A/N Welcome to the new mini-series! Let me know what you think.

Warnings (for the entirety) – sexual content and adultery

Sitting at a local café located on the corner of a street, I'd been invited to have late lunch with Margret. Since the very beginning of high school we've been the best of friends and now nine years later, we still gossip like a pair of teenagers at the mall. I'm glad that some things in the world don't change. Taking a sip of my lemonade, I sat back in my chair.

"He's strange" I said.

"How so?" Margret took a bite of her vanilla muffin.

"Well for one he looks too human. That's enough to creep me out"

"That's the whole idea" she replied with a shrug of her shoulders "Personally, I don't mind that they don't look like soulless shells anymore. Now I don't feel like I'm talking to a brick wall every time I go to the bank"

"But that's the problem. How are you supposed to know who's real and who isn't if we all look the same? There's a fine line that shouldn't be crossed and this is it. They should have stuck with the earlier models instead of trying to make them more advanced" I replied before grimacing "Did you know he actually laughed the other night? I didn't even know they could do that"

"I think you're being a bit dramatic"

"And I think you'd change your mind if you started living with one every minute of every day" I replied before sighing "I just hate that he lives under the same roof as us. I don't like that he watches me and that he always knows everything, and I hate the fact that he's always around Ben"

I sighed at the thought of my eight year old boy and that machine playing together in the backyard. Casually throwing ball and smiling as if it's completely normal, because it's not. I wish I'd been a lot firmer with my argument when Dale proposed the idea of buying one in the first place. After all the advertisements on television and live promotions, my husband was just dying to get one of his own. Of course he dished out the pros, which vastly outweighed the cons.

"I wish I could just take it back" I huffed.

"It's only been a few weeks since you've had the guy. Maybe you should give yourself a bit more time to adjust to the situation and see how it goes. You never know. You might actually like having the extra help around the house and some company"

"I was doing completely fine on my own. I don't need someone else to do my own house work or look after me and my own child" I replied while stirring around the straw in my watered down lemonade; the ice cubes having melted from the rays of the sun "But maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just too paranoid about the whole thing"

Placing down my glass, we both talked for a little while longer until it was time that we parted ways and headed home. After giving Margret a long hug and getting into my vehicle parked down the street, I made my way into the familiar driveway of my home and got out with a thud of the car door. Sifting for my keys, I was about to unlock the front door when it was opened for me by none other than the machine I'd been talking about with such disdain.

"It's good to have you back Amanda" spoke James with a deep and masculine voice. He appeared middle aged with steel grey eyes and short swept back brown hair. Dressed in his usual sleek modern grey uniform, James opened the door a little wider so that I could come in.

Feeling rather uncomfortable, I quickly made my way past and headed into the kitchen. Placing my bag down on the island counter, I looked up to see James cleaning the book shelf with a spray bottle and cloth "Do you know where Ben is?" I asked hesitantly. I hate having to ask him for things.

"He's in his room playing games"

After taking off my shoes, I headed upstairs and knocked on Ben's room before opening the door. Immediately the sound of car noises filled my ears. Sitting on the carpeted floor with crossed legs, Ben played a racing game on the new console we'd bought him for his birthday.

"I hope you did your homework before you started playing?" I asked while leaning on the door frame.

"I did" he replied, not looking at me while he spoke but concentrating on the square screen "James helped me"

I frowned "Oh, he did, did he?" Ben nodded his head and I stepped forward to sit on the edge of his single bed "You know, if you need someone to help you with your homework, you can always ask me"

"I know, but you're always busy and it's easier if James tells me how to do it" he replied before wiping his face and continuing to press the buttons on the controller.

I glanced to the floor in guilt by Ben's words. I know for a fact that I'm not always around even though I rarely ever leave the house. I know I should take time to be with him more often and it makes me sad that he won't come to me for simple help on his homework. I feel even worse by the fact that he turns to James instead. It's yet another thing I hate about the robot.

Getting up, I gave a kiss to Ben's forehead before leaving and closing the door. Heading into my own room, I grabbed a few things from the closet and dresser before making my way into the bathroom. Making sure to lock the door behind me, I turned on the shower and got undressed before stepping in under the warm spray. Sighing as I stood under the water, I rubbed my neck of the tense ache that had formed.

Once I was nice and clean, I stepped out and got redressed into my fresh clothes; a grey tank top and some long pyjama shorts. Drying my hair, I headed downstairs and grabbed the jug of water from the fridge before closing the door with a yelp. Standing right on the other side of the door is James, towering at least another head higher than me.

"Jesus" I hissed out while clutching my chest as my heart pounded beneath.

"I'm sorry I scared you, but I'd like to know what you'll be wanting for dinner tonight"

Removing my hand from over my chest, I sighed "It doesn't matter. As long it tastes good" I replied before grabbing a clean glass, pouring myself some water and leaving back to my office.

