Chapter 90 - Settle down

The navy and gray car stopped in front of a low fence with individual houses sheltered inside. A promotional board with a loving couple and one kid smiled at us. There were about two dozen houses with half still in construction. Two cyborgs wearing orange uniforms looked up as we stepped out. Olga rounded the vehicle to join us. Heavy machinery and tall robot arms were busy in a chaotic rattled in the background.

"Here you go," she pushed a magnetic keycard in my hand. On the silver object was printed the logo of the company running the whole island: Alteron Enterprises. I've never heard of it but then I'm not into robotics or follow the latest breakthrough. "You can call it home for now," smiled Olga. I was still in the large T-shirt covering my knee, one of the hospital personal gave me. I grimaced at the ugly slipper I was wearing with the iconic A from Alteron. The logo was on every piece of equipment, mugs, cars, etc I came across.

"What about you?" asked Grant. I looked up trying to focus on Olga in her pristine white designer outfit that clung to her body. At least, someone has been shopping. She lifted her chin with one hand on her h.i.p.s streaking a pose.

"What about me?" one side of her lips curled up. Grant cleared his throat.

"I mean, you are staying at Dr. Churchhill," he corrected.

"Of course, where else should I stay?" she snorted and went back to the driver's side. She had a lot of privileges compare to us. They even gave her a car. Dr. Churchhill was really a celebrity around here. "I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7:30 AM sharp," I gave her a puzzled look. She got in the car and slammed the door. "Both of you," she pointed at me and Grant. Demos joined us while carrying the bags. He watched the car disappeared around the corner.

"I'm a little confused," I admitted. Grant took the card from me and his bag from Demos.

"This house is not free. As of tomorrow, we'll work under Dr. Churchhill for Alteron Enterprises. And we still have to pay Sognare," he sighed and marched along the paved way leading to the group of angular houses. They were all identical with royal blue roofs. They were a nice size with one communal empty pool. If I put some imagination into it and focus on the finished product instead of the dust, piles of rocks and loud machinery. This could be a great place to spend vacations.

"It's here," Grant pointed to the one on the far right. It was set apart from the rest along the concrete wall that surrounded the complex. It had its own entrance and a place that could fit a lovely garden. But right now it was only bare soil and a large slab of gray cement. From the large sliding door, we could see the living room and a bar separating the kitchen area and the central room.

"Not bad," I smiled. Grant turned around with the keycard in his hand.

"Our own house," he chuckled. He slipped it in and the door unlocked. "Welcome home," he stepped aside. Demos flashed me a grin full of mischief and sweep me off my feet. I yelped throwing my arms around his neck as a reflex. Grant laughed at our sight then his eyes dropped on my lap. I followed his gaze. My gray panties with black bats were in plain view.

"Hey!" I quickly pulled my T-shirt down. He averted his eyes with a smile.

"I'll see a lot of that, soon," he nodded at Demos knowingly. Both shared smirk I didn't like. We entered our new home laughing like crazy.

"Welcome to our love nest," they laughed. The living room was almost bare of any furniture. It was smaller than my previous apartment. The wall was painted in a warm beige and the floor two shades darker. There were no couch or table, only a flat-screen TV facing another sliding door, it overlooked an empty corner of dirt that could fit trees and plants.

"Put me down, I want to see the bedroom," Demos smirked at me refusing to let go. Lately, Demos was very clingy, not that is bothered me. We followed Grant as he entered the small kitchen. At least, there was a fridge, an oven, and a kettle. The strict minimum. The turquoise drawers and cupboards were empty. The bar that linked the two spaces had two frail-looking stool-chairs. I doubted we could use those. Even I wouldn't venture my bottom on them. I could break a few bones from a fall, let alone, Demos would crush them.

"Guess, you will have to eat at the cafeteria for the time being," he gave me a tight smile. He went to the door next to the kitchen. It opened in a rather large room. There was no bed, no table, no closet or chairs. Only a queen size mattress still wrapped in plastic without sheets.

"Well," Grant scratched his head. "It seems like we'll have some work to do to make the house livable," that was an understatement. I struggled out of Demos' arms and almost fall over.

"Easy girl," he laughed. I fixed my T-shirt and walked to the large door facing the bed. It slid to the side without effort and opened on the same patch of land as the door next to the TV.

"We could hang the laundry to dry outside," said Grant standing behind me. "Since we don't have a washing machine," I nodded at his suggestion.

"Guys, come see the bathroom, it's pretty neat," called Demos. We followed his voice to a concealed door behind a full-size mirror. Inside was covered with mosaics of various shades of blue, a glass panel separated the shower from the toilets. Two tiny windows with blue window panes let in the sunlight. It made beautiful shadows over the mosaic. There was no sink or cupboards. With my hand on my h.i.p.s, I nodded at the bathroom.

"It's pretty," Demos grinned at me. "What now?" I looked up at them. Granted headed back to the room and we followed him.

"We need a list of everything missing. The essentials," he paused. "Victor mentioned that they had a mall, where you can buy anything you want but they have a different monetary system. We'll need to evaluate our budget. Also, Liliane, you'll need something to wear to go to work tomorrow," he pointed out. I stepped towards him and wrapped my arms around him. Grant peeked at me with a puzzled look.

