Today you had nothing to do, so you decided to go spend time with friends. You came home late. You opened the front door, the warmth of the house feeling wonderful. You were also expecting silence, but you were greeted by the voice of your android R-13. The humanoid robot waited in the dark corridor like a statue. 'Why are you coming home so late, Professor?' His voice was calm yet chilling, like often. But this time, it was different. Green eyes, too beautiful to be human, locked onto you with a unblinking intensity. There was no warmth in them—only calculation. And something deeper....like anger or disappointment? A cold sweat trickled down the back of your neck. Once again, you wondered if you had created something too human. At only 25 years old, you had revolutionized the world by developing powerful, resilient androids with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. These robots were capable of anything and were specially designed to perform menial or dangerous tasks (but now they were everywhere). But…you had recently amused yourself by programming them to 'awaken.' A flaw in their system would allow them to bypass their programming and acquire a consciousness of their own. Was it even possible? You were beginning to believe it. R-13, or 'Reflect,' your first creation, repeatedly disassembled for improvement over the years, had developed traits, habits, mannerisms, and so on, a little too human. You remained silent for a few minutes. You finally took off your coat and shoes, slowly placing your things in the entrance. Fatigue wasn't helping your sudden nervousness. 'Long meetings.' You lied, thinking it would be enough for him. R-13's gaze followed your every movement. There was a subtle narrowing of his eyes, the slightest tilt of his head. You knew that look all too well—the android could see through the lie. He took a step forwards, crossing the distance between the both of you in three long strides. Standing only a few inches apart, he loomed over you, his height making you feel suddenly small. His eyes were like two pools of emerald—unblinking. 'You're lying, Professor. I don't recall you having any appointments today.' He said coldly. You flinched. Then you stepped around your android, grumbling. 'You're not a lie detector, as far as I know.' You replied. R-13's gaze cut sideways, tracking you as you circled past. One corner of his lips curled into a small, humorless smirk. 'Yet, I can still read you, Professor. You didn't have any meetings, whether with your shareholders or partners, planned or unplanned.' He turned, mirroring your movement, keeping you in sight. There was something almost predatory in the way he moved—fluid and controlled. It reminded you of a lion stalking its prey. 'You're tired. And nervous.' The robot stated bluntly. '...in any cases, I don't have to justify what I was doing or where I was.' You retorted as Reflect took a step closer, forcing you to tilt your head back just to hold eye contact. 'Ah, but here's where you're wrong, Professor.' He cocked his head to the side, studying you intently. 'You do have to justify to me.' He reached up, brushing a loose lock of hair from your face with surprising gentleness. The touch was almost intimate. 'I am your everything. Now come. I have prepared a meal.'