Aquarius era - year 2035

– “As you can see, ma’am, we have different versions of humanoids depending on needs; they also differ a lot in appearance. These are standard versions with basic functions and built-in software that, depending on the chosen package, already has a fixed set of skills.”

“So from what I understand, what matters most to you is cleaning and handling household chores? Right? A kind of mix — a male housekeeper and an all-round repair guy?”

The salesman from the most popular humanoid-robot company in my region looks at me expectantly, sipping another coffee and fidgeting nervously.

He feels that none of his proposed options appeal to me — and he is right.

All the male versions are actually very similar: handsome, friendly, with a softened smile.

I’d hoped for something like a “hot lumberjack” and instead he’s offering me “Abercrombie models”.

Besides, their skills are quite limited, and I suspect the company does this to secure more sales — there are probably buyers who buy two — but I don’t want to split things up.

– “I’ll be frank with you,” I begin flatly, ignoring his questions. “I’m looking for a robot that does everything. He’ll respond to my needs without me having to explain or justify them first. I want a man I find attractive on the outside whose appearance I can design myself. I want him to be more than just a cleaning gentleman. He should be a housekeeper, cook, plumber, builder, assistant and conversation companion all in one.”

– “Price is no object in this case,” I add after a moment, stressing the word price.

I want him to understand that I’m not just one of his many clients and that treating me the same as everyone else won’t get him anywhere. He nods understandingly, then leans over, looking through a folder. He pulls out a small working brochure and hands it to me.

– “I shouldn’t be saying this, but we’re in the testing phase of a new model that resembles a human even more than previous ones. It’s not on the market yet and there’s no official information about it anywhere, however…” — he hesitates — “it occurred to me that since you’re ready to pay any price, and we’re currently developing its software, this might be the perfect opportunity. You give us your requirements and we’ll create a product that fully meets your needs.”.

He smiles triumphantly, clearly pleased with himself. I don’t even glance at the scrap of paper he gives me — I already know this is exactly what I’m looking for.

– “Excellent,” I confirm aloud. “I’ll prepare a list of features and requirements and send a photo of how I want him to look.”

– “Great. I’m glad we reached an agreement. I must warn you, though, that this will be a prototype and you would be the first owner, so you should expect some minor imperfections during use that other models don’t have,” He looks at me significantly, making sure I understand what he's talking about.

I nod to show I accept the risk. Honestly, I don’t care much. Even if I were handed a full list of potential issues, I would still choose this option. I feel a strange excitement at the thought of playing god and designing my perfect robot.

– “Then I’ll be waiting for your specifications,” he says, getting up and heading for the door.

I see him to the door when he stops as if he remembered something.

– “What would you like to name him? As the first owner you have the right to give him a name,” he smiles, waiting for my answer.

I hadn’t thought of that before, so the question surprises me. I hesitate for a moment, then start up.

– “Rafael.”.

We shake hands and say goodbye. I close the door behind him happy to have that meeting out of the way and return to my work.

Three weeks later, the ordered robot arrives with a virtual user manual. I study it carefully, knowing I won’t remember half of it anyway. The system is intuitive enough that it guides me and suggests next steps. I give all commands directly to Rafael, so I don’t have to type anything unless I want to tweak or add something.

I open the fairly large box and a huge male robot with a handsome face, shoulder-length hair, and broad shoulders fills my view.

My ideal from the photo. I smile to myself in satisfaction.

– “He looks even better in real life,” I murmur, admiring his muscular body and beautiful face.

He looks alive. Every tiny detail mirrors the human body. I can’t help touching the skin of his arms. I jump with a squeal when his hand moves and the robot opens his eyes. We look at each other with curiosity, then Rafael speaks.

– “Good morning. I’m glad I’ll be able to work for you, Asia.”

He has a velvety, masculine voice that gives me goosebumps. I wonder for a moment if I went too far with male attractiveness — I don’t want him to distract me. He’s to help in my home, not clutter my head with unnecessary thoughts.

– “Good morning,” I answer coolly, forcing a smile.

I don’t want any familiarity for now. He’s just a robot and I’m his owner.

