'Perhaps he only speaks like this when he is trying hard to nail something in his head'
Shantal reasoned to herself as she remembered the time when she told him to memorize her cell phone number in case something happened while she was out. Alex at that time pretty much did the same thing; albeit being less submissive compared to the latter.
Also, at this point, Shantal felt defeated because looking at Alex who was not sporting a puppy-like expression, she felt like she was having trouble being seriously angry with him. Especially when it was apparent that the other party was only acting out of goodwill.
'What else could I expect from an Android Partner? After all, that was how his system was built, so who could blame him for acting like that?'
´Shantal told herself and with a small sigh, she extended her arms and reached out to Alex to touch him.
“It’s okay.”
She muttered
“I want to be human.”Alex confessed out of the blue and Shantal was startled when she heard him said that so she lifted her gaze and looked straight at his eyes.“You do?”She asked as she beckoned to him with her hand. She tapped the empty space right beside her and invited the other party to sit next to her in the bed.“Everyone where I come from does.”Alex replied softly and it was at this point that Shantal finally realized that the two of them had been talking at each other in a whisper ever since they started their conversation a while ago. His voice was hushed whenever he was saying his reply and without Shantal realizing it, her subconscious mind already made her matched the modulation of the other party's voice."Why are we talking like this, anyway?"She asked him in a whispering manner and Alex explained himself to her and told her his reason for talking that way."I am afr
Early the next day, Shantal decided to get some fresh air so she went outside and explore the town. She was planning to go to the plaza and checked whether it changed over the course of time that she had not been there. Her robot naturally tagged along and for some reason, Shantal felt that something had really changed about Alex, overnight. However, thinking that she was just overthinking things, she pushed the thought at the back of her mind. At the same time, the longer she stayed with the other party the more convinced she became that he really was not as intelligent as she initially thought and Android Partner would be.But that was not to say that Alex was dumb. No. But after the third time, Shantal has to grab him and pulled him back before he could even end up being run over by a speeding car, it was official that Alex was more than a little oblivious."I am so sorry."He said for the umpteenth time that Shantal already lost count of how m
"Maybe I can delude myself into thinking that I was just strolling around with a friend... or should I say, a roommate?"Shantal trailed off as she tried to reconsider how she saw Alex in her life."A person, then."She decided once and for all.'A person with a very young mental age. Although I am pretty sure there are eight year olds out there who aren’t as distracted by insects and shadows as Alex is.'When that realization dawned on her, she broke into another smile.“You have never seen any of this?”She asked Alex afterward when she sawthe other party fixated at a tree.“Oh, I have,” Alex smiled, stretching his hand up to touch the tree he was leaning against with.“But not in real life. I have a lot of images in my head of what everything is supposed to be and feel like but this is the first time I have ever really seen or felt them. Although, I can&rs
Shantal and Alex wandered around the city and they had so much fun together that they already lost track of time and the sun had taken a dip into the western horizon when they finally realized that it was about time for them to leave and go home."I had so much fun!"Alex squealed as his strides were laced with merry steps, almost hopping every now and then; his hands swaying at his sides in a leisurely manner as if he had no care for anything in the world."So do I..."Shantal whispered and she deliberately spoke softly that Alex no longer heard her said that.Meanwhile, Jodi had been wanting to meet Shantal ever since that morning. She wanted to tell the other party about what she saw in the kitchen last night. But since Shantal left first thing in the morning, she was not able to catch a glimpse of her. She also tried calling Shantal, but her phone was out of coverage and she could not think of another way to contact her. Thus, the girl was left
Inside their room, Shantal was a little distracted by the thoughts of what Alex could be getting himself into. She never knew expected her robot to take a liking of insects. In fact, the other party eve took the initiative of bringing some of the bugs he found on the park."You can't expect me to let you play with those in our room."Shantal told Alex once when she saw him placing the bugs inside a container and when Alex heard her dropped an ultimatum, his shoulders dropped on his side.Almost at that instant, Shantal felt the need to run to him and gave him a hug. Alex, at that time, looked like a deserted puppy that badly needed some comfort. But Shantal resisted the urge and tried her best to stand her ground.'No! This can't be happening to you, Shantal. You can't be a softie!The small voice inside her head warned Shantal. But the robot was simply too good at what he was doing and he seemed to know his way to Shantal.
