"Phew, you surprised me there. You all set up now?"

"Sorry about that, just had a little hiccup, ahaha..."

I cleared up the misunderstanding and showed her the cards I had and began asking the actual questions.

Alright, yep, these are the right cards. It's like reading an item description and making sure you didn't miss any debuffs included or the fact that it has no more durability and is about to break before using it.

The questions were fairly simple. What the client has been doing for the past few weeks, their hobbies, emotional states, etc.

"Have you been interested in any new hobbies as of late?"

"Well, I have begun going to standup comedy shows, but nowadays, most of the young people's humor is pretty political, so I leave early."

"I can agree with that." We both laughed, and a strange sense of happiness filled me. It feels so familiar. It feels like eight years ago when we first met and we started talking about each other's hobbies, likes, dislikes, favorite places, foods, whatever - we just wanted to know more about each other.

Well, I am basically asking for information regarding her preferences in a relationship.

I swallowed those thoughts, but they weren't going to go away just yet.

"This feels just like back then, doesn't it?" Amanda asked with a nostalgic look on her face.

"Yeah, I thought that too," I replied with a nostalgic smile of my own.

I had run out of questions to ask and looked to Myla; she gave me a quick nod telling me that it was enough information and that I could leave it at that.

"How are you these days, by the way? Last I heard was when one of my friends passed by your house and saw you through the window crying over a guy in a robot suit."

"Ah, I was rewatching some movies." I let out a nervous laugh.

Hey, I was in a vulnerable place, y'know. Plus, if you binge-watch them like that, it feels more impactful, y'know. Plus, who's to say that was even me? Your friend could've mistaken me for someone else, y'know.

"She's right." Myla suddenly spoke up.

"Here's the picture." She showed it from Amanda's phone through her friend and her chatlogs.

Crap, that's my house, alright. That's also my unkempt hair and unshaven beard, alright.

The biggest surprise about all of this however was that my partner showed a positive emotion about something regarding me. By that, I meant she turned away and quietly laughed.

"Mhm, just what I'd expect." She said in a proud tone and continued typing away at Amanda's laptop.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

You see, the carpet here is red, right? That means blood isn't too visible when it stains it, y'know?

I thought about it, but Amanda decided to continue the conversation, sensing my slight annoyance at the situation.

"I planned to visit too, but since everyone was having a hard time getting to you, I doubt I could get anywhere either."

"No, it's fine. I was picking myself up afterward anyway," I reassured her with the best smile I could muster.

"Oh, well, that's good. They were planning a meetup, our friend group, I mean."

"Oh, that's great to hear."

"They were going to invite you but were a bit worried about me being there too."

"I could see that, yeah," I laughed and scratched the back of my head.

"But if we went together, it should clear up their worries. It'll be just like old times."

"Yeah...just like old times."

We both smiled at that thought, but I could tell we were both forcing them.

Who are we kidding? If we couldn't even fool ourselves back then that everything was fine and dandy, there was no way we'd fool ourselves now.

"It...it won't be just like old times, will it?" I said, facing her with a tired smile.

"Yeah...you're right." She replied with a slight frown. But it wasn't her fault - she was just trying to make sure I really was alright after everything that happened.

"Sorry about bringing it up."

"No, really, it's fine, I'm a little happy about the invitation even, but I'll have to decline," I said with a reassuring look.

"Ah, is that so? I'll tell them. This'll be a fun story, at least."

She laughed, and I joined her until the gloomy silence returned.

*clack*

I heard Myla close the laptop, placing it on the table.

"The software has been downloaded onto your laptop and your phone. You may find it in these folders; please do not attempt to delete or tamper with the files as it may prohibit our collection of data." She said in an almost robotic fashion and stood up.

She puts the AI in aiAI industries.

"Thank you for the drinks. We will return in 2 weeks to provide you with the results. I'll start the car. Please, take your time." She said with, for once, a gentle tone of voice and began walking to the door.

Thanks, partner. Never thought I'd say that out of my own free will, weird,

I thought before facing Amanda.

"Look...I don't think what we had back then...I don't think I could call it real love. An AI dictating human relationships just feels impossible to me after that."

"Ahaha, way to endorse your company there."

We both chuckled, and I continued.

"Yeah, I thought a lot about it too." She continued.

"Hmm?"

"We were so perfect, we had everything we needed and we loved being with each other, but sometimes it felt like that perfection became our excuse for being together, right?"

She wasn't wrong. The feeling that our being with each other became the status quo and that it was just the right thing to do was why we became complacent with our situation.

"Yeah, you're right...but.."

She perked up at my statement.

"But this time, I do think there's a chance you'll find someone this time."

"Why's that?"

"'Cause this time, I'll make sure of it," I said with a confident and bright smile. It was the least I could do to repay her for all the memories she gave me. She began laughing and looked at me.

"What's with you? You seem funnier nowadays."

I was surprised, seeing as I didn't even try to make a joke.

See Myla? I am funny.

"But seriously, thanks for the help. You never know - I might even get matched with you if you try matching too." She said jokingly.

"I won't bet on it." We both laughed, and I got up to leave.

"Thanks, and take care of yourself, really."

"...You too. Bye, Amanda."

"See you soon, Bridger," She said as I opened the door and left the house. The house still looked familiar, but also so far away, as if it was a place I could only revisit in my memories.

I should get that rocking chair, actually.

I thought as I entered the car where Myla had been patiently waiting.

"Sorry about that. It must've been pretty awkward for you." I scratched the back of my head.

"Don't mind me. I found a good amount of humor in your squirming and nervous laughter." She said with a small smirk.

This girl, I really should've stabbed her back in the house.

I thought as a feeling of emptiness rushed over me.

I'm lonely and hungry...Great.