I leaned back; arm resting across the backing of my incredibly unstable chair.

  “I’m in need of a number 2 around here.” Noticing the whirring sounds of Peek in the background.

  Don’t worry Peek, you’re the true number 2.

  “I have the contract ready for you, you just have to look it over.” Hoping that the beings I recruited couldn’t just—exit willy-nilly.

  The Shade looked at me, giving me no signs of emotions besides glowing white eyes.

  “Is this contract going to magically appear in-front of me?”

  *Ding*

  [These Contracts are not physical Greg]

  I could feel the beads of sweat forming on my forehead, as I gulped hard.

  “S-Sorry, it seems I have misplaced your copy. I’ll write you a new one.”

  I sat back upright, forearms resting on the table now. “I-I can just tell you for now… and you can make your mind up then?”

  “Off to a good start I see, but yes. That’s fine for now.” Her mug going up and down between my floundering.

  I spent the next few minutes reading out the contract to her. Pretending like I wasn’t reading the bloody thing from an invisible screen.

  At the end, her coffee was empty and softly pushed it back to my side.

  “Those are… good terms, but I would like to make an amendment.” Her fingers interlocking and eyes set on mine.

  “I wish to receive bonuses based on performance—and a private room.”

  Shit, I forgot living arrangements in the contract. Stupid.

  I quickly scrambled to my feet and sprinted back to the kitchen. Retrieving my house-blueprint, then continued to limp back.

  Exercise—that’s what I need.

  I plopped back down and flattened the plans in-front of her.

  “This section in the house is the only one with power.” Pointing out the areas I had been forced to retreat in. “So unless you want to live by candlelight, you’ll have to find a suitable place here.”

  She leaned forward; elbows pushed far into the middle and propping herself above the map. Seeing the faintest of outlines of her chest silhouette, pushed right into my face.

  An HR violation, if you ask me.

  “What about that room?” Tracing her black… and incredibly pointy fingernail toward the room next to mine.

  The room I had planned for Phima.

  “It… was planned for someone else.” My shoulders slumping back to the feeling of guilt.

  “Well, it could be temporary for now. And by the time that other ‘someone’ is back, I’ll select a new place.” Her body retreating to a seating position and waiting. “Are these changes agreeable?”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  I licked the inside of my gums. Trying to retrieve the faint flavour of chocolate milk, while stewing on the proposition.

  “Fine. But what’s your idea of a bonus? I’m not made of money, you know. So it’ll have to be within reason.”

  The Shade nodded; eyes still glowing soft and white.

  “They’re reasonable and we can always iron out the kinks later.” Stretching her hand across the table.

  “It’s a deal then.” Extending my hand as well, leaving us both sitting there… neither reaching the other.

  “Maybe we stand.” Chuckling nervously at my newest employee.

  She stood up in almost perfect synchronisation to me and met my hand with a delicate grip of her own.

  “Deal.”

  “Greg.” We both paused.

  “Sorry, thought we were going to introduce ourselves.”

  She froze, her eyes shifting from side to side.

  “My… my name.”

  Right, the system hinted as much.

  “Do you not remember?” I asked, releasing her hand and gathering my documents from the table.

  “I… no, n-not really?”

  “Would you like to have a placeholder for now. Umm, temporary name?” Already rattling off easy names in my head.

  Matilda, no. Siri?

  “Yes. I think that would work best—for now.”

  She stepped around the table, picking up the mug and my bowl. “Y-You have one in mind?”

  Already clearing the table, nice.

  “How about.” My head still churning out female names I’ve heard in the past.

  “A-Anna. Does that work?”

  “Anna. Yeah that’ll be fine. Thank you Greg.”

  I gave her a nod and proceeded to the kitchen, noticing the feather-dusting thug watching with an open mouth.

  “Cobwebs my guy, cobwebs.” I announced, listening to the distinct taps of heels behind me.

  I nearly jumped out of my skin, when I realised how close she was walking behind me.

  “Sssshit! You have to walk that close?”

  “I’m just shadowing you. To learn what I’m meant to be doing.”

  “Just… a few paces back ok?” Or at least let me sign a consent form…

  “Anyway. This is my office.” Pointing at the countertop and the row of barstools.

  “Why is it called an office?” Her glowing eyes moving around the space, before moving to the sink. “Looks more like a kitchen to me.”

  Thank you—someone I can finally work with!

  “A kitchen indeed, but our ‘customers’ tend to be… confused with the modern concept.” Pointing at my double-door fridge.

  “And they keep coming to my kitchen counter for transactions. Hence, office.”

  Anna placed the mug and bowl into the sink and started filling it with water. The sound of dishes moving inside it, filling me with warmth

  The most human experience I’ve had in a while. Especially at how mundane and unimportant it was.

  She turned to me, while pointing at the sink.

  “Oh, sorry. Sponge and detergent beneath the sink.” Pointing at the white cabinet doors below.

  She thanked me, then proceeded to use the lemon scented liquid; to the sound of rattling utensils hitting porcelain, but dampened by water.

  I heard the whirring noise of Peek turning the corner to my office, as he returned to his doggy-house beneath the counter.

  Garnering the attention from Anna with an accusing finger-jab.

  “What’s that?”

  I guess “co-worker” would be a tough pill to swallow.

  “His name is Peek and he manages the cleaning of my house—the parts he can reach anyway.”

  “I see. So what will I be managing then, as your official number 2?” She responded. Slowly stacking the clean dishes in the rack.

  “Everything.” Eventually…