Aiden's Refusal

Three years ago. . .

"Aiden, your life is in danger and we have to do something about it. I won't ever allow anybody to sit on this position because this is already yours in the first place." the Chairman said to his grandson.

"Chairman, I already accepted that my life is in peril. Let them do anything to my life, I won't give a fucking damn! After all, I am not scared of our traitor's antics." there is finality and bravery in his voice but he cannot hide the fact that he's still scared for his life. No matter how adamant and impenetratable he is as a man, he is still a human being who has a fear of emotion.

I will never be complaisant until the culprit/s show him/herself.

"Come and follow me." the Chairman said and strode the way out of the building.

"Where are we going, Chairman?" Aiden's face contorted in confusion while following the Chairman from behind.

"I'll show you the most important thing in my life and I think this is the perfect time for you to know it too." they hop in the car and after suiting themselves on their sit, the Chairman asked his personal driver slash assistant to depart.

"Janus, tell the security to assess the surroundings. Make sure the area is clear from trackers." it made Aiden even more confused.

"What the hell is going on?" said Aiden in his mind. Why Chairman is acting so weird?

After the long drive, they finally reached their destination which is the Main Laboratory of Gomez Robotics. This is the very time he will show the most fundamental area of his job and his life.

"What place is this, Chairman?" asked Aiden while roaming his eyes around the place and trying to scrutinize it.

"See for yourself, Aiden." he threw a smile to his grandson.

While the Chairman busy scanning himself in front of the huge screen outside the Main Laboratory for confirmation, Aiden was still examining the place as though he's trying to understand what is this place seems to be for Chairman.

The amazement was very visible on Aiden's face when the huge metal gate automatically opened like someone just controlled it from somewhere else.

Upon walking, "When my father showed this place to me, he already knew that it was me who will surely be the next Chairman of Gomez Robotics. He once told me that only those trustworthy people deserves to know this special place, a place where everything has started."

"Does it mean you trust me so much, Chairman?"

"Always, Aiden." then the Chairman stroke his hand to mess Aiden's hair. It's a gentle gesture to show love to hid grandson.

Aiden suddenly gave him his tightest hug because he was overwhelmed by the Chairman's words. To be trusted this much means so much to Aiden and knowing that it came from his favorite person who has a large space in his heart made it even more beyond overwhelming.

"I showed you this place not just because you are my grandson but because I know, if ever you inherit my position, you can be a great leader to all of us. I couldn't be happier if one day that happens." Chairman's voice is very convincing and you can say those words came from his heart.

"Just wow, maybe this is the brain of our company." the Chairman just smiled at his grandson because of his cleverness.

"Indeed."

They continued strolling around the Main Laboratory and Chairman Alberto can't stop stealing glances at his grandson as he sees him enjoying the place like this is the most beautiful place he has ever been to. They stopped walking when they reached the center of the said lab.

"Chairman, this place is very well made. The details are just superb. It's like a huge robot but not in a human form." he continued to experience the place until Chairman took the tablet that is installed on one of the metal cabinets.

"Aiden?"

"Yes, Chairman?"

"I want to show you . . . this."

Then the Chairman controlled the metal rectangular box using the tablet he's holding, it's like a huge refrigerator. Seconds passed and Aiden got amazed when the huge metal rectangular box moves towards them. There are also LED lights outside it that is connected to the metal rectangular box. It stands as a vein of 'something' inside that huge metal rectangular box.

"I present to you..."

The door of the said huge metal rectangular box just slowly opened and the smoke inside it was slowly coming out of it.

"What?" was all Aiden could say and his face is in dire confusion when he saw a man who looks exactly like him sleeping inside the metal rectangular box.

The man inside the metal rectangular box is sleeping comfortably and also he looks like a gentle and kind version of Aiden unlike Aiden himself, he's always stern as hell and strict as fuck because he always want his people to see him as a not an easy person to begin a friendship with.

But what really caught Aiden's attention was its head. The head of the said man was opened like it's still under construction. There are wires, capacitors, batteries and a lot more inside his head and he's in total naked body. He's showing his full body and you'll be amazed because he really looks like a real human. A real Aiden. This is so amusing to see a creative artwork from Gomez Robotics, even the small details of Aiden's body such as veiny hands, hairs on the legs and the bulge in between of the robot's thighs were all copied perfectly.

Don't ask how the chairman did that. He's just freaking awesome.

The LED lights they'd seen outside the metal rectangular box are connected to every part of the humanoid's robot. Maybe a mode of sending energies and data to the robot. You can't really deny that he looks like a real human because he really looks fucking real.

"He is Aiden 2.3!"

"Wait, what?

"You heard it right, Aiden. He's is Aiden 2.3."

"How come?" then the amusement and happiness in his system suddenly disappeared because of this idea.

"I decided to create a prototype robot that looks exactly like you so I could use it in times of need. You know, lessen the probable cause of any damages in the company. When something's going to happen to you at least there is a robot that can take over the place for a while. I am just being prepared for the possibilities my dear Aiden because I want to secure your position. We have no idea when will they target you again and when will you get the worse damage that would lead to. . . you know, something we don't want to happen. Aiden, I am just doing this for your position because only you can inherit this. I love you Aiden and I will do everything just for my grandson's sake." even though the explanation is all valid, still Aiden refused to accept that.

"No! I won't ever allow anybody or anything to live my life while I am away!" he said adamantly, "There is no one in this fucking world who can be me! They will never be me! I firmly disagree with your idea, Chairman! I will never allow this robot to live my life and let the world know that it is me who they are interacting with. Again, I'll never let someone or something to rule over my place and pretend like he is the real me!" he said with stand.

"But, Aiden I'm doing this for you. I only trust you in this world that's why I am doing it." the chairman tried to explain it even further but Aiden was already good with his decision.

"If you really want to secure my position, then let me do another robot. But not in my image but the image of my own invention. At least you can control it whatever you want but using my image, my name and my whole life? Hello no!" he suggested.

Chairman Alberto blew a deep breath before he neared Aiden, "Aiden, we need to do this." he convinced in whisper.

"I said no! I know and I understand where you are coming from but my decision is final! I don't care if in the future something's bad gonna happen to me, I'll still stick to my decision which is never ever allow the idea of someone or something to live my life. No one can copy or even top my intelligence because I am the only Aiden you will ever know. You know that Chairman and you should know that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Fine, if that's what you want. I will not continue this robot anymore but you should promise me you'll create another humanoid robot that we can use in time of need. It's up to you what it looks gonna be and how will it project in front of the faces of people for as long as it is effective and convincing." after saying his final words to his grandson, he left him there and went out of the Main Laboratory.

He expected that reaction already from Aiden but still Chairman Alberto was a little bit disappointed.

"I will create my own humanoid robot and I will call it as Francis 1.0. I'll make you proud, Chairman. I'll promise that." said Aiden in his mind.