bed. He slept in each other’s arms but I felt that somehow his rejection meant something else. After a tormented sleep, I came to realization that Grant was as lost as I was about this whole relationship business. If I want to make this work⁠—make us work. I had to really put in the effort.

“Liliane!” called a tiny voice from the other side of the door. Grant pushed away from me, holding himself on one elbow he gazed in its direction.

“What is it Jil?” the AI appeared in front of the door twitching with embarrassment.

“Good Morning Master, Liliane,” she lifted up her head. “Olga is here, she wants to know if you’re ready?” she said.

“Shit!” I struggled against the covers and got to my feet. She told me to be ready. I didn’t imagine she would drop by the house this early. Grant watched me curiously as I rushed to the bathroom.

“What’s that all about?” he called from the room. I quickly used the toilet and brushed my teeth. When I came back he was making the bed. He peeked at me, waiting for an answer.

“Mm, she said I needed to be fit or something. So she is making me jog around the house,” that was the truth. He narrowed his eyes at me.

“We need to eat something if you’re going to exercise,” I nodded once. Happy that he didn’t probe any further. I squeezed into my leggings under Grant watchful eyes. Then I noticed I was getting dressed in front of him. It felt so natural that he was there while I put on my outfit. I turned my back towards him when I took the large t-shirt that I used to sleep in and yanked the fresh Atleron white one on. Sitting on the edge of the bed I unfastened my shoes to put them on. I heard the sheet rustled and flinched when his arms wrapped around my midsection.

“I was wrong about yesterday⁠—” his voice died in a whisper. I twisted around to gaze at him over my shoulder. His lips curled up in a timid smile. He leaned in and rubbed his face against mine. “I should have just held you like you wanted to,” I closed my eyes.

“I don’t think it’s the appropriate time to do it now with Olga in the next room,” he chuckled and I did too. I like when he flirts. So cute.

-I’m cute, really?

I glared at him. When Demos does the mental talking think it’s less of a hassle. But when Grant does it, his voice melts my will like honey on waffles. His voice sounds different too. I bet he uses his power or something.

-I don’t, it’s just that I rarely speak to you in that way.

A sweet shiver rush body my body. He kissed my shoulder and I left a m.o.a.n escape. What is he doing to me? Using his power to toy with me.

-I still remember that you told me about yesterday. That you love me and that makes me so happy. I’m just showing you how much I love you.

He nuzzled my hair, my second shoe fell out of my hand and landed on its side. I turned around, pushed him in bed and climbed over him. He watched with an amused expression. It shifted to his new surprised look when I sat on him.

“I like it,” I brushed my fingers over his parted lips. Loud knocks on the door startled us. When the knob turned I got off him so quickly I fell over and landed on my butt. Olga peered at us from the doorway. Her inverted smile twisting to a pout.

“Did I interrupted something?” I peered at Grant and damn, he was blushing. I was sure I had a flaming face. “I see you are almost ready,” Olga eyed the fallen shoe. “I’ll wait outside,” she silently closed the door behind her. I waited for the footsteps to fade before turning back to the bed. Grant was covering his face with his hands.

“That was embarrassing,” he muttered. “She is my creator,” he stated. Ok, I can’t imagine what when through his head at that moment. But let’s say god caught you red-handed doing s.e.xy stuff. I puffed with laughter. “Please don’t mock!” he was still hiding his face. I quickly slipped my shoes on, bent and kissed his hands.

“I love you, Honey,” I giggled and went to met Olga outside after a quick snack. I couldn’t stripe my smile away as we joggled around the neighborhood. Somehow, being in a better mood helped with the exercises. She paused when we were far enough from Grant. I knew it meant serious business. I’ve promised to be stronger and I’ll give it my all. For their sake and mine.

“We are now out of reach of Grant since I’m using blockers and we are away from Atlas’ cameras. I’ll teach you basic moves. We had to warm you up with some cardio that’s why we ran,” she explained. “What I’ll teach you will help in hand to hand combat. This is not for self-defense, in battle self-defense is successful when you’ve achieve the proper mental state. You need to be calm and focused. I can’t teach you that, you’ll have to figure it on your own. I can only show you the moves,” I watched her and she stood with her legs apart, h.i.p.s facing forward. Olga clenched her hands in fists and brought it high blocking her face. Her arms were slightly turned inwards to protect herself from punched in the face. Woah! I’m going to learn Kung Fu! I giggled internally.

