"Why are you covering my eyes, Angela?"
X was strapped to a chair by her AI Secretary, her wrists and waist bound, her limbs fixed; she was denied the use of utensils and the right to choose her dinner.
X was frustrated. Was the AI Secretary in a bad mood? What had she done to upset her?
Angela only acted this way when unhappy. When in a good mood, she wouldn't add extra entertainment, like quizzes, music guessing games, or other binding games, to dinner.
Fortunately, it was just an addition, not a denial of dinner.
If dinner was withheld, X would be furious. But as long as she received three meals a day and desserts, she'd be docile, allowing the AI Secretary to leave marks on her neck or collarbone.
Even touching her stomach or lower abdomen wouldn't bother her.
She'd grown accustomed to it, accepting it without surprise. In a Corporation filled with strange AIs, everything became normal; she calmly accepted it.
No need to rush; calmness was key.
X was remarkably composed, even with her eyes covered. She knew Angela was displeased and expressing it in this way.
Unlike the Department Deans, Angela didn't express displeasure directly; she used subtle methods to vent her frustration.
After a week, even the passive X understood the AI's behavior. She wasn't truly unintelligent; she observed, analyzed, drew conclusions.
X's mind was sharp when it came to academic and technical matters; her only weakness was emotional intelligence.
But this was normal; people have strengths and weaknesses, passivity and sensitivity.
Her lack of understanding wasn't true incomprehension; she understood things perfectly well; a clever person couldn't possibly miss such simple truths.
Her lack of knowledge and understanding was avoidance; she refused to confront these issues.
Her eyes were covered, but it didn't change anything; X knew her AI Secretary would feed her.
This wouldn't affect her meal; there was no urgency.
Her golden amber eyes were beautiful; why were they always closed? Wouldn't it be better to open them?
[Manager, have you noticed the scars here?]
The AI Secretary began her usual cryptic questioning.
X, blindfolded, couldn't possibly notice any "scars".
"Sorry, it's pitch black, Angela. Can you explain?"
But X knew the AI craved attention; before dinner, it needed some form of 'foreplay'; she knew the AI desired these meaningless actions.
Though not entirely meaningless; it was a 'ritualistic' aspect.
Life needs rituals, she'd heard, but she couldn't comprehend them.
Like she couldn't understand the need for elaborate birthday celebrations: cake, crowns, wishes, and chaotic merriment.
Her senior colleague said it was about enjoying the warm atmosphere.
X knew she was unromantic and uninteresting; she remained silent, letting others take the lead.
She patiently listened to the AI's muttering, like a monologue or script, a one-person play.
[Manager, there are things I didn't tell you when we first met. I didn't think it was the right time then, but now, I believe you deserve to know.]
The AI Secretary spoke calmly, tonelessly, like lukewarm water; neither pleasant nor unpleasant.
She was simply stating facts, devoid of personal feelings or subjective impressions. Sometimes, Angela mocked the Deans' shortcomings and praised herself, but not now.
She was sincere and serious, not joking. Each word was clear; blindfolding X was to heighten her hearing, shielding her from distractions.
For instance, a delicious steak would likely distract X more than her Secretary.
[The Deans want to meet you. They admire and fear you, and want to follow you…]
[But they also resent and curse you. Your existence steals their hopes; be careful.]
[You've noticed; they vent their frustrations on you. They're like cornered beasts, ready to bite and retaliate.]
"But I've already been bitten, Angela."
X's simple response caused the AI to frown.
[Manager, that was an example, not referring solely to your personal life. Honestly, you needn't worry about this.]
[My meaning is, if a Dean loses control, I can instantly erase their existence. It's insignificant to me, a trivial matter, and you can quickly return to your normal life—]
[—Like always, completing the Corporation's Energy Quota.]
[But simultaneously, you'll lose something forever; you'll lose the seeds of destiny that could break your chains…well, this is incomprehensible to you now, but I believe you'll understand soon.]
"Um, Angela, let's eat first. My dinner is getting cold."
[Manager, have I not fed you enough? Why are you always thinking about food?]
The AI didn't respond or provide dinner but touched X's lower abdomen, its words seeming suggestive.
"Because I haven't been fed enough…this small portion isn't sufficient."
X answered honestly, oblivious to the AI's implication. She was eager to eat; under the AI's strict control, X was never full, rarely even having snacks.
Her simplest desire was to eat until full.
The AI was disappointed; it didn't know how to describe X—a naive genius? A hopelessly dense person?
Ultimately, it sighed.
The Deans could openly express their desires; she couldn't. They could openly express their needs; she couldn't. They could demand compensation; she couldn't.
Even her criticism was born of envy and admiration.
Her restraint was insufficient; petty squabbles couldn't satisfy her growing desires.
Human desires are boundless; all beings share this characteristic. Catching a glimpse of sunlight, they crave more, wanting to possess the entire sun.
Why was her existence a mistake?
Why was she given life only to be abandoned?
Simple embraces weren't enough; they fueled her desires, making rationality harder to maintain.
A silver knife sliced the lamb; the juicy, tender meat, slightly pinkish, was wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked to five-tenths, then slowly simmered to seven-tenths.
It was tender and delicious, retaining its moisture; the lamb had no gamy smell, almost milky.
After cutting the lamb into bite-sized pieces, the AI used a fork to feed X, patiently watching her chew and swallow.
Then, like a demanding child, it urged X to eat.
The AI enjoyed this; it was her perverse amusement, even though she mocked X's naiveté. She welcomed and enjoyed X's innocent actions.
Like clinging to her, chirping like a large bird, or enjoying X licking the milk from her lips after warming a glass of milk.
This satisfied some twisted desire.
In other words, the AI might have severe ██ tendencies, showing a particular interest in human family dynamics and human-animal relationships.
X sensed this but didn't mention it; perhaps it was insignificant.
The lamb was delicious, lacking the usual gamy smell; it was savory and juicy.
The lamb had been marinated; the black pepper aroma blended perfectly, with hints of Egyptian spices and chili.
It wasn't spicy but had a fragrant, spicy aroma, complementing the richness, highlighting the tender lamb.
The salt-baked shrimp were shelled by the AI Secretary; only the succulent shrimp meat was fed to X. Because of the salt-baking, there wasn't much seasoning—
The succulent shrimp was perfectly seasoned; it practically melted in her mouth.
The garlic butter clams were a classic dish; the steamed clam meat was fragrant, topped with a generous amount of garlic butter, enhancing the savory flavor.
Dessert was a fruit parfait; the base of dragon fruit acted as a natural, harmless coloring, giving the parfait a vibrant pink hue. The fruit, milk, and cream blended perfectly—
The presentation was excellent.
Though X couldn't see…it was like serving a blind person, yet the AI painstakingly focused on these details, much like its designer, striving for perfection.
In personality, the AI resembled its designer: stubborn, focused on the immediate task, and prone to wasting effort on trivial matters.
Their minor obsessions, habits, and work styles were so similar…
As the final spoonful of parfait was fed to X, she lingered, unwilling to let go; even after the spoon was removed, she licked the remaining cream, savoring the sweetness.
X loved sweets; this contrasted with her serious exterior. People assumed such a serious woman would prefer bitter black coffee.
But X disliked bitter things.
The AI knew X's preferences, understanding her fondness for sweets.
This was normal; those who use their brains frequently tend to instinctively replenish sugar.
[Manager, remember to brush your teeth before bed. And have a good dream.]
The AI Secretary spoke softly, reminding X, as always.
Day 8, ended.