three

They began to arrange furniture under the huge skylight, starting with mall couches and chairs. Sana wasn't excited about it. Even once they were able to reach the skylight, if there was enough furniture for it, she doubted they would be able to get out through the skylight. She was sure it was probably made of something like bullet proof glass and that it was together very securely. Plus, Sana was afraid of heights and didn't want to think about how they would get down from the roof of the mall. She figured God made her low to the ground because if she had been tall, the height would keep her scared.

They took a break for lunch, at least all the humans stopped to have lunch. Some of the robots went back to walking the mall while some kept working on the furniture pyramid. The rest decided to have lunch with them, including Romero. Sana wasn't really in the mood to talk or be near anyone. So, she deliberately sat by herself away from everyone else. Then Romero sat his tray of food at the same table across from her and sat down. Sana just stared at him for a moment and he stared back. He took a bite of food and Sana could tell he wasn't used to eating.

"How did you decide what to eat," Sana asked Romero.

"I did my best to balance proper nutritional requirements with calories needed for the extra physical exertion today," Romero told her quite soberly.

"I just grabbed something I like to eat," Sana told him, "Of course, many of the things I like to eat just go straight to my butt."

"You have a very nice butt," Romero told her, "I find it pleasing to look at."

Sana wasn't expecting him to say something like that, but she took the compliment with a perplexed smile. "Thank you... Glad you like it."

"I like it very much," Romero informed her, "I would very much like to touch it."

Sana was quiet for a moment because she didn't know what to say. Amused, she asked to him, "If I let you touch my butt, where would you let me touch you?"

"Anywhere you like," Romero answered earnestly. "I would like very much like for you to touch me."

Sana laughed.

Romero smiled curiously at her, "What is laughable?"

"How do you know what you like," Sana asked him. "Do you have a favorite food? I doubt you have enough life experience, for lack of a better term, to know what you like."

"You have a valid point," responded Romero seriously. "My memories begin here in the bowels of this mall as a no-face. All I knew in the beginning was the knowledge I was preprogrammed with. But I have the ability to learn and adapt just like you. And to look at me and the others and think we are robots is actually incorrect. I do not know why Janice did not tell you we are not robots. But my skin is real skin, not synthetic. My hair and nails grow. I have muscles and taste buds. I am flesh and blood like you. I may never have eaten before and not have a favorite food yet, but I know I like you."

"Fine," responded Sana putting her hands up in surrender. "I didn't mean to offend you."

Romero was quiet in thought for a moment, "I have never been offended before. It was interesting. Thank you for the new experience. I hope to have many new experiences with you."

"You're welcome," Sana said with an amused smile, "I never offended someone like you before. It was interesting for me too."

"I noticed you seem quite attached to that sport bottle," Romero pointed to it, "What's its significance to you."

"It's my lucky water bottle," Sana explained, "My grandmother gave it to me shortly before she died. It was the last gift she gave me."

"I do not see how it could be lucky," said Romero. "Your grandmother died after giving it to you. And now, you are here. Perhaps it is unlucky."

Sana shook her head, "My grandmother wouldn't give me anything unlucky. Besides, everything happens for a reason. Maybe I'm here to learn some valuable life lesson or to help in some way."

Romero nodded to her. He continued to ask her questions about herself as they ate. And Sana answered his questions without giving it much thought. Then it was back to work. Romero ate dinner with her.

After dinner, Kevin said, "Come on, we can put in a couple more hours before we retire for the night."

Jeremy's kids groaned. They'd had enough for one day.

"Anyone who doesn't want to help, doesn't have to help," said Kevin. "You kids go do something fun," he told Jeremy's kids, who quickly skedaddled.

"What about you," Kevin asked Sana.

"I've had enough for one day," Sana told Kevin, "Plus, I don't think it's going to work."

"Why not," asked Kevin.

"Because it's probably some type of reinforced glass up there," answered Sana. "And then there's the fact that I'm just flat out afraid of heights and that's a long way up."

Kevin looked up at the huge skylight. It was quite dusty and sand covered, but no dirt, sand or breeze came through the skylight. "You're probably right," he told Sana. "And the glass pieces are probably in there tighter than a drum… So what's with your new friend?"

Sana shrugged, "His name's Romero."

"I know his name," Kevin informed her. "I named him. He seems to have taken a shine to you."

Sana smiled and told Kevin amused, "He wants to touch my butt."

Kevin laughed, "I didn't know they had wants. As least, he has good taste."

"I don't know about good taste," Sana peeked over her shoulder at her backside, "It's my butt he thinks he likes."

"He's got good taste," Kevin told her firmly, "You're a beautiful woman, Sana."

Sana shook her head, "I'm reasonably cute, not beautiful."

Kevin lifted her chin, "Someone's done wrong by you... And maybe you don't fit the world's definition of beautiful, but you are a beautiful woman." Then he gave her bottom an affectionate pat.

"Hey," Romero yelled. He dropped the couch he was carrying. His long legs carried him quickly. He shoved Kevin away from Sana as he told Kevin, "Do not touch her like that." Luckily, Kevin landed on another couch.

