Artificial Mates - Chapter 14

Grant stepped aside giving enough room for the man to get in. He peeked over his shoulder at us then back at the stranger.

“Hello, is Miss Kerry home?” I got closer, making eye contact with the visitor. He tipped his head as a greeting.

“I was about to go out,” I announced. The man pulled his coat open and folded it over the other. I think he heard me wrong as he moved inside like he owned the place.

“It won’t take long. This is an obligatory procedure for any complaint filed against one of our employees,” Grant closed the door behind him and quickly paced to stand beside me.

“What complaints?” he frowned at the man then searched my face with a puzzled expression. I averted my eyes, guilt-riddled over my features. I instinctively turned to Demos who shouldn’t move from his position.

“Can we sit down?” asked the evaluator as he looked around the apartment with mild interest. We moved to the living room area. I pulled a chair from my room to fit everyone. I fidgeted on the blue couch as Grant sunk next to me. Demos didn’t move or alter his poker face as the situation unfolded.

“Let’s put the introductions out of the way. I’m Benedict Dims, Psychological Evaluator. We met once, a few years back when you sighed your contract with SolTech,” his eyes darted from me to my mates. “I would like to have a moment alone with you. The information I’ll disclose falls under the doctor – patient code of confidentiality,” I opened my mouth to answer but Grant tapped my forearm. He sneaked a peek at Demos who slightly inclined his head.

“We are her companions; we also fall under such code of confidentiality. Everything said in our presence remains private. No information, video or audio recorded in our memories can be used in court unless Liliane Kerry gives written permission to do so. Sognare holds ownership of our hardware and OS. However, our experiences, collection of data in the course of time spent with her is her sole property,” Grant slipped his hand in my sweaty palm. I couldn’t really follow where he was going, but one thing was sure I didn’t want to be alone with that man. “We will leave only if she asks us to,” he gave me an inquiring look.

“They stay,” I stated, Grant gave me a little squeeze of the hand. The evaluator cleared his throat, then pulled on his left sleeve, revealing his silver bracelet. An expensive version compared to mine. He swapped his finger over it and scrolled down the list that hovered above his wrist.

“Well, here is an agreement you must read and sign before we proceed,” he forwarded the doc.u.ment to me. I pressed my own bracelet to access it. Grant leaned closer.

“Forward it to us via EWink. We’ll read it faster than you do,” he whispered. I eagerly nodded and passed the doc.u.ment as he said. I hated lengthy technical papers.

“Sign it, they are just formalities to make sure SolTech doesn’t get sued for negligence on their employee’s welfare,” added Demos. My head sprung up in his direction. He intentionally looked away. So much for reconciliation. I hit the agreed button and lay my digital signature on the doc.u.ment. The man sat back with a smile. His whole posture shifted as he relaxed.

“Good, now on to the reason why I’m here. Since I have access to your monthly brainwave connector monthly review I’ve noticed peaks of intense stress,” a list appeared in front of him, which he scrolled through. He nodded at the information. “You’ve suffered from the void in your pre-adolescent till your early twenties. Are you still under the happiness program?” he looked up at me making me terribly nervous.

“I’m not. My doctor said I was ok and took me off the meds too,” I lowered my eyes to my scandals where my toes poked out. Grant rubbed my back helping me relax. I took a deep breath and rested against his warmth.

“When was that?”

“Mmh… four years ago,” I answered in a flat voice. Grant pressed his lips against my hair.

“How long have you acquired your aids?” I stared at the man in confusion. He waved in our direction.

“We are companions. We were designed specifically for Liliane’s issues. Her mental stability is our priority,” added Demos with a sharp edge. The man shifted in his seat. He turned his focus back at me.

“Can we stop beating around the bushes here?” snapped Demos. “You’re here cause this guy harassed Liliane, to get back at her for refusing his advances he filed a complaint about her supposedly bad behavior. I was there I witnessed the event,” he said between gritted teeth.

“Mr.,” he used the word as if regretting doing so. “I’m here to investigate if Miss. Kerry had previous mental history and if she can be harmful to SolTech’s work environment. If you’re stating the claims of Mr. Jay Dawson are faulty and can provide proof, then I’ll pass on the information and we will remedy to Miss. Kerry’s current situation,” Grant narrowed his eyes at me.

“Why didn’t you inform me about this?” he whispered. I shook my head and lowered my eyes. I couldn’t, I just couldn’t have told him.

“I arrived at the station to see that man glued to her when she clearly didn’t want to be touched,” he rose his voice. “That’s s.e.x.u.a.l harassment and molestation,” insisted Demos getting to his feet. The man sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Then why didn’t she file a complaint,” I stared at my feet my vision getting blurry.

