The Life of David Olsen

I woke at the crack of dawn as M blared my alarm like the digital witch she was. Groaning, I raised my thick blankets over my head and buried myself under, trying to hide away from the irritating ringtone.

Why did she have to put the volume at Max?

“Because you cannot afford the luxury of sleeping in,” was her response as she interpreted my thoughts.

“Fuck off, M,” I growled in distress.

“And leave you to waste away? What would you do without me? It’s 5:56, get up and rise with the sun. You have exactly thirty two minutes and eighteen point four seconds to do your morning ablutions, bathe, get dressed, and make breakfast, before you receive the call Lynx told you to expect yesterday.”

That had me up quicker than the alarm would ever have managed. Lynx had really informed me that she’d be giving me a call this morning for something important.

When was it again?

“6:28 AM, UCT,” M provided.

I needed to hurry, her call might have me needing to leave and meet up with her and I refused to do that without getting something to fill my stomach this morning.

Getting up from the bed and letting the blanket drop, I surveyed my surroundings. I lived in an opulent penthouse in the Bronx. It was necessary as it fit the character we’d crafted for David. Anyway, I couldn’t continue living in my small condo. That would have had me figured out before I even joined the organization. I doubted that Stiff's men did not investigate every novitiate. They probably had a file about me locked in some cupboard somewhere.

Shaking my head, I headed over to the bathroom. As I stepped in, I was enveloped in a world of luxury. The bathroom was a masterclass in elegant design, with sleek lines, polished marble, and sparkling crystal accents. Soft, warm light emanated from the LED-lit mirrors, casting a golden glow over the space.

The floor, made of rich, dark wood, was covered in a plush, cream-colored rug that felt like silk beneath my feet. The walls, adorned with intricate, hand-painted murals, seemed to whisper tales of ancient civilizations. A stunning, floor-to-ceiling window offered breathtaking views of the city skyline, its towering skyscrapers and glittering lights stretching out as far as the eye could see.

My gaze wandered to the expansive, wall-mounted vanity, where an array of top-of-the-line toiletries and cosmetic products sparkled like jewels. Luxurious brands like Tom Ford, Jo Malone, and La Mer lined the shelves, their sleek, designer packaging a testament to David’s impeccable taste.

A delicate, crystal glass container held a selection of fine, Cuban cigars, while a matching humidor kept them fresh and ready for indulgence. A built-in, refrigerated drawer stored an assortment of chilled, scented lotions and creams, ensuring that the man's skin remained pampered and hydrated.

Until we purchased this penthouse to cement David’s personality, I never knew rich people had refrigerators in their hall-sized bathrooms.

The pièce de résistance was the magnificent, sunken jacuzzi, its gleaming, silver surface reflecting the soft light like a mirror. The tub was surrounded by a raised, marble platform, where a plush, white robe and a pair of soft, Egyptian cotton slippers awaited my use. A discreet, waterproof panel controlled the tub's temperature, jets, and color-changing LED lights, allowing me to customize my bathing experience to my heart's content.

Nearby, a sleek, glass-enclosed shower boasted a rainfall showerhead, a handheld massage showerhead, and a range of luxurious, scented body washes and shampoos. A heated, marble bench provided a comfortable spot to sit and relax while showering.

As I began to undress, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My reflection showed a tall, imposing figure with chiseled features and piercing eyes. My dark hair was perfectly styled, and my designers, black PJs had been immaculately pressed.

This was the amount of acute perfection of physique I had to maintain this past year to be David.

With a quiet sigh, I slipped into the warm, scented water of the jacuzzi, feeling the tension melt from my muscles as the jets began to massage my skin. I closed my eyes, letting the soothing warmth and the gentle, lapping water against the tub's edges lull me into a state of deep relaxation.

As I soaked, my thoughts turned to the events of the previous day. I had attended a high-stakes business meeting, as part of Stiff's security detail, where he had negotiated a lucrative deal that would cement his business position as a leader in the arms dealing field. The memory of Stiff’s triumph brought a dissatisfied huff to my lips.

After a while, I emerged from the jacuzzi, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I wrapped myself in the plush robe and slipped into the slippers, savoring the warmth and comfort they provided. As I made my way back to the vanity, I caught another glimpse of myself in the mirror. This time, my reflection showed a man who was running out of time, my eyes sparkling with contemplation and my face tightened into a determined expression.

I’d spent too much time in the bathroom and there was barely enough time to dress up or make breakfast, but that was alright. It was for situations like this I had M.

Over the time of my infiltration of Stiff’s organization, I hadn’t had many opportunities to use M’s Matrix systems unobserved.

After stepping out of the bathroom, I toweled myself dry and with a request to M, light flashed around me and I found myself clothed.

The Matrix system could teleport anything to you, but what I hadn’t first been aware of when I was in Varganna was that the system could make the teleported item appear anywhere. So if I wanted my boxers and singlet to appear on me, clad, the system would do it.

Soon I was fully clothed, ending the getup with a flannel shirt, tight leather pants, a trench coat, and knee high military boots.

Once I was done, I moved to the dining area adjacent to the kitchen, where M had plates and cutleries appear on the table before me, subsequently followed by a plethora of dishes.

Before me was a majestic spread, a sumptuous feast for one, showcasing the rich flavors and hearty portions of a classic American breakfast cuisine.