I realized I was pacing the floor. "Stop this," I said. I continued despite my admonition. I had to admit my present nervous state was not something I expected, even given the circumstances. Mara was late, and to top that off she was bringing her mother.
It had been two weeks since I met Mara. Two weeks since the programming took place. Two wonderful, glorious weeks of passion and pleasure. She was mine, totally and completely, and her feelings for me, albeit enforced by my programming, were genuine. She was a changed woman since she met me.
Of course, that was the problem. Little did I know when this began that Mara talked to her mother every evening after "work." Her mother was initially curious, then concerned, then frightened from the changes her daughter had undergone. Her angelic, nervous daughter who had never done a thing on her own flew away from Alabama to become an uninhibited, sexually liberated independent woman. Her mother was so concerned she had announced to Mara last night over their daily phone call that she and Brianna, Mara's sister, would be flying out first thing this morning to find out what was going on.
Mara had made a lot of changes over the last two weeks. Her jet black hair, which she had worn up when I met her, was always down and draping across her shoulders. She wore lipstick now, a deep red shade she particularly liked, as did I. She had traded in that dowdy dress for a short skirt and high heels and brightly colored tops. She had a confidence and joy now that I never would have imagined at the time of our meeting.
I heard the front door open. "Alex, I'm home." I heard Mara say as the door closed. My stomach leapt from the butterflies and I gulped and headed to the foyer.
Mara rushed to me and threw her arms around me, lavishing me with kisses. I heard someone clearing their throat as I removed her. Standing behind Mara were two women who could only be Mrs. Stafford and Mara's sister Brianna. I approached them.
"Mrs. Stafford," I began, reaching out to take her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you so soon. You look lovely," I said. In truth she really was lovely. She looked a lot like Mara when I first met her, just a little older. She wore the same dowdy kind of dress Mara had worn, had the same full lips and jet black hair. Brianna was a different story.
"Brianna," I said, "You are more than welcome here." Brianna had her arms crossed over her breasts but I could tell they were not as ample as either Mara's or her mothers. She dressed a little more boldly wearing a T-shirt and jeans. Her hips were slimmer than Mara's, her body smaller. Maybe she hadn't matured into it yet. After all she had just turned eighteen. Her most striking features were her long blonde hair and her green eyes. Neither her sister nor her mother had those.
"Mr. Dawson," Mara's mother began, "I wish to speak to you in private regarding my daughter's welfare. I think it is high time she came home with Brianna and I and gave up on this lifestyle of hers. She is obviously not the same woman she was when she left." She would really be a beautiful woman if she could stop pursing her lips and smile once in a while.
"I see," I said, concern in my voice. "Mara, why don't you take Brianna over to the arcade room and let her try out some of the new games while I escort your mother to my office. Please meet us there once Brianna is comfortable."
"Oh, this will be a joy," I heard Brianna mumble as Mara led her out of the room. Well, at least one of them broke the mold, I thought to myself as I led Mrs. Stafford into my office.
"Mrs. Stafford," I said after we were in my office and the door was closed, "I am sure you have your daughter's best interests at heart. I know she told you that she and I are dating and I imagine you wonder what type of man I am."
Mrs. Stafford continued to stare at me. "My daughter was a good girl until she came to this God forsaken town. I think you are a bad influence on her."
Inwardly I groaned. "Mrs. Stafford, please call me Alex. It may help your cause if you know a little more about what type of work I do here. If you would be so kind as to sit on the sofa I can play a video of our different advancements in computerized medical equipment, software design, and show you some of the humanitarian projects we contribute to."
She continued to purse her lips and reluctantly moved to the sofa. I asked if she needed anything, anything at all. She just gave me that evil eye and watched the screen. I excused myself for a minute and walked down the hall to the arcade room.
As I was headed to the arcade I ran into Mara. "Is she still playing the game?" I asked.
"She just finished master," Mara answered, a twinkle in her eye. "She is very pretty isn't she?"
I smiled. "Not as pretty as you are. Let's go check on your sister."
We walked to the arcade and found Brianna lounging in one of the chairs. "How did you like the game?" I asked.
"I thought it was kind of lame," she said, staring me straight in the eye. "Are you fucking my sister?"
I was astounded she would be so blunt. I did the only thing I could think of. I said the word "toga." Brianna's body went slack in the chair. "Brianna, can you hear me?" I asked.
"Yes," She replied. I was very glad I made modifications to the arcade simulators and some of the other electronics in the house prior to this unexpected visit. "You will remain here in this state until I come to get you. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
I proceeded back down the hallway to where Mara's mother awaited. Mara trailed a short distance behind me. I asked her to wait outside the door until I called for her.
Mara's mother was sitting on the sofa in a deep trance. I had programmed this monitor to leave the person in a trance to await further instructions. Key words were beginning to frustrate me.
"Mrs. Stafford, what is your first name? Why are you here?" I asked.
"My first name is Lexine. I am here to let Tamara know that her father and I are getting a divorce," She said, her eyes out of focus.
I sat back in my chair. That was not the answer I expected. While I pondered a response I noticed how much Lexine had changed since she went under. She was relaxed and calm and just as beautiful as her oldest daughter.
"From now on Mrs. Stafford I shall call you Lexi. You will find the name comforting and pleasing to you. It will make you feel better about yourself than you have felt recently. You will refer to me as master when we are alone or as Alex when we have company. You will refer to Tamara as Mara. I thought you came to sweep Mara away?" I stared at her as she listened to me speak.
"I told Mara I was coming to take her away. She is not the same girl she was when she left. I really wanted a place for Brianna and me to stay while I waited for the divorce to be final. Bill is a bad man. He drinks too much and hits me. He asks for sex," She shuddered, "Then beats me after. I hate sex. It is the devil's playground. He lost his job at the factory and now beats me every chance he gets. We had to get away, like Mara did."
