Chapter 91 - Offline

I could hear a low murmur over the ridiculous laughter of the goofy character on the screen. Grant has stepped out to speak to Olga. I watched as he went back and forth while talking. Occasionally flashing a smile, he nodded to the projection hanging before him. My eyes dropped at my own bracelet. I should call Mr. Ramdin to let him know we are ok. It was stupid on my part that I never exchanged contacts with Anna. Also, I should get in touch with Mr. Palmer, the previous landlord. He must have a heart attack when he knew the apartment he owned, crumbled to dust.

I flipped through my options to access the message and frowned at the tiny display. Demos placed his chin on my shoulder to peek at my screen. I was still sitting on his lap in front of the TV.

"I can pause the movie if you're not watching," I shook my head without taking my eyes off the bracelet. "What's wrong?" he asked as I kept tapping on my bracelet but nothing happened.

"Mm, I'm trying to call Mr. Ramdin... I can't access the network. Grant said it was free," he held my wrist and quickly checked my settings then moved to my privileges in seconds. My eyes widened at how fast he went through the process.

"I also have the same issue. We are operating on a limited network. We can't connect to anyone outside of this island. Their security is airtight. However we can watch the news channel from around the globe, it's rather strange," I lifted my head; he flashed me a smile and kissed my hair. Lately, he was very affectionate. I guess our common experience on that beach, got us closer. I felt safe having him near me.

"I wanted to contact Anna... and my brother. I'm worried about them," Demos wrapped his arms around me with a sigh. I reached and mindlessly scratched his head. He groaned, snapping me back to reality. Grant came back with a smile. He slid the door shut behind him.

"Good news, Dr. Churchhill ordered some necessities and it will be delivered in a little less than an hour or so," he sat down crossing his legs. "I've told Olga about our issue and she pleaded our cause," he turned his attention to us and watched with amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Why are you clinging to her like that? She will suffocate if you keep squeezing her," he commented. Demos buried his face in my hair, making it tickle.

"This is how I show I care," he retorted. Grant got to his feet and went to the kitchen area; I could hear the water running and splashing as he rinsed the plate I used for eating lunch.

"I love her just as much, I just like to give her space and freedom to do whatever she wants," he came back to the living room while rubbing his wet hands on the front of this shirt. "I miss my apron," he sighed. Grant was a different type of cute. He was a different kind of caring.

"I don't mind Demos being clingy," I scratched his head. He kissed my neck making me giggle.

"Mm, keep doing that," he m.o.a.ned, I straightened up thinking it was a bad idea to use him as a seat. His finger slipped under my extra-large T-shirt with ease. I playfully pushed him away. When a cyborg in orange knocked on the glass door. It had two huge bags. Grant quickly crossed the room to open, he signed on the ledpad then delivery man exited while giving us a nod. What the hell just happened? My heart race and my face flushed from embarrassment.

"We need curtains," I said as I pushed away from Demos. "Whoever is walking in front of the house can see EVERYTHING happening inside. Same for the bedroom. Who created this glass exhibitionist house anyway?" Demos chuckled softly behind me. He tucked at the hem of my T-shirt.

"Will you stop that," I slapped his hand and stepped away. Grant carried the bags inside and placed it on the bar. I danced eagerly to discover what they held. He smiled at my enthusiasm.

"Come here," he opened his arms and I melted in his embrace. "You don't mind hugs, right," I nodded against his chest. "Let's open those gifts," he laughed and I joined him. He helped wake up that little child inside of me. It brought back happy memories around the Christmas tree when Mom and Dad were still in love. When the void didn't consume my inwards yet. That soft warm feeling of awe in the tiniest thing. Walking in the field on my way home while running my fingers over the grass blade, watching the clouds and guessing what shape it looked like, the way the sun creates intricate shadows as it passes through the leaves under the tree next to the house.

"Liliane," both of them peeked at me. "What is this?" Demos joined us by the bar. I shrugged my shoulders.

-I felt something and saw images.

"What do you mean?" I lowered my head. They kept silent and gazed at me. "Can we open those up already? What's with the suspense?" I pushed a stray hair out of my face to hide my agitation.

"Ok," Grant pulled the first bag. Still, they wouldn't stop giving me curious looks. Come on guys, I'm just happy. What's the big fuzz? Out of the bag came a frying pan. Grant examined it with a huge grin. "This one is for me," he set it aside and dug into the bag again. He got out a set of wooden spoons wrapped with a kitchen towel held with a red bow. I frowned at it.

"It seems like Grant's birthday. It's all for me," I pushed him aside and peeked at the content. He stared at the spoons.

"I've never had a birthday," he murmured. I emptied the bag on the counter. There were knives, mugs, cute bowls, scented candles, mostly stuffs for the kitchen. I rose and eyebrow at Grant.

