"We were going to arrange Bree's things before I leave." Sara stated and Ashley made a silent "OH" sound and said.
"Oh, Great, Mrs...." Ashley had to pause and Sara quickly took the cue.
"Mrs Daniels. I'm Mrs Daniels."
"Yes, Mrs Daniels. Let's do it together...."
Bree was surprised again. Her Brow showed it.
".... What about your flight back? Are you planning on going back home today?" Ashley asked Bree's Mom, concerned.
"No, sweetie." Mrs Sara Daniels said kindly and impressed. "I booked a hotel room for two days."
"Wow. Great."
"Well, that's because Bree's my only child and I love her. I need to spend some time with her before leaving."
Ashley giggled, pleased and looked at Bree who nodded, shyly.
"Come along." Sara said and walked into Bree's room. Then, the two young ladies followed behind.
Soon, they were deep in the work.
"I'm just a nursery school head-teacher and it belonged to my husband before he died."
"Oh...." Ashley exclaimed, softly. She was touched already. "So sorry, ma'am."
"Mom, please...." Bree said, stiffly. "Now's not the time."
And then, she looked at her roommate, apologetically.
"My Mom's pretty emotional sometimes. Sorry."
"Yes, I understand." Ashley replied and kindly gave Mrs Daniels a quick shoulder squeeze. "Haha, Mrs Daniels, I'll watch over her alright. She's a good girl. You, a strong woman."
Sara smiled, weakly. She was pleased to no end.
"Thank you, Ashley. As I was saying, I'm glad the intelligence engineer hasn't altered some parent's mind...."
★★★
★★★
Mrs Sara Daniels had had a nice day talking to Bree and Ashley. There was a lot of jokes and laughter and Bree was already getting less shy than earlier. It made her feel like a young girl again. Now, her stepping outside made her stretch and yawn. She was tired.
"Oh, Mom. You're so tired." Bree exclaimed from where she stood behind her mother with Ashley.
Bree was beginning to feel excited and comfortable once again. She was in love with the roommate she was with right now. This was going to be lovely. Plus, this roommate had this HOT, EXCRUCIATINGLY HOT brother who she would be seeing all the time. To be honest, Bree didn't think she'd be bothered by that at all now. She secretly would love to see Alejandro all the time.
Infact, Bree was beginning to want to see him each second. She glanced at where he sat on the steps aloof of what the women were saying behind him. Or, maybe not totally aloof. But he wasn't showing any interest.
Bree was beginning to feel soft. Because why then would she love the sight of his broad back? His chestnut hair? He was exactly like a god. He was beautiful.
"Goodbye, Ashley. Though, I'll love to meet you again before leaving." Sara said.
"Yes. I don't mind, ma'am. I'll love that." Ashley replied, enthusiastically.
"Let Bree walk me to get a taxi."
"No, ma'am. Alejandro's got a truck."
"Wow...." Bree thought, her tummy churning with excitement. "I've never been in a truck in like ten years now. And Alejandro will be in same space with me this time...."
".... You're going to drop Mrs Daniels off at her Hotel and get Bree back, if you don't mind." Ashley was saying to her brother when Bree came back from her dreamland.
"Of course not. Are you ready to go, Mrs Daniels?"
"Oh my God, you two. You're saving me the cost. Thank you so much. I hope you're not bothered, Mr Alejandro?"
"Of course not, ma'am."
"Thanks! Come along, Bree ." Sara said excitedly. She grabbed Bree's hand. "Let's go."
"Bye, Mrs Daniels. Stay safe." Ashley said, smiling broadly and waving.
"Yes, sweetie. Bye. Bree will be back soon." Sara said and waved back.
Bree nodded powerfully and followed Alejandro to the garage by the side. They hadn't noticed this when they had been on their way in. It automatically came alive with bright florescent light and Bree and Sara squinted immediately.
There was a bike, a sports car and a cyber truck. Bree had never seen such models before. And her Mom asked Alejandro something she would also had loved to ask.
"Mr Alejandro, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, ma'am. Ask away."
"How did you get ahold of this oldest model."
"No wonder it looks strange to me...." Bree thought.
"I tried. It's the oldest I could get. I mean, it still got a steering wheel unlike cars today."
"Wow, I like you extra now. I mean, I hate the laziness that's breeding around. Most cars these days can even be controlled by newborn babies. No engagement. Just a few buttons. I heard there's some you can call out instructions for even. It's so wrong."
"Absolutely, Mrs Daniels. That's why I got this one. It's still got all that natural features." Alejandro replied, going for the backdoor.
"That's super good of you."