“First, you guard should always be up, and when you punch⁠—” she threw two kick punches stirring the air. “⁠—you should bring back your hands in the initial position. If you bring back your hand like this,” she did two more punches but when retrieving her hands, she let her arms sag before going back up. “If you leave openings the enemy will strike.” Olga relaxed and straightened up to face me. “Never let your guard down even when you’re tired,” her serious face was a little scary so I only nodded.

“Second, learn to take hits. Humans go into shock when they get unexpectedly hit. Especially in the head. You will lose precious seconds or even minutes trying to fight through the pain. I’m not saying it will be easy. I’m just giving you a fighting chance to stay alive longer,” I swallowed the lump going down my throat. Does this mean she will hit me?

“And finally, the only way to learn is through repetition. The body will learn when it becomes a reflex,” she narrowed her eyes at me. “Are you ready?” I knew whatever program she had for me, I would never be ready on time to face whatever was coming. War.

***

I swear I was beaten up, my body ached in parts I never thought could feel pain. Grant smiled at me when he reached to help me out of the car. We arrived earlier than usual since I’ve insisted to visit Demos before going to our lab. I was desperate to talk to him. I watched Olga and Grant go through Atlas routine scanning. When it came my turned I mechanically stepped forward.

“How are you doing today, Liliane?” his voice was flat as ever.

“I’m good, a little sore,” I admitted as I grimace to raise my hands.

“Why so?”

“I’m taking care f myself, you know eating healthy and exercising,” my voice was laced with sarcasm.

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t have a body and I do not eat,” he scanned my card. The flashing red dot paused as if he wanted to prolong the conversation.

“Well, you’re missing on a lot of things,” I turned towards the door.

“Liliane?” he called. I stopped as the door slid open. Grant peeked at me at the entrance.

“Did you thought about it?” I peeked over my shoulder and the movement made every muscle of my back ached. Damn that stupid A.I for forcing me to move in such an uncomfortable posture.

“What?” I snapped.

“Why so irritated, this early?”

“Told you I was sore,” I walked to the door ignoring the damn thing. To hell with his stupid mind games. Grant greeted me with a paled face. He took me by the arm to the elevator. For once, Olga was standing there waiting for us.

-What are you doing? It can be dangerous to piss him.

We rode the elevator in silence. Olga accompanied us to see Demos under the pretense she was going to run some test. I narrowed my eyes at her. I wanted some alone time with my mates. But well, she was helping us so I can let it slide for now. When we opened the door we were greeted with a black room. Grant quickly stepped in leaving me behind.

“Lights!” he shouted almost in a panic. “Who left him in complete darkness?” he raged. “Demos, are you ok?” he turned to the black box sitting in the same place where I last saw it.

“Good morning everyone, I am ok,” he sounded tired. Grant turned towards Olga with a frown.

“Ok, ok, I’ll do it,” she closed the distance from the door to the far side of the room. Meanwhile, Grant retrieved a chair which he placed in front of the device. Olga was busy digging into a carton box full of cables. She came back with a cutter and a red cable. Both of them gave me a quick peek.

“What?” I was sitting in the middle of the room with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Please don’t freak out,” said Grant. I did when Olga got the cutter next to Grant’s neck.

“What⁠—What are you doing?” I bolted forward to prevent it. The fact that I witnessed the assault on Grant traumatized me into jumping into action without second thought. I grabbed on Olga’s arms and pulled as hard as my sore muscles allowed me. Grant watched with arched eyebrows.

“She will only cut a small opening to access my D23 port. It will allow me to sync with Demos,” explained Grant. I frowned at the blade.

“Will it hurt?” my voice quivered. He sighed with a smile dancing on his lips.

“Not the slightest,” I slowly released Olga. She gave me a curious look.

“Promised?” I inquired.

“Promised, I’ll be brand new after Olga applies some molecular glue,” he smiled.