Page 30 of CHOICE Lover
“All right, let’s go.”
She follows him into the hall and into an elevator. It takes them from floor 300, labeled Penthouse Suites, to 102 Simulation Chambers. There are only a dozen total buttons, including 220 Sports and Recreation, 000 Ground Floor, 290 Private Dinner Suites, 150 Main Commercial, and 100 Main Cafeteria. “This is like a rich people’s private elevator.”
He hums in agreement as the doors open. His hand darts forward, and he presses the doors-closed button. “I forgot to mention, I might have to touch you if we’re to convince people you’re my latest manupartner.”
“Okay.” For whatever odd reason, the idea of him touching his latest manupartner sits uncomfortably in her mind. “Latest?”
He allows the doors to slide open. She jolts as a warm hand at the small of her back presses her forward. “Do you have difficulty hearing?”
She chuffs. “No.”
“Hmm . . . I’m not convinced. This is another reason we need to take you to the lab for scans. Typically, manupartners have an unblemished health record or aren’t in existence long enough for long-term health issues to manifest unless the DNA vector had them at the time of death. You’re healthy now, but considering your nature, scans would be prudent.”
“What about cancer?” she asks, not really sure if she wants to hear the answer.
“It is extremely unusual for a manupartner to be activated with the disease, but it has happened. Usually because a DNA sample accidentally slipped into the DNA database or the manupartner has been activated for a while and it manifests naturally. At that point, the customer can either have them fixed or turn them in for a replacement. It’s nothing to worry about.” He clears his throat. “Especially after the scans.”
Before she can offer an excuse about her fear of discovering her genetic defects, they’re at the front desk, having passed a handful of other future people, all of whom are staring as much at her and Res6 as she is at them. Probably because he’s famous. In her periphery, Res6 steps up to the desk, speaking to the person behind it, but she doesn’t hear what he says because she’s too busy observing the blonde woman who’s come to stand beside her and is studying her in return.
“Hi,” she says as the woman leans in to get a closer look. This draws the attention of her companion, a man with a very intricate white lace tattoo covering his neck and exposed shoulders. They are well inside the boundary of her personal space bubble, so she takes a step back, bumping into Res6. He glances down, then at the people inspectingher. His arm slides around her waist, and he pulls her to his side. Is he being protective?
“Please afford us adequate space,” he says, turning back to the employee.
“Get a picture of her for your FrogBlog,” the man says.
“Good thinking!” The woman pulls her phone out and snaps a few pictures.
Electra expects Res6’s protective urges to doubly fire, but he leans down and whispers into her ear, “Smile.”
She twitches, biting back irritation. A manupartner would comply. But he said,Be yourself. He adjusts her so they’re angled toward the camera and uses his other hand to tilt her head up to him. He puts on a confident smirk, raising his brows like she’s supposed to be doing something. That’s right: smile. She gives her bestI don’t hate thisimpression.
“Perfect. Such a beautiful couple,” the woman coos. “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? It’s not every day I have the opportunity to speak with someone so important.”
Behind the woman, the man is fanning himself.
“I always have a few minutes to spare for a fan of CHOICElover.” His voice is almost flirtatious.
Electra’s lips part, and she has to consciously close her mouth to keep it from hanging open. Who is this open, funny guy? Where has he been? He can be jovial to strangers on the street, but not her?
“Is this your new manupartner?” the woman asks, and Res6 nods. “She seems special. Fresh. What can you tell us about her?”
Res6 releases a charming chuckle, moving his hand to the back of her neck. The firmness of his grip and the warmth of his palm shoot through her, and she has to fight her body’s instinct to lean into his touch. “She’s unique, isn’t she?” He gives her an affectionate glance before turning back to address the woman.
As he explains some nonsense about the significant benefits of manupartners and the exciting things his company is working on, she can’t help but feel a little dirty being a piece of advertisement for something she is so repulsed by. To each their own, and she’s never been one to shame anyone, but the idea of a fake lover is just beyond her.
He squeezes her neck. “Did you hear the question?”
Her gaze snaps back to the woman. “No. Can you repeat it?”
“How do you like being the CHOICElover of MSP’s most celebrated man?” The woman blinks eagerly as she holds up the phone to record Electra’s answer.
She eyes the door as if it’s an escape hatch.Just be yourself.Those were his words. She chuckles. Well, he asked for this. “It’s not as exciting as one might think. So far, all we do is hang out at his unit, argue, and play this game he likes called 20 Questions.” Looking up at Res6, she grins.
But instead of it ruffling him like she expects, he smoothly replies, “Impressive, isn’t she? The fun question game is, of course, a series of tests we’re running her through. Standard for each prototype trial. CHOICElover prides itself on making sure our products are held to the highest standards, including safety. Unlike some of our competitors.”
“That’s why CHOICElover is the best!” the woman agrees. “Tell me,” she says, addressing Electra again, “if you could do something more exciting with your owner, what would it be? Besides sex, obviously.”
The man behind her is fanning himself again. He’s even blushing. Somehow the showiness of it seems superficial, though Electra can’t pinpoint exactly how. Ignoring him, she considers the question. “If sex is off the table, we could test faulty parachutes.”
