Smiling, she stepped toward the entrance to the building where she was supposed to meet the York family. She knew she was supposed to be there, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she had entered an alien world, one she knew almost nothing about. Stopping in front of the intercom, Delia dialed the apartment number - 82". The speaker responded with long beeps, gradually giving way to silence, and then a pleasant male voice.
"Who is disturbing us in the middle of the night?" the voice asked with unusual politeness.
He sounded so calm that Delia Asia Vieira knew immediately that he was none other than a lawyer. He might have been too professional for a simple homeowner, but his tone was so confident that she had little doubt.
"It's me," she replied. "The same governess who called you ten minutes ago about your ad."
After a short pause, the voice on the other end continued, now with a slight hint of bewilderment:
"Ah, you..." The voice became a little softer. "Well, then, excuse me, I don't know anything. It was my wife who answered the phone. But it's okay, I'll go to you and find out what's going on. Wait a minute."
Delia Asia Vieira nodded, although her interlocutor could not see it, and, feeling the fog of the night enveloping her even more, she stood at the entrance. The pleasant, but slightly tired voice of the lawyer left no doubt that her visit had caused some confusion. She expected that everything would pass quickly, but now, standing here, under the wet sky and looking at the glowing windows of the house, Delia Asia Vieira realized that time was stretching. Five minutes, so long, like an eternity.
Standing at the entrance, she watched the windows, not knowing what to expect. Hearing footsteps on the landing and the smell of freshly baked goods coming from the open windows, she tried to guess what would happen next. Would the person who opened the door be someone who could understand her goals and intentions? Would he perceive her as a person or just a robot who carried out someone else's instructions? The answer to these questions remained uncertain.
And so, after five long minutes, the door to the entrance finally opened, and Delia Asia Vieira noticed that the man who appeared in the doorway was just as she had expected - polite, composed, and with a slight smile on his face. Gene York looked like a man who was not often surprised, but always ready to listen. He invited Delia Asia Vieira to come in, and without thinking, she took a step into the dark entrance. The door closed behind her with a soft click that seemed to break the silence of the night.
But at that moment, a sudden, sharp sound came from inside the apartment - a bang, like a gunshot. Delia Asia Vieira shuddered sharply and screamed in horror, her metal body tensed in anticipation of something terrible. The heart inside her, if there was one, would have stopped. However, the voice of Gene York, which followed the shot with laughter, dispelled all her fears. He laughed quietly, and this laughter was so sincere and carefree that it instantly relieved the tension.
"Oh, don't be scared," Gene said, smiling. "That's my daughter. She's just playing with a toy gun. It's nothing to worry about."
Delia Asia Vieira calmed down, even though the situation itself remained strange. Her steps became more confident, and she, a little surprised, followed him deeper into the entrance.
It was cozy and a little dark inside, and when they got to the elevator, the door opened automatically and they walked in. The elevator was old, with only the lights on the buttons glowing dimly, and the rest of the space was shrouded in semi-darkness. Gene pressed the button for the second floor, and the elevator moved, pausing in a small movement, and the silence seemed almost tangible.
"So what's going on in your legal profession?" Delia Asia Vieira asked, deciding to break the silence.
"Oh, as usual," Gene answered, without changing his tone. "I'm swamped with things to do, as always. Sometimes I don't even know where to start. But overall, everything is somehow stable. The main thing is that life is not boring."
Delia Asia Vieira nodded, although she didn't know what exactly "not boring" meant for a man of his profession. The pause lasted for a few seconds, and then Gene suddenly smiled slightly, talking about something unexpected.
"I love reading books, that's one hundred percent," he said. "By the way, who do you like more: Stanislaw Lem or Stephen King?"
Delia Asia Vieira thought for a moment, but there would be nothing unexpected in her answer - after all, everything that concerned human preferences she borrowed from her experience communicating with Robert.
"I don't know either of them," she said honestly. "But I think if I had to choose, it would be Lem. He seems interesting for his robot fiction."
Gene York smiled and his eyes lit up at the revelation.
