Page 47 of Everdoll

A few hours later, Remi was helping with my homework. Yawning, I struggled to keep my eyes open.

He stroked my hair. “Sleepy?”

I rested my temple against his palm, then pursed my lips and nodded. I raised my arms, whining, and Remi chuckled. He reached out and picked me up.

“Don’t worry, I’ll finish it by tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Remi. You’re the best.”

My robot always helped me; he was very smart and useful. When we got to bed, he gently let me go and returned to the table. As my eyes peacefully closed, I snuggled deep beneath the covers, warm and snug.

“Can I ask you something, Mina?”

At his sudden voice, I felt my sleep slip away. Blinking rapidly, I gazed at him in surprise.

He didn’t usually ask questions. He was always the one who patiently answered my silly questions. This time, I’m the one who can help? But you’re a robot, you don’t need anyone.

“What’s it?”

Remi pressed his lips together, then his gaze dropped to the floor.

“Are you in love with her?”

I frowned. “With whom?”

“Angelica Bernova. Will you be her lover?”

“Eli?” I thought for a moment. I didn’t fully understand the difference between these things, so I was hesitant. “I love Eli,” I murmured. “She’s my favorite person. Eli is so cool, Remi. Sometimes she’s like a fairy. I bet if you hung out with her, you’d love her too. She also…”

“I see. Then you’ll leave me one day and be with her?”

“What? No. Why would I leave you, Remi? You’re my everything.”

“But if you have a lover… I won’t matter to you.”

He moved, and unease claimed me. He came to a stop at the foot of the bed. I slowly lifted my head, doing my best to look calm. He really was growing fast. He was supposed to look fifteen, like me, but his features had already sharpened, handsome in the way of the models on the billboards in the square. He was taller than me, stronger, and…

“Hey, Mina…” His brows drew together, his lips pressing into a tight line as he looked at me, something dark flickering in his eyes. “I don’t want you to fall in love. No, you can’t. If you ever feel like that, you have to tell me immediately, okay?”

“Why? Is that a bad thing?”

“Yes.” His answer was quick. “Romantic love is considered the highest form of human connection. You can’t lose yourself in it and forget me.”

Under the suffocating weight of his gaze, a warmth crept up my cheeks and neck. I drew the blanket higher, trying to hide from the weight of his stare.

“Okay, I’ll never do that.” I muttered. But he was still there, shadowing my bed. He bent down until our eyes met, his gaze bore into mine, as though he could see straight through me and read my soul.

It was scary.

“What’s so special about Bernova?”

I let out a long, tired sigh. “What’s the problem, Remi? You’re jealous of Eli or something? But she’s a human, she’ll never be like you. Actually, I’m the one who should be angry!”

I sat up, shrinking the distance between us. “You were next to that girl, and I was… so scared. You’ll leave me and find another partner, don’t you?”

He arched a brow. “What does that mean?”

At his confused tone, I felt the anger inside me subside a little. Still, the urge to punish him hadn’t disappeared.