Artificial Mates - Chapter 21

Lyla’s words rang in my head, tearing all my hopes and dreams to shreds. Somehow, I already had my doubts about Sognare, their customer service was a clear indication of their deceit. I pushed away from the remaining three samples on my desk and got to my feet. When I turned to my bracelet, I noticed how late it was. The tiny screen said 10:43 pm. I’d forced myself to do my work correctly, however, my mind kept wandering around.

“Shit!” I whispered. Quick footsteps approached my opened door. Mr. Ramdin popped his head in, he looked a little breathless. He struggled in a navy colored jacket. He had a concerned face.

“You’re not done yet?” I turned back to the screen pretending to be busy. “Forget it! I just received a call from my wife, our son is sick,” my head sprung up in his direction. I didn’t know he was married or had a kid. Our eyes met, he smiled with pride. “And yes, I have a life outside of this,” he gestured at the pristine white office. “I may come off as strict, Benedict Dims seems to think I’m a prick,” he chuckled without humor. He checked his bracelet. “It’s late. You go home, we’ll finish the rest tomorrow,” he rushed into the corridor leaving me stunt. His footsteps echoed until they faded. I was so worried that I forgot to text Grant I was doing overtime, again. With a slide of my finger, Ewink opened. I took a deep breath before typing.

Liliane: Guys, I just finished. Sorry I was really busy. Work was fierce.

Grant: Don’t worry, we are already waiting at the station

Liliane: What station? The one next to our apartment?

Demos: The one in front of SolTec?

Liliane: You’re already here? Hold on I’m gathering my stuff. Be right there

Demos: meet you in front of the main building

I grabbed my bag and snatched my water bottle on my desk, ran down the corridor. At this hour, it was completely empty. The night shift was cyborgs only loading and unloading of raw materials or orders to ship the next day. Well, I’ve rarely worked this late for the four years I’ve been at SolTec. The main door came into view, I pressed on, eager to get to see them.

“Send them back before you are too attached,” Lyla’s slashing words slowed me down to a halt in front to the door. Was it already too late? I swapped my bracelet on the panel and the glass doors opened allowing cold air to seep in. There they were, standing at the top of the stairs with their backs at me. Both unique in their own styles and character. Grant swirled around with a smile while Demos, with a slight movement of the head, peeked over his shoulder. I stood rooted to the ground.

“Guys,” my smile stretched unconsciously. I couldn’t help the warm feeling in my chest. Grant closed the distance between us and took me in his arms. I melted in his embrace placing my arms around his neck.

“Oh! You’re responsive today,” he chuckled. “I’m also happy to see you,” he snuggled his nose in my tangled hair making me giggle.

“Hey! Remember that you’re in front of her work!” warned Demos glaring at us. I quickly squeezed away from Grant to his disappointment. I moved closer to Demos and slipped my hand into his. He frowned at our hands.

“Let’s go home!” I pulled on his hand. Grant hurried behind us and grabbed my other hand while giggling.

“What is going on today?” he laughed stressing on the ‘is’. “Is there good news or something?” we walked towards the platform. The long corridor was deserted with patches left in complete darkness. My stomach tightened just imagining what could lurk in those shadows. Demos’ slightly squeezed my fingers. I gave him a quick glance, then turned to smile at Grant.

“I’m getting a new assistant, Mr. Ramdin says it will come with a bonus,” Grant pulled me and kissed my cheek. It happened so quick I didn’t have time to react. He threw his arms in the air screaming. His voice echoed in the hollow space. His overreaction over the news was somewhat surprising. I touched the place where his lips came into contact with my skin. My face was hot. Demos pulled me closer to him.

“We should throw a party,” Grant whirled around and shouted. I laughed in response. He was acting as a kid, it was cute.

“Hey! Calm the f.u.c.k down!” added Demos in a flat voice. I raised my eyebrow at him.

“Stop with the F word!” I scolded him pulling on his hand, he smirked at my remark.

“Really?” he asked with a snort.

We reached the deserted platform, eerie with patches of green and cold white overhead from the led tubes. Orange spots from the poles along the tracks kept the darkness at bay. There were two ticket machines on the far side with bright yellow and electric blue on the front. Red blinking neon on the tracks indicated that the Transfer won’t be here any sooner. A cold gush of wind pulled opened my light coat making me shiver. Wearing shorts and a lacy top didn’t help in this department. I held the coat closed still the shiver didn’t stop.

“Come here,” said Demos in a low voice. He was leaning against a column while Grant hummed as he spun slowly around another column to our right.

“It’s ok,” I answered between chattering teeth. He pushed away from his spot and hugged me from behind. I flinched as his arms wrapped around my trembling body.