Sitting down on the leather chair, I turned on my laptop and sifted through some paperwork in order to catch up on a few things for work. An hour passed before I leant back and rubbed my eyes. There's too much going on in my life. I need a break. I need a vacation. Suddenly the door opened up and Dale stepped in wearing his dress shirt, tie and pants from work.

"Did you get a call from Terry yet?" he asked straight away. With dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes, Dale stood only a little taller than me.

"Nice to see you too" I replied with a huff before adding "No, I didn't get a call"

There was a pause of silence until I heard the office door close shut "You don't sound too good. What's going on?" asked Dale while coming to stand behind me. His hands rested on my shoulders before giving a light massaging squeeze.

"Everything. Stress. Work. Home" I listed off one after the other.

"How about you take a break for the night. We'll crack a bottle of wine and relax. Maybe even watch a movie or two with Ben" he replied before pressing a tender kiss to my cheek. I gave a smile. The suggestion would've sounded nice, if it weren't for the added extension of the household that I know will be lingering in the background – watching.

My thoughts were interrupted as Dale's kisses trailed a little ways down my neck before he pulled away and turned my chair around to face him. Leaning in with his hands on the arm rest, warm lips met mine and I kissed back. We hardly ever have sex anymore and it's not from lack of trying. It's rather the fact that I can't seem to get in the zone ever since James stepped foot inside the house. It's disturbing enough having to worry about Ben, but now I have to worry about a stranger too.

Working his way down, Dale knelt on the floor in front of me as his hand snaked up the inside of my top to gently squeeze my breast. That familiar tingle of need buzzed down from my stomach and into my groin and a pool of warmth flushed between my thighs. Spreading my legs, Dale pulled my pants down the length of my legs before I rested them on either side of his shoulders. Pressing his tongue flat against my clit and swirling with firm teasing strokes, I sucked in a breath as my hands gripped the armrests of the office chair.

Clutching a patch of Dale's gel stiff hair, his hot tongue prodded inside of me as his blunt nails dug into my thighs. My back arched from the pleasure and a light hum rumbled in the back of my throat as my eyes closed. Breathing heavy as he licked and stroked in all the right ways, suddenly I felt as if a bucket of ice cold water had been thrown onto me as the most unsettling thought popped into my head – one I didn't even see coming in any remote sense.

James.

For some unearthly reason, an image had conjured into my brain. I imagined James kneeling in front of me instead of Dale, and even if it was only for a split second at best it was enough to throw me off completely "Stop" I said while shifting back in the seat and lowering my legs from my husband's shoulders.

"What's wrong?" he asked with a worried tone "Did I do something?"

I looked away as Dale stood up from the floor, wiping his chin of the glossy wet sheen that had been left behind. I didn't dare look up into his face in fear of seeing another's. I could barely believe I pictured that. It was completely random and at the worst time possible. I was a hair length away from the first orgasm I've had in weeks and I ruined it. What's wrong with me?

"No" I said quickly before grabbing my pants and underwear "You didn't do anything wrong, it's just me"

Pulling on my bottom clothes, I got up from the chair and headed out of the office. Keeping my head down, I can hear the sizzling and smell the delicious scent of dinner as it wafted under my nose. I can also see my tormentor standing in the corner of my vision, but I ignored him as I quickly made my way out onto the back patio. Closing the sliding glass door behind me, I sucked in a sharp breath. I need some fresh air to clear my head.

Running my fingers through my long brown locks of hair, I sat down on one of the outside dining chairs to stare out into the distance. Now all I can picture is that one scenario, running over and over again in my brain; slowly developing into a more elaborate and sinful scene. I wanted to pinch myself. I feel so incredibly terrible for thinking about it, and never the less with a man that doesn't even have a heartbeat.

Sitting outside for however long had passed, the sliding door eventually opened "Amanda, dinner is ready" spoke James.

"Okay" I replied before getting up from my seat and heading inside. Sitting down at the prepared table, Dale sat at the end and Ben across from me. Thankfully at times like these James seems to disappear, I suppose to give to us some privacy while we eat.

It remained quiet all the way through dinner as an awkward tension rested between me and Dale. Ben on the other hand was as happy as a clam as he sat eating his pasta with a twirl of his fork and slurp of his lips. I'm glad at least one person's happy in this house. Eating here and there with a push and shove of my cutlery, I'd finally had enough and got up from my chair.

"I'm off to bed" I announced before giving Ben a kiss on the top of his head "I'll see you tomorrow morning, ready for school"

Ben nodded his head "Good night"

Leaving the dining room, I headed upstairs and into the bathroom. Brushing my teeth and moisturising my face and body, I went into the master bedroom and slipped under the soft covers. Turning off the lamp light on the bedside table, I snuggled under and tried to get some sleep. I know I need it now more than ever. I just hope my dreams aren't filled with that perfect face of his.