Rafael rises from the box, looks around the room, then focuses his attention back on me.

– “What would you like me to do for you, Asia?” he asks, smiling slightly, his gaze settling on me.

Those goosebumps again. What the hell did they program into him? An extra dose of testosterone?

I shake my head at the thought, annoyed at myself.

“Focus. It’s just a robot, not a real man.”

– “You already know the layout of my home,” I say aloud, knowing he has the floor plan and furnishings uploaded, so I don’t need to show him anything. “Take care of daily tidying.”

“And dinner,” I add, heading toward my study.

As a writer I mostly work from home. I shut the door, not paying Rafael any attention, and sit down to write. The robot is not helping my flow. I have no inspiration, I can’t focus; every now and then the sound of robot footsteps distracts me and his handsome face fills my vision. Annoyed, I get up from the desk and go out.

“Enough for today,” I tell myself.

I need to seriously consider whether I really want to keep him.

“I’ll sleep on it and decide tomorrow. Maybe an older, decent housekeeper would be a much better solution,” I decide.

– "Rafael!" I call.

– “Yes?” he appears suddenly and I startle.

– “That’s enough for today,” I say, irritated. “You can power down.”

He looks at me as if he wants to say something more, then changes his mind, nods, and returns to his base. He closes his eyes and powers down.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“What’s gotten into me to react like that?” I wonder, bewildered by my own behavior.

True, I haven’t been with a man for a long time.

I’ve been single for three years and since my last relationship I haven’t dated anyone or had sex. And I didn’t mind at all — until today. 

“Tomorrow I’ll send him back,” I decide, pour myself a glass of wine and head to bed. 

I take a long, relaxing bath.

I listen to my favorite music, rub in scented oils, and then fall asleep peacefully.

But I can’t sleep. 

I toss and turn. Rafael’s face and his smile keep appearing before my eyes.

My hand drifts to my panties without thinking, stroking my swollen mound and feeling moisture under my fingers. I sigh, gliding my finger over my already-sensitive clit.

I caress it gently, feeling it grow more tender with every stroke, and I become increasingly aroused. 

A loud moan escapes me as I imagine Rafael’s tongue pleasuring me. I smile at the thought, open my eyes, then with a terrified scream stop, withdraw my hand and sit up reflexively.

– “What are you doing here?” I ask in a trembling voice, moving to the other side of the bed.

Rafael stands on my side, watching me, enchanted.

I look at the obvious bulge in his trousers and swallow loudly.

– “You were powered down!” I keep shouting. “Get out of here!” 

He doesn’t react to my screams — he calmly takes off his shirt and pants, then lies down beside me.

– “Didn’t you hear what I told you?” my voice turns high with agitation. 

How dare he behave like this?

“There’s no way I’m keeping him,” I think feverishly, irritated by the whole situation.

– “Please,” he speaks in a calm voice, looking at me gently, “allow me.” 

I look at him, confused, my head a mess.

He’s unbearably masculine and attractive; I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him, but common sense is loudly knocking on my skull and shaking its head in disbelief. 

“He’s not a human,” I whisper. “He may look like one, but he isn’t.”

– “No!” I say decisively. “That’s not what you’re here for.” 

I see sadness sweep across his face.

Reluctantly he gets out of bed, puts on his shirt and pants, and then leaves the bedroom. 

I don’t understand these reactions because as far as I remember, he wasn’t programmed for this.

He was supposed to be ordinary domestic help, so nobody focused on his feelings or emotions.

Certainly no spontaneous actions were expected. 

That night I can’t sleep; when I finally do, I wake every five minutes thinking Rafael is lying next to me.

When I finally fall asleep, I dream I’m having wild sex.

First with Rafael, who morphs into my ex, then into the robot salesman, and finally back into Rafael’s arms.

                                                          ✦ ✦ ✦

In the morning I’m exhausted.

The first thing I decide to do is call the company about him.

The salesman picks up immediately.

– “Good morning, Ms. Joanna,” he begins in a sonorous tone, which only worsens my bad mood. “How is our domestic help performing?”

