61-Work Meeting

Nexha found himself awake in a world that had long made his chest ache from how much he missed it.

His soft bed, his laptop resting on the desk, the safe, dry walls of his home… Everything so familiar, so comforting, that tears slid down his face before he even realized he was crying.

The longing for it all left him fragile.

He got up slowly, as if any sudden movement might shatter this perfect dream. The first thing he did was rush to the bathroom. When he returned, he stopped in the middle of the room, looking around as if each object were a treasure.

Then, his gaze landed on the headboard of his bed.

A photo.

People together, smiling. But their faces… blurred, unrecognizable.

He trembled.

— It was too good to be true, huh? — his voice came out thick with emotion. — It’s just a dream…

— Yes.

A female voice answered casually.

He turned abruptly.

Leaning against the bedroom door, Luna watched him. Unlike last time, she wore an elegant office blazer and a skirt. Her arms were crossed, and her slightly bored expression made her look like a manager about to fire a troublesome employee.

— After all this time, we finally have a meeting— she said, raising an eyebrow. — And the first thing you do is run to the bathroom like a madman.

— I’m savoring the moment — Nexha grumbled, throwing himself onto the bed and sinking into the soft mattress.

Luna sighed.

— Why my room? — he asked, still feeling the nostalgia burning in his chest.

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— It’s your memory palace. This place represents your greatest comfort, according to your mind. After all, it was one of the few things you didn’t forget.

Nexha sat up, staring at the floor.

— I forgot their faces… but not a room? You just made me feel worse. Now I feel like an idiot who can’t even remember his own family.

Luna shrugged.

— But you are an idiot. No need to feel that way, just accept it.

He huffed.

— You have zero compassion, don’t you?

She rolled her eyes.

— If I didn’t, do you really think I’d be here? I should’ve let you float in the void of your own mind. Would’ve been less work for me.

Nexha rolled on the bed, indulging in the nostalgic sensation of being there.

— So why are you here, really?

— Because you’re developing emotionally more than you are technologically.

Nexha scoffed.

— If you guys wanted a machine without feelings, why’d you choose me?

Luna crossed her arms.

— Idiot. If we wanted a machine, we would’ve just dropped a truck in your place.

— Then why did you kill me?

She rolled her eyes so dramatically they almost fell out of her head.

— This again? How many times do I have to say it was your lifestyle that killed you?

— As many times as it takes for you to admit you poisoned me.

Luna averted her gaze and changed the subject so quickly it was obvious he was right.

— Anyway! We want your development to be more balanced. I don’t want you to stop connecting with your new family, but if you don’t evolve, you’ll lose everything you have.

A chill ran down Nexha’s spine. He jumped off the bed with a thud, clenching his fists.

— They’re gonna take everything from me again?!

— NO, YOU MORON! — Luna exploded, throwing the laptop at him. Fortunately, she hit the wall instead of his face. — I’m saying I want you to grow so you don’t let them die!

Nexha gaped at the intensity of her words, and a single tear secretly fell from his heart at the sight of his laptop in pieces.

— I’m not gonna keep repeating the same coincidences that brought you all together! Look at me! Do I look like someone who does overtime for free just to watch everything fall apart?!

He blinked, surprised.

— Overtime?

Luna huffed, clearly irritated at herself for letting that slip.

— That’s none of your business… — she muttered. Then, pointing an accusing finger at him: — Now get back there and take care of them, you careless idiot! Oh, and your paycheck for the month has been advanced. Do your job properly!

Before he could protest, the world around him shattered into thousands of fragments.

Darkness gave way to light.

Nexha blinked slowly, feeling something warm and wet on his face.

When his eyes adjusted, he realized that Lilay was hugging him, crying.

He barely had time to react before being pulled into a tight embrace by Krahs.

— Welcome back, kid, — the older one's voice sounded relieved.

Nexha blinked again, still feeling the echo of Luna’s voice in his mind.

"Do your job properly."