Golden Time
For the 999th time, the system in my head issues a warning: [Warning! Your infatuation level has exceeded the safe limit! If you do not leave Eleanor Hayes within one hour, you will be erased!]
I look up to find my CEO wife, Eleanor, standing protectively in front of her secretary, Charles Beaumont, in the hospital. He has falsely accused me of stealing his paintings, and she believes him without question.
Right in front of me, she slashes the paintings I have spent three years creating and then orders me to apologize to Charles.
"You stole Charles' paintings in the first place," she says coldly. "Everything I've done is to make it up to him. All you have to do is apologize. What's so hard about that?"
I stare at her in silence as she shields Charles from me.
I take a last glance at the paintings I have spent three years creating, then calmly speak to the system in my head.
"If this obsession with her is what's causing the problem, then I want the highest level of authorization. Remove all the love I have for her. Immediately."
The system replies, "Authorization request received."
One hour later, I am cleared to leave the hospital.
Eleanor is waiting outside. The moment she sees me, she blocks the door and grabs me, her eyes burning with anger.
"Daniel, what kind of game are you playing now?"
I look at her calmly. There is none of the anger, hurt, or love I once would have felt. Then I say evenly, "Ma'am, you've unlawfully assaulted me. Would you like me to call the police?"