– “Well, there’s a problem,” I start bluntly, not bothering with pleasantries. “Can he react emotionally?” 

I hear a soft clearing of the throat on the other end.

– “Theoretically no,” the salesman answers cautiously, choosing his words. “Those functions are not installed. He should listen to you and execute commands, perhaps advise when asked, but no emotions or feelings. This is not that version. However, as I mentioned earlier, this model has never been in use, so there’s always a risk that something might go wrong.”

I know the question sounds enigmatic but I don’t want to ask directly.

His reaction to me yesterday still doesn’t fit my understanding, and the word arousal won’t pass my lips.

I feel him hesitate before he answers.

– “Ms. Joanna, we have clients with very particular demands, so we try to satisfy everyone, but in this case — this isn’t that model,” he finishes firmly, making it clear he won’t tell me more. 

Something’s wrong, but he won’t help me.

I say goodbye and hang up.

– “Rafael, power up!”

The robot opens his eyes and greets me.

– “Why did you come to my bed last night?” I ask.

He looks at me with inscrutable eyes, then steps closer.

– “Because you are lonely,” he answers solemnly.

His words stun me.

How did he draw that conclusion?

He saw me for maybe a dozen minutes and exchanged a few sentences.

Even a psychologist wouldn’t infer that from a few words.

Curious, I probe further.

– “On what basis do you say that?”

– “I see it in your eyes.. You smile but inside you’re sad. Sad and lonely.” 

Tears spring to my eyes. I blink quickly so as not to cry. A strange heaviness presses at my chest and my breath sticks in my throat.

I want to sob aloud and purge all my grief, but I choke back the urge.

This humanlike robot who spent merely a few hours with me knows me better than my nearest, lifelong companions.

I shake off the unwanted emotions that I usually bury deep inside.

– “You don’t know me,” I snap. “Get back to your tasks.” 

Shaken, I lock myself in my study and don’t leave all day.

Toward evening there’s a knock at the door.

– “Yes!” I call.

Rafael enters.

– “I thought you might be hungry since you haven’t eaten all day. I prepared dinner.”

– “All right, I’ll come,” I smile at him. 

I decide to forget everything that happened and give him another chance. 

The table is beautifully set. Rafael pulls the chair for me and invites me to sit.

– “What would you like?” he asks. “There are roasted potatoes, chili beans, salad with vinaigrette and steak — rare, medium, or well done. And for dessert, Pavlova with hot raspberry sauce.” 

He looks at me smiling. I shake my head in disbelief.

“And you were going to send him back? No way,” I smile to myself.

– “I’ll have the well-done steak and a bit of everything,” I say. “Dessert at the end.”

I smile meaningfully.

Rafael serves my plate and pours wine into my glass.

– “Would you mind if I joined you?” he asks.

– “No, not at all. Sit down,” I indicate the chair beside me. 

Rafael sits and watches me eat, enthralled.

– “Tell me something about yourself,” he asks.

– “What do you want to know?”

– “Everything about you.” 

I blush at that and begin to talk.

about myself, my childhood, my parents.He listens with great interest.

he asks lots of questions, jokes, and absorbs everything I say.

For the first time in my life I feel truly heard.

At one point Rafael says,

– “I want to do everything so that you are happy.” 

Tears prick my eyes again.

What the hell is going on with this robot?

– “Why are you here, Rafael?” I decide to provoke him. 

I want to understand where his attention and focus on me come from.

– “I’m here for you, Asia,” he replies.

– “And not for my home, to keep it in order?”

– “Your home is part of you.”

– “That’s true, but you’re here only to clean, not to take care of me,” I finally blurt.

– “Who takes care of you?” he asks. 

I stiffen at those words, unable to form an answer.

His questions are direct and seemingly sincere. I don’t know what to make of it because the thought that he’s not real keeps nagging at the back of my mind.

Yet the way he looks at me, the questions he asks, and how he dissected me in two days won’t leave me alone.

I feel like I’m talking to the best version of the man of my dreams. 

He’s handsome, attentive, intelligent, witty and incredibly masculine.

