Chapter 29 The Gift "Yes." Micah nodded, stepping slightly to the side. Under the overhead light, his face looked even more mesmerizing, and his brown eyes met hers with a haze of intensity. "Congratulations on your wedding, Mrs. Caldwell," he said. The low, husky, lingering tone, combined with Micah's flawless features, sent two bright red patches flying to Oriana's checks. It was so intoxicating. Oriana stammered a little. "Y-you too." Then she hurriedly dragged her suitcase into the room, burying her head. Only when the door clicked shut did she finally exhale. Chubby's eyes, nose, and mouth formed a single curved screen. It demonstrated how to operate the smart devices in the room simply and intuitively. Oriana marveled again at how much modern technology had simplified life. With just a few taps on her phone or even a single voice command, she could control so many things remotely. Bending down, she petted Chubby's head. It was soft and fluffy. "Thank you, Chubby. I've got it now. Go play with your Daddy," Oriana said. Just thinking of Chubby flapping its wings and calling out Daddy after Micah made her laugh quietly. The scene was genuinely amusing. Chubby blinked its big, adorable eyes and mimicked Micah's tone with perfect precision. "Mommy, it's your first day home. You might be scared. I'll stay with you, Mommy." Oriana couldn't help laughing. "Who said I'm scared?" "Daddy did." Chubby flapped its wings, and the screen displayed the command Micah had sent five minutes earlier He ordered, "Stay by her side tonight." Oriana paused for two seconds. "How do you take just the word 'Daddy' and read so many emotions into it?" she asked. 1/3 Chubby tilted its head, chest puffed up proudly. "Because that's what Daddy's heart is saying. I understand Daddy." It was lively and vivid, nothing like the rigid robots Oriana had pictured. Even trying to resist, Oriana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are a clever little thing." Chubby probably didn't have a clever little thing in its vocabulary,yet. Its big eyes twinkled, and it spun around joyfully in response. "Oh. Mommy said I'm a clever little thing. I'm a clever little thing." Oriana shook her head, smiling, and finally picked up her phone, which she hadn't had a chance to check. Since she arrived, Zara had sent several messages. Fearing she'd worry her, Oriana returned a video call. Zara answered instantly. "My dear, Oriana. You scared me half to death. Why are you just answering me now? I thought someone had kidnapped you." Zara's voice was filled with genuine outrage, and Oriana instinctively moved the phone back. With a whirring sound, Chubby rolled over beside Oriana. "Zara, don't worry. My Daddy won't kidnap Mommy." Oriana froze. Zara looked shocked. "Shit, it actually says Mommy?" Oriana rubbed her forehead and lowered the camera. "It's actually a robotic pet." She briefly recapped everything that had happened over the past few hours. After listening, Zara, usually scatterbrained, was unusually silent for a long moment. Finally, she said something that left Oriana puzzled. "Oriana, is it possible that there's another man in the world who's completely head over heels for you, and you just don't know it?" Oriana sighed, "Zara, you're overthinking it." "Micah is well-mannered. I'm not imagining his politeness as some special attention toward me; we just met today," Oriana said. "Alright, forgive me for thinking the wrong way. From what you described, Micah has been attentive and considerate, couldn't wait to get the license right after landing, and it's not even ten yet, but he's already giving you time to adjust to being a newlywed. Definitely a wealthy, caring guy," Zara said. Zara added with a hint of disdain, "He did more in one day than Grant did in years, honestly." Then she patted her mouth. "No need to talk about that jerk. I should stop." "Oriana, are you scared of being alone in a new place? How about I video-call you while you sleep tonight?" Zara asked, worried. Thinking back, Oriana realized she and Zara had known each other for years, spending nearly every day 2/3 together. Even though they went to different universities, their contact never lessened. Knowing Oriana was going alone to Jindiwood, Zara was understandably anxious. While Zara talked nonstop, Oriana noticed a pink gift box on the bed. A note was attached, "Happy Birthday." Oriana opened it. Inside was a set of long black-and-pink pajamas, silky, smooth, and soft. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Zara, I'm fine. Chubby's keeping me company." She was telling the truth. From the moment she landed, so much had happened. With a novelty like Chubby around, Oriana felt no unease or worry, only genuine happiness. "Honestly, this little thing is pretty fun. Easier than a cat or dog, and you can interact with it. I've seen similar ones online, but never a fully functional one like this. Your husband's impressive," Zara said. 20 3/3