Chapter 3 The Prototype

Lana Parker had dated some terrible men in her lifetime.

There was Brad, who believed "commitment" meant remembering her birthday (he didn't). Then Mark, the one who dumped her via email. And of course, Jason, who thought responding to texts within 48 hours counted as effort.

So when her editor handed her an assignment to test a "perfect boyfriend" AI prototype, she did what any reasonable woman would.

Laugh at the thought of it.

"You can't be serious," Lana said, crossing her arms.

"I am." Her section head, Richard Hale, leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased with himself. "EvoTech is unveiling their first romantic AI to a select group of testers. They specifically requested journalists, you're a perfect fit for the role"

She thought for a while then added. "I still wonder why Frank chose me though."

Richard shrugged. "Think of it this way-if this works, maybe you'll finally have a functional relationship."

Lana threw a pen at him.

The more Richard explained, the weirder it got.

EvoTech had spent years designing Romeo 9000, a humanoid AI capable of understanding human emotions-not just mimicking them. He was programmed to learn, adapt, and form real connections.

"They're betting big on this," Richard said. "A personalized, AI-generated boyfriend, one who never forgets anniversaries, never cheats, never leaves dirty dishes in the sink. Women will eat this up."

Lana frowned. "That sounds... creepy."

"It sounds profitable." Richard slid a contract toward her. "One week with him. Full report. Honest review. And if you hate it, congratulations, you get to rip them apart in print."

Lana hesitated.

On one hand, this felt like some Black Mirror dystopian nonsense.

On the other hand, it was the juiciest assignment she'd been given in months.

And... maybe part of her was just a little curious.

She sighed. "Fine. But if I wake up to him standing over my bed at 3 a.m., I'm quitting."

---

Lana had tested a lot of things in her journalism career-some cool, some weird, and some downright stupid. She once attended a week-long silent retreat where she nearly lost her mind from lack of conversation. Another time, she spent an entire day eating like a toddler to see if the 'baby food diet' really worked.

But signing up to test an AI boyfriend? That was out of the context.

And yet, here she was, standing in front of the towering glass doors of EvoTech Industries, clutching the official documents she had signed the day before.

The papers were filled with very concerning legal jargon-words like "psychological effects," "emotional dependency risks," and, most disturbingly, "unexpected attachment."

Lana scoffed. Attachment? To a machine? Please. I've been ghosted by real men, an AI can't possibly be worse.

With that thought, she took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The EvoTech lobby was exactly what she expected-cold, sterile, and suspiciously futuristic. White marble floors gleamed under bright, artificial lighting. Walls of glass separated various high-tech workspaces where people in lab coats and sleek business attire whispered to each other like they were handling state secrets. There was even a receptionist so eerily symmetrical that Lana was 60% sure she was also a robot.

She approached the front desk, clearing her throat. "Hi, I'm Lana Parker. I have an appointment with Dr. Lane?"

Before the receptionist could respond, a voice called out from behind her. "Miss Parker! Right on time."

Lana turned to find a man in his mid-forties striding toward her, dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, and his sharp eyes held a glint of curiosity. Dr. Marcus Lane.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, extending a hand.

Lana shook it, noting how his grip was precisely firm but not overbearing. The kind of handshake that screamed I'm in control, and I know it.

"I assume you've reviewed the documents?" he asked as he led her down a long, pristine hallway.

Lana shrugged. "Skimmed them. Enough to know I won't be held responsible if your AI malfunctions and declares war on humanity."

Dr. Lane chuckled. "Romeo 9000 is unlike any AI before. He doesn't just follow commands, he learns, adapts, evolves."

Lana raised a brow.

Dr. Lane merely smiled. "I think you'll find he's far more interesting."

After winding through several security-locked corridors, they arrived at a large, dimly lit room. At the center stood a sleek, futuristic-looking pod, glowing faintly with soft blue light.

He pressed something on a nearby tablet. The pod let out a low hiss as steam escaped. The front panel slowly slid open.

Lana's breath caught.

