Artificial Mates - Chapter 7

The bell rang announcing the end of my shift. I stretched in my seat, groaned as the bones of my back cracked and my neck ached. The little sleep I had yesterday taken its toll on me. I could barely stay awake through the repetitive samples. All I wanted was a hot shower and to crawl to bed.

“Hey, Liliane!” called a voice over the murmur in the corridor on the way out. I sprung around expecting one of my mates. I couldn’t help but smile. A hand waved at me catching my attention. A brown-haired head squeezed between busy employees eager to get home. As he came closer, my smile faded.

“Wait for me,” that was neither of them. It was that Jay guy… whatever his name, from earlier in the cafeteria. He rushed to meet me. I quickly turned to continue on my way out.

“You don’t have to make that face,” he teased with an arrogant smirk. I pulled my lunch bag closer to my chest in a defensive gesture.

“I’m in a hurry,” I tossed over my shoulder, but he kept following me.

“We should hang out,” he took rapid steps to keep up with me to my disappointment. “I’ve never noticed you before, but I like your new style,” his eyes roamed from my face to my body making me shiver with disgust. “You’re so cute in that dress,” by then I was literally running to the station while holding my bag firm in my arms.

“I’m not interested!” I snapped. It didn’t stop his persistent attempts.

“You sure?” Are you dating someone?” he frowned. He ran after me and that scared the shit out of me. The worst was the blunt attitude of the other employees. They didn’t even bother to look at us. My eyes darted from one tired face to other dead-fish eyes, in search of help. But clearly, there were none.

“If you’re not answering it can only mean you’re single,” he laughed. The exit to the station appeared like salvation at the end of the tunnel. I quickly climbed the stairs two by two leading to the platform. I scanned a dozen passengers waiting and didn’t recognize any of them. Could I just walk to someone to pretend I knew him or her so I can get rid of this annoying guy? My heart hammered inside my chest as I dug my nails in my sweaty palms. I cursed myself for not taking Demos’ offer. I should have called him so he would pick me up. I marched to the front where most of the people were standing next to the yellow safety lines. At least he wouldn’t dare do anything inappropriate in public. I gave a quick look at my bracelet. There was listed the schedule of the next Transfer to Level twenty-two. Three minutes of pure agony to go.

“Are you running away from me?” chuckled that obstinate nuisance of a man standing right behind me. Why wouldn’t he just leave me alone? Why did I have to wear that stupid dress? I turned away from him pretending not to hear.

“You know, I like my women with attitude,” he leaned closer. Shit! He just wouldn’t let go. If I answer, it will only encourage him. I won’t give that pest what he wants… attention! I pressed my lips together and stared straight ahead.

“Oh! Come on, I know you’re interested. Look at me, I’m good looking and good in bed,” I gasped with rage making he chuckled. He was actually enjoying teasing me to get me to react. I closed my mouth and took a step closer to the yellow lines. My bracelet vibrated warming me of the proximity.

“It will be fun. Come on… what about coffee?” I wanted to punch that arrogant jerk, but I badly need my job. I didn’t want to cause a scene and get fired over someone like that. The bell rang engulfing all the noise around me. The Transfer was here. I sighed with relief. I stood on my tiptoes to see the vehicle. A shiver ran up my back when a cold hand came in contact with the light fabric of my dress. It pulled me by the waist. I looked up in shock to find that bastard grinning at me like it was nothing.

“It can really be fun,” he whispered, I instinctively pushed him with all my strength. He lost his balance bumped in a gray-haired man with a briefcase but regained his footing. The old man glared at us and moved away, ignoring my situation.

“What is wrong with you?” I shouted out of breath. His smirk twisted in surprise then to anger. The Transfer stopped with a loud hiss, it’s door flung open. Passengers for the next shift spilled on the platform around us. I turned to get closer to the door when I felt his icy fingers close around my wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going?” said the jerk. I tried to shake him off, however, he hung on like a leech. He glared at me, opened his mouth to say something, then his focus shifted to something behind me.

“Take your hand off her!” said a deep voice towering over me casting a solid shadow on my left shoulder. “Or I’ll make you,” said the shadow with deadly intent making the Jay leech shifted uncomfortably. My head sprung up to meet angry copper eyes glaring at where our hands met. The Jay bastard smiled rose his hands in surrender in the process letting go of me. I quickly rubbed that disgusting feeling away with trembling hands.

“She’s just joking around. She actually enjoys when I’m forceful,” replied the leech with a grin. I took a step back in disgust, my back pressing into Demos’ warmth. His solid chest made me safe.

