I have been having a wonderful day! (Note: seething sarcasm detected!) Anyway, sorry about taking a little bit to update! I honestly hate myself for taking too long sometimes. Thanks for reading and enjoy the chapter!
It took us a few minutes, but Lovi and I were able to get everyone awake. Ivan had come out to see what was taking me so long at the door and, when he saw everybody awake again, stood next to me at the front of the living room. His scarf wraps around my calf and waits for me to say anything. I take a deep breath, gathering the courage I can, before saying anything. "I just wanted to start off by apologizing for anything I've done that may have upset you. I would give excuses but they're useless, considering I should have been more sensitive to how all of you felt," I say, looking down slightly.
"It's alright Doll, we can't exactly blame you. This family is pretty damn messed up," Allen says, a grin forming on his face. Oliver holds out a jar to him which Allen deposits a quarter into. "Like I said, there's no need for you to apologize."
"He's right. You're not at fault for anything here. It's our fault for not being more welcoming to you. I guess we just got caught up in Sarah and the others that we forgot you had lost someone too," Matthew adds, nodding in agreement with Allen.
"Don't worry, I'm awesome enough to forgive you too," Gilbert says, earning himself an elbow in the ribs from Matthew. He grins sheepishly and rubs the area Matthew nudged. "I mean, you're too awesome to not forgive."
I look at Oliver, knowing Lovi already forgave me, and wait for anything he's going to say. "So, you're not mad at me for murdering someone? You aren't disgusted in any way?" he asks me.
"I'm not disgusted or scared or angry. I don't have any right to be, because what happened is over with. I just want us to all get along, like my grandmother had in mind when she sent me here," I reply, smiling softly at him.
Oliver beams and jumps up, crossing the room to envelop me in a hug. He keeps an arm around me and turns a little to face the others. "I am initiating a group hug! Everybody get over here," he orders.
Matthew gets up first and hugs my other side. The others join him and I'm soon surrounded by all of them. I can hardly breathe from how hard they're hugging, but a huge smile is still on my face. "Alright, all this touchy feely crap is becoming too much! Let go of me you idiotas," Lovi orders, wriggling around to get away and making me laugh.
Everybody lets go and Lovi takes a few deep breaths, glad to have gotten away. I glance over at the hallway and suddenly remember about the unit waiting for us. "Guys, I have a few more announcements for you," I tell them. They become quiet and look at me expectantly, waiting to hear the news. "We have received our final unit from the company. I also found out about how the others are doing."
"Tell me about my brother first! Is he happy? Safe? How's he doing?" Lovi asks with a worried look on his face.
"Don't worry, they're all doing great. According to the company, they're all happy and safe with their new owners. I even arranged to get regular updates on how they're doing, so we can keep up with their progress," I inform them. They all let out an audible sigh of relief, glad the units are doing fine.
"You said there was a new unit. Do you know which one it is?" Matthew asks.
"I wasn't able to check before waking you guys up so we could talk," I reply.
"Well, let's welcome the new family member. He won't be as awesome as me though," Gilbert announces, walking towards the crate in the hall. He pulls down the envelope from the top of the crate and opens it, grinning when he sees the name. "Yes! This guy knows how to party!"
Allen gets curious and takes the manual from him, reading the name for himself. "Man, we're gonna have fun with this one," he tells us. Allen passes the manual to me and I can read the name for myself.
"They gave us a unit called Zao Wang," I announce, furrowing my eyebrows at the name since I don't recognize it. I don't pay much attention to the others' reactions, since I'm flipping through the manual to find the instructions for waking him up.
Thank you for ordering a Zao Wang unit. Waking up your new unit is fairly easy, but these are the safest methods. Please remain aware of how perverse and dangerous your new unit can be.
1- Light a joint, hold it on front of the crate, and offer it to the unit. He will open the door and smoke the joint before saying anything to you.
2- Ask the unit to hook you up with opiates, heroin, etc. and pull out cash. The unit will jump out excitedly and ask how much you want.
3- Stand in front of the crate and say a cheesy pick up line. The unit will burst out of the crate and say one back.
Thank you again and enjoy your unit!
I read over the instructions once more, allowing the disbelief to show on my face. Oliver walks to me and reads over my shoulder. "I suggest the last one poppet. I'm fairly sure none of us have a joint and I'm not about to allow you to order drugs," he advises. I nod and give him the manual.
"Could everyone move out of the way? I'm not really sure how he's going to get out," I tell them. They move to crouch behind the couch, Ivan being the only one who stays by hiding behind my legs. I sigh and turn back towards the crate, thinking of the cheesiest pick up line I know. "Uh...I forgot my number, do you think I could have yours instead?" I ask it.
The door practically explodes open and the unit wraps his arm around my waist. "That depends on how well you can do math. Tell me, what do you get when you add me, add the bed, subtract the clothes, and divide the legs?" he asks me, grinning perversely. His brown eyes shamelessly travel over me, causing me to flush slightly. He has long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. His clothes are probably the oddest part. The green top has a dragon design swirling around it with no sleeves and a high collar. His pants are obviously made of silk and are the same forest green as his top.
"Sorry, I was never very good in math," I reply, trying to get out of his grip.
"Well then, I guess you'll be needing an interactive tutorial," he tells me. My eyes widen as he leans closer like he's going to kiss me.
"Ivan now would be a good time to use that scarf," I say, leaning away from the unit. Ivan nods and his scarf wraps itself around Zao, immobilizing him and allowing me to get away. I send a glare towards the others, who are still crouching behind the couch. "Thanks for the help guys, you're real heroes," I say.
"Ooh, she's feisty too! I'm gonna have fun conquering this one," Zao comments. I can feel his eyes travelling up my body again and I shiver. I shake my head and wonder how I'm going to deal with a perverted unit.
AHAHAHAHA! I gave you a perverted unit! XD I'm not apologizing for this one either! It's too much fun writing for him, honestly! Also, now that all of them are on good terms with each other, the fun and fluffier chapters can start! Thanks for reading, comment your thoughts, and look forward to the next chapter!