"Here, ma'am." Alejandro said to Sara, meekly as he pulled the door open for her with all the meekest of gentlemanly grace flowing all about him while Bree stared at him. Then, she stepped closer.
"Thank you." Sara said and ducked in.
And another embarrassing thing happened to Bree.
She was going to go in too when Alejandro held her back, shutting the door. Bree froze at the contact and didn't even dare to look up at his face.
"Use the other door." Alejandro said, firmly and left Bree to get around the vehicle. Her head was bowed as she walked around the truck and she began to feel angry. Insulted.
"Well, it's his vehicle. Why won't he be proud? A bastard."
Bree sat in and smiled at her Mom, deciding to ignore the confusing big guy who was being cold for his own reasons and make things remain exciting.
Oh, Bree couldn't wait to go back to the apartment and talk to Ashley. The girl was sleek and beautiful. She was relatable, too. She wondered if Ashley would feel her too.
Alejandro began to drive and one way or the other, Bree met eyes with him through the head mirror. She jumped slightly, looking away and her heart began to hammer. She hated this things about losing her confidence because of a guy. A guy who didn't like her. Who was pretending to be nice.
"Mr Alejandro. Do you know The Barbella in town?"
"Of course,. ma'am."
"That's where I'm going."
"Sure thing, ma'am."
"Thanks."
And Sara turned to look at her daughter who was looking out the window.
"Hey, sweetheart." She called softly, her voice super low.
"Yeah?"
"I want you to listen to Alejandro and tell him your problems. Make him your friend...."
"Mom, let's pass that." Bree whispered back.
"Hey, Honey. No. I've begged him to help me look after you."
"That's the point, Mom. I didn't come to the university looking for an extra mother. I should learn to be independent."
"Yes, I understand that, sweetheart. But, I mean, you just need a.... a guardian or something."
The two women were whispering fiercely now.
"But, Mom, do you mean you haven't noticed his behavior towards me?"
"I have. That's what men are like. But, I trust him. He ain't a problem."
"Let's talk about something else...."
"And I want you to stay away from bad friends, too. Don't go around and do what bad people do.*
"Yes, Mom. I understand."
"I'll pray for you all the time. We'll look around if we'll see a church before I leave. May the good God bless you."
"Amen, Mom. No worries, Mom. I'm gonna do that when I go to get groceries later."
"I really will miss you, Honey."
"Me, too, Mom. I'll miss TooToo, Spar and Hems so much."
"Oh, those loving furries. They miss you already."
The two women were talking about the Pomeranians and minx at home. They were a smart set and Bree used to sing, write and read to them in her bedroom like they were humans and they always seemed to understand. Remembering them made Bree smile, wistfully.
"Mr Alejandro, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, ma'am."
"Why are you lightly tanned and your sister brown-skinned?"
Even Bree's ear perked up in curiosity. This had been lurking at the back of her mind and now, she was aching for satisfaction. Maybe Mom had also been suspicious or curious ever since but had covered it up.
"My Mom's white. My Dad's black."
"Oh my God. That's so beautiful. Pardon me, I was just so curious."
"No problem, ma'am."
Bree looked out. They were in the mega city now and everywhere was buzzing with people and activities. Bree stared at a restaurant that had a robot for an usher. She stared till they drove past. Billboards were everywhere. Flashy cars. Luxury hotels. All made of expensive glasses and tainted in different shades. It was a beautiful and sophisticated city. Bree was in love with it.
Mom had gotten the cheapest hotel she could find and it was a bit far from the university's environments.
The large cityclock that stood greatly high in the middle of the highway ticked 3:51pm. Bree saw another billboard advertise household robots at affordable promo prices.
"Mom, won't you get a robot to help you at home?" Bree asked deliberately and began to giggle, knowing what was to come.
They stopped at a red light.
"Those ones behind...." Bree said and her mother tried to see as she craned her neck. ".... sell for $3000 worth."
"Honey...." Sara laughed. " I was born in 2019. So, I still have some understanding on human resources. I'll keep my money than become artificial."
"I understand. Just saying. Do you remember that first artificial waitress you met at the restaurant back in Atlanta?"
The two women laughed at the shared memory.
"Don't make me remember. In our days, there were predictions but that didn't make that day's interaction simple. You new generation people are so.... brave and strange.... I'm just an onlooker."
Sara turned her attention to Alejandro.
"Mr Alejandro, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, ma'am. You ever used a robot?"
"No, ma'am."
"Wow, I love something about you. Your old man vibes."
Bree let out a laugh and quickly stopped. And when she risked a glance at Alejandro, he was staring at her expressionlessly.