Artificial Mates - Chapter 40

I stirred; I didn’t want to pull away from the warmth I pressed against. With my free hand, I caressed my pillow; it moved, killing the magic from my dream.

-Good morning.

I yawned and blinked the sleep away. Soft silver eyes gazed down at me; I couldn’t stop my slow smile. Grant held me in his arm; he dropped a kiss on my lips to which I responded mindless of bad breath. When we parted, I searched around the room for my other mate.

-He is getting ready for work.

“Yeah, right,” I nodded. I stretched and reluctantly pushed away from his warm embrace, slid to the edge of the mattress.

-Do you remember your dream?

I turned to study his face. There were creases between his eyebrows ruining his perfect face. I must thank that perfect who sculpted his pretty face. The frown relaxed, I tried to recall my fuzzy dream. I was sure there were flowers, a blue sky, and happiness.

“I’m sorry… It’s a little confusing,” I answered. I was a little surprised he even asked about it. I haven’t had a good dream for a while. Most of the time I don’t remember any of it when I get up. The chatter in my head drowned everything a fog of dullness. I turned back to the window when soft light poured through the curtain. I struggled to my feet.

“Do you feel better?” he called behind me as I opened my closet. Now that he mentioned it, the headache was gone and the dizziness reduced to a faint memory.

“I’m fine,” I tossed over my shoulder. I grabbed my usual pair of jeans hanging on a hook by the door. Grant appeared behind me and drew a white top.

“There, perfect,” I narrowed my eyes at him. The top was too tight and too short from my usual big sweater. I’ll fear n.a.k.e.d all day. He smiled while wrapping his arms around me.

“The garment won’t harm you. It’s all in your head,” I glared at the top a little doubtful about his words. He never had to dodge with s.e.x.u.a.l harassment, chat call and nasty remarks wrapped like compliments. I wasn’t ok either with him choosing what I swear. I was already letting everyone stump all over me.

-That’s not true. You have your own will. You chose to be with us.

I turned to peek at him; he leaned to kiss me on my forehead.

“And, I want you to have confidence in yourself, walk with your head high. Stop hiding in large sweaters,” I frowned; he had hit the nail on the head. I didn’t want an artificial to tell me I had a bad sense of fashion. It hit my insecurities and I hated that. My extra kilo around my waist is the reason why I want to hide my fat body.

“You’re not fat,” he snapped. I flinched when his hands went under my shirt to my belly and my waist, the region I hated the most. I grimaced as he caressed my skin. I wanted to slap his hands away.

“You’re beautiful, you have to accept yourself the way you are,” I fought to get away however, he wouldn’t let go. The more desperate and angry I got the more he giggled and kissed me.

“Hey, quit fooling around or we’ll really be late!” snapped Demos standing in the middle of the room with his fists on his lips. The distraction helped me break away from the prison of Grant’s arms. I quickly rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door behind me.

-Liliane, do you need help rubbing your back?

I gasped at his voice. I can’t believe they would follow me around. How the hell will I concentrate on the toilet? It was ridiculous almost scary.

“Stay away from me when I’m taking a dump, damn it,” I yelled. Loud laughter responded to my outburst. They acted like kids. Naughty little kids.

-I’m going to buy bread then prepare your lunch.

I stood by the door listening as both of them exited the room before I undressed to take a quick shower. I got ready and joined them in the living room. I couldn’t stop pulling that damn top. Even if my belly wasn’t exposed yet every movement it would lift.

“Would you stop fidgeting,” said Grant from the kitchen. “You look pretty,” Demos nodded in agreement. I wrapped my arms around my midsection with hot cheeks.

“But I feel… n.a.k.e.d. I won’t be able to relax if I go to work like that,” I complained making Grant sighed.

-Just let her wear whatever the hell she wants. If she wants to wear a bag, let her.

Commented Demos with a sour tone. I shot him a dark look. What would he know about insecurity he’s a walking perfection. Even if he wore a rice bag, he would still look hot.

-I would look good without anything

A slow smile stretched across his face making my face burned with embarrassment.

“Enough!” I shouted I stomped away to my room and threw on a grey buttoned-up coat to hide the top.

-Hurry, we are going to be late.

I struggled with the buttons as I got back to the living room. Grant handed me my lunch bag and a light goodbye kiss. It melted the irritation.

“Have a good day,” he waved at the door as he watched us walked to the elevator. Demos took my hand in his. I was still angry with him yet it felt good being near him.

