Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Five

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Five

Aiden

The shaman appraises me with a strange, searching look. Her face has wizened further under the throes of her illness. I should have realized during my first visit that it was just her against the world. I should have put measures in place earlier, knowing she had no one to care for her since her daughter’s death.
I am certain my mother had only been a visual companion for her, unable to help in any practical way given her impaired cognitive function. This old woman has shouldered so much weight and grief over the years.
"You've taken care of my mother for so long. Let me repay your kindness, ma'am. Allow me to oversee your care. It would be a great relief to know you have someone nearby to assist with your daily needs. You shouldn’t be starving, and you shouldn’t be sick. Even at a ripe old age, your final years shouldn't be spent in solitude. You are not alone, Grandma," I say. "You have me."
A sheen of tears clouds her eyes. I sit up straight, clutching my knees as worry sets in, wondering if I have said something wrong.
"Thank you, Aiden," she says through a tearful smile, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse. "Thank you."
I tilt my head, the tension slowly rolling off my body. "Does that mean you accept? Do I have your permission to hire a caregiver for you?"
She nods, her lips pressed tightly together as she represses more tears. I rise from my seat and show her the gifts I brought.
"These will help improve your health. Please, call me anytime you need me. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can."
The shaman holds my wrist tenderly; her mottled skin sends a brief tingle through my arm. "I appreciate the effort, my son."
"You're welcome, Grandma," I tell her, meeting her gaze. She becomes even more teary-eyed, and I finally understand why. "May I address you as Grandma from now on?"
She nods rapidly. "I would be extremely grateful if you did."
I give a firm nod. I spend a few more hours keeping her company, during which time I look for a suitable caregiver. We discuss the terms and her expectations for the assistant, who is set to resume the following day.
By nightfall, I prepare to leave.
While she performs rites in her shrine during her scheduled hours, I take inventory of the things her house needs to be more habitable. However, she refuses any offer beyond the caregiver, who will not be live-in. Satisfied at least that she will be looked after, I hold off on trying to persuade her to let me renovate the place for a more luxurious experience.
She walks me to my car, her hands tucked into the crooks of her elbows as I help her navigate the stairs from the shrine landing to the driveway. She clutches my arm for support with each step, only withdrawing when we reach the vehicle.
"All right, Grandma. I’ll see you next time. Stay strong, okay?"
"I will," she smiles.
"Take your supplements. Eat well. Rheanon will oversee all of that when she arrives tomorrow morning."
I have already arranged for Kash to pick up the caregiver and bring her here. We conducted an online interview with the agency, and Grandma selected her herself, sealing the deal.
"I will," she assures me, thanking me once more.
As I open the car door and slide in, she reminds me, "Do not forget my warning. Always stay alert. Danger is imminent."
"I haven't forgotten, Grandma. Thank you."
"Safe journey. Extend my greetings to your wife."
"I will," I nod, switching on the ignition. However, it suddenly occurs to me that she needed my assistance just to come outside. I switch off the engine at once.
As if reading my mind, the shaman states, "I can go in by myself. It is climbing down that makes my balance unsteady. I want to take in some fresh air before I go back inside. Be on your way... I will be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"I am."
We exchange a final goodbye, after which I drive away from her premises and head home.

Lachlan

"Hey!" Ellie waves shyly at me as I step out of my car, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey," I return, taking in her casual outfit. She is clad in ripped denim shorts and an off-the-shoulder top, paired with comfy pink fur slippers that look slightly too large for her feet. She exudes a youthful, high school vibe with her wide smile and bubbly energy.
"I'm delighted you honored my invitation. Welcome to my humble home," she says with a massive grin. "Please, come in."
"After you," I gesture.
She pouts in disapproval, stomping her foot on the ground. "No hugs? No kisses?" She extends her arms in invitation.
"Let’s try those when we’re more comfortable with each other."
"I make you uncomfortable?" she asks, her eyes widening.
My mouth parts wordlessly before I let out a heavy sigh. "I'm not ready for a relationship yet, Ellie. If you insist on building one between us, you’ll have to bear with me."
"I sense distrust. I already assured you I won't be investigating you anymore."
"I've taken your word for it."
"Am I not your type of woman?" she questions, bracing one hand on her hip in a seductive pose.
God, I want to face-palm so badly. I have to remind myself why I am encouraging this woman.
"You’re every man’s type, Ellie," I grit the words through a forced smile. "But to build a long-lasting connection, we shouldn't rush."
Ellie considers me with a doubtful expression. She is the last person I would ever want as a girlfriend. God help me—this will be the last time she is able to reach me.
"Okay," she chirps. "Let me show you around, then—especially my toy collection!" she says with a thrill, clasping her hands beneath her chin.
I am stunned as we navigate the massive interior of the house. "You live here alone?"
She nods.
"Doesn't it get lonely?"
"With my robot friends?" She shakes her head. "No way. Besides, I'm used to the silence."
Her parents made her this way—wary of others. God knows what they drilled into her head under the guise of protecting their sole heiress.
"Have you ever had any friends?"
"A few," Ellie answers over her shoulder, leading me toward another sector of the cavernous hall. "But you're the first person I've ever given the privilege of stepping into my home," she adds, twirling to face me with her hands clasped behind her back and a playful glint in her eyes.
"I'm honored," I say slowly, observing the view.
Eventually, we reach the room where her collections are kept. I must admit, for a girl, I’m impressed.
"I’ve been collecting since I was five, so it’s quite chaotic in here," she says, stepping fully inside.
There are several robots and machines of differing sizes, each with varying functions. Ellie introduces each of them to me, from the smallest to the largest, as though they were actual human beings. These are what have been keeping her company while she was held under house arrest by her parents in the name of protection. I can't entirely blame the girl for being unhinged.
"Interesting," I mutter dryly.
"And my newest acquisition..." She beckons for me to come closer, moving toward a hidden corner of the room. A fingerprint sensor scans her finger, a red light dancing over it before a door emerges from the wall.
My mouth parts in surprise. She is definitely a tech geek.
I follow Ellie through the concealed door; the atmosphere here is entirely different from the rest of the house. The lights are dim, pulsing like strobe lights in a club, and the floor—
"Fuck!" My knees shake as the glass seems to shatter beneath me.
Ellie’s laughter spills through the air at my reaction. "Relax! It’s just an effect. The floors are sturdy."
"What the fuck, Ellie? Why would you have this installed in your house?"
"It’s for whenever I want to let loose—to feel the adrenaline that comes from being in danger. My parents were always overprotective, telling me the outside world wasn't safe."
"Perhaps you're the one people ought to be scared of?" I murmur without thinking.
She twitches her fingers in response. "Absolutely correct. I'm a big girl, am I not? I can handle myself. Now that they're dead, I've been going out, yet I haven't encountered any danger."
Her expression becomes wistful, the lights dancing in a kaleidoscope of colors over her face. "I feel cheated of the life I could have had—the friendships, the moments. Now, everything is so awkward. I don't know if I will ever belong, or if the world can accept this version of me my parents forced me to become."