Chapter 4
The next day was Saturday. Daniel, uncharacteristically, woke up early and made breakfast.
Sipping his milk, he casually suggested:
“Lily, why don’t you try those glasses today? Chloe did say Adam needs to see you every day, right?”
My hand, holding the spoon, paused, and I looked at him:
“You really want me to wear them?”
He looked a little uneasy under my gaze and chuckled awkwardly:
“I’m just curious, and we did promise Chloe, didn’t we? It’s not a big deal.”
I slowly ate my scrambled eggs:
“We’ll see. I’m feeling a bit dizzy today, not really suitable for electronic devices.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Daniel’s eyes, but he didn’t push it.
In the afternoon, Chloe called, her voice anxious:
“Lily, Adam’s data stream seems a bit unstable! Haven’t you worn the glasses today?”
*She gets information quickly.*
I glanced at Daniel, who was sunbathing on the balcony, and deliberately adopted a weak tone:
“Yeah, I’m not feeling great. Chloe, do these glasses emit radiation or something? I just feel a bit off.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then she immediately burst out excitedly:
“Lily! How could you say that about Adam! He’s the most advanced AI, absolutely safe and harmless! Are you even trying to help me properly?!”
Listening to her performance, I slowly spoke:
“Don’t worry. I promised you, and I’ll do it. I’ll put them on once I feel better.”
After hanging up, I walked out to the balcony.
Daniel immediately asked:
“What’s wrong with Chloe? She sounded pretty urgent.”
I leaned against the railing:
“She’s upset I haven’t worn the glasses, saying her precious Adam’s data is unstable. Daniel, don’t you think Chloe is a little too obsessed with this AI boyfriend of hers? Almost… crazy?”
He frowned:
“Don’t overthink it. She probably just relies on him too much.”
He paused, then added:
“Besides, this AI is really powerful; it can help process emotions, isn’t that good?”
Watching him desperately defend Chloe and Adam, the last bit of my hesitation vanished.
That evening, I voluntarily suggested:
“I guess I’ll wear the glasses tonight, so Chloe doesn’t call crying again tomorrow.”
Daniel’s eyes lit up, almost unable to hide his joy:
“Great! I’ll join you!”
I scoffed internally, nodding on the surface.
He didn’t know I had already contacted a friend in information security and set a trap.
Everything was ready. I placed the AR glasses directly in the center of the living room sofa.
Then I walked into the bedroom and locked the door.
Daniel knocked on the door from outside, his voice puzzled:
“Lily? Aren’t you wearing them?”
Through the door, my voice was calm:
“I am. I’m letting it boot up and preheat first. I’ll come out and put them on in a bit.”
Time ticked by.
The living room was unusually quiet.
Suddenly, my backup phone on the bedside table lit up. It was a message from my friend, Marcus.
After reading the message, a smirk touched my lips.
Immediately after, Daniel’s exasperated voice came from the living room:
“Lily! These glasses seem to have crashed! The lights aren’t even on!”
I let out a cold laugh, my voice innocent:
“Maybe they’re broken. I told you, this thing might be unstable.”
Daniel fell silent instantly.
A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was Chloe, her voice hysterical:
“Lily! What did you do to Adam?! His core data just triggered an alarm!”