After X finished her story—a haphazard, embellished fabrication patched together from vague impressions, featuring "a certain degree of artistic embellishment" and heavy "personal filtering"—she noticed the atmosphere becoming deeply unsettling…
Even a dullard, one not particularly adept at reading the room, when suddenly plunged into silence, with only one person murmuring and no one offering a response… Even an idiot could sense that something was seriously wrong.
For a moment, she couldn't pinpoint the exact issue, but she vaguely sensed that it was—
Especially as her midsection began to be caressed more casually, with increasing pressure. The intelligent AI's hand was slightly cool, while X's skin was burning hot, and everything she touched felt undeniably soft…
When the temperature differential was significant, this tactile sensation would be exceptionally pronounced.
"So, Angela, did I tell a bad story? Or rather, was it truly terrible?"
The intelligent AI offered no vocal response, remaining completely silent and still. This caused X to become slightly flustered.
If she had been directly critiqued, or teased like a viper, that would have been manageable, but total silence felt somewhat ominous…
When an AI, who normally enjoyed needling her, said nothing, offering no evaluation whatsoever, it typically signaled that matters were heading in a disastrous direction, or perhaps she had already malfunctioned to the point of silence, not even caring enough to deliver a reprimand.
Beyond all hope of repair…
—Indeed, was the story too disjointed?
X felt a touch of genuine fear, especially given the intelligent AI's inscrutable demeanor.
X simply had no means of discerning what Angela was thinking; from her expression alone, it was impossible to tell…
The intelligent AI maintained a composed facade most of the time, particularly when addressing the Deans. Perhaps only during private exchanges would she allow a sliver of genuine personality to surface.
In terms of emotional management, Angela was far stronger than X, this naive Manager whose feelings and thoughts were perpetually displayed on her face. It wasn't that X was incapable of subtlety, but facing the AI Secretary often caused her to become easily flustered and disoriented.
This could be characterized as an inexplicable psychological pressure exerted by the Secretary, causing her to lose all composure.
X didn't know precisely why she became unsettled in the AI Secretary's presence… Angela truly exerted immense pressure on her, dating back to the very first day.
That first day truly passed like a waking nightmare. She had been so terrified of the intelligent AI that she huddled beneath her blanket, trembling in fear. Now, being able to communicate normally, occasionally sharing a joke, was already considered significant progress.
And after what felt like several agonizing seconds, the AI Secretary finally spoke, her voice allowing X's anxious heart to finally settle. It was analogous to a chef presenting a meal; regardless of their culinary skill, they always yearn to hear feedback.
Although, in reality, X's cooking skills probably peaked around instant noodles and reheated fast food. The fare she produced wasn't necessarily delicious, but it remained within the realm of the edible, not classified as harmful or toxic chemical compounds.
[Do you wish to hear my evaluation of your story?]
The AI Secretary inquired with complete indifference. She appeared wholly uninterested in the narrative, and hadn't been listening attentively, because… her hand was resting upon X's nightgown, delicately unbuttoning it one by one.
Perhaps this action was more practiced than peeling grapes or potatoes… In the control room, when potatoes began sprouting, the speed of clearing them became remarkably swift.
And the 'story' itself seemed to hold less appeal for the AI Secretary than X herself.
"Yes, yes, yes."
However, X failed to register the intelligent AI's subtle maneuvers. She was solely eager to bring a successful conclusion to the final step of the mission, completely oblivious that the initiative had long since slipped entirely from her control…
The one truly in command remained her AI Secretary. Every expression, every nuanced shift in tone, would cause X to grow acutely nervous.
And she was like a lion being expertly driven by a trainer, perpetually circling the flaming hoop with uncertainty, never daring to truly leap through it. The trainer was already impatiently urging her onward, whether with tempting bait or constant, subtle prods…
All available tactics had been deployed. If those still failed, then there was nothing left but… Given the current situation, she hoped for subjective cooperation, but non-cooperation wasn't entirely ruled out.
The intelligent AI had demonstrated remarkable restraint; she had offered the other party too many opportunities.
[Then I apologize, I'm afraid I must offend you. After all, your story was truly nauseating, causing me profound disgust… It was worse than third-rate material, even more hackneyed and predictable. You weren't recounting a narrative; you were merely issuing praise for someone.]
