CHAPTER 1

Robot Arden Enrique Zayn

"Perhaps I should never have created a robot that resembles Arden. Arden's body as a human was already driving me insane, let alone this robot I've created." Maya Adelline Lily De Philips sighed. She was the woman who shocked the world with her robot inventions. But who would have thought she kept a robot that looked exactly like the man she loved?

Arden Enrique Zayn.

Yes, the man who, three years ago, worked alongside her to build DE PHILIPS CORP. Maya had spent two years isolating herself just to create this robot, driven by the longing that had nearly driven her mad. The sudden loss of Arden had left her world in chaos. After all, the man who had always been by her side was found hanging, dead, without any apparent reason.

"This is murder!" Maya screamed, lying at the feet of the robot, clutching it desperately. She looked powerless, having spent all her time just to bring Arden back in the only way she could. Her eyes were swollen, her body frail from refusing to eat.

Knock, knock.

A soft knocking came from outside.

"Maya, come out, dear. You haven't eaten all day. It's already 2 AM, and you still haven't had anything. Please come out, I'll eat with you," a gentle voice called. It was Madam Rosie, the woman who had cared for Maya like her own daughter.

The room was filled with materials for creating Robot Arden—wires, metal pieces, computers, and various tools scattered across the table. The mosaic floor was cold against bare feet, and a long sofa stood in the corner, where Maya often spent time with the robot. The large, dark room was dimly illuminated by the full moon shining through an open window.

Knock, knock.

Another knock.

"If you don't come out, I will return to my hometown and never see you again."

It was a warning from Madam Rosie, a woman in her sixties with a full figure, neatly dressed like a housekeeper, her hair always in a bun, an apron tied around her waist. She had been by Maya's side since childhood, more of a mother than a servant. After waiting for a while, she turned to leave.

Maya, still crying, slowly got up from where she had been lying near Robot Arden's feet. She wiped her tears, not wanting them to be seen. Struggling to stand, she faced the robot, which stood at the same height as the real Arden Enrique Zayn—185 cm tall. Maya, only 154 cm, had to look up at it with her tear-filled eyes. A gust of wind blew in through the window, making her shiver.

Her long, wavy black hair, reaching down to her waist, was caught in the breeze. The cold seeped into her skin, already chilled from lying on the floor. She wore a short, white silk nightdress with thin straps, backless, ending just above her knees—a sundress. The pale-skinned woman gazed into the cinnamon-brown eyes of the robot, as if looking into the eyes of her lost love. Her expression was empty.

Biting her soft, rosy lips in regret, she reached out with her slender fingers to touch the robot's lips—lips that perfectly resembled Arden's.

Cold.

She wished they were warm, like when she had kissed the real Arden before.

"What am I even hoping for?" Maya whispered to herself.

She stepped back, picked up a silk shawl from the floor, wrapped it around herself, and left the room, sadness evident in her every movement.

Carefully descending the stairs to the kitchen, she saw Madam Rosie sitting at the dining table, waiting for her. The older woman smiled warmly as Maya approached.