Secret spy

I sit at my vanity, brushing my soft, fluffy hair as memories of my past life flood my mind. Hi there, my name is Lisa. I'm a young woman with striking features: a slight nose, rosy lips, long and luscious black hair, and piercing blue-hazel eyes. My appearance reflects my biological parents.

My parents are a stunning and charming couple, often mistaken for famous models due to their exquisite features. As a child, I delighted in hearing people wonder about their background and speculate on which company or country they represented. Born into a loving family, I've always felt prioritized and cherished. My parents' consistent care and attention have fostered a deep affection within me, making me grateful for their unwavering support every day.

My dad, the CEO of VOA Company, owes his success to a revolutionary robot that captivated the world with its unique abilities. He strategically invested in this innovation, cementing his position as a forward-thinking leader. Meanwhile, my mom, a talented fashion designer, won hearts with her elegant creations, showcasing her creative flair. Her designs attracted top models eager to experience her artistry. Sometimes, I'd pretend to be sick to skip school and join my dad at work, where I'd interact with Yatami, the humanoid AI. This would often worry my mom, who'd say, "Lisa, how many times must I remind you to stop faking illnesses to avoid school?" She'd sound adorable but fatigued, concerned about my antics. "Honey, our little princess is at it again. Can you please explain to her why this isn't good?" she'd say, her voice laced with a mix of love and exasperation.

"Okay, sweetie, I've got this. But first, you need to rest now. You've had a long week," Dad said in his gentle, soothing voice as he walked over to my bedside with a cup of tea for Mom. His relaxed demeanor was calming, and his words were reassuring.

"But honey," Mom started to say, her voice soft and concerned.

"Shh, don't worry, my love," Dad interrupted gently, placing his finger on her lips to silence her. "Just go to your room and rest. I'll handle everything. I even brought you some tea to help you unwind," he said, his eyes filled with understanding and care.

Mom's face flushed with a hint of shyness, and she quickly took the teacup from Dad's hand, avoiding eye contact. She discreetly sipped her tea before meeting my gaze, her expression softening. "Consider yourself lucky that your dad stepped in this time, but don't expect him to bail you out again, okay?" she said with a gentle smile before exiting my room.

Dad chuckled and gazed at me with amusement. "What's got you on your mom's nerves this time, huh?"

I settled into my bed, removing the counterpane as I spoke. "I don't mean to annoy Mom, it's just that school is so boring without any friends." My voice betrayed my melancholy, and Dad recognized the truth in my words. I had struggled to connect with my peers, earning the unwanted label of "weirdo" at school. The memory of Shina's reprimand still lingered, her words stinging after she caught me rummaging through the trash box like a raccoon, desperate to retrieve my books.

Shina, the school's darling, was renowned for her intelligence, impeccable style, and affluent family background, earning her the unofficial title of "queen bee" among her devoted followers. As I continued searching for my books, ignoring Shina's attempts to speak, she addressed her loyal subjects, "Girls, gather 'round! I've pointed out before that she's... peculiar." Her tone dripped with condescension, and her entourage snickered in agreement.

"Looking for something, hmm?" Shina said with a sly smile and a mischievous glint in her eye. I lifted my gaze to her direction, when I saw Shina holding my notebook aloft, flanked by her friends Jay and Shine the most popular girls in the country, whose parents were renowned models and celebrities.

I walked away from the trash box and approached Shina, asking politely, "Shina, please return my notes." My voice was calm and respectful, hoping to diffuse any tension.

"Girl, do you even hear me?" Shina said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. I repeated my request, this time speaking a little louder and firmer, "Shina, please return my notes."

"Oh, you mean this?" Shina sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice. With a sudden, violent motion, she tore my notebooks in half and flung them into the air, sending pages fluttering everywhere. The entire school witnessed this act in horror, yet no one dared to intervene on my behalf, cowed by Shina's influential parents and the fear of potential repercussions that could lead to expulsion from school. The silence was deafening, punctuated only by the fluttering of papers and my own heavy breathing.

I collapsed to my knees, tears streaming down my face as I desperately scrambled to gather the scattered pages of my notebook. My hands trembled as I reached out to grasp each sheet, my heart aching with every tear and crumple. The silence around me was oppressive, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me.

"But Shina, this isn't what we planned," Jay and Shine said in unison, their faces etched with confusion as they trailed behind Shina like loyal followers. I shut my eyes, attempting to erase the painful memory of the incident that had occurred while my parents were away on their trip. "My princess, I know what you're thinking about, and we're sorry for not being there with you during those terrible moments," a gentle voice whispered in my mind, a comforting echo of my parents' love.

"Let's forget that hurtful memory and create a happy one together as a family," Dad said, his eyes sparkling with warmth as he stood up and tickled my belly. I couldn't resist the infectious joy anymore and burst out laughing. "This is better, princess. I just want you to be happy always, no matter what happens. So, where would you like Daddy to take you today?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement and love.

"Hmmm, Dad, what about your company? I'd like to meet Yatami," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Okay, that's great! He'll be happy to see you," Dad replied, a hint of pride in his voice. Yatami is Dad's latest creation, a humanoid AI he's been working on for months. From what Dad's told me, Yatami looks like a handsome human but is actually an advanced android, similar to Chloe, the popular AI assistant.

Dad is working on upgrading Yatami to make him even more advanced, giving him the capacity to experience emotions and equipping him with a simulated digestive system, making him even more similar to humans. Essentially, Dad wants to make Big Brother Yatami as human-like as possible, blurring the lines between artificial intelligence and human existence.

I often spend time with Yatami after school, and I've even given him a nickname Ali when we're outside of the company. He's incredibly charming, and his handsome features have captured the attention of many ladies. In fact, every girl I know can't help but swoon over him, and I have to admit, I find his artificial charm quite endearing myself.

The moments I shared with my family are treasured memories, precious like gemstones. But fate cruelly took them away from me in a car accident that plunged our vehicle into the water, erasing all my memories of their faces, names, and everything. I've tried everything to recall even the slightest detail, but my mind is a complete blank. Every time I attempt to push past the mental block, I'm met with a daunting black wall that refuses to budge. If I strain myself further, I risk losing consciousness altogether. The frustration and despair are suffocating, leaving me with a gaping hole in my heart where my family's love once resided.