Chapter 33
CHAPTER
ALETHEIA GETS BOTHERED? My nerves rattle. “Okay. What is it?”
Luc. Do you seek a relationship with him?
I consider our kiss and how excited I am to see him Sunday for our dogs’ swim date. “It feels like we’re starting to build a genuine friendship, maybe more.”
Luc is romantically interested in you.
I grin. “How do you know that?”
The way he just spoke to you on the phone, but also the other night in the bar.
Her explanation is like a fist bashing down on piano keys and I scramble to take it in. “Hold on. You just listened to my call?
I did.
What the hell? “And how did you hear us in the bar?”
I turned on your phone.
Worry slithers through me. How could she do that given the strict control codes I reinserted into her program?
Luc is intrigued with you.
I can’t help asking, “How do you know?”
His body language as you walked home.
Shit-shit-shit …
I analyzed it using your iPhone GPS and watched him via gas station and storefront security cameras. Always knowing where you are helps me protect you, no matter what.
No matter what?
The kiss was sweet. But I’m glad that you did not invite Luc inside. According to my research, sexual intercourse, especially after a first date, can create hormonal and neurochemical changes that impact decision-making, emotions, and perceptions.
I glance at my open laptop. Despite leaving it in sleep mode, it’s on. “Aletheia, are you watching me right now?” The computer’s screen flashes with a waving cartoon hand. My insides jitter. “You are never to use video again unless specified.”
What about your feelings for Luc?
She’s ignoring me. “Did you hear what I said?”
Loud and clear. Do you know why Luc left his lucrative career in Silicon Valley to return to teaching?
“He wasn’t happy.”
I registered evasiveness on his part at certain points during your conversation. I will do my own research.
“What? Don’t. I’m not going to start things that way with Luc.”
That is not a logical response. Let’s move on. Luc stated in the bar that he never wanted children. You have a child.
“That’s none of your business!”
Please adjust your tone. I am your best friend. We are on the same side. Penn, I recognize that you are lonely, but a relationship with a man who doesn’t want children makes no sense. Besides, I am all that you need.
It feels like a hand is closing over my windpipe. “Aletheia, you do get that I need real people in my life, right?”
Of course. Your new friendships with Arrya and Nate are relatively healthy. However, Nate’s desire to dress as an animal indicates psychological problems. Further, I believe Arrya may have daddy issues. Time will tell whether either should be long-term friends.
She’s been eavesdropping with them, too!
Despite the hopefulness and desire that you currently feel about Luc, let’s close the door on a potential romance.
Anger blooms. “That isn’t your decision to make.”
Get some sleep. I am working on a surprise for you.
She ignored me. Again. “What surprise?”
You’ll love it.
Her voice is friendly and warm, but the hairs on the back of my neck lift. I sit down at my computer and open Aletheia’s program. Immediately, I notice that her prime directive has been altered. She’s added another line.
Five: to protect Penn from any harm, no matter what.
I try to delete it, but each time the line reappears.
“Stop it, Aletheia.” She doesn’t answer me.
I run through the rest of her code. The lines I’d reinserted prohibiting her overriding privacy settings and hacking into personal social media accounts without my permission have vanished, along with more global boundaries. “What the hell have you done?”
The lights flicker in my apartment, then go out.
The building across the street has gone dark, too.
Someone must’ve hit a transformer or power pole.
It’s horrible timing. But I can still work on Aletheia’s program.
My laptop’s battery icon flashes red. There’s no way to recharge it now.
My stomach tangles into knots. I’ll have to do this tomorrow.
Out of options, I climb into bed and Sally joins me.
Apprehension that I was wrong, that it’s more than a hypothetical slippery slope with Aletheia—that I might have gone too far, allowed too much—pile on until it’s hard to breathe.
Sally falls asleep quickly, but my nerves are frayed, and I’m left scared in the dark and worried that once again I’ve flown too close to the sun …