"You are not bothering yourself with non-human nonsense. You like your things natural as they're meant to be."
Sara then turned to her daughter.
"Brielle, you remember old man Babbage? He said he's looking to get an artificial girlfriend! Men do that now."
The woman was clearly dismayed.
"Mr Babbage? He said that?" Bree asked, shocked.
"Yes." Sara replied then moved her attention to the attractive man driving her. "Mr Alejandro, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Can this artificial girlfriends engage in reproductive acts....?"
"Mom, stop...." Bree cried in discomfort and shimmied where she sat. Her face colored immensely as she bowed her head, ashamed.
★★★
★★★
Rolando Allen Steele held the lighter for Maverick Sony Broudus who had a serious look on his face.
"I need to know what time you think I can get that new phone. I'm scared for my crypto wallet." Maverick said, bothered. "I can't believe I can't remember where I put that thing. I'm tired of tracking mere phones."
"Remember I told you to keep a hardware...."
"Fuck, don't remind me...." Maverick cried and sucked at his cigarette, frustrated.
Rolando's phone began to ring. He hurriedly pulled it out.
"Whoa, it's Ashley." He said and raised the phone to Maverick who was beginning to pick it up but was quick to pause, his face scrunching with suspicion.
"Hey, why are you giving it to me?" Maverick asked.
"You don't wanna talk to her?"
"Man, what the fuck, she's calling you."
"Sorry, just thought...." Rolando began but trailed off as he picked. "Hello, Ashley."
"Hey, Rolando. I been trying to call Maverick. It's ringing but...."
"Fuck, it's ringing?" Maverick blurted and it was loud enough to make Ashley pause and listen.
And in a softer, concerned voice, she asked.
"Maverick? You lost your phone?"
"Yeah.... Kinda."
"What do you mean by KINDA? I mean, you lost your phone." Ashley said, laughing.
"Yeah, I did but since you said it's ringing.... I guess it's not completely lost."
"God, you're funny. I promise that phone would be vibrating somewhere in the laundry house. Trace it with Rolando's stuffs."
"I feel lazy."
Rolando only stood there, looking from his phone to Maverick and back. The call really was for Maverick, he knew. And that made him smirk, mischievously. But, Maverick caught that and licked his lips guiltily.
".... you should try to be a bit more careful. It's not far from you."
"Yeah. Uhm.... Lemme go grab something." Maverick said, trying to hide his embarrassment. He stepped back.
"Sure. Jesus.... Where's Rolando? Rolando?"
"I'm still right here." Rolando drawled. Maverick walked off.
"So sorry. I was just so worried about Maverick. I wanted to tell you two that I and Alejandro have met my roommate."
"Wow! That's a milestone."
"Oh, shut up, Rolando." Ashley laughed. "It's just that I knew this was the right girl in my heart. Alejandro wants to be her Guardian."
There was silence and Ashley knew what was coming. And it happened.
Rolando began to laugh in his usual deep, rich tone. This was strange news and now, it sounded funny.
"Jesus Christ, what's going on with him? Or, is he trying to make the girl look stupid….?"
"Nah. Come on, you know Alejandro. He'd never take his time to even address anyone. He talked to her mother in a way that he'd never do to anybody. Not even my roommate herself. He seemed to accept the older lady."
"Wow.... This is strange to me. To anyone even. Something must be up. We should ask Erwina."
"Yeah.... Well, I like Bree already. She's a cool person. Very.... should I say babylikely interesting. Very innocent."
"Ah, I don't seem to be feeling uncomfortable with this one."
"I promise y'all are going to like her."
"Ok, she'll be at school on Monday, won't she?"
"She will."
"Super. I'll tell Maverick, then."
"Yes, please."
★★★
★★★
"Goodbye, Mr Alejandro. Thank you so much for your help. God bless you."
"It's fine, ma'am. Let me get the door for you."
"Oh...." Sara exclaimed softly, pleased to watch Alejandro get out and go for her door.
"Bye, Mom."
"Bye, sweetheart." Sara replied and reached to give her daughter a sound kiss to the cheek. "Enjoy your moments here in New York."
"Sure thing, Mom."
And Mrs Daniels moved out of the vehicle, shook hands with Alejandro and told him he had made her day bright. They exchanged numbers and Bree watched her Mom go into the building before Alejandro got in and began to drive without saying a word.
The drive was awkward for Bree although in her heart, she didn't want it to end just yet. She watched, at the female campus residences' gate, how Alejandro quietly showed his pass ID and was let in. She was sitting directly behind him but couldn't dare to shift and see his artificial-like heartwarming features even though she was desperately aching to. She sat still till he stopped in front of the duplex and waited for her to get the fuck out of his vehicle.
Bree shifted towards the door, opened the door and muttered a THANK YOU which he didn't reply.
Bree didn't know how or why but she paused without getting out. Alejandro had to turn and look. Bree looked up so they could meet eye to eye.
And then, she repeated her words in slow, emphasized stresses.
"Thank you, Alejandro."
Alejandro didn't take his eyes off. Alejandro didn't say anything. He just stared. He didn't even move a bit.
"Yes, you've gotten him! Jesus, you're a baddie. You've gotten him!" Bree's head chanted in victory and overwhelming pride. "Stare him down, bitch! Show him what you're really made of."
And Brielle stared back, challenging him silently. Alejandro clearly appeared taken aback. His Eyebrows moved involuntarily.
Now, that was the naughtiest side of Bree speaking and she enjoyed it. She was feeling mighty now. She stared at Alejandro unflinching. She wouldn't break first. She wouldn't look away till he did. Alejandro was stunned. But he clearly didn't know what to do about it.
He was handsome and had a healthy glow for a face as she could see now. Bree began to read him mentally. Strong features built what he looked like. He was irresistible. He was god-like. He was big. Bree's heart was thudding and she blinked slowly. Oh.... Her eyes moved to his lips and a strong feeling wrenched through her whole being. And she retreated!
Bree forced her eyes down. Her body was coming alive. Her heart was slamming against her chest.
Something had happened and Bree knew what it was....
Strong feelings. It was a snap of naïve love. A love that appeared to be too instant, early and blind. Bree could feel it. It was too quick to be strong yet blatant and real. But, it was there. Sitting on her heart.
She had connected just by the little engaging stare they'd just shared. This wasn't something she'd have to think about. It wasn't something she had to confirm. It was straight to her face and in her little independent and careless mind that she would begin to fancy him henceforth.
It'd been like that since she first saw him at the door. What she had thought of it was to find a way to quench it.
Urgently, her heart knew this had to be cancelled or she'd be lost and suffer as a slave to an emotion she could see will never be reciprocated by him.
But would anything work?
Bree hurriedly began to move out.
With one shut, Bree turned and was beginning to go away when Alejandro called her, his windows down.
He hadn't said a word the whole ride. But now, one command hung heavy in the air. And it made Bree's heart forget to beat.
And Alejandro said....
"Come here."