“Liliane, give me the permission to show the footage,” Demos’ voice made me jump. I pressed my lips together. His footsteps stomped in my direction and stopped in front of me.

“What are you doing? This is no time to crawl into your shell. Your job; your reputation is on the line. I’m trying to save your ass here!” he shouted. The evaluator cleared his throat.

“Well, if she doesn’t…” started the man.

“I give my permission!” I shouted with a broken voice. I looked up and met Demos cold cooper eyes. A slow smile spread across his face.

“Finally, you’re looking at me,” he whispered, then he turned back to the evaluator, he transferred the feed from his point of view of the event. The image wobbled as the Transfer came to a halt. Stream of passengers got off and walked along the platform. He spotted me in the crowd, and then zoomed on my face. It was unreal to watch myself on the projection that hung in space. How my lips parted and eyes darted as I desperately searched for help. I couldn’t relive that. I turned away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” said the leech’s voice in the silent room. My head sprung in its direction despite my refusal to face the event. Jay Dowson’s face twisted in anger. I tried to fight him, but he squeezed my hand tighter. The passengers blocking Demos stepped away and he stopped behind me. I looked so small from his perspective.

“Take your hand off me or I’ll make you,” he barked at the assailant. The man slowly stepped away. At that instant, I looked up at him. He zoomed on my red-rimmed brown eyes. It happened in a fraction of a second, but the truth in my own eyes spoke tones. I now realized how much I wanted to be saved. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that frail looking girl in her red polka dress. I was that broken doll who whines and creates drama around her to get attention. The rest of the video blurred into a haze as I burst into tears. Grants pulled me into his arms; he murmured soothing words to get me to calm down.

“I think that’s enough,” said the evaluator. “Clearly Miss. Kerry is the victim here,” he got to his feet pressing his lips together. “I’m sorry; I’ll do my best to write a report to fix this injustice. I’ll ask for a couple of days off so you can get some rest. I’ll also file a complaint on your behalf against that man. I can’t believe SolTech housed such predators,” his lips twisted in disgust. “I’ll advise to take the happiness program once again. You’re on the verge of slipping back into depression,” Demos stepped between us.

“We’ll take care of her,” the man went to his bracelet. I pushed away from Grant took off my glasses, dropped them on the coffee table. He handed me a napkin that he pulled from his pocket.

“Please, follow the program. They are simple activities that will help lift your psyche,” he said before retrieving his coat. Demos accompanied him to the door. They talked in low voices that I couldn’t hear, then the man left.

“Do you want to rest?” asked Grant with a concerned face. I shook my head and got up. I head straight for the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water. When I reached for the towel my hand, touch something warm. I jolted back and found Demos behind me holding the towel.

“Thanks,” I said and took it to wipe my wet face. The front of my hair was also wet. When I looked up, he was still staring at me.

“What?” I asked and it came out harsher than I intended. He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Put the happiness program on Ewink. So we can help implement it,” he added coldly. For one second, I thought he was here to apologize. I sighed and put the towel away.

“And by the way, I’ll work to get the whiny princess attitude out of you,” his comment cut into my flesh. I whirled around in anger.

“I’m not the one with the attitude issue here!” I snapped. He tilted his head to the side with a smile.

“So you can be angry… it’s not always tears and pity?” he snorted. I lost it and slammed my fists into his chest. He laughed harder. Grant poked his head through the door.

“What is going on here?” he pouted for being left out of the party. Demos grabbed my wrists and lifted them up. My hands throbbed in pain from smashing in his solid chest.

“You stupid!” I shouted. “Let go!” I struggled against his strong grip.

“Calm down Liliane, you’ll injure yourself,” laughed Demos. Grant stood by the door with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Grant, do something!” I called.

“And what do you want him to do? Beat me up? He will always agree with me,” chuckled Demos. He lowered his hands and my own in the process. They slipped into mine.

“Not always… but I do have to follow the alpha,” added Grant with a hint of annoyance. I looked up at Demos his hard shell was gone, replaced with a slight smile that lit his eyes to an almost golden glow.

“Can we wipe everything and start from the beginning?” he lilted his face towards me. My pulse picked up as my eye rested on his lips. Damn those lips, I parted mine to inhale. His arms wrapped around me and I found myself pulled in.

“Liliane don’t!” shouted Grant breaking the connection. He rushed to my side and pulled me away from Demos’ arms. I blinked a couple of times. What just happened? Demos smirked at me.

“When you’ll sync will us you will understand the pull between mates,” whispered Grant against my hair.