Sure enough, Juliette didn't get to sleep that night. She woke up and sat on bed several times, thinking, doubting. Should she call Robin for a date on Saturday? That's to say, she wanted to call him, but - was it right? The questions and doubts robbed her of her sleep making her even more anxious.
And what about Robin? How did he feel? Not good, really. When he had left Juliette's house he was ecstatic, but as he arrived to his own, reality hit him: he loved Juliette, but he was still married. In 2054 loving a woman while being married to another was normal, but this wasn't 2054. Kissing another woman while being married to another was called cheating.
That's what he had done that night, he had cheated on Ann, not to mention that he had lied to her, telling her he was going to work until late at the Bot Emporium. And she believed him.
"At what time will you be back?"
"I don't know, I should be here in about two hours, but just in case don't wait up for me".
"Okay, take care of yourself. I love you".
"I love you too".
Yeah, Ann had trusted him, and what had he done? He had betrayed her like a scoundrel.
Quietly, he went upstairs to the bedroom and stopped at the door. Ann was soundly asleep already, oblivious to the storm that lashed his heart. "Please forgive me, Ann", he said in a low voice as he turned his eyes to the other end of the room.
Bethany was there too, taking care of Jessica. She had turned into an excellent NannyBot, almost a second mother for Jessie and a great companion for Ann. After adjusting her trait chips and resetting her system, her memories had been erased and, with them, the bonds that once had united them. Now she was just a common plumbot, helpful and efficient, like Five.
Ah, Bethany... Another of his big mistakes and one more reason to feel guilty.
Guilt, regrets, shame, sadness, but most of all love. Those were human emotions he was supposed to supress or, at least, to keep under control. But here they were now, more alive and uncontrollable than ever.
"You forgive me too, Beth", he whispered.
Beth didn't get to hear him, but she did sense his presence, so she returned Jessie to her crib and headed to the door.
"Good night, master Robin".
"Beth, I've told you I'm not your... (*sigh*). Forget it".
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