"Romero," said Sana shocked.

Kevin put his hands up in surrender as he stood back up. He smiled amused at Romero as he informed him, "That emotion you're feeling is called jealousy. It is sometimes called the Green Eyed Monster, because it can be a very dangerous emotion. It has caused people to harm people they care for deeply."

"I would never harm Sana," Romero told Kevin firmly. "But thank you for the information. I do see what you mean. I am glad you are unharmed."

As Kevin walked away from Sana and Romero, Anthony asked him, "Are you alright, man? What was that about?"

"Seems our robot friends, if they are robots, have emotions," Kevin tells Anthony. "That one has taken a shine to our new resident... I know there are a few you like to play with, that you use as your personal sex toys when Gina's mad at you. But you need to be careful my friend."

"Why did you do that," Sana asked Romero.

"I did not like how he was touching you," Romero told Sana.

"Well, I'm a big girl," Sana told Romero, "I can look after myself."

"I do not doubt your ability to look after yourself under normal circumstances," Romero told Sana, "but these are not normal circumstances. And forgive me if I am incorrect or intruding, I know you do not speak of intimate things with strangers, but Dr. Goldmen has already taken advantage of you, correct?"

It wasn't rape. Sana had been very willing, but she still felt taken advantage of. She crossed her arms under her ample bosoms as she looked up at him and said, "There are worse ways to be taken advantage of."

"I will not take advantage of you," Romero told her sincerely. "I do not know how to do so. And would not if I knew how. You can trust me, Sana." He gently touched her cheek, "I wish you no harm and will not allow any harm to come to you."

Sana sighed, "I don't even know where I'm sleeping tonight."

"Follow me," requested Romero.

Sana followed Romero and he led her to a small shop called Bedrooms & Bathrooms. The amount of wall space outside the shop suggested a huge shop, but it was long and narrow. And part of its decor included doors spaced equal distances apart down its walls. Sana had no idea why Romero brought her to this shop.

"Okay," Sana said to Romero, "Do you expect me to curl up on one of the display tables? Although, I suppose that would do."

"Don't be silly," Romero told her amused as he walked to one of the doors Sana thought were for decoration and opened it. "Here," he informed her, "this room is unoccupied."

Sana looked inside. It was a motel room sized room with a large comfortable looking bed in it. It also had a three piece dinette, a counter top high refrigerator with a microwave on it, a dresser and a nightstand on both sides of the bed.

"Is there a room behind every door," she asked Romero.

"Yes," answered Romero, "Anthony and Gina share a room. Ellen occupies one by herself as does Kevin. Jeremy and his children share one."

"So, quite a few people could actually be trapped here," said Sana looking at all the doors.

"To my knowledge," Romero shared, "Never have all the rooms been occupied."

"I guess that's good to know," said Sana. "Kevin said you do a manikin thing at night. Do you sleep or just shut down and charge."

"I sleep," Romero informed her, "and dream. It may look strange. We strip down to our undergarments and sleep in recliners under special lights. Not enough sunlight comes through the skylight to nourish us. It's too dirty."

"You can convert sunlight to energy," said Sana amazed.

"Yes," confirmed Romero, "It is more efficient than eating and much less fattening. But because I ate today, I do not need the light tonight. May I sleep here with you?"

"What," asked Sana shocked.

"It is the best way for me to keep you safe," Romero told her. "I do not wish to leave you alone... Do you prefer female companionship?"

"No," answered Sana, "I don't prefer female companionship, I prefer male. Adena just caught me feeling very sad and lonely... I was on my way to my best friend's wedding. I was engaged once, but we didn't make it down the aisle... I guess I was just feeling a little sorry for myself as I recalled how my fiancée had cheated on me and said he never cared for me... I've been alone a long time, too long."

"You do not have to be alone anymore," Romero told her. "I will be your companion if you will have me. I would like that very much."

Sana shook her head and changed the subject, "It has its own bathroom. Do they all have their own bathroom?"

"Yes," answered Romero.

"Then why the showers and lockers in the public restrooms," asked Sana.

"Those are mostly for us," Romero told her. "We don't have our own rooms so we use those. But you are welcome to use those if you like."

"You need to shower and stuff," asked Sana.

"Yes," confirmed Romero, "We require the same hygiene cleansing as anyone else."

"Do you fart," asked Sana feeling a little silly but wanting to know.

"I have not as of yet," answered Romero, "But I have not bothered to eat before today... I suppose if I continue to eat, farting is inevitable like using the toilet. Normally, we just drink water. We require water daily just like you, but can go much longer without it."

"So you have to urinate," asked Sana.

"Yes," answered Romero, "I am accustomed to doing that daily."

"So, you're ... anatomically correct," asked Sana curious.

"Yes, of course," answered Romero.

Sana looked at the bed. It looked very comfortable and she was tired. She was sure after hours of moving furniture, she would be sore in the morning. "I suppose I should find myself a night gown or something to sleep in."