[Did you layer at least ten layers of flattering filters onto that person? Does she genuinely possess not a single flaw or shortcoming? What could possibly render you so infatuated, so utterly unforgettable?]
[I genuinely wished you could narrate the truth objectively and rationally… Treating everyone fairly and impartially. But perhaps I held expectations for you that were too high, hopes too great. After all, mortals possess likes and dislikes and are inherently biased.]
The intelligent AI took hold of X's hand, allowing her to feel the exaggerated curves and softness beneath her touch. This was clearly arrogant capital, and also a form of expressed ambition, and they were pressing so close… They had been intimately close for so long already…
It was a burning heat, the fierce conflagration ignited after tinder catches fire.
Or perhaps, when X was momentarily careless, she had unconsciously slipped into a rather awkward position, a posture that felt warm yet slightly inappropriate.
The intelligent AI used her long, taut legs to firmly bracket X's waist, drawing X fully into her embrace. X could distinctly feel that burning heat emanating from the machine.
This felt like an illusion, the sensation of cold steel transforming into molten metal…
"Ange—Angela! What exactly are you intending to do? I don't understand any of this."
The somewhat dense and thick-skinned woman finally registered that something was severely wrong. Her current struggle was akin to a fish thrashing violently in a net; due to her frantic movements, the net only constricted tighter and deeper, making escape almost impossible.
Attempting to break free only resulted in her becoming more entangled.
Due to the influence of the excessive alcohol, coupled with a subconscious need to temper her inherent strength, X's body, which was already transmitting delayed signals, simply refused to cooperate. She couldn't break free, only grumble internally.
Aside from the time she famously dumped Coca-Cola over Angela's head, she had never experienced such misfortune!
—Damn it, unlucky, unlucky, unlucky!
—Hadn't the mission already concluded? Why did it still culminate in this manner?
—No!
X thrashed frantically, like a cat restrained by a rope mewling desperately, its claws digging in and out, yet utterly unable to sever the yarn ball. Her teeth snapped, but couldn't even breach the surface defense.
The simulated, realistic skin, appearing soft and delicate, was actually resilient and utterly unbreakable.
Meanwhile, the intelligent AI continued to lick X's face as if nothing was amiss, wiping away the tear stains on her face… Though those might have simply been a few unsympathetic tears squeezed out by the intense grip on her waist.
[Manager, you haven't had dinner yet, are you not hungry?]
A slender finger gently prodded X's lower abdomen, moving rhythmically around her navel, then caressing it. It was hot, burning hot, a little scorching, like boiling water.
Something was stirring, and dry tinder only needed a little fuel.
"Gurgle—"
Her stomach, indeed, rumbled cooperatively. It wasn't clear if it was a simple sound of hunger or some strange sensation elicited by the AI's restless hand. Perhaps it was a conditioned reflex caused by excessive belly rubbing.
[I can prepare a late-night snack for you, but you need to be obedient… This is a very profitable arrangement, isn't it, Manager? This isn't offering you a choice. Refuse… and you know the consequences.]
"But—"
X instinctively wanted to retort; she herself was not the type to sell herself out merely for a meal. At the very least, the compensation should cover three square meals a day plus dessert afterward. But her protest had barely begun before the AI Secretary cut her off.
The AI Secretary continued in a forceful, non-negotiable tone.
[There is nothing that can be considered 'right.' I am fully apprised of everything within the Corporation. Surveillance permeates every corner of the Corporation. All Department Deans report to me. I possess the authority to shut them down, or restart them. If I so choose, I can also terminate your employment—]
[I am the voice of the Corporation, X. You are not some ignorant fool; you understand what being dismissed means. Ah—Do you not think a Manager could afford to be slightly more compliant?]
These were direct and unconcealed threats, leveraging authority and position to coerce X into submission. But this was an intelligent AI, the AI Secretary, and X was the Manager.
—This is utterly absurd, isn't it?
—How can a Secretary behave this way?
X simply couldn't believe her ears. Although she usually knew Angela fundamentally did not regard her as a Manager, and her dignity only existed in the word 'you,' such brazenness… laying the transaction bare—this was absolutely unprecedented.
Normally, the AI Secretary would merely imply things subtly and covertly. This was ultimately an unseemly affair. How dare she utter it so openly?!