SHANTAL'S POV~ ~ ~Time continued to drag on and months passed by without me even realizing it. At the same time, over the course of these past few months that I have been with my Android Partner, I could now say that living with Alex has gotten a lot better and we knew that we would keep getting better.Oftentimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night and I would see my robot sleeping next to me. We decided to share the same room and bed a long time ago. There were also times when I would wake up with my face pressed into Alex’s chest. I must admit that at first, I was a little unnerved whenever I found myself lying in his arms. I could not explain what compelled my body to pull him closer in the middle of the night as I sleep but eventually, I also got used to it that now, I almost felt having trouble sleeping without Alex beside me. I just hoped that Alex would just note this under 'Weird Things Humans Do' and just allowed
One day, while I was busy making my lunch, I heard my robot asked me something.“You don’t like me, do you?”His face was devoid of any emotion at that time but there was no mistaking on the subtle tone of pain at the edge of his voice when Alex asked me that question.I looked up to meet his gaze and knitted my brows together.“What? Of course, I like you. You would not be living here with me in the first place if I did not like you.”I told him that but my answer was not enough to satisfy him and I arrived at that conclusion because I saw him letting out a deep sigh and shaking his head.“No... That is…that is not what I want to hear..."Alex's voice was trailing off as he spoke as though he was having a hard time expressing himself and he could not seem to find the right word to say. I, on the other hand, remained silent. I allowed him time to think and let him spoke his mind but
Gathering all the courage that I could muster at that moment, I swallowed my nerves and took Alex's hand from him. I pulled him closer and initiated a hug. I enclosed him to my embrace and I was surprised when he hugged me back. But unlike what I would often do before, I did not pull back this time, and instead, I let him envelop me with his warmness.I had never properly hugged anyone before so it was a bit awkward for me at first. But the feeling of Alex's arms wrapped around me just felt so right. Alex was a bit warm and I found his natural core processor temperature, and the whirling of his “heart” rather comforting.Compared to me, it was way easier for Alex to have this kind of interaction. He welcomed me with his open arms so easily that I was once again reminded that Alex was created for this very purpose. He was made to bring someone happiness through a stable, loving relationship. I was a bit guilty of being unable to give Alex what he
"Gosh it's good."Harold said when he got to taste how refreshing the drink was. When he looked at the other two guys, he saw them gesturing to their head but he did not give them much attention."Yes.Sam repeated the same thing with a voice and face devoid of emotion."Something needs fixing."Harold told Sam afterward and so Sam fought back to urge to do and eye roll before replying flatly to him."Okay."This time, Harold noticed that Rico and Michael still keep on doing the same thing so he asked them instead,"What? Is your scalp itchy.""No."The two answered in unison. Jodi on the other hand who was watching all of this farce unfold right before her eyes, could not help but let out a sigh."You sure are made for each other."She said to no one in particular and it was also as seemed she was only talking to herself."Anyway. Michael, I need you to go to Casterly."
"I am right here. Respect my existence."Michael insinuated afterward before he sarcastically added,"Do you guys want be to get you a room instead?""I should not have fallen asleep that night."He muttered to himself as he recalled the night Jodi asked Rico out for a date. He believed that if only he was not asleep that time, then maybe Jodi would also consider dating him.On the other hand, Rico seemed to be out of it and oblivious of him."Lover."The other party mumbled to himself as he observed the tarot card in his hand.'"I did not know this will happen. I feel so lonely."Michael muttered to himself out of despondency and while he was in the middle of self pity. Someone walked into the room.They though the one arrived was some random girl who was in full glam and obviously had just gone to salon for her touch up when it decided to have some coffee."Wow! I told her she would be pretty."