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?” he whispered against my hair. A closed my eyes to get rid of the irritation. When a second pair of arms wrapped around us, making me jump. Those two will give me a heart attack in the near future. I stared right into Grant’s cheerful silver eyes. He stood facing me.

“Bear hug!” he chuckled. “You’re shivering Princess. That outfit is not appropriate in this weather,” I pressed my head into his chest, closing my eyes to let their warmth wrapped around me.

“I don’t want to wake up,” I sighed. Demos dropped a kiss on my hair.

“You’re not dreaming,” I tilted my head upwards and sighed again. I could see tiny stars in the inky sky from one corner of the roof. Grant looked up at me.

“I am,” I added in a sad tone. “There’s no way this girl fantasy is real,” I murmured on the verge of tears. Grant frowned at me and squeezed his arms around us.

“We are really here and will love you, always,” I chuckled at how cheesy that sounded and closed my eyes letting my head fall back against Demos’ chest. Finger’s tips traced my jawline made goosebumps rose on my arms. Long fingers tilted my face to the right; I fluttered my lashes, open them and found lava colored eyes staring down at me. My heart drummed against my chest at the anticipation. My lips parted as I inhaled, feeling him pull me in. He bent his face over slowly brushing his lips against mine. A second pair of lips nipped at my exposed neck, I gasped against Demos’ soft lips. He groaned as he bit my lower lip. Demos yanked me closer against him and covered my mouth with a hungry kiss. I gave a low m.o.a.n, allowing him access to deepen the kiss.

“Can’t I kiss you too?” whispered Grant in my ear, making my knees go weak. He lightly caressed my cheek when I pulled away from Demos. His eyes were an intense aquamarine. My heart was about to explode, Demos had left me breathless. I was scared to ruin this feeling. A tiny voice kept screaming how wrong it was. Grant leaned in and with his thumb lightly stroked my swollen lips. He laid a shy, tentative kiss then pulled away leaving me wanting more. I heard Demos chuckled against my ear. I pulled Grant by the front of his shirt and pressed my lips over his, shocking him and shutting Demos up. Just then, a loud hiss announced the Transfer’s arrival thus ruining the mood. Grant staggered away with one hand over his lips, his eyes wide with daze. I giggled hiding my red face. What the hell did I just do? Demos pulled me by the hand and we all boarded the Transfer. The trip back home was quiet. Demos stood close to me while Grant grabbed on a pole a little further away with his eyes lost in the distance. Jil greeted us with her usual smile.

“How are my boys?” she teased. They both averted their eyes. “I see someone had fun tonight,” she pointed at my neck. I quickly pulled my collar shut. She laughed, making me want to bury myself and never come out. Jil was quickly climbing on my blacklist. I glared at her as she perfect sophisticated laughter resonated in the empty hall. Demos wrapped his arm around me in a tight embrace.

“Can you mind your own business,” he tossed over his shoulder, he guided me towards the elevator. Grant hurried behind us. When the door closed, I looked up at Demos.

“Ca-can we talk about this?” he let go of me, his expression grew colder. Grant stood a little further with his back pressed against the wall. He was silenced since we came back, which was a little odd.

“What do you want to know?” Demos sighed.

“What is it between us?” I gestured to the space separating us three. Demos slipped his hands in his pockets. Just then, the door chimed, announcing our floor. He stepped out without hesitation followed by Grant. I hurried to catch up with them and open the door to our apartment. The moment, I stepped in I sighed; it felt good to be home. They both turned in perfect sync to face me. Both completely different in their own way.

“We are your mates. We were made for you,” smiled Grant. My heart sunk. I wanted to hear them confess their love for me not the generic promotional ads from Sognare. Lyla was right. Tears sunk my eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong,” Grant stepped closer and reached out to touch my face. I flinched away. He stared at me in confusion.

“I’m tired, sleepy and emotionally drained,” I walked to my room slamming the door behind me. Loud banging made the door shook on its hinges. I sprung around in alert.

“Liliane! You can’t just walk away. Not when you just kissed both of us!” shouted Demos on the other side. I paused in the middle of the room. Images and sensation from the kiss flooded back at me. What do I really feel for them? Love? Maybe need. More like an addiction. I shook my head.

“Liliane!” he yanked the door opened. He loomed in the doorway, eyes glazing blue and menacing.

“You need to figure out your shit! You can’t do that push-and-pull game on us. Either you want us or want us gone,” he spat. His words cut to my core, exposing my insecurities, my doubts, and my guilt. Tears rolled down my cheeks on their own. I collapsed on the floor, unable to keep up with the overwhelming torment raging inside of me.