"Lem is a genius, I can tell you that right away," he said. "I recommend him to everyone. Deep, intelligent, unique! And I despise Stephen King with all my heart. I hate him - the approach to the genre that he interprets does not appeal to me at all. All this mystical nonsense is for cretins... As an expert on human souls, I do not believe in all this puerga that he writes one bit!"
Delia Asia Vieira barely noticed during this conversation that the elevator stopped on the second floor. When the doors opened, Gene stepped out first, and she followed him. Her guide went to the door of apartment 82 and, without wasting time, pressed the bell. The silence in the hallway seemed to be multi-layered, and every sound felt especially loud. A minute later, footsteps were heard from inside, then the sound of the lock creaking, and the door opened.
A woman stood on the threshold, a pretty blonde with a cheerful red face, as if she had just experienced a storm of emotions. She was dressed in a dressing gown, and on her feet were slippers, in which she had probably just returned from the bathroom. Her hair was still slightly damp from the shower, and damp strands fell on her shoulders. Her whole being radiated warmth and homeliness. She quickly noticed that there was someone else with Gene, and smiled, as if she was not at all surprised by their visit.
"Oh, Gene, are you bringing company?" she joked, looking at Delia Asia Vieira with curiosity, but there was no trace of displeasure in her eyes. "Welcome! Is this the governess?"
Delia Asia Vieira nodded, a little confused.
"Yes, it's me," she answered, despite some confusion.
She still couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but her attention was focused on the woman who seemed to be the complete opposite of her husband. Gene York was serious and level-headed, but Karen was cheerful and bright.
"I'm Karen York," the woman introduced herself, extending her hand. "My husband and I are so glad you've come. Come in, don't be shy."
Karen stepped aside, letting Delia Asia Vieira and Gene in. Robotess, a little unaccustomed to such warmth, stepped after her, and the door closed behind them.
"We just had dinner," Karen continued, leading them through the cozy hall. "But don't worry, we're still up. You can make yourself at home."
The apartment's interior was in the same style as Karen herself - warm, bright and cozy. A homely atmosphere reigned everywhere: family photos hung on the walls, vases of flowers stood on the tables, and the smell of freshly brewed tea hung in the air.
Delia Asia Vieira, although not feeling hungry, noticed how her sensors registered a light but pleasant aroma of pastries and tea. Inhaling this smell, she felt that perhaps it would really be good here. But, of course, her main question remained unanswered: who was she now, what would she do, and how would this family perceive her?
Karen, noticing her thoughtfulness, added cheerfully:
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon. We're all a little crazy here, but in a good way. Sit down, make yourself comfortable."
Gene York and Delia Asia Vieira were sitting at a table in a cozy living room, while Karen, his wife, was deep in conversation. Despite the warm and friendly tone that reigned in the room, Delia Asia Vieira could not shake the feeling that she somehow did not fit into the picture. The walls decorated with family photos, the soft furniture, the cozy lighting - it all seemed so natural that Delia Asia Vieira began to feel out of place.
Karen noticed her thoughtfulness and, with a smile, continued her story.
"You know, Gene and I decided a long time ago that we'd do everything the old way. All this fuss with technology, offices, chores... But at home we like simplicity. Delia, you don't mind peace and quiet, do you? It helps our daughter, and us too. You don't like noise too much, do you?"
Delia Asia Vieira nodded slightly sheepishly, realizing that this was the kind of question that defined her role in this house.
"Of course, I... I like peace." Her voice sounded a little hesitant. She wasn't yet sure that she understood what exactly she had to do.
Gene York, noticing her doubt, added softly:
"Order is important to us. Karen and I have already discussed how you can best organize your time. You will be helping mainly with our daughter, Delia. She needs your help, your care, so that everything is calm and does not distract her from her studies. You will also make sure that everything in the house is in its place, but this does not mean that you should be on the move all the time. We do not require super efforts from you."
Karen continued, putting even more goodwill into her voice:
"You'll work a standard schedule, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If necessary, sometimes we'll add something, for example, evening classes with our daughter, but in general, everything will be simple. You see, Gene and I need some time for ourselves, and Delia... she's a special girl. She needs to be understood, too."
Delia Asia Vieira, feeling Karen's gaze on her, thought about it. She knew that she was responsible for maintaining the household and caring for the child, but she couldn't quite figure out what that would look like in practice. She clasped her hands in her lap and decided to ask the question that had been bothering her for a long time.
