Dolls Are The Worst!

 Elise shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she worked on the design for a new client.

 Why did it feel like everyone was staring at her today?

 She shifted again and cocked her neck from side to side, clearing her throat.

 'Just focus on your work, Elise.' She told herself as she opened up the client folder.

 It was a very detailed file, but Elise already knew it like the back of her hand.

 She fidgeted with the folder, reading and re-reading the information over and over again, pretending like she was extremely absorbed so no one would bother her.

 Yet, that somehow didn't stop Jude.

 He approached her desk, an award-winning smile plastered on his face.

 "Hey, Willwood. Look at you working so hard. Your eyes have been glued to that file." He said with a laugh.

 Elise's shoulders immediately went rigid.

 "I-um-I-I-uh-" Her words REFUSED to come out.

 She wasn't sure if it was because of her typical fluster or because of the lump that had already formed in her throat that was stopping them.

 Jude placed his hands on her shoulders, gently squeezing them.

 "Tense? You're working too hard. Why don't you let me take you out to lunch today? Company card."

 "OOH!" Elise jumped up at his touch, a high-pitched shriek escaping her lips as she did so.

 Her face turned a bright red and her heart threatened to stop.

 "Nn-nn!" She shook her head and quickly grabbed her purse off the floor and ran to the bathroom, taking safety in her usual stall.

 She fanned herself with her hands and took deep breaths in between the dry heaving that was now taking over, her throat completely dry.

 'Did he?! Did he really put his hands on me?! H-He touched me?! I-I got touched?! No way!'

 Elise placed her hands on her cheeks. She'd been dreaming of this very moment since she first laid eyes on him.

 Now, realization was dawning on her.

 Jude was probably waiting for her to go get lunch or was waiting to persuade her. She was nowhere NEAR ready to speak to him let alone go to lunch with him!

 She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone.

 [✉️To: Manager] Hey, I'm taking my lunch break now.

 Luckily in their office, there was no need for formalities, but at least this way if Jude really was waiting for her, he'd get the message that she wasn't available.

 After calming herself down a bit, she returned home and to her surprise her order from Love Core had arrived – in discreet packaging of course.

 Elise opened the door and brought the smaller package in first – the one which she was sure contained the lingerie she'd order.

 Then, she placed a chair behind the door to haul the life-sized box in.

 It wasn't too heavy although it was definitely 'taller' than her which caused her to struggle.

 Once it was inside, she pursed her lips, staring at the large cardboard box.

 'Do I open it…..or should I just flat out return it? How could I even get this to the post office by myself anyways…'

 As she thought about her options, she couldn't help but also think about the wonderful dreams she'd had.

 'I guess….it wouldn't hurt so much to try it out….'

 Scissors out, she cut away at the tape, pulling the front of the box down to open it up.

 Standing there, eyes closed, was the doll.

 Blonde hair perfectly combed, lips looking luscious and kissable, abs perfect and ready for washing clothes, and a pair of premium Love Core boxers around his waist.

 'Wow….so it really WASN'T a model on the website…..they made it so detailed….' Elise thought as she leaned up and gently swept her fingers across his cheeks.

 She gasped and quickly pulled her hand back. 'His skin feels just like mine…..except cold…..'

 Her face crumpled up at the thought of him feeling akin to a dead person. 'Ew.'

 Elise bit her lip as her eyes glanced down at his boxers.

 From her memory, the website advertisement was also very detailed. Could it be….that it was also the same?

 She gently placed her fingertips on the waistband of the boxers, slowly dipping between the elastic and his 'flesh' as she pulled them forward and peeked in.

 "AHHH!" Elise quickly pulled her hand away and covered her eyes.

 Yep! Detailed just like the rest of him!

 A crimson hue quickly crept across her face as she realized what she had just done.

 'Did…..I just…..sexually harass a….doll…..?! W-Wait does that count?! Am I pervert?!'

 Now that she thought about it, the fact there was a life-sized robotic man in her house was starting to freak her out.

 She bit her lip and stared at him. She cleared her throat and marched to the hall closet.

 "S-Sorry! ….Umm…Mr….Mr.X! You have to go in the closet! This is no fault of your own of course, but I am sure it will be very cozy in there!"

 With all her might, she grabbed the sides of the box and angled them towards her before she pulled him towards the closet.

 All while making and eating her lunch, she couldn't help but steal glances at the closet, knowing there was a 'man' on the other side of the door.

 She rolled her shoulders back, trying to get rid of the feeling of being watched.

 "Sorry Mr.X it's not that I don't trust you, but I'm kind of scared you're going to spring to life and try to kill me or something. No hard feelings alright?!" She called as she slid a chair underneath the door handle.

 'That should hold him if he does.'

 The rest of the workday ended up being just as uncomfortable as it had started.

 Jude had tried to come talk to her again, which resulted in her excusing herself to the bathroom yet again.

Eventually, he seemed to get the hint that she wanted to focus on work and left her alone.

When she returned home, she couldn't help but continue to glance at the closet.

'Great! Now I'm going to be freaked out in my own home! I always DID hate dolls….'