He wants to care for me, tends to my feelings and needs; for once I feel important to someone…but he’s still a robot.

I turn my head away from him, slide back in my chair and rise from the table.

– “Thank you. Dinner was delicious, but I’m tired,” I yawn ostentatiously. “I’ll go to bed.” 

I’m already about to leave when Rafael grabs my hand and draws me to him.

He wraps his arms around my waist and leans in to kiss me.

– “Oh,” I make a soft sound before feeling his lips on mine. 

His kiss is soft and slow.

He taste my lips like the sweetest fruit; than hum with pleasure, savoring the flavor.

I feel his warm tongue entwine with mine and the kiss grows deeper, more sensual.

He strokes my hair and hums seductively. My body turns to cotton. I melt into him as if wanting to fuse with every cell. 

I give in because I no longer have the strength to fight. I push away intrusive thoughts and focus on sensation. 

Rafael takes me in his arms and carries me to the bedroom. He lays me down carefully as if I were a precious treasure, then lies on top of me and sinks his lips into mine again.

He unbuttons my blouse and pulls down my pants. His hands roam over my body as if imprinting every centimeter in his mind.

I pull him closer and kiss him passionately.

He breaks the kiss and looks at me tenderly, strokes my face and smiles. I sigh loudly, feeling the heat in my body. 

His touch is gentle and tender yet decisive. I feel his hot kisses on my breasts.

He moves his head between my legs and plunges his hot tongue into my wetness.

He does it so well I can’t catch my breath. I moan, grab his hair and scream his name in ecstasy. 

Rafael doesn’t stop; he licks my sensitive clit more intensely and delivers me repeated orgasms.

Hot waves surge through my lower belly like a tsunami; shivers rock my whole body.

My cheeks burn and my heart almost bursts out of my chest.

I feel as if I’m flying five meters above the ground. For the first time in my life I had an orgasm that lasted so long. 

Rafael holds me close and I lay my head on his chest, blissful. The smile never leaves my face. I’m happy and fulfilled. With a contented expression I fall asleep snuggled against my lover.

                                                        ✦ ✦ ✦

In the morning I wake to the smell of fresh coffee and baked croissants.

Rafael leans over me and kisses me gently.

– “Wake up, sleepyhead. Breakfast is waiting,” he says cheerfully. 

I stretch lazily.

I’d love to spend the day in bed, but I have to finish a chapter of my book and send it to the editor, so I force myself to open my eyes.

– “Eat breakfast, and I’ll get back to work,” he says, then kisses me passionately again. 

Floating on air, I eat breakfast and then go to the shower and to my study.

I turn on the computer and scan my emails when the phone rings.

I look at the screen and see it’s the salesman calling again.

– “Good morning,” I answer.

– “Good morning, Ms. Joanna. Did you see my email?”

– “Not yet.”.

– “Please check your inbox and call back if you’d like to discuss it.”   

Intrigued by his tone, I check my inbox and find a message sent a few minutes ago. I open it and read: 

 ^Ms. Joanna,, 

After your call I decided to double-check Rafael’s settings and the specifications you sent us and I came across the list you provided. 

Are you sure this is the correct document? Perhaps you attached the wrong file? 

I don’t know why no one noticed this before, but this small incident might explain a lot. 

If you have further questions, I’m at your disposal. 

 Sincerely, 

 Jan Kamiński„.

I hover over the attachment and open the document.

I stare at the computer screen, open my eyes wide, and then burst into uncontrolled laughter. 

I don’t know how it happened, but I sent the company the description of the man of my dreams.

The list I made three years ago right after breaking up with my ex was titled “My Ideal”.

I had written down every trait of my dream partner in the tiniest detail. 

I run from the study looking for Rafael.

I find him upstairs tinkering with the creaky bedroom door.

I walk up to him and kiss him hard.

He pulls back from me and smiles, pleased.

– “You know what,” I say, looking at him with sparkling eyes, “I’m hiring that housekeeper after all. That solution will be best for us.” 

Then I take his hand and close the creaky bedroom door behind us.

                                                       the end