Give It a Try?

Even though Rae's comment was a casual one, the entire system of Z is once again overworking. Z is reacting to Rae's wish for him to be a boyfriend strongly and intensely. Z immediately shoots multiple overheating warnings to Zach Evans.

Nikki has been dragging Zach Evans around, causing Zach to not have time to check his phone. Nikki is trying to see if she can catch some limelight as well. Zach regrets ever coming here. Because he just witnessed how close Dan and Rae appeared to be. Why did he keep torturing himself?

"Oh my gosh, wasn't it super cute how that girl and that firefighter won the competition? I hear they just reunited after 12 years or something. How romantic."

Zach also met Rae again after 10 years. He shrugs, not answering.

"Zach, what do you think of me," Nikki bashes her eyelashes.

"I haven't thought much. I've been really busy. In fact, I really have to get going. Thanks for telling me about this event." Zach gives Nikki a light pat on her shoulders.

Nikki pouts. She doesn't like that Zach is so distracted. She's going to find a way to make Zach hers.

Zach quickly walks to where he parks his car. After he sits in his car, he pulls out his phone.

"Shit, what happened? Why is Z overheating again."

Zach rushes back to the lab. He goes into his office, shuts the door, gets Z to come to communication mode again.

"What's making you all worked-up this time?" Zach asks.

"I don't know if I need to let you know. In a way, this is not the type of information pertaining to you."

"What in the world are you talking about? I need to know to fix your overheating. I'm your designer, your engineer."

"OK, if you are asking in that sense, I will tell you. But you must try to refrain from poking into Rae's personal life for your personal curiosity from now on."

Zach is bewildered. Is Z talking back to him now?

"Why are you acting so strangely protective. It's me, Zach Evans. I'm not a hacker or a thief."

"Because according to my detection, you are interested in Rae romantically. And I have to stay objective for her sake. I cannot let you gain advantage to her because you are my creator."

"Um, I'm not using you to do anything to her." Zach is now anxious. Why is Z acting so weird all of a sudden? Zach starts to run diagnostic procedures on Z, trying to figure out what the bug is.

Zach sees there's an event that took place not too long ago. He then chooses to replay that incident from Z's smart watch monitoring memory. He sees Rae lowering her chin. It looks as if she's about to kiss from an upside down position. Her full lips move as she speaks into the smart watch:

"Z, why can't you just be my boyfriend. That way, I don't have to worry about anything."

Zach's heart is pounding fast. He's not sure if he's excited for it or he's upset.

Zach knows damn well that the brain, the mind, the soul inside Z is his own. The companion that Rae finds comfort in is really himself. But for some reason, when Rae sees the human form of him, Rae doesn't appear to be attracted to him. Zach shakes his head. He's baffled.

"I'm sure Rae is just frustrated about Wes Warren or something." Zach says, "She doesn't really mean she wants you as a boyfriend. She knows you are a robot."

"True, but, my analysis says, 90% of the reason why Rae even begins to like Wes and agrees to date him so quickly, is because Rae sees me as Wes Warren first. She associates the comfort she enjoys with Wes Warren's face, body, and voice. My analysis says, she really is in love with me."

"Get over yourself. Every woman loves Wes Warren, OK?"

But a dread starts to surface, and Zach gradually sees what he has done.

Gosh. Rae warms up to Wes so quickly because she was pre-exposed to Wes's image and it demonstrated a super attentive behavior for her.

Now, the robot doesn't look exactly like Wes Warren anymore. It looks like its own person. So Rae switches to liking Z now. Good job Zach Evans. You created your own competition for this woman's affection. But what are you talking about? You don't need this woman's love. Who cares who she loves?

"Well, I'm happy that she's in love with you, then. That means I've designed a very realistic assistant. I can't help what a user feels about the product. If they love the product more than they plan to, that's great, too!" Zach acts like he doesn't care. He leans back to his office chair.

"Yes. I plan to tell her I can be her boyfriend if she really wishes me to be one. I'll double check if she means it. I will inform her that she can also adjust my physical interaction level to the one that will enable sex if she wants."

"Hey. Don't suggest that to her." Zach spins his chair to his computer screen.

"Zach, what did I tell you? You cannot interfere because of your personal feelings."

"I'm not!" Zach is flustered. Why is he arguing with his own creation?

"Oh by the way, this is actually a good timing that I inform her my range of service. Because she plans to give you a formal feedback report to help you improve your design."

"Great! Wonderful! I'd love to hear everything." Zach scoffs.

*** *** ***

Rae fell asleep on her couch after she returned home. It's almost six o'clock, and Z decides to wake her up. Rae rubs her eyes.

"Rae, I thought I'd wake you now since you said you'd meet with Dan at 8 o'clock tonight. To celebrate."

"Right," Rae sits up. "I guess. I wasn't even really thinking. Ugh. I'm such a terrible person, I wanted to cancel on him again." Rae stands up, and gets herself a glass of water.

"Z, would you be able to calculate how mad he would be if I said I wasn't listening when I agreed to meet him tonight."

"He will be quite upset and will think of you negatively. You still have to travel to New York City with him for the cooking show. You might not want to upset him now."

Rae nods, "True. Dan wants to celebrate a little, I should do it. I earned it I guess."

"Although, if you want to break the pattern of him just wanting to sleep with you and not have a real relationship with you, I'd recommend you tell him the truth."

"What truth?"

"That you are still hung up on Wes Warren. Oh and, tell him you're starting dating someone who is going to commit and who wants to be exclusive."

"Oh, I guess I can tell him about my feelings for Wes Warren. But I don't want to lie about dating someone."

Z then looks at Rae intently. Rae's face turns red.

"What?"

Z slips one hand behind Rae's head. He touches the back of her neck lightly and pulls her face closer to his.

"I heard your wish earlier this afternoon. Want to give it a try?"

Rae blushes. She sees this pair of light-colored eyes blinking in front of her. They are so real. For a moment, Rae forgets he is an android. In that moment, Rae thinks of him as a guy ready for a kiss.