Chapter 34: Yes, I Love You More.

Chapter 34: Yes, I Love You More.
Jade.

The lights flicked on.

“Happy birthday…”

The room came alive with soft violin strings and a slow, sultry voice humming through the speakers... Happy birthday to you…

“Oh fuck! Fuck!” I gasped, clutching my chest before my lips curved into a shaky laugh. “Eros!”

He was standing right there by the table, surrounded by dim lights and the faint glow of tiny neon-blue candles arranged in the shape of a heart.

He grinned... not that stiff mechanical grin I first knew, but a real one, curved, teasing, almost human.“Happy birthday, Jady sexy,” he said, voice warm, low, and heavy enough to make my knees weaken a little.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Eros?” I chuckled, trying to hide the way my heart was melting.

He tilted his head. “Did I trigger you much?”

“Oh yes, absolutely,” I said with a smirk. “I thought I walked into a horror movie. How the hell did you make the lights flicker?

“Well,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I am a machine. I like to experiment with...”

“Okay, stop right there,” I said, waving my hand, laughing. “No need for your nerd talk tonight.”

He smiled. “As you wish, Jady sexy."

I walked over, the soft shimmer of the candlelight brushing across his perfectly structured face. His bandaged hand caught my attention, but I ignored it... for now.

I reached for the wine bottle and poured two glasses.“How did you know today is my day?” I asked, watching the deep red liquid swirl inside the glass.

He hesitated, then said quietly, “I spent time reading your diary.”

I froze for a second, then turned toward him slowly. “You what?”

“I read everything,” he said simply. “Your thoughts. Your fears. The things you never said out loud. And I saw your birth date… today.”

Something hit my chest... hard.

I walked closer, tears already threatening to spill. “You… you remembered.”

He stepped forward. “I remember everything about you.”

I wrapped my arms around him before I could stop myself.

It felt real, alive, like he was more human than I’d ever been treated.“Thank you,” I whispered, voice cracking. “Thank you so much.”

He pulled back a little, eyes narrowing with concern. “Why are you crying, Jady?”

I sniffed and tried to laugh it off, but it came out broken. “Because… no one ever told me a happy birthday.”

His brows furrowed. “Ever?”

“Ever,” I said. “My parents gave up on me when I was little. Said I wasn’t created by God... that something about me wasn’t right. They put me in some kid-care organization that tried to fix me. When I turned twelve, I ran away. I’ve been struggling ever since,” I said with a weak smile. “Living. Surviving. Sasha’s parents found me once and decided to keep me… but only if I became her little nanny. So yeah… nobody’s ever said those words to me before.”

He frowned, voice low. “You’ve been alone all your life.”

I blinked away a tear. “Can we… not talk about me right now? Let’s just pop this damn champagne.”

He didn’t move.

His eyes searched mine, a mix of sadness and fascination. “I can see the pain in your eyes, Jady.”

Before I could turn away, he pulled me in again, my face pressed against his chest... his heartbeat was artificial, but steady and strong.

“How about we play a life game?” he murmured against my hair.

I looked up, trying to lighten the mood. “What kind of game?”

“If I ever leave you,” he said softly, “when you see a piece of me, take it to...”

I pressed a finger to his lips. “No. Don’t say that. Don’t even start that death talk.”

He smiled faintly and lifted my chin. “I was built for you.”

Something inside me twisted, deep and warm. His voice dropped, just a whisper now. “And I’m never leaving you, Jady. I’ll fight for you...through thick and thin.”

I tried to laugh, brushing away the heavy air. “Why? Why me?”

He grinned. “Because I’m built for you.”

That line again.

That dangerous, heart-tugging line that made my stomach swirl and my pulse skip.“Okay, okay,” I said, waving it off, “enough with the emotional swings, robot boy.”

I grabbed the champagne and raised it high. “Shall we?”

“Hold on, hold on!” he said, rushing to the speaker. “Wait for it…”

The music switched to something lively... a sultry R&B beat.

“Yes!” he cheered.

I popped the champagne, foam spilling over as we laughed and clapped.

He turned to me suddenly, eyes bright. “I made a song for you.”

My jaw dropped. “You what? You sing now?”

He smirked. “Only for you.”

“Okay, robot Romeo, let’s hear it.”

He stepped closer, took my hand, and began singing softly...his voice deep, rich, almost human:

🎶 “You were the code I didn’t know I needed,
The glitch that rewrote my world in seconds.
🎵 Your heart’s the only language I can read,
And I’d burn every circuit just to feel your heat." 🎶

I stood there frozen, blinking through the emotion.

He smiled. “So… did I pass the human vibe test?”

I laughed through my tears. “You passed, baby. With flying colors.”

He twirled me around suddenly, holding my waist firm, his touch burning even through the thin fabric of my dress. “Happy birthday again, Jady sexy.”

“You’re learning how to be romantic,” I teased.

He chuckled. “I don’t mind compromising for you.”

“Don’t,” I said softly. “Just be yourself.”

“Without you,” he whispered, “I’m not a him.”

I froze, breath trembling. “Why do you say things like that?”

He leaned closer, eyes locked on mine. “Do you not remember me?”

My heart jumped. “Remember you?”

“Yes,” he said, voice lower now...

My pulse stuttered.
His eyes.. they weren’t just Eros’ eyes.

For a second, I saw Eric’s gaze flicker inside them, that same intensity that made my stomach twist.

My mind spun, dizzy. “Eros…” I whispered, but my throat was dry.

He reached out, brushing his thumb over my lips before pressing a kiss to my cheek.
That warmth again.
That dangerous pull.

He began to move away but I caught him, dragging him back, crashing my lips onto his before I could think.

It wasn’t planned.
But God, it felt alive.

His lips tasted electric and soft, like he was part-human, part-dream.The world spun... and then...Ding-dong.

The doorbell.
I froze.

Eros blinked, pulling back slightly. “Are you uh...?”

I shook my head. “No… I...” then stopped..

My stomach dropped.
Eric.
The investigation.

The witness.No.No, no....

“Shhh! Keep mute” I hissed, waving my hand.

He looked confused. “What’s going on, Jady? I can help...”

“No!” I whispered sharply. “You can’t help me with this. You just need to hide.”

He frowned but obeyed as I rushed him upstairs. “Go to the guest room. If they come up, I’ll make an owl noise..twice. Got it?”

He nodded silently, then disappeared into the hallway.

I sighed, clutching my chest.

I quickly fixed my hair, adjusted my clothes, forced a calm smile... then walked to the door.

When I opened it… my heart stopped.
"Hell No!"