I walked into the home theater. It was so beautiful and looks relaxing.The door didn’t slide this time. It swung open, revealing heaven itself. Cozy recliner seats in red velvet. Long LED light strips that shifted colors based on your mood. A small counter with snacks, drinks, and a self making popcorn machine.I filled a bowl, humming happily, and dropped into the soft leather chair.It was a little tight. Okay, it was a lot tight. My hips groaned. The chair groaned. We both groaned.“Why are the chairs so small?” I muttered to the chair, giggling through mouthfuls of warm, buttery popcorn.But then the chair started vibrating.“Sweet Jesus, a massage and a movie? Maybe staying here for a day isn't bad after all.”I giggled, stuffing popcorn in my mouth.Just as I picked up the remote and selected Netflix, the screen glitched and Leo's selfies were shown on the screen.First they took my breathe away.Secondly, did I press the wrong button?”I asked myself in confusion, staring at
After about an hour of scrolling through social media platforms, I became restless and frustrated. How long will I continue waiting for him?! I sighed and stared around the room. He owns the house and decided to build a small kitchen inside a room? Or is this like a visitor's self-contained room? I should go look around the house to keep myself busy. I opened the door and peeked down the corridor just to make sure I was the only one in the house. The whole building was quiet. I guess I am really all alone. Suddenly, the silence was broken by a voice. “If you're trying to be sneaky, Ms, it’s not working. You walk like a cartoon.” I squinted at the ceiling, searching for the AI screen. “How did… you..? Why are you still watching me? Aren't you supposed to be at the door?” “Sweetheart, let me repeat myself again. I am House AI. I see and monitor everything around this house...” “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and walked down the hallway. My mind went back to the AI's speech.
I slammed both palms against the heavy security door again. “Open the goddamn door!” I was losing it. I could feel sweat gathering at my temple, my heart thudding like a drum solo on crack. How could he do this? I hit the door again. “Let me go!” The screen beside the door flickered. “Ms,” the AI spoke again, “please refrain from violence. The glass is bulletproof. You’re only going to bruise your hands.” I frowned. “I don’t care if it’s made of indestructible metal! LET. ME. OUT.” “I’m afraid that’s not an option at the moment,” the AI replied. “Boss override is in place for your protection.” “Oh my God, I am not a toddler who needs protection! I am a stranger here. I need to leave. You and your boss are holding me in here against my will. And it's a crime, by the way—if you don't know.” “The crime here is your attitude being bigger than your body size.” I froze. “Excuse me?” I stared at the glowing panel like it had just slapped me. “Finally some quietness,” the AI re
I immediately regretted my outburst. Although I felt lighter in my chest and all that, it was still stupid. How could I open myself up that much to a complete stranger? What if he uses it against me? I hoped the ground would open up and swallow me. I stood up, my fists clenched by my sides. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice small. “I… I need to leave now. All I said were lies… don’t believe them.” I stood up and walked straight to my luggage. “Can you also hear me out… please?” I paused. My back was to him. I heard the soft crunch of his footsteps behind me, but he stopped before getting too close. “You think I’m being fake,” he said, voice gentle. “That I’m nice to you because I pity you. But do you have any idea what it feels like… to finally meet someone you actually want to be close to—and they look at you like you're the enemy?” He paused. “I didn’t know being nice to you would hurt you so much,” he continued, “It’s sad you can’t tell the difference because of how hu
“Yeah, because I don't have the look to judge, right? It's not my place because I look like this...”“No… that’s not what I meant,” he replied.My heart was so heavy—I had to let it out, for someone to listen. I don't care who… I had to.“My own mother told me that she regretted the day she conceived me. She wished I died in her womb! She screamed those words at five-year-old me, pinning me to the floor with a dagger pointed at my neck.‘Mummy, I’m sorry,’ my little voice whispered.It wasn’t something new to me. I don’t remember the first time, but I’m sure I must have cried—terrified and confused. Yet, at the end of each outburst, she never had the heart to finish me off. I guess she wasn’t a horrible mother… just a broken woman.”I paused and looked down, my tears flowing like a fountain.“That day, she came home drunk from a failed date. He had rejected her for being a single mother to a Black child. That wasn't the first time. Apparently, my father's race was an issue for them. M
I cursed and resumed eating angrily, my heart still racing. My hair kept getting in the way, tickling my face as I took another bite. I pushed a stray curl out of my face with the back of my hand, but that didn’t help much. And then, out of nowhere, he stood up. I watched in complete confusion as he washed his hands and walked around the table, toward the back of my chair. Wait, what was happening? Before I could react, his hands gently grabbed my curls, and he expertly twisted them into a messy bun, using his own hair tie. It happened so fast. I froze, not knowing whether to breathe or scream. Did he just do that? It felt so... intimate, but in the most innocent way.The softness of his touch, the way he handled my hair, made my racing heart lose its track. He returned to his seat without saying a word, his hair now hanging loosely around his face. I blinked at him, trying to make sense of it all. What just happened? I went back to eating, but I couldn’t focus. My mind k