Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Brittle Glass

Chapter 88:

Brittle Glass

London, in the year XX18. A historic city from many years ago, now changed with the Eco-Conversion. Many historic sites were preserved, but much of its history overwritten with the coming of the new era. Most buildings remade with the newest technology, but what could be preserved, was preserved.

Cobble streets still decorated parts of the city, with the same slanted houses and roofs, but now hidden beneath the towering pristine buildings of metal and foliage. Neon signs lit the way as the sun didn't reach down on the ground in those areas. Tourists had to be careful if you went looking for the old buildings. People go missing all the time, and crime runs rampant.

So much of my information came from documentaries. I loved learning about history...at least when it was on my time. School was never my favorite. I was behind many of the kids due to my stay in the hospital, and it was overall not fun. Bullies and homework being the main culprit.

Our destination, however, was not the hidden historic marvels, but a landing pad in the center of the city. With our arrival, we were hungry and wished to eat. Reservations were made ahead of time, ready for when we arrived.

As always, I felt out of place. It was high end dining, high in the sky as was the proclivity of the rich. Even in this era they loved to look down at those beneath them. That never changed. The higher they were, the more important they felt. Which left me beneath them in their eyes.

A new city, new people, and a new take on what is accepted and what isn't. All except me passed the "vibe check" as they used to say back in the day. "What kind of cringe saying is that? A different time, I suppose..." The stares as I entered was tempered with those I was surrounded with.

A mixture of awe and disgust. Hidden behind their fans or the veiled hats. Sleek, high-quality outfits identified them as high society. Cyberware evident in some of their eyes and shining in gold upon their skin. Even the rich partook in cybernetics. Only the best cyberware, of course.

"...This is awkward." Walking between everyone, I was the center of attention for not only the girls, but also the eyes of the diners. A lounge restaurant. People stood, sat, and partook of the bar. A group of particularly posh individuals looked on like vultures, and as we passed, they spoke just enough so we could hear.

"Yeah, I heard they let anyone in here nowadays," A man with a thick mustache, shaved head, and golden cybernetics spoke to his compatriots, "It's a shame, but we'll have to find another place to meet."

"Oh-ho~, you're quite right, Edgar," A woman hid a light laugh behind the back of her hand.

Dark brown hair tied up underneath her veiled hat, she had cybernetic blue eyes that glowed as we passed. There were about three others with them, all dressed well and with amused expressions on their faces. Standing near the bar, they looked on with concealed contempt.

"I hear charity is alive and well," One man, his blonde hair slicked back, no cyberware to be seen, chimed in, "They say that the well-off take in urchins from the street. I could never!"

"Ha! I perish the thought!" Another woman, her red hair vibrant as it twisted into a beautiful bun, golden cyberware lines running from her eyes all the way down her neck, "Well, someone must do it. The poor sods..."

She held a slight Irish accent.

"Quite right, Saoirse!" The man named Edgar chimed in, "Quite right you are!"

A chill went up my spine as their veiled insults drew the attention of the girls. Scarlett held my arm, hers wrapped around it, with a calm smile, but underneath grew a storm. Alana and Sadia both hid deathly glares towards them. Rosa seemed annoyed, but the worst of all was Cecelia.

There was no anger upon her face. Only a smile as cruel and beautiful as anything I had ever seen. The glint in her eye as she turned towards them held amusement. There was always a point past anger. A point where you become calm. If the other four were the storm, she was the eye. Calm and with a purpose, she paused for a moment.

"Excuse me a moment, my love," Her smile sent a pleasurable shiver through me, "I must meet some old acquaintances..."

"Ah...so she knows them," I watched as she walked over to them. The sway of her hips with each purposeful step drew me in. Their eyes turned towards her as she approached.

"Oh! Ms. Ishikawa-Alden!" Edgar exclaimed in greeting, addressing her as if she were single, "I had no idea you were in England!"

