Chapter Seventeen

Meanwhile, after wrapping up the board meeting at Mars Corporation, Peter drove back to his grand villa. As his car came to a stop, a servant swiftly approached and took the car key from him. Peter gave a quick nod of acknowledgment before stepping through the grand entrance of his mansion. His chief butler, Mr. James, greeted him with a respectful bow.

'Good evening, Sir Peter,' he said warmly. Another servant by the door nodded, holding it open as Peter entered.

Inside, the villa was illuminated with a soft, golden glow from elegant crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. The light reflected off the polished marble floors, giving the space a luxurious, almost dreamlike feel. Although most of the human staff had retired to their rooms for the night, Mr. James and a few others remained available for Peter's immediate needs. Quietly, the robots moved throughout the villa, efficiently completing the remaining tasks of the evening.

One robot in the living room adjusted the curtains, allowing just the right amount of moonlight to filter through the expansive windows. Another meticulously polished the glass surface of the grand coffee table at the room's centre, ensuring it gleamed with flawless clarity. The faint sounds of their movements complemented the soft classical music playing in the background.

Peter walked past a robot near the grand staircase, its mechanical arms carefully arranging scented candles on a side table. The gentle fragrance of vanilla and sandalwood filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere. He gave the robot a lazy wave, and it responded with a polite gesture, its arm moving with almost human precision. The brief interaction brought a small smile to Peter's face, though his thoughts remained preoccupied with Stella.

Reaching his bedroom, he pushed open the heavy double doors to reveal a space bathed in warm, soft light. The massive bed, draped with luxurious sheets, seemed to beckon him.

'Welcome, Sir Peter,' Chijioke, the AI assistant, greeted as soon as Peter entered. 'You look tired. Would you like a glass of milk?'

'No, thanks, Chijioke,' Peter declined, removing his clothes.

'What about a glass of palm wine?'

'No, I'm not in the mood.'

'Then, perhaps you're in the mood for ofe eju and akpu, am I right?' Chijioke teased, making Peter chuckle.

'Maybe I'll have the kitchen prepare ofe eju and akpu for you,' Peter replied with a playful tone. 'You can enjoy it with a glass of palm wine, and later, I'll have them make pepper soup…'

'I'd end up with a runny nose,' Chijioke quipped, prompting another laugh from Peter.

Peter knew the AI assistant was trying to lift his spirits, and he appreciated the effort. But thoughts of Stella still weighed heavily on his mind, the only woman he truly loved.

'Chijioke, can you help me?' Peter asked, his voice quieter.

'If it's about Stella, I think you should give her some time. You didn't do well by keeping your status from her. Although your reasons were good, sometimes it's best to be completely open. There's never a perfect time for honesty in relationships...'

Peter nodded as he finished undressing, slipping into a casual home outfit before making his way to the bed. He sank into the pillows, staring up at the ceiling. Memories of Stella filled his mind—her warm smile, the sparkle in her eyes, and the tears he had caused by hiding the truth. The guilt weighed on him, leaving him restless.

'Sir Peter, are you sure you don't want to take a bath?' Chijioke's voice chimed gently. 'A good bath after a long day can do wonders.'

Peter groaned softly, pulling a pillow over his face. 'I'm too tired, Chijioke. I'll do it in the morning.'

'Oh no, Sir Peter, you mustn't skip this! Imagine the scandal if you wake up smelling like ogiri or, worse, akpu left too long in the sun!' Chijioke teased, its tone laced with mock seriousness.

Peter couldn't help but laugh, tossing the pillows aside. 'Are you saying I stink already?'

'Not yet,' Chijioke quipped, 'but give it a few hours, and I might have to install air fresheners in the room.'

Peter chuckled, shaking his head. 'You never give up.'

'It's for your own good, Sir. You humans are fragile beings who thrive on cleanliness. Now, how about I prepare a relaxing soak for you?'

Peter smiled faintly, enjoying the playful conversation. 'Fine, you win. But only because I don't want my AI assistant spreading rumours about me.'

'Your humility is inspiring, Sir,' Chijioke replied with a tease.

Peter laughed again, his spirits slightly lifted. 'Thanks, Chijioke. I'll go freshen up now.'

As Peter rose from the bed, he felt the cool, clean air circulating from the villa's advanced ventilation system. Heading towards the bathroom, the playful conversation between him and Chijioke replayed in his mind, providing a small but welcome distraction from his thoughts about Stella.

Chijioke's voice chimed softly. 'Your bath is ready, Sir Peter. I've ensured the water is at your preferred temperature, and the lavender oil is dispersed for maximum relaxation.'

Peter smiled faintly as he walked to the bathroom, the soft scent of lavender oil wafting through the air. As he entered, he noticed the tub already filled with warm, gently steaming water, illuminated by soft, ambient lighting, adjusted by Chijioke to a soothing glow. Nearby, a robot neatly placed fresh towels on a sleek rack, and another had arranged bath salts and a glass of water within arm's reach of the tub.

'Anything else, Sir Peter?' Chijioke enquired.

'This is perfect. Thanks, Chijioke,' Peter replied, stepping into the inviting bath.

The warm water embraced him, and he let out a contented sigh, feeling some of the tension in his shoulders melt away. The soft whir of the villa's systems and the aromatic steam created a cocoon of tranquility, though his mind remained preoccupied with Stella. Closing his eyes, he let himself sink deeper into the soothing atmosphere, focusing on the gentle ripple of the water instead of the weight of his thoughts.

Memories of the moment he revealed his true identity to Stella resurfaced—the way her eyes had reflected a mixture of love and disappointment upon discovering he'd kept the truth from her. Guilt threatened to take hold again, but Peter pushed it aside, focusing instead on the soothing environment around him.

Minutes later, he emerged from the bath, feeling physically lighter despite his mind remaining preoccupied with thoughts of Stella. He dried off with the fresh towels and slipped into the silk pyjamas provided by one of the robots managing his walk-in wardrobe. As he returned to the bedroom, the lingering scent of bath oils enhanced the calming atmosphere.

Sinking back into the pillows, he allowed himself a moment of quiet. Yet, as the minutes stretched on, the weight of his thoughts about Stella refused to fade. Restless, Peter sat up and wandered over to the window, seeking solace in the view outside.

The cool night breeze blew in, softly touching his face and bringing with it a faint earthy scent from the gardens below. The view stretched before him, lit by the gentle glow of garden lights that illuminated the neatly manicured lawns.

In the distance, one of the robots was tending to the flower beds, using its delicate arms to prune the withered leaves and inspect the blooms—tasks it was designed to perform flawlessly, even under the cover of night. Another robot swept fallen leaves from the pathways, its broom moving rhythmically under the moonlight. As Peter watched, one of the robots noticed him at the window and paused, giving a brief wave. He returned the gesture with a faint smile. Even in a world dominated by technology, he found comfort in these simple, genuine moments.

With a sigh, he finally turned away, allowing the tranquil atmosphere of the villa to surround him. Yet, as he tried to relax, thoughts of Stella persisted, reminding him that no matter how luxurious his surroundings were, some things couldn't be fixed by technology, especially matters of the heart.

***