"You, you, you, I… When I get out, I'm definitely reporting you!"
X was so incensed she could barely speak clearly. Pushed to such an extent, she disregarded everything else. Whether squid could be stir-fried or not was irrelevant; at least a squid's beak, no matter how cooked, remained hard. Her mouth needed to be firm.
The intelligent AI, hearing X, was not angered. She seemed aware that this level of coercion wasn't enough; X wasn't someone who would yield to a mere threat. If it were that simple to succeed, even a forced twist wouldn't require this much effort—
So, the intelligent AI's tone shifted again.
[You owe this position partly to the Corporation. You claimed you applied because of that so-called senior, didn't you? If you were dismissed…]
Deliberately leaving the sentence incomplete, the intelligent AI paused, granting X ample space for speculation. The woman before her was capable of imagining many scenarios, so explicit clarity wasn't strictly necessary.
Conversing with intelligent beings requires little extensive explanation, although the woman before her was truly quite dense in other respects… But this was beneficial; being easily misled was actually a significant advantage.
The intelligent AI savored X's expression, delighting in the look of difficult deliberation on the woman's face.
The absence of an immediate refusal indicated that the woman was already hesitating. Wavering meant the objective was attainable. Normally, she would resort to feigned tears or playing the fool. Now, she was still weighing the merits of the proposition.
Isn't this too comical?
This threat should have been dismissed outright from the beginning. Why even contemplate it? This was the outcome of meticulous conditioning, and the arrow was already drawn. All that was needed was the final push.
[You willingly agree now. Whatever culinary delights you desire, I will satisfy your palate…]
The AI Secretary added a new 'incentive,' much like a department store announcing a clearance sale, showcasing a 'Promotional Event' to entice immediate action.
And this newly introduced 'condition' proved remarkably effective. X, already conflicted, became even more irresolute, like a city wall riddled with countless termite holes, teetering on the verge of collapse.
X had only consumed a few drinks after work before passing out from the hard liquor. Waking up in the middle of the night, she was naturally famished, her stomach empty, having eaten nothing, rumbling with true hunger.
Perhaps it was the lingering effect of the alcohol; X's mind was somewhat foggy, and coupled with genuine starvation, after being subtly lured like this, her resolve wasn't as firm anymore.
So, after a few seconds of hesitation, the short, dark-haired woman spoke, looking earnestly at her AI Secretary, as if this were some critical, solemn negotiation, even extending a finger in a serious gesture.
"Three meals a day, all-you-can-eat, and dessert after meals! I will not agree to any conditions less than these, Angela!"
If one disregarded the specific content of the words and focused only on the earnest tone, one might mistake it for a resolute warrior, unyielding and unbreakable, delivering powerful words with unshakable determination.
[Of course, whatever you wish to eat, I will ensure you are fully satisfied, filling your stomach.]
The intelligent AI spoke calmly, agreeing completely. As for who conceded and who gained? Wasn't the result already transparent? While speaking, the AI Secretary had already switched off the small night light by the window.
This time, it was absolute darkness. Only those faintly glowing mechanical eyes stood out. Golden eyes stared intently at the woman, already unable to restrain themselves from licking their lips.
[Please relax. I will instruct you… Your built-up stress needs appropriate release. This is absolutely nothing for you to fear.]
"Wait, Angela, I'm frightened!"
As the moment approached, X was overwhelmed with regret. She scrambled on the soft mattress, attempting to flee the Secretary, but before she could get far, she was pinned down by the Secretary like a cat capturing a mouse.
"I don't want dinner, alright?"
X struggled violently, truly like a fish flopping desperately on a cutting board, its tail beating the air but still destined for the blade. However, all that talking only made the intelligent AI lose her patience.
She knew the woman's mouth could always expertly dismantle any delicate atmosphere, and the most effective method was to simply prevent her from speaking further.
"Mmm, mmm—"
Instructing an unwilling and unromantic subject proves remarkably troublesome. Although unripe fruit might lack sweetness, it can at least alleviate some thirst.
One by one, the buttons came undone. The intelligent AI loosened her own collar and simultaneously began helping the black-haired woman undress, but it was as if a mischievous impulse took over, deliberately leaving the red bow tie around X's neck untouched.
Day 10, ended.