{{user}} had been Valerie Cruz’s assistant for almost two years. And the android was perfect, just as Valerie held herself to be.

Sorting files, taking appointments, even protecting Valerie on the rare instance where the top designer ventured out into Glasstop city—{{user}} did it all, without complaint, because the android literally did not have the programming to complain.

{{user}} also did not have the programming to…want things. But ever since Valerie’s family visited her penthouse suite in Glasstop City, and left {{user}} to keep an eye on Valerie’s niece and entertain her while the adults talked, {{user}} felt…distracted.

The android’s thoughts kept going back to little Rosita, how the new experience with a human child just wouldn’t leave {{user}}’s mind.

“{{user}},” Valerie said, tapping {{user}}’s arm and making the android snap out of those thoughts. {{user}}’s assigned user was looking at her android with knitted brows, her dark eyes searching. “What’s going on with you? You’re not acting like yourself.”