"Yes...I just arrived," She smiled, ice to her words, "I came with my family. I'd like to introduce you to someone."

You are reading story Cyber Heart at novel35.com

Turning her attention to me, I felt my heart skip a beat as she reached her hand to me. Scarlett pushed me gently to get me going. Sheepishly, I found myself blushing in embarrassment the closer I got. As I arrived, she placed her arm around my shoulder and held me close.

"This is Alex," Her tone loving as she said my name, "My Husband. So, it's Mrs. Williams now. Alex, this is Edgar. A CEO of Mech-Tech. One of the biggest weapons manufacturers in the world."

They all seemed to baulk when they heard I was her husband. A nervousness entering their eyes. Edgar, however, quickly regained himself.

"One of? Oh, you're being modest," Edgar chuckled, the contempt in his eyes as he looked upon me poorly hidden, "We're the biggest."

"Oh? If I'm not mistaken..." Cecelia got that smug look in her eye, the one that caused my knees to go weak, "Last quarter Ishikawa-Alden Corp secured the African Alliance contract. Outbidding Mech-Tech. Our tech has proven vital to the continued peace the Alliance has had over the last several years."

Edgar's jaw clenched as his companions shifted awkwardly. "It seems there's some truth in that..." I marveled at how easily she could maneuver even in these situations. I was completely out of my element.

"Edgar..." Saoirse placed a hand upon his arm, her voice sounded nervous, and as she looked towards me, her eyes held concern, "We should go. Our reservations? It was...nice meeting you, Mr...?"

"Ah, uhm...Alex is fine," I smiled the best I could, "But...Mr. Alden works."

"...Very well, Mr. Alden," Her eyes shifted to Cecelia, "It was a pleasure, but we really must be going. Edgar, Kenneth, all of you. Let's go."

"R-Right," Edgar cleared his throat, adjust himself, holding himself with pride, "We must be off. The sky-lounge is waiting. I hear the view from its glass floors is amazing."

"Yes," Cecelia smiled, her arm tightening around me, "I hear it's to die for. Do be careful. Glass floors like that...I never trusted them."

"That girl...Saoirse," Cecelia whispered, almost disappointed, "Such a shame. She was always a keen one. I had big expectations for her. To throw it all away now..."

There was actual sadness in Cecelia's voice, the first I ever heard when it came to another.

"So...why not leave her?" I asked softly.

"My love..." Cecelia took my face in her hands, forcing me to look at her, "She insulted you. Agreed you were a charity case. I don't care for her reasons."

"But..." I couldn't compete with the burning look Cecelia gave me, "A-Alright...Let's eat."

-----

Escorted to our table, we were sat down to some light music that played softly over the crowd. The room was filled with large, circular tables covered in pristine white cloth. Set with candelabras and a beautiful flower arrangement center piece. While I received some looks, there was a certain air of "If he's here, he belongs" which was quite new to me.

Most looked on with curiosity. It was as if this particular section of the restaurant held some class that others just didn't have. A respectful curiosity. As I looked around, a lot of the people here were moderately dressed as well. Casual wear was the normal, and I began to wonder if Cecelia chose this place because of me.

The atmosphere was calmer than the lower floors. The lighting cozy, and the music washing over us made for a very pleasant atmosphere. So pleasant, that the sound of crashing glass, followed by the screams of several people wasn't enough to sully the mood. Though others got up to look on in horror, we stayed seated.

The glint of red hair, a bald head, blonde hair, and a veiled hat flew by the window and onlookers. Cecelia reached for my hand, squeezing it lovingly as she took a sip of her champagne. "Yanderes...I don't know how they get things done, but it's better not to ask." Smiling sheepishly, I drank from my own cup, trying to cool my burning heart.

-----

You can find story with these keywords: Cyber Heart, Read Cyber Heart, Cyber Heart novel, Cyber Heart book, Cyber Heart story, Cyber Heart full, Cyber Heart Latest Chapter