Chapter 41 - The silent link (1/2)

The link stayed silent all day, by lunchtime I was a little anxious. I knew I told them to leave me alone. However, not knowing what they were up to made me nervous. Anna touched my shoulder causing me to jolt back. She stared at me with concern.

”Sorry to scare you, as I was saying it time to head back,” her eyes dropped to my half-eaten sandwich. ”Grant won't be happy if you don't finish the lunch he'd prepared with love,” she pointed out. I was so focused on the inner turmoil that I've forgotten at food. I quickly stuffed the bread in my mouth and followed her inside.

-Grant? Demos?

I waited for a response as I reached my office. Still nothing. I sunk into my seat and opened EWink. They said that nothing could break the link so why were they not answering.

Liliane: Hey, guys. Why aren't you answering? Did something happen?

Demos: Sorry, I'm busy. We will talk tonight.

Grant: Same

Liliane: mm…ok

I closed the app while sighing. Anna gave me a quick peek.

”You've been out of it since this morning after your phone call,” she commented. Anna was too smart for her own good. How could she'd figured me out in such a short amount of time?

”Boyfriend,” she asked as she swirled around in the chair. I slowly nodded. I was aching to pour out my heart. However, I was scared she might judge me…since I'm in a three-way relationship. Whatever the 'we-are-one' thing they keep saying, it was still a three-way. So, I altered the story to fit society's standards.

”I'm… my friend disapproves I'm with a…artificial. She's convinced it's not good for me and that I should date a human. But, I really like my boyfriend… I don't care about artificial or not. They… fit me and I'm happy. She told me she's coming back to help me and right now I don't know what to do,” Anna listened with attention and nodded when I was done.

”So you don't want to hurt your friend still you don't agree with her, right?” she said. I was amazed she could sum up my issue using those few words. I shook my head. She sighed and turned to her screen.

”You should tell her you love your boyfriend and that it's none of her business. Not all friends are real friends. They don't always want what's good for you,” her words took time to sink in. Lyla was here for me when I needed her. I didn't want to believe she was that type of person.

”Thanks for your advice. I'll talk to her soon. The cost of the communication is kinda ridiculous for Titan,” I laughed to ease the tension. Anna sprung around with big round eyes.

”Titan! Like Titan, the satellite around Jupiter?” she shouted.

”Yeah,” I chuckled at her reaction.

”Super! I dream of going up there. I've never left Kumari R2. I so want to travel the world and go off-world,” she sighed with dreamy eyes. ”Too bad I'm broke,” we both exhaled in frustration.

”Today is salary day,” I answered with my glaze lost in the space before me. I had so much to pay this month. I doubt there would be anything left when I pay Sognare and my rent.

”I'll only get a five days salary. It's better than nothing,” she smiled. I was surprised at her positivity in the smallest things. I should follow her example. We went back to work this time I poured my full attention in my task. I was loved, I had help at house, I didn't have to be alone and they kept me warm at night. I smiled at the thought. We could watch a movie and just hang around tonight. The image helped me go through the afternoon. At three pm, I sent a message to Grant via EWink since it was radio-silence through the link.

Liliane: Grant I just finished here. Are you coming to pick me up?

Demos: I finished earlier; I'll arrive in five minutes

I blinked at the message. That was strange.

Liliane: ok, I'll wait at the platform. Anna will be with me.