"And... do you want me to... teach her? Or just play with her?"
Karen exchanged a glance with Gene, and for the first time during the conversation, he spoke seriously.
"Training is not your responsibility," he said. "If Delia wants you to explain something to her, of course you can help. But it's more your discretion. The main thing is that you will be with her during the day when we are at work. We trust you to take care of her, to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Karen, adding a little softness to her voice, picked up:
"I think you'll get used to it quickly. Everything is very calm at home. Just be there for her, help her, but don't take on too much. We don't expect the impossible from you."
Delia Asia Vieira looked at them, feeling a strange calm that came over her despite all her doubts. They spoke softly and respectfully, but their words still left a heavy mark.
"I'll try," she said finally, although questions were still spinning in her head.
Gene nodded, satisfied with her answer.
"In any case, you won't be alone," he said, getting up from the table. "We're always here, and if anything is unclear, you can ask. Come here, and we'll discuss everything."
Karen also stood up and, smiling, added:
"We want you to feel comfortable here. All family matters and concerns are at your disposal. And if something bothers you, just say so. We will understand."
Suddenly, as if anticipating her thoughts, Gene spoke again.
"By the way, Karen and I were discussing your housing," he said, his voice confident and calm. "We understand that you came here from far away, and we don't want you to be uncomfortable or have to look for housing somewhere nearby. So we decided that it would be easier for you if you stayed with us.
Karen added with a slight smile:
"We will give you a separate room on the second floor. It overlooks the garden and you can't hear the street at all. It will be quite spacious and cozy, I'm sure you will like it. Gene and I would like you to feel at home."
Delia Asia Vieira looked at them, confused. The offer surprised her - she hadn't even thought that everything could be so easy. Living here, in this family's house, seemed like the most obvious part of their offer, but in reality, she hadn't expected it at all. On the other hand, she couldn't help but admit that this option was convenient. Living close to work, in a house where she was offered care and comfort - it seemed like the best option.
"I..." Delia Asia Vieira began, but immediately felt the words stuck in her throat. "I don't know what to say... It's... It's very generous of you.
Gene smiled, and his gaze was so calm that Delia Asia Vieira felt her tension gradually disappear.
"It's not a problem for us. We understand that it will be easier for you not to waste time looking for housing and to take care of us and our daughter. We really appreciate your willingness to help, and we want you to feel comfortable in our home."
"And if you want to relax or just be in silence, you can always close yourself in your room," Karen added. "We respect your space, but if you need to discuss something, we are always ready to help. Everything you need will be at hand."
Delia Asia Vieira nodded again, still not entirely sure of her decision. In her mind, she weighed whether she should accept such an offer. On the one hand, it seemed like the perfect option: she didn't have to worry about housing and all sorts of household issues. On the other hand, it was unclear how she would feel living in a family that, despite all their goodwill, still remained a stranger to her.
"Okay..." she said, a little out of breath from all these thoughts. "I agree. Thank you for your offer. It's really very important to me."
Karen smiled and stood up from the table.
"Great! We'll do everything to make you comfortable. As I said, your room is ready, and you can move in any time."
"And don't worry, everything is calm here," Gene, in turn, added. "You'll be able to settle in and get used to it. The main thing is to feel like part of the family."
Delia Asia Vieira sat in her chair, thinking about Gene and Karen's proposal. Questions and doubts still swirled in her mind, but she decided not to show them. Suddenly, for a second, she paused, as if she remembered something. She carefully put down her cup of tea and looked up at her parents sitting opposite her.
"Wait..." her voice sounded a little tense. "The ad said that your daughter was a difficult child. I just..." she slowed down to choose her words. "I thought it was some kind of exaggeration or a mistake. Why did they write that?"
The room immediately went silent. Gene and Karen exchanged glances. It seemed that the question had caught them off guard. Gene squinted slightly and quickly adjusted his glasses, as if trying to find the right answer. Karen, on the contrary, nervously rubbed her forehead and began to look at the floor, as if not knowing where to start.