"That robot was sometimes human and sometimes a robot for me and that was why others who can't understand my situation mistakes me as someone who hallucinates and believe a robot as a human just because I am treating it just like one. But for my opinion, my situation was no different from those who loves their pets so much, they even considered them as their child and called themselves as furparents.""My emotions were input into that robot and that person. That is how this miracle happened. That fact completely changed the way I view things. This will be yet another scoop for the reporters present. Nordstorme Corp will go from financing mergers and acquisitions to investing in futuristic industries that involved human sensibilities. Just like what Alpha Tec Inc pioneered years ago.""This is your first change in business strategy in 15 years. Do you have anything mapped out?"One of the reporters raised a question just like what a normal press conference should
On the flip side, just like what Shantal assumed, Mr. Takashi with Mathilde's instruction called for an emergency meeting on that afternood. Which happened to coincide to the time when Shantal will hold her press conference.Moreover, since Mathilde would not be able to make it there since she was still held in prison, her secretary presided the meeting."We shall begin the emergency board meeting."Secretary Ye declared loudly and her voice reverberated in the room. Jiro was also there along with other board members."The agenda is the dismissal of Director Shantal Nordstorme and the cause is as you were all informed. An illness."She continued while everyone was silent and anxiously prayed so they could ever this meeting once and for all. On the contrary, Mr. Takashi was nodding his head on the side and though he was anticipating for this day come.Mr. Takashi nodded his head toward Secretary Ye to signal her to start it once and for
In there, Jodi found a list of shares under her name as well as a soft copy of memorandum of renunciation address to Shantal with her name on it and it was then that Jodi realized that her mom had already long planned about it ahead of the time.As it turned out, Mathilde was thinking of using her influence to oust her cousin out of the position.In addition, inside the flash drive she also found an old email account with records of bunch of emails and it took Jodi more than four hours to go through all of them.But by the time she finished reading the exchange of chats Mathilde had with her hitman, Jodi's eyes was bloodshot.It was unsure if this was cause by her prolong exposure to the screen or if it was exhaustion that was doing this thing on her body, but when she get up from her chair, Jodi balled her hands into a fist.She slammed the door shut behind her back as she left the office and on the screen, the last conversation
It was late in the evening when Jodi received a call out from nowhere. When she checked that registered on the caller ID, she was surprised to see Jiro's name.Truth be told, he was the least person he would expect to contact her. After all, the two of them never talked to each other for ages.Jiro used to be a good friend of hers as well. Just like how she and Shantal were cousins, Jiro and and Zorens were first cousins too so naturally all four of them get to know each other and as a child, they eventually became acquaintances in no time.Besides, since Zoren's parents were a family friend of the Nordstorme they often had an opportunity to hang around during their childhood.However, ever since the day Zoren committed suicide due to the incident regarding the Nordstorme controversy, Jiro also stopped communicating with them.So this made Jodi wonder what had come to Jiro to decide and phone her at this time of the night.But
"In other words, she wants me to become director and cover up all his shortcomings?"Mr. Takashi insinuated after his contemplation. He did not exactly declined the offer this time, unlike before. Although he also did not directly implied that he would do it.Nonetheless, Secretary Ye considered his response as a good sign. At least, the other party was no longer adamant at turning them down.So with the same insinuating manner, she answered him back."That would make it easier for you to do your duties once you become a director. All that was left for you now is to leave Ms. Shantal Nordstrome no other choice but to step down and abdicate the position of board directory to your hands.""Ousting her is not enough. He will just come back. We must make sure he loses the will to come back."Out of nowhere, Mr. Takashi declared with conviction and for a second, the secretary was taken aback by this.One moment, he almost drove her a
"You told Jodi about everything?"Mathilde asked her secretary as soon as the two of them were finally allowed to have some private conversation within the prison hall where she was currently detained. Panic was noticeably present on the other party's face when she raised her question. Meanwhile, the secretary remained silence yet that was all enough for Mathilde to guess her response and not long after that, her shoulders dropped on the side when the realization hit her."I guess she was bound to find out about it sooner or later."She muttered under her breath with despondent undertone.An exasperated sigh escaped Mathilde's lips afterward. But then, she suddenly tenses up when she recalled about something else.Leaning towards the other party all the while grabbing a hold to the iron bars, Mathilde looked around her warily first to make sure that no ears were on them.Only when she confirmed for the umpteenth time that no one was listenin
Adelaine Smith's P o V~~~~While Jodi and I were driving down the road looking for any sign of the robot, I received a call and when I checked who it was, I found out that it was Amanda so I accepted the call right away."Ms. Smith, the robot just got on the bus number 707."I heard her voice telling me the moment it picked her call"Great! Thank you for the information."I replied and not long after that, she hung up on her because I reckoned that it would be best if I could relay this news to the other search parties. In this way they would also know where to start looking. Of course, the first one that I tried to call was my lady boss. However, to my dismay, I was only redirected to the voice call feature of the phone.'The number you have dialed is busy at the moment. Please try your call later or leave a message aft