-Thanks

I peeked at him, the elevator door opened with a chime.

“What for?” I asked as we stepped in. He just smiled without answering. We went to the station holding hands in silence. Serenity and happiness seeped through the link from Grant and Demos. It was the strangest feeling like a warm blanket around my heart. In the Transfer, I leaned against his chest savoring the moment. We arrived at the station too soon. I half-heartedly let go of his hand. Our eyes meet as I got off.

-I love you.

***

Anna appeared around the corner as I pulled the door to my office. Her smile stretched when she spotted me. She rushed in the crowded corridor to meet me.

“Hi,” she waved with enthusiasm. I greeted her with a smile. She stopped to eyed me a moment.

“You’re smiling, something good happened yesterday?” she commented. I hang my bag in its usual spot ignoring her observation. “How is Grant doing?” her question made flashes of what happened resurfaced. Grant’s hot kiss and Demos’ hand caressing me. A shiver of pleasure went through the body.

-Hey, I’m at work stop that!

-Is it right to think about this right now?

The voices startled me. I dumped into my chair while I desperately tried to catch it before it hit the floor I knocked my elbow into my desk. A jolt of electric current rush up my arm. I gave out a little cry from the impact. Anna looked up from her screen in an alert.

“Are you okay?” she got up with concern. I nodded while holding my elbow.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry. I’m just a little clumsy,” I grimaced. Damn it. I thought I could hear them only when we were together. Grant! Demos! What the hell are you doing in my head?

-You flooded us with hot images. I-I could feel you calling…

I silently cursed at my own inability of restraints. But those are my private thoughts get out. I frowned as I rubbed my pulsing elbow. Anna gave me a quick glance before returning to the list of tasks for the day.

“Are you sure you’re ok? You look like you saw a ghost,” Anna kept her eyes on the screen. I couldn’t tell her I hear voices in the head. She will think I’m crazy.

-Tell her you’ve synced with us. I’m sure she’ll be over the moon.

Demos shut up! Oh my god, don’t tell me I’ll hear them chat all day. I cleared my throat to get rid of the irritation. Anna kept giving me side-glance. I must look like a crazy lady right now glaring at empty space.

“You’re not eating today?” she asked. My stomach groaned voicing its eagerness to eat. I gave her a tight smile.

-There are sandwiches in your bag. Sorry, they are only cheese sandwiches.

Thanks, honey. You’re so lovely. Ok, It will take a while to get used to those two voices in my head, along from my own. I got my bag, took out my breakfast.

“Are you getting used to the job?” I said as I bit in the soft bread. Anna leaned back in her seat. We had added a second chair for her. The desk was big enough to fit us two on it. Half held the microscope and the scanners the other half held the screen so Anna could enter the results of each sample.

“It’s not different from what I was doing at my previous job. I did a lot of data entry. The workers were mostly old ladies. The conversation was…different. Back pains, grandma’s meds, how to grow your own garden and a lot of gossips,” we laughed. Anna really helped me relax in my workplace. My watched chimed notifying me a long-distance message entered.

“Sorry, let me get this,” I peeked at the logo on the tiny screen. Titan Express. I smiled at it must be Lyla. I’ve completely forgotten about her. I haven’t answered her last message. It was not a pleasant one either. If I remember it right, she told me so many disturbing things about Grant and Demos. My hand hovered over my bracelet fearing what the content of her message might be. I got to my feet and went to the corridor before pressing on the feed of her message. Lyla’s tired face appeared in front of me.

“Hey, Lili darling. You didn’t call back I was worried so I called the Ai administrator. Jil told me that someone tried to kill you. Oh my god. Are you ok? I was so worried,” her eyes welled up. “She explained that your companion saved you. Ok, I don’t approve. I still think this artificial mate thing is wrong especially for you. You’re sensitive and need someone who understands you. I don’t think a machine does. Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful they protect you. Sure they can be helpful like cook and clean the house and stuff like that. However, for someone suffering from the void is not a good option,” she looked up from her lap and gave a tight smile at the camera. “I actually wanted to tell you something. I’ve taken the decision to come back,” I gasped at her words. What? Why? “I feel you really need someone at your side. So, I’m saving to come back. It will take a month but I’m coming back,” she burst into giggles making her tears spill on her cheeks. “I miss you Lili darling. It has been so bad here. I need you as much as you need me,” the feed cut before I could react to her announcement.