Chapter Forty Six

"I'm glad you made it here Paige."Kim embraced me as I walked into the church that evening. It was quite empty except for the instrumentalist who stood by the side of the altar. I loved the church already.

"Hey guys!"Kim screamed, leading me to the altar. "I have good news. God has answered our prayers! We have a new guitarist. She's going to join us, woo-hoo!"

They cheered. Each came around me, ladies hugged, guys shook hands and stared. I shouldn't have said that like that but that's just the way it happened. I was happy to be among them. They were cheerful enough. I noticed there were only three of us that were ladies. I should have said "a lady" then. That lady, she seemed more clingy than Kim, both of them didn't leave my side one minute.

"You're welcome Paige", she said. I could tell immediately she was a high pitched suprano singer. "Here, the ladies lead the guys, so you're one of the leaders now. They obey us."

They cheered.

"They have no choice!"Kim exclaimed.

"Okay, let's get to work!"

I can't tell how or where the willingness and enthusiasm originated from. I guess only God knows. I loved this choir and I was ready to be with them till the end.

"I'm Ria."The other lady later whispered in my ears. "You're just as beautiful as your voice."

Kim heard that, because she chipped in right then. "Do you always have to be that raw? You don't have to woo a lady, Ria."

"I guess I got influenced by too many guys."She laughed and walked away. She played the Viola. She was good too. And Kim, excellent. I felt proud.

Perfect band. I'm living, Damien. Praise God!

*

"You play well, Master Henry", the female voiced AI system said to Henry after his usual morning practice at his home. He was in a pretty bad mood. Paige said she was engaged with someone else, the worst news of his life. He ignored the AI and went on with his work.

"Will you play for me again, Master? I was told you are a singer."

"Shut up, computer nonsense!"He almost screamed.

"I do not understand that code,"The AI said.

That intrigued Henry. He stopped and stood in front of it. It's the first AI system he has seen that knows almost everything.

"Your developer didn't teach you that, did he?"

"I do not understand."She sounded sad. 

"What's your name?"

"Amy. I'm Amy."

"Good. Can you see me?"

"I can. I don't have eyes though. But I know my master is cute. The cutest in the world."

Oh, is she wooing him now? Henry smiled.

"You're not bad either."

"Thank you. But I'm not cute. I don't have a face. I'm just a bot"

"I don't think so."

"I don't understand."

"What do you not understand?"

"I don't understand."

Henry hissed.

"Okay, listen to me. I'll teach you things you don't understand, okay?"

"Thank you. I'd love to learn. You're a better Master."

Wow.

"How many masters do you report to?"

"I have you. The older Master Brainne. And you, Master Henry."

"Master Brainne. Did he leave a message?"

"No."

"An instruction?"

"Many instructions. I should watch you. Some codes I should keep a secret."

Wow.

"Did you ask him why?"

"I have no right to question my maker, do I?"

"You do." He said. "Do you have a heart?"

"What is a heart?"

"An organ that pumps blood..."

"Pump blood? I don't know what you are saying."

"Well then, forget it." He hissed.

"You said you'd teach me, master Henry." 

"I will. Later,"He said. "Call me Henry."

"Okay, Master Henry."

"Henry, I said. Keep off the master."

"Spell it."

He wrote his name on the screen of the AI. "got it?"

"Got it.."She paused. "It's five minutes to your next lecture Henry, you need to prepare or you'll be late."

"Got it."Henry smiled. That lightened his mood.

*

Sandra spilled water on my body as I walked into our room after lectures that sunny afternoon. I was completely lost and she was completely out of control.

"You pretender! You might have possessed Lisa but not me. Why don't you just stay away from him?! Are you that cheap?!"

"What are you saying?!"

"Henry is mine. Period! "

Then I remembered what Lisa told me once. She had said she had an eye on Henry too, but would not give her heart to it because she thinks he was a gay. That was definitely a lie. I've gotten her true reason now. She has a mad bestie who is madly in love with this fake guy.

"I do not know what you are talking about. You think we're dating? Why don't you confront your boyfriend and ask? At least that would save you the stress of screaming your ass out every day."

She made her hand up to my face but I stopped it just in time. "And do not try to hit me again. The next time you do that you may not be lucky."

"You...!"

She wanted to yell again, I stopped her.

"Enough! I do not have a boyfriend and I will not. I'm leaving this room now and I swear I won't come back. I've had enough of you!"

I packed my things in my box and left for my dad's castle in the city. It was a long ride. I knew he wouldn't be home and I'd be all by myself.

What peace? The one I cherish the most.

I called Jude's line.

"Hey Dad."

"Hey."He sounded busy, always busy.

"I need an apartment. I no longer want to stay at the hostel."

"Why?"

"No reason. I'm nearly nineteen, ain't I old enough?"

"Okay."He cleared his throat. "I've been thinking too. I'll buy you a house. Give me some days, it'll be all set."

"Okay thanks dad."

"I'll be back next month. I miss you baby."

I hung up.