A condition of love

Mr. Leafeyorb lets out a discreet laugh. It doesn’t sound mocking, rather caring. Though I can’t guess what I may have said that aroused such reaction. Is marriage something diverting, or does it convey a hidden joke I am not familiar with?

“A quite straightforward request! If that is your wish, then I invite you to make a reality out of it.”

“…”

     What does this means… Upon his lips, there’s something more to this gentle side he shows off. Maybe… A spark of defiance? I suppose it is the director’s way of telling me that I should prove myself worthy of him.

“Hmm… I have to show him that I am reliable.”

     After a while of pondering about the best thing I can do, passing a finger around the handle of the cup so I can take this opportunity to appreciate the tea, I mentally summon a holographic screen that shows in front of me. I run my fingertips along it as along the keyboard of a musical instrument.

     Soon enough, a notification prompts Marygold Leafeyorb to check his own integrated device.

     Closing mine, I wait for his reaction. Though, before he summons it a clear voice spares him checking himself.

“Mr. Leafeyorb, an important buyout of the company’s shares has just been enacted. Aurora Andersen becomes a reference shareholder with a 40% share.”

“Thank you for your report, Kodama.”

     This voice has to be the one of the main AI of Amahara Corporation, in charge of the proper functioning of the building.

“That is a bit more than twice what possessed your parents, right Miss Andersen? I understand you really want to get involved into the company’s development.”

     Despite a soft frown, the director remains mainly unphased.

“So, don’t feel like you need to show it.”

     Slightly tilting my head to the side, I wonder why he seems to have that little interest in my acts. I thought he would see me at least a bit more like a worthy spouse. I have to make things more clear…

     Letting my cup on the low table, I stand up from my seat and approach the director. The latter stands up as well at my move, straightening his forest-green suit, his cream and vanilla striped jacket.

     Soon I am a step away from him and stop, raising my head so that I am able to immerse my gaze in that of his moon-shining eyes. The rustle of ivy leaves against the large windows is the only thing I hear before reluctantly breaking the serenity of this room, word after word adding slowly to merge into a sentence.

“What I really want… it is you to understand that I will do my best… to make it a reality.”

     He smiles softly and lifts up an arm… So that I can feel his hand against the top of my head.

     Is it to make me understand that I am too close to him? I don’t have a commendable sense of distance…

“My apologies. I didn’t understand you meant it that way. So, let me rephrase. What you have left to do is to charm me, Miss Andersen.”

     His hand brushes my hair before letting it fall back to his side.

     I blink several times.

“For the time being, I invite you to take a moment to stroll through the building and to get acquainted with your assigned room. I wouldn’t like you to get lost.”

     Taking a step back, he turns his back to me, returning to his desk.

“The tests will initiate tomorrow, so we’ll soon have another opportunity to see each other.”

     As a director, he must have some work to attend to. I should not use to much of his time, so I bow respectfully before walking to the door.

“And, remain fearless. Your wish has been well heard.”

     The director casts a last side glance at me, turning his head in my direction as I leave his office.

     The door opens briefly to let me out before sliding back in a faint sound, not louder that the whisper of the wind.

     For a brief moment, I stood still in the corridor, touching the top of my head with my hands.

“Why does the warmth linger?”

***

Following the instructions I received earlier to find my room, I stand before the entrance, a bluish beam scanning me before letting me in. My personal data have already been associated to the access so that anybody else would be denied.

     On the floor lays my suitcase as I sent it earlier by post.

     I momently sit on the bed, my hands sinking into the soft blanket.

     In tales of yesteryear, I learnt that post offices were only used for small objects and that it could take several days if not weeks to reach its final destination. It might be a quaint feeling to spend such an amount of time waiting for the desired parcel. Though… It’s far more easier now that it can be instantly sent thanks to the same process as people. The science of particles has its conveniences.

     Once my belongings are well organized, I take a glance at the grey room before approaching a display screen near the door. A few slides on the screen allow me to choose a design for the wallpaper as well as the floor. And soon they flicker, the walls sizzle before becoming white, adorned with snowflakes, the floor shaping into tatamis.

     I heard the latter remained rather popular in this country.

“…”

     Now that I don’t have much left to do, my earlier conversation with Marygold Leafeyorb rewinds in my head. A stroll in the garden may help me to think about it.

     Finding my way out rather easily, I circle the main entrance and take a look around.

     Almost all of the plants here are bionic, of various enhanced species.

“What you have left to do is to charm me, Miss Andersen.”

     To charm him… What did he mean by it? The fact our marriage would be valuable for him isn’t enough?

     Stepping further into the alleys, I lean over a bush dotted with white flowers brightening an otherwise green sky. Not daring to touch the flowers, I contemplate how its four petals bend over its centre to rejoin over it, brushing each over. Magic dogwood, that’s what is written nearby.

“If my parents were still alive… They would tell me what I need to do to charm the director.”

     They often smiled at each other. I think they were truly in love.

“Seven years… It has been so long since I heard the sound of their voice for the last time.”

     Footsteps echoing on the pavement, still distant.

     Straightening up, I take a look at the origin of the noise. Red lustrous high heels. A woman wearing a sophisticated costume perfectly suiting her forms. Though her large hat veils her eyes, I can tell that she seems worried. It is enough to notice her fingers she’s nervously fidgeting together, the way she doesn’t gaze at the plants, solely at the ground.

“May he not end up like his father…”

     The moment she feels my presence she raises her head and stares at me, startled. She seems to approach fifty.

“Oh, dear. I thought I was alone in there.”

     I display an almost imperceptible smile.

“What a lovely young woman you are.”

     As I don’t seem to react to her words, she resumes her walk after smiling at me. I can feel she’s already delving back in her thoughts. Though I have no reason to interact with her, it appears somewhat unfortunate to let her go like this.

     I breathe in slightly.

“Do you… know how to earn someone’s affection?”

     She turns back to blink at me. I still need some insight, and it may allow her to get momentarily distracted from the murk of her wavering soul.

“How to earn someone’s affection?”

     She bursts out laughing. Humour will doubtlessly remain a foggy mystery to my eyes…

     After wiping a tear from the corner of her silvery eye, she takes an amused glance at me.

“I’m sure a sweet lady like you would have no difficulty in doing so. But rather than earning someone’s affection, I advise you to get a pet. They far more good-natured and you’ll earn their affection in no time!”

     On these words, she waves at me and resumes her walk, returning to the main building.

     I would have preferred an advice working on humans, but maybe that track is interesting to explore. Leaning a finger over my lips, I consider the idea forming in my mind.

“A pet’s affection can be earned in no time?…”