CHAPTER THREE: Arrival at the Mansion
980 Words
CHAPTER THREE: Arrival at the Mansion
The car ride to the mansion was longer than Lina had expected. She sat quietly in the backseat, her hands folded neatly in her lap, but her mind was racing. Every building, every wide street, every sleek car they passed made her eyes widen. Her neighborhood had never looked like this — not even close. She had grown up in a place where life was simple, predictable, and small. This… this was another world entirely.
“Wow,” she whispered to herself, barely realizing she had spoken.
The agent glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “You’ll get used to it,” he said, voice calm but amused. “The mansion is… massive. You’re about to step into a world most people only see in magazines.”
Lina bit her lip. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”
“Not surprising,” the agent replied. “That’s why we picked you. He’s rich, precise, obsessive. He needs someone… predictable. Someone who can follow instructions exactly.”
Lina leaned back against the seat. “Predictable? You mean… he’s… difficult?”
The agent nodded. “Not difficult, just… careful. He has an allergy to human touch. Skin contact can make him seriously sick. That’s why he isolates himself so much. The robot was supposed to be a safe companion, something he could interact with without danger.”
Lina frowned, curiosity mixing with nerves. “And… he doesn’t have anyone else? Family? Friends?”
The agent shook his head. “He’s… complicated. Brilliant, but withdrawn. Obsessed with his work. He spends most of his time alone. He wants control, order, and safety. That’s why you’re so important. You’ll be the temporary stand-in, the only person he can see, hear, and… interact with safely.”
Lina’s heart raced. Two months. Acting like a robot. Living in a mansion with a man she’d never met. But curiosity gnawed at her. What kind of man needed this? How did he live? Was he angry all the time? Lonely? Funny? She couldn’t help wanting to know more, even if she couldn’t show it.
When they arrived, Lina’s breath caught.
The mansion was more magnificent than she had imagined. Marble floors gleamed under her heels, high ceilings stretched endlessly, and glass walls revealed perfectly manicured gardens outside. A fountain gurgled softly in the courtyard. Even the air seemed different — cleaner, cooler, almost sterile. Lina had never seen wealth like this. The thought made her stomach twist with awe and nerves.
“Wow,” she whispered again, almost to herself.
The agent chuckled softly. “You’ll get used to it. Remember, perfect posture, perfect control, perfect performance.”
Lina straightened instinctively, keeping her hands folded, her movements precise. She wanted to look confident, but inside, she was buzzing with questions. Who was the man she’d be acting for? What was he like? How strict was he? How would he react to… her?
The doors opened before they could knock, and Dr. Harrow stepped out. Warm smile, calm demeanor, but eyes sharp with professionalism.
“Welcome,” he said, motioning for them to enter.
Lina’s gaze swept the interior. Expensive artwork lined the walls, a grand staircase curved elegantly, and the air smelled faintly of polished wood and cleaning solution. She could feel the weight of precision and wealth pressing down on her. Her pulse quickened.
As they walked through the halls, Dr. Harrow explained the rules again. Lina listened carefully, nodding, though her mind wandered.
“Michael must not touch you,” he said. “Under no circumstances. You may respond verbally. He may speak to you. You must maintain the role of the robot at all times. If anything goes wrong, contact us immediately.”
“Yes,” Lina said softly, but she found herself staring at the walls, the chandeliers, the meticulous layout of the mansion. What kind of man lives like this? she wondered. He must be… fascinating. Rich, serious… lonely.
The agent added, trying to make her laugh, “Oh, and this robot eats human food. Surprising, right?”
Lina blinked. “Wait… the robot eats? Really?”
“Yes,” Dr. Harrow said, hiding a grin. “We discovered it can simulate eating — it’s part of making the experience realistic. He’ll be… very excited about that.”
Lina laughed quietly, shaking her head. “Pretending to be a robot… and eating? This is insane.”
Dr. Harrow continued. “One more thing. The robot’s skin feels realistic, almost human. That’s why no touching. Not even lightly. You’ll be fine — just keep your posture, follow instructions, and respond when spoken to.”
Lina swallowed, curiosity buzzing in her chest. She wanted to know more about Michael — what he looked like, how he spoke, whether he smiled, whether he laughed, whether he was… normal. But she kept it hidden. She had to. Two months. Perfect control. Perfect performance.
Finally, they reached the central hall. The team prepared for the delivery. Lina’s stomach tightened. She straightened, tried to breathe slowly. Two months. Acting like a robot. No mistakes. No slips. No emotions.
The agent leaned closer. “Remember, he’s brilliant. He’s unpredictable. But he’s also… lonely. That’s why he’ll respond well to a companion. But only if you follow every instruction.”
Lina nodded, glancing around the mansion again. Curiosity gnawed at her. Who is he really? she wondered. What’s he like when no one’s looking? Will I ever get to see that side?
Her pulse quickened as the car doors opened behind her, signaling the final step. The “robot” was about to enter. And she was about to step into the world of a man she didn’t know — a man she was already curious about, a man who would change her life in ways she couldn’t yet imagine.
- Writer