"Should I be jealous?" with my hands on my h.i.p.s I narrowed my eyes at him. He blinked emerging from a faraway dream.

"Jealous?" he inquired. "Why?"

"Olga!" I added dryly. "And don't worry I'll celebrate both of your birthdays. But right now, let's talk about Olga, will you," he straightened up and faced me. His silver eyes were slate dark.

"What do you want to know?" his voice dropped a tone lower. I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest.

"What's up with her? She is a little too friendly for my taste. I don't like her sniffing around you," Grant burst out of laughter but quickly regained his composure. However, the shadow of a smile lingered on his lips.

"Olga asked me to work for her," he lifted his chin. Demos was leaning against the bar, hands in his pockets watching in silence.

"Yeah, you mentioned that earlier," I grimaced. Grant tilted his head to the side with a mischievous light in his eyes.

"No, she asked me TO WORK FOR HER," he emphasized the last words. I wasn't sure I grasped the difference of what he just said previously. Somehow, I didn't like it.

"I disprove," I stared at him straight in his face.

"Why?" Grant smiled.

"She doesn't like you hanging with hot Olga," Demos commented. "Liliane, you are jealous," he observed. I fumed at the fact he just stepped in to wreck my ship.

"Hey!" I threw a menacing finger at him. "Shut up! I have the right to speak my mind. I don't like her. It's a good thing we are working together. I don't trust that crazy Dr. Churchhill either," I snapped.

"Oh, I like it when you're pissed," he raised his palms in surrender. Yet, his words remained playful. I couldn't help smiling along with him. Damn, he ruined my momentum.

"You're the worse," I finally laughed.

"Yeah and you love that jerk," Demos placed his hands on his chest. Grant turned to the other bag.

"Can we go back to the content of the second bag?" he urged. Was he trying to change the subject? I narrowed my eyes at him.

"We are not over, I'll keep an eye on you!" with my index and my middle finger stretched like forks I gesture them at him than at my eyes. Stating that he should be on his guard. It had the reverse effect. Grant bit his lips and held my gaze.

"I like the fact that you're always watching over me," my face flushed to my hair roots. Demos puffed with laughter, he barely tried to conceal his mockery.

"Shut up," I voice shook, I couldn't muster any angry.

"I love you, too," he winked at me. I wanted to slap him but refrained. Grant opened the second bag and I was able to focus on something else than Demos' smirk. He pulled out lavender bedsheets along with two pillows for the bed, a pair of jeans, a white T-shirt with Alteron's logo printed over it, a long inflatable pillow, and a bathroom kit.

"Guess, that's all," Grant peeked inside to make use it was empty. He rounded the bar and started putting the utensils in the empty cupboards. I nervously played with my fingers and turned to find something to do as silence settled between us.

"Mm, I'll help with the bed," I gathered the sheets and pillows. My hands were overflowing and I couldn't reach the knob to the room. Demos crossed his arms and eyed me as I fidgeted by the door.

"Can you open it, please?" he rolled his eyes at me like that would kill him to move. However, I could feel he was waiting for me to ask. He flashed me a little kid smile when he yanked it open.

"Princess," he bowed. I let out a deep breath.

"I know how much you are enjoying this," I pushed the content I was carrying in his arms. He eagerly took them. The mattress was still wrapped in plastic. I got on my knees and started ripping it off.

"Do I?" he sounded innocent. I gave him a dark look over my shoulder. "I can see you bat panties," he pointed out. I quickly got to my feet and pulled my shirt down.

"Give me this!" I snatched the sheet from his arm and almost let the pillows fall. He caught them in midair. Super reflexes. I rolled my eyes mentally.

When we were done with the bed, we moved back to the living room. Grant was busy installing the inflated pillow in the living room. I guess it will serve as a couch to watch TV. It had cute flowers and pink flamingos. So kitsch.

"I can't guarantee it will support our weight, but we can stuff it with used items. Everything we can get our hands-on. Old packaging, the plastic that wrapped the mattress, etc." he paused to look at us. "It's a good way to recycle also," sometimes I just can't follow the logic of artificial about making the world a better place. When we humans are killing and f.u.c.k.i.n.g everything up. There's a freaking war out there and Grant is thinking about recycling. Mind-blowing!

"Whatever," I smiled giving up. I sunk on the pillow beside him. "What are we going to do about that offline thing?" he straightened up with a grave expression.

"You can't connect to the internet. However, you can use its internal network. They have a pretty extensive database with information on various subjects that can be useful. Only a few with special clearance can contact the outside world. Victor said their security is a little paranoid about terrorists. Since this facility experienced multiple attacks from the Real Humans and other anti-robot fanatics," said Grant. I nodded a little thoughtful.

"Come let's explore our neighborhood," he got up and took my hand. I welcomed the change. I needed time to think.