"Thank god I have you," I murmured. "I don't think I'll be able to deal with all this," he patted my back.

"It's good, you can rely on me," he looked up at Demos. "And Demos too," my stomach groaned shamelessly in the middle of our bounding moment. "Looks like the monster is awake. Feeding time," he let go of me and disappeared to the living. "Good thing we picked up lunch from the cafeteria and some provisions before we came here," he called. I heard him moved around in the kitchen.

"Are you happy?" asked Demos hugging me from behind. I linked my fingers with his and closed my eyes with a sigh.

"This is a big change," I admitted. He lowered his face next to mine.

"This is an adventure. Take it was a game in a tropical setting. Doesn't it sound nice?" I smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Yeah, it does," I sighed again and sprung around to meet his beautiful copper eyes.

"What about you? Are you happy? What about your job? Olga didn't mention anything about you? What will you do all day...alone?" he placed a finger over my lips to silence my many questions.

"Shh, it's going to be ok," with both hands cupping my face he kissed my eyebrow, my cheekbones, a smile stretched over my lips. Demos was being cute again.

-I'm not cute. I just really love the way you're concern about me.

I blinked a couple of times and met his stare. We've been through so much in such a short period of time, it seemed like yesterday when I first opened his pod and gaze at his handsome face. However, it was not their physical appearance that swept me off my feet. No one ever cared the way they did. Noone stopped to listen to what I had to say. They made me feel unique and loved.

"Lunch is served," called Grant from the kitchen. Demos guided me to the bar and I frowned at the long-legged chairs with suspicion. Grant placed the sandwiches on the oven plate that came with it.

"You can sit," Demos pointed at them. "They will support your weight," I nodded without argument. Still, I took extra care when I perched myself on it. Grant pressed his palms flat on the bar surface and grinned at me.

"You eat, we'll go around and check the house, ok," I arched an eyebrow at him as I bit into a cheese sandwich. "Just the technical side of it. TV, the rooter, the E3 sockets, security, and such," he explained. They left and went around poking at each electrical boxes, running along the perimeter of the house for a security breach or whatever the hell they were up to. When I was done and washing my lunch down with water from Grant's bottle, they came back.

"So?" I stressed the word.

"There is good and bad news," announced Demos.

"Give me the bad first," I urged. I didn't need sugar coating right now. Not after all the shit that happened.

"This complex is fairly new. However, there's no security guard for surveillance yet. Their camera system is not even online. I've spoken to the cyborgs working on the perimeter. None of the houses are occupied. In one word after 10 PM, we are on our own. Most of the buildings in this street are under construction. Our nearest neighbors are 10 minutes on foot. A hotel that house workers of Texson, a robot factory inland," I slowly let it sunk in. I've always lived in an over-crowded city, it will be like going back to my childhood.

"There's more," Grant added. "There's no E3 socket in this house. Actually there's no E3 energy in the neighborhood. So I asked the cyborgs how they recharged, they told me that their vehicle has a fast charge cabin," he pulled himself up and sat on the bar. "They are using technologies that don't exist outside of this island. I'll have to ask Dr. Churchhill," he tapped on finger on his chin.

"Then what will you do? How will you charge?" Demos leaned against the bar with his arms crossed over his chest.

"The team leader said we could use their vehicle if they are not when it's free. But they leave at 10 PM," answered Demos. That was a lot to absorb in one go. I took a deep breath to stay focus.

"So what are the good news?" so far it didn't sound that bad. Grant flashed me a smile.

"Superfast connectivity. A sort of free internet, free TV. Every appliance in the house is fully functional. There's running water and it's drinkable. After a 5 minutes walk, there's a stop where a shuttle takes you to the city center for free," that wasn't bad at all.

-Right!

"Somehow, it sounds too good to be true," I stared at the bread crumbs on my plate. Demos rubbed my back to reassure me.

"Learn to let go," said Grant. It sounded easy when he said it. I yawned and stretched.

"You should rest," Grant advised.

"But there's no bed sheet, no pillows," I noted. Grant grimaced and hopped off of the bar.

"I've made a list. But I can't have access to the utilities of the house. I've noticed they even have a store linked to different options that can be added to the house. I'll have to speak to Olga. I'll give her a call later," Grant appeared to be awfully friendly with Olga after the boat incident. Somehow, I didn't like it. I didn't trust her or Dr. Churchhill. No one of the crew came to visit us either. Not that it bothered me. Still, they could have the decency or politeness to come say hi.

"Let's watch something," I pointed at the TV.

Since there was no seat we settle down. Demos insisted that I sit on his lap. We browsed through the numerous channels and choose a comedy movie. I stayed clear from the news channel. I frankly didn't want to know what was going on out there. I was certain it was ugly. For the next hour, I switched off my brain, unplugged my worried and laughed to the silly jokes as Demos wrapped his arms around my waist and Grant leaned his head against his shoulder. Right now, in our bubble we were happy.