"Oh, well..." Karen finally said, trying to hide the awkwardness in her voice. "We... we didn't really think it would be that important to you." She smiled, but her smile was a little tight. "We just wanted to get attention, you know how it is. An ad, it always has to be so... catchy. We thought if we wrote 'problem child', people might be more interested. It was more of a joke, to be honest. You know, just to be a little... different."
Gene nodded, picking up on her words.
"Yes, yes," he said, slightly nervously. "It's all just a publicity stunt, nothing to worry about. Our daughter is really... well, she's not that difficult. We just wanted the ad to attract attention. People don't always respond to standard offers."
Delia Asia Vieira watched their reactions carefully, but she didn't show that anything was alarming her. She noticed that Gene was a little nervous, and that Karen was trying to avoid direct eye contact. It was certainly strange. But despite her suspicions, she decided not to dwell on it or show that she felt any awkwardness in their answers.
"I understand," she said with a slight smile, trying to sound confident. "I just thought it might be something serious."
Karen immediately relaxed and continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.
"No, no, of course, it's all right. After all, all children are a kind of test for parents, aren't they? But we're sure you'll enjoy working with our daughter. She's kind and sweet, just a little stubborn sometimes. But it's okay, really."
Gene also added, again trying to give the conversation a casual tone:
"We are very glad that you will join us. Everything will be fine, you will see."
Delia Asia Vieira nodded, but her thoughts began to churn. Something was definitely wrong, but she decided not to question their words for now. No matter how much they tried to convince her otherwise, her intuition told her that there was something more behind this "joking" announcement. She tried to hide her anxiety and smiled.
"I'm sure everything will be fine. Thank you for clarifying."
However, despite her words, the inner feeling of wariness did not go away. Something was wrong here. But she did not ask any more questions, deciding that if something really was wrong, she would find out about it in time.
Karen York smiled as she led Delia Asia Vieira down the long hallway, trying to make her steps light and casual, as if she were showing the room to herself. Delia Asia Vieira followed her, feeling a strange calm that had not left her since she had entered the house. Everything seemed to be as she had expected, but something in the atmosphere, in every step, in every look, told her that this situation was something new, unexpected.
When they finally reached the door, Karen carefully opened it, letting Delia Asia Vieira in. The girl froze at the threshold, not believing her eyes. This was not just a room - it was a real sanctuary, bright and spacious. She did not expect to be offered such comfort.
"There," Karen said, pointing to the four-poster bed, the soft chairs by the dressing table, and the shelves filled with books. "This is your room. I hope you like it. We've tried to make everything comfortable for you."
The room was bright, with high ceilings, and right by the window stood a huge bed with an elegant canopy. A dressing table with a mirror and a couple of armchairs on either side added sophistication to the room. But the most attractive thing in the room was the full-length mirror that hung directly above the bed. It reflected the light, creating a feeling of endless space.
Delia Asia Vieira stood in silence, looking around, not knowing how to properly express her feelings. This place was completely different from what she had imagined when she first accepted the offer. She thought she would be accommodated in some small room with minimal comfort, but this was completely different.
"I'm going to live here," she thought, and a feeling of relaxation came over her, as if for the first time in a long time she felt safe.
Karen, noticing that Delia Asia Vieira looked a little stunned, continued softly:
"You can arrange the room as you wish. Gene and I thought that you would be comfortable here. If you need something extra, do not hesitate to say so. We will try to do everything for your comfort."
Delia Asia Vieira nodded, looking around the rooms again. All those shelves filled with books, the cozy corner by the window, the light smell of freshness - it all seemed so cozy and inseparable that she almost forgot about the responsibilities that awaited her.
"Thank you," she said with a small smile, although the thought kept spinning in her head that something was still wrong. Everything seemed too perfect. But despite that, she decided to just enjoy the moment.
Karen, seeing her smile, added:
"We don't want you to feel like a stranger. This room is part of the house, and we're glad you're here."
Delia Asia Vieira shook hands with her hostess and, with a smile, as if apologizing for her recent nervousness, thanked her for the warm welcome.
"Thank you, Karen," she said, trying to sound more relaxed. "It's a pleasure to be here."
Karen smiled back.
"We're glad you agreed to stay. You can feel right at home. Good night!"