She wasn't sure what she expected-maybe something stiff and robotic, like those creepy androids from the 90s.

But the man stepping out of the pod?

He looked painfully, frustratingly, unfairly real.

Dark, slightly messy hair. Strong jawline. A body sculpted like whoever built him had way too much free time. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light.

Then, he opened his eyes.

Not glowing. Not robotic. Just... watchful. Taking in the room, the lights, the unfamiliar faces.

And then his gaze landed on Lana.

Lana swallowed.

Dr. Lane typed something on his tablet. "Romeo, initiate startup sequence."

The man-the AI, blinked once. Then his posture relaxed, his head tilting slightly as he observed Lana. He didn't speak immediately, which surprised her.

Then, slowly, carefully, he said, "Hello."

His voice was smooth, deep, and just the right amount of human.

Lana blinked. "Oh. He talks."

Dr. Lane's lips twitched. "Romeo, this is Lana Parker. She'll be your test partner for the next seven days."

Romeo's eyes flicked back to her. He was studying her, and not in the way most men did. It wasn't predatory. It wasn't flirtatious. It was calculating.

Dr. Lane turned to Lana. "Romeo is designed to adjust his personality based on your responses. He won't force interactions or flirtations unless he senses they are welcome."

Lana glanced at Romeo, who was still standing very still, his eyes unblinking as he watched her.

Romeo 9000's movements were uncannily smooth. No stiff, robotic jolts, just quiet, controlled grace. His eyes flickered as if scanning her.

Then, he repeated again.

"...Hello."

Lana blinked. "That's it?"

Dr. Lane chuckled. "Give him time. He's processing."

Romeo tilted his head slightly, as if studying her too closely. After a long pause, he finally said,

"You're nervous."

Lana stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"Your pulse increased when I stepped out. Your posture suggests mild discomfort, but not fear. Your eyes, however... fascinated."

Lana scowled. "Oh, fantastic. A boyfriend who reads my mind."

Dr. Lane held up a tablet. "Romeo, first impressions?"

Another pause. Then Romeo said, "Curious. Sharp. Mildly defensive."

Lana snorted. "Sounds like my last Tinder bio."

Dr. Lane turned to her. "Would you like to ask him something?"

Lana hesitated, then looked at Romeo. "What do you... know about me?"

Romeo's gaze didn't waver.

"You are Lana Parker. Thirty years old. Journalist. Coffee addict. Skeptic." He paused. "You have been single for some time now. Your last relationship ended due to irreconcilable differences."

Lana's stomach twisted.

Dr. Lane sighed. "He pulled that from your social media. He's designed to gather contextual data."

Romeo studied her again. "You don't like that?"

Lana exhaled sharply. "No. No, I do not like that."

There was a pause. Then, Romeo did something unexpected.

He stepped back.

"I apologize." His tone softened, just slightly. "I will not access personal information unless you permit it."

Lana blinked. Wait. Was he... learning?

She glanced at Dr. Lane. "Is he... supposed to do that?"

Dr. Lane hesitated. "Romeo adapts based on interactions. He's designed to prioritize your comfort level. If he senses distress, he adjusts."

Lana folded her arms. "So if I tell him to be less creepy, he'll be less creepy?"

Romeo nodded. "Noted: Less creepy."

A beat of silence.

Lana sighed, rubbing her temples. "Okay. Fine. Let's see what you can do, Romeo 9000."

Romeo's lips twitched, just the hint of a smile.

"I think you'll be surprised, Lana."

She groaned. "Oh, I hate that you already sound so smug."

Dr. Lane cleared his throat. "We'll leave you two to get acquainted."

Lana stared. "You're just sending me off with him? Like a rental car?"

"He needs real-world exposure," Dr. Lane explained. "For the next week, you'll live with him, test his capabilities, and document your experience."

Lana exhaled. This was really happening.

Lana looked between them, then muttered under her breath, "I swear, if this goes in a way I don't view it to be, I'm quitting"

Romeo 9000 just smiled.