The first task I assigned Alex was making me breakfast once I realized that androids don't eat. With a slight nod and that same smile that I had me smiling back I watched as Alex started to open the cabinets in my kitchen peering into each one before he finally closed the last cupboard, straightening to find me sitting at the kitchen counter.
"I have run into a problem." Alex told me and I chewed my lower lip as the blue circle on his temple blinked. "There doesn't seem to be enough in your current food storage to prepare a meal for you. Do you regulary shop for groceries?" He asked me and I sighed, fiddling with my black fingerless gloves.
"I usually order takeaway, Alex." I admitted and Alex frowned slightly as he walked over, standing in front of my chair. "Yeah I know how that sounds and it's not something I'm proud of but..." I trailed off when he tilted his head slightly to one side, the look oddly endearing.
"Do you have an aversion to leaving this house, Kiara?" Alex asked and I swallowed, a sudden image of a blade making me grip the kitchen counter until my knuckles turned white. Hearing my panicked breathing the android watched me silently for a few moments before he reached out and I jumped, my chair overbalancing. The chair tumbled to the floor with a loud crash and I landed with a thud, just missing colliding with the fallen chair. "Are you alright?" Alex asked as he knelt beside me staring at me when I smacked his outstretched hand with an open palm.
Once I calmed down enough to notice him still kneeling there I slowly blinked at him, my cheeks heating up. "Sorry! Thanks for your help but...I can handle this myself." I stammered, pushing myself up with both palms pressed to the floor. Shrugging, Alex straightened before he righted the chair and once I was sitting again I forced myself to breathe.
"Your reaction to my suggestion about going outside comfirms what I know. You have a fear about leaving your home." Alex explained and I raised an eyebrow at him, no longer breathing hard. "It is nothing to be ashamed of, Kiara."
"I'm not ashamed about being a recluse!" I snapped at him and he raised both eyebrows until I forced a weak smile onto my face. "Alex, it's not your problem so just let it go."
"I was chosen by CyberLife to assist you and it is what I was created to do. If I do anything less I am not doing what I am programmed to do." Alex told me and I rolled my eyes, softening a little when he gave me a smile. "How can I help you?"
"Alright already. I can tell you won't let this go so I guess you could start by going grocery shopping for me. Do that and I promise I'll fill you in on why I can't bring myself to leave this house." I finally agreed and Alex gave me a grin, leaning over to lightly pat my hands before he went looking for something to write the list on. As he searched the confines of the kitchen I looked down at my hands trying to figure out why he'd touched my gloved hands.
Probably just trying to calm me so I could give him something to assist me with. That or it's built into his personality.
"Do you have anything to write on?" Alex's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I quickly pointed to a pad sitting near my cordless phone. Giving me a quick nod he moved to grab the pad and I found myself staring at his back, admiring the way his shirt and black suit pants clung to him. Then I shook my head mentally scolding myself for thinking weird thoughts about my new android.
Not that I can help it. Darn CyberLife at making him so human looking.
"Here you go." Alex said and I gave him a weak grin, taking the pad and the pen from his hands. "Whatever you need I will retrieve for you." He added not commenting on the faint blush that made my cheeks darken. After some careful thought I handed him back a list with a dozen items I knew that the local supermarket, only a few blocks away and one I'd frequented, had in stock. As I watched on Alex's pale eyes lit up and after they scanned the list I'd made he handed it back. "I should be back soon."
"Here, take this." I quickly told him, slipping my hand into my jeans pocket before I handed him a small credit card. "It should cover the cost of everything on my list. Oh and...thanks, Alex."
"You do not need to thank me, Kiara. I am programmed to help in anyway I can. I will be back as soon as possible." Alex assured me and I nodded following him when he started to head for the front door. Once he unlocked the door Alex turned his head slightly when I frowned and he gave me a gentle smile. "You will be safe with the door locked." He told me before he opened the door, giving me a nod before he stepped through the doorway. Once I couldn't hear his footsteps I hurriedly locked the door behind me, turning around before I sagged against it.
Get a grip on yourself. You've been living on your own for months now so why are you getting so frightened when your android leaves on an hour?
Shaking my head I decided to find something to focus on instead of worrying when or if my new companion would return. I eventually found myself checking if anyone was looking for a reviewer and after checking out as many job listings as I could I leant back, stretching my back.
I had been searching the internet for nearly an hour when I heard a knock at the front door and I only just stopped myself from taking a second tumble, jumping out of the chair when it treatened to spill me onto the floor. Moving into the hallway I quickly moved to the front door and after taking a peek from the hole set into the door I let out a shaky breath.
"Kiara, I am back with what you needed." Alex called out from the other side and I giggled despite my heart beating a little faster. "May I come in?"
"Of course. Just give me a sec." I replied, unlocking the door with a slight struggle before I pulled the door open to reveal Alex. I nearly burst out laughing then and there once I saw the boxes piled past his face, his awkward stumble into my house making me bite my lips in an effor to stop myself falling about giggling before I closed and locked the door behind him.
"You went a little overboard there, Alex." I pointed out once he carefully set each box down on the carpet next to the closed door. "Did you buy the entire supermarket or what?" I teased getting a blank stare in response. "Never mind it was a joke."
"I bought everything on your list though I did notice that you were extremely low on food and ingredients so I purchased enough for the next few weeks." Alex explained as he looked at the boxes again. "Though I may have gone a little overboard." He admitted and I finally giggled, kneeling before I carefully lifted one of the boxes into my arms.
"You're not kidding, Alex. Come on, let's get this put away. Follow me." I laughed and with a slight shrug he retrieved the rest of the boxes before he started to follow me pausing for long enough to stare at my retreating back.
Even being a recluse Kiara seems mentally well though that could be her way of dealing with her fear of leaving her house.
"Alex, is something wrong? You've been staring at me for a while now." I asked the android who just shook his head, his attention moving back to stocking my cupboards and fridge with all of the groceries he bought. "Okay so now that we're not short of food how about making me something?"
"Of course, Kiara. Any suggestions?" He asked and I leant back a little as I considered the question before I grinned at him.
"Surprise me." I finally answered and he just shrugged a tiny smile curling his lips before the blue light on the side of his temple glowed briefly. Still smiling to himself, Alex started to dig through the cupboard and then the fridge setting several boxes on the kitchen counter as I watched on with both eyebrows raised at him. "What are you going to make?"
"You will find out once it's ready." Alex and I shrugged, rising from the chair before I headed into the hallway. "Where are you going?" I heard him call out and I turned my head slightly as I stood in the doorway.
"To take a quick shower. I'll be back soon." I answered before I headed for my room for a change of clothes leaving my new roommate to start on my meal.