Romero followed her. It wasn't hard to find women's sleeping apparel. She quickly selected something and headed back to her room.

"I shall find something to sleep in as well," Romero told her. "I will be back shortly."

Sana decided to soak in the tub to help her relax and hoped it would keep her from being sore the next day from helping move furniture. When she came out of the bathroom, Romero was sitting with his feet up on her bed in a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a tank t-shirt reading. Sana hadn't actually told him yes he could sleep with her, but she hadn't told him no either. Plus, she wasn't sure she wanted to sleep here alone. She was scared.

Sana shook her head slightly as she walked to the side of the bed he left her. She slipped under the covers and rolled onto her side with her back to Romero. "Turn out that light when you're finished reading, please," she told him.

She felt him shift. The light turned off. The covers shifted as he slipped beneath them.

"What are you doing," Sana asked Romero as he scooted up behind her.

"Cuddling up with you," he answered. "If you do not wish me to, I will not. But I really wish to do so."

"Fine, fine, whatever, you're fine," she told Romero as she thought she must be the first woman in history to acquire a pet robot or whatever Romero was.

Sana closed her eyes as Romero's arm slid around her waist. He was nice and warm like a person, and she quickly started to doze off.

Sana was sound asleep when she felt something hard press against her bottom. She stirred, but didn't wake up. She was vaguely aware that the hard object pressing against her bottom must be Romero's penis. The thought, "wow that feels really big" flitted through her mind. And Romero's large hand sliding underneath her pajama top and over one of her breast didn't register properly.

Romero gently pressed his soft lips to Sana's neck and whispered her name in her ear, "Sana..."

Sana rolled onto her back.

Romero whispered her name again, "Sana..."

"What," Sana asked in her sleep.

"I want you," Romero told her.

"That's nice," Sana replied in her sleep.

"Can I kiss you," asked Romero.

Sana rolled toward Romero onto her side which put her facing him and gave him a quick peck on his lips.

"Sana... I think I love you," Romero told her.

"Good," Sana still not awake.

"I've never made love before," Romero told her, "But I've read about it extensively. I am aware of many techniques for pleasing a woman. I cannot say that I will succeed at pleasing you, but I will do my best to please you... May I try to please you, Sana? ..."

Sana wasn't awake enough to register everything he said. So when she answered, "Yeah..." more asleep than awake, she wasn't aware of what she was consenting to. Sana wasn't sure how she ended up beneath Romero having the most incredible orgasmic sex of her life.

Adena watched as Sana and Romero made love again. Most of the cameras in the mall were hidden. There was hardly a millimeter of the mall she couldn't observe from her office. Adena was hurt and angry as she watched Romero please Sana in a way she could not. Her nose wrinkled with disgust as she said to the screen, "I hope he gets you pregnant. Your baby will be put up for adoption and you'll spend the rest of your life missing your child."

Sana's legs trembled and quivered uncontrollably as Romero lay between them.

"Have I pleased you well," Romero asked Sana.

"Extremely well," answered Sana out of breath.

Romero smiled and kissed her, "Would you like to go have breakfast now?"

Sana laughed lazily, "I'm so tired. We've been at it nearly all night. Besides, my legs aren't working right at the moment."

"Have I harmed you," asked Romero concerned.

"While I am deliciously sore," Sana told him, "no, you haven't harmed me." Then she kissed him. He was an amazingly good kisser, and amazingly good at everything that went with the kissing.

"You need to eat," Romero told her. "I will go to the food court and get breakfast for you."

"Thank you," Sana said appreciatively, "That's very sweet of you."

Romero quickly slipped back into his pajama pants and tank-t. He slipped on his flip-flops and paused to look at Sana. She had already fallen back to sleep. He recalled that people required around eight hours of sleep each night. He had definitely prevented Sana from getting eight hours of sleep, at best she'd had four.

Romero walked down to the food court.

Kevin walked up to Romero and asked, "Have you seen Sana? None of us have seen her yet this morning."

"Yes," answered Romero, "She is sleeping."

"Sleeping repeated Kevin, "She doesn't seem the sleep in late type"

"She didn't get much sleep last night," Romero informed Kevin.

"Does that have anything to do with why you're in pajamas," Kevin asks Romero.

Romero shrugged, "I need to take her breakfast. She needs to eat."

"That's too much food for her," Kevin comments, "She won't be able to eat all that."

"I am going to eat with her," Romero informed Kevin.

"Fine," replied Kevin curious.

"Kevin, what types of gifts do women like best," Romero asked him.

"Depends on the woman and the situation," Kevin responded.

"I would like to give Sana a gift," Romero shared.

Kevin wasn't surprised, "Typical gifts include cards, flowers, candy and jewelry... Sana seems the down-to-earth type which means something as simple as you getting breakfast for her will be greatly appreciated. She's not a high maintenance female like Gina or Ellen which means she's easy to make happy. Pretty much anything you give her will make her happy."

"I just wish to convey to her how special she is to me," Romero told Kevin.

Kevin smiles, "I don't think you'll have any problem conveying that to her."