“Really?” he asked in a calm voice. I looked up at him in shock. He crooked an eyebrow at me with a faint smile on. “I didn’t know you were into SM?” his face relaxed as he gazed at me. What was he doing? Why isn’t he punching that jerk? He almost assaulted me. I glared at him.

“Of course, I don’t,” I shouted with teary eyes. I felt strong arms wrapped around me and his chin rested on my head. I flinched from the sudden touch. Jay guy flinched too and stepped back.

“You f.u.c.k.i.n.g stay away from my woman,” growled Demos. I could feel the sound vibrating from his body and into my back.

“You freaks!” muttered Jay ‘whatever-his-name’ as he made his way into the flow of passengers. I started trembling and sniffed to keep the tears in. Demos turned me around took my face in his hand.

“Hey, I’m sorry… I should have gotten here earlier. I’m sorry I can’t punch that meat bag either I still have to obey to the three laws*,” he hugged me and I buried my face in his chest my hands grabbing at his large back. I’ve never been so scared. The voice over the speaker announced the Transfer imminent departure. He pulled me through the door just as they were closing. He held me close to his chest all the way to Level twenty-two. We both stayed silent. I listened to my own heartbeat as I leaned into his warmth. I placed my hand on the spot where his heart should be… there was nothing there… no sound, no breath. My chin quivered. I could feel tears welling up. The Transfer slowed to a halt and the doors opened at our stop. I pushed away from him and wiped my cheeks while looking away. He gave me a worried look but didn’t dare to ask what was wrong. We got out, submerged by the flow of passengers. Demos slipped his fingers into mine and I let him guide me to the exit. We soon turned to our familiar neighborhood in the shadow of my eighty-eight-floor building.

“Do you want me to carry that?” he tipped his chin to my lunch bag I was holding on like dear life. I looked up at him a little confused. I shook my head, I was too drained too even speak. We entered our building, Jil was at the front desk with a worried look.

“So how did it go?” she leaned closer with both hands clapped together. Demos nodded at her with a sad smile.

“Thanks again, Jil, for the ticket,” Demos didn’t let go of my hand as he stopped to talk to her. I raised my eyebrows at their casual conversation they seemed like old friends.

“Oh, that was nothing,” she giggled. “If I can do something for you again… just ask, ok,” she waved us goodbye and we went to the elevator. When the door closed on us, I turned to him but he ignore me on purpose.

“What…” I started.

“Jil paid for my ticket to come to meet you,” he answered right away. I gasped at him.

“What? Why!” I pulled on the hand he was holding to access my bracelet. “I’ll repay her immediately,” he didn’t get go of me. “But Demos! You can’t just ask people for money!” I blinked at him, but he kept looking straight ahead. His jaw tensed, yet he kept silent. The door opened on our floor and he pulled on my hand, forcing me to follow him to the apartment. When I got in the safe space of my kingdom, Grant greeted me with a worried smile.

“Welcome back, Liliane,” he assessed my red-rimmed eyes behind my glasses then Demos’ blank face. Demos let go of my hand the warmth instantly faded away. Grant came closer; with a finger, he lifted my chin.

“Are you ok?” I gazed in his stormy eyes and slowly nodded. He let go of my chin.

“Lunch was delicious,” I gave him a weak smile. He chuckled and took me in his arms. I patted him on the back.

“I’m sorry. Demos told me what happened. Do you want a warm bath? What about a good massage and soup… or maybe the other way around,” I let go of him. He pushed a lock of hair away from my face.

“It’s ok; I’ll take a shower and get to bed. I’m really tired,” I let the lunch bag sink by the door and walked to my room.

“She needs to eat,” said Demos behind my back. Grant replied something I couldn’t grasp. I was too tired to care. As soon I got to my bathroom, I kicked the dress away. I’ll have to burn that damn thing. I glared at it rolled in a pile on the floor. The hot water did help the sore muscles in my back. However, heavy sobs bubbled up my throat. I sunk to my feet and held my feet close to my chest. The darkness that had been lurking in the back of my mind pressed me down in a tiny corner where I could barely breathe.

“Liliane?” called the pained voices of my mates over the water gushing down. They were at the bathroom door. Haven’t I told them not to barge into my room?

“I need to be alone!” I called with a cracked voice. I rocked back and forward, holding my head, trying to hold my broken pieces together.

*Three laws: refers to Asimov three laws of robotics.