The party? What party? My mind races with thoughts, like a high-speed train on a convoluted track, desperately trying to untangle the mess in my brain. As the memories drift through my mind, they seem to be fragments of scenes that lack coherence, like a half-finished puzzle with pieces laying around everywhere.I manage to stammer out, "Party? I...uh...got a bit lost, I think."“Lost? In your own house?” Simon chuckles, though it's more of a distorted rumble in my ears. "You're something else, you know that?""Yeah, the king of lost causes," I reply, giving him a lopsided grin."Come on, then," he says, gesturing down the corridor. "Let's get you back to the festivities. You've been MIA for way too long."I follow Simon, feeling like a fish out of water. Or in this case, a man out of reality — or at least out of his reality. As we walk, my surroundings start to make a bit more sense. The hallway seems to stretch on forever, its mechanical decorations dancing in the warm light of the
As Arthur's father concludes his speech, his words hang in the air, their impact sinking deep. Like a burst of energy, the applause erupts like a roaring ocean wave, crashing against the walls and reverberating through every corner. With the sound of clapping ringing in my ears, I follow Simon to a table in the corner. I seat myself while he leaves and comes back with two glasses of what appears to be sparkling wine. I open my mouth to ask him what it is, but he beats me to it. “Oh, what a goddess! I’ll be right back, Arthur,” Simon says, his eyes following a captivating, seductive girl donning a sleek black leather suit and stunning white boots.He abruptly springs out of the shadowy corner where he was seated. Eagerly, he dashes towards her. They share a hug and disappear into the crowd. I stare at the drinks he left on the table and sigh. My eyes gravitate towards the enchanting chandelier suspended above, mesmerizing in its brilliance. However, my focus abruptly shifts as I am
As I sit alone in the kitchen, cupping my coffee mug with gratitude, I can't help but revel in the fact that this world has embraced the holy elixir of life — coffee! Oh, how it warms my heart and jumpstarts my brain, even if the gears of my thoughts have been grinding nonstop lately.But the bags under my eyes aren't just for fashion, oh no. I've been wrestling with a snarl of thoughts, a mental jungle gym I can't seem to conquer.Just as I let out a sigh and ponder the mysteries of caffeine, the kitchen door creaks open. In walks my father, Arthur Ash Sr., with that no-nonsense air of his. His well-tailored steampunk attire exudes confidence, and his pocket watch gleams like an artifact of time itself."Morning, Artie," he greets me, his voice a low rumble reminiscent of a well-oiled machine.I offer him a tired smile and raise my coffee mug in acknowledgment. "Morning, Dad."He goes over to the contraption that's supposed to be a coffee maker and looks at it like he's not really su
Today has been a spectacular showcase of how not to excel at anything. It's like the universe conspired to make every one of my endeavors a glorious failure. I mean, who knew crafting prototype chips could be so intricately baffling? Certainly not me, despite my supposed mastery of... everything. Stella Azure, our esteemed lead scientist, finally had enough and politely escorted me out of her lab."Mr. Ash, I appreciate your enthusiasm," she said, her voice laced with restrained patience, "but it's clear that neither of us has managed to accomplish a single productive thing today. I'm out of working hours, and I have a date to attend to."Date? Interesting. I must admit that the revelation that even a brilliant scientist like Stella has a life outside of gears and gizmos has taken me by surprise. It's not that I'm disappointed; it's just another layer to the enigma that is her. She's hot in a geeky way, so it's no surprise that men like her. I wonder what kind of person she's going
We fall into conversation effortlessly, words flowing like the currents of a hidden stream. Topics shift from the enchantments of magic to the complexities of science, and even to the trivialities of life in this intriguing world. Stella's guarded demeanor starts to unravel, replaced by genuine engagement and curiosity.Amid our banter, a boisterous voice from a nearby table breaks the pleasant hum of the pub. A brash character, clearly reveling in his own tales, directs his attention toward Stella. "Hey, glasses! How about you put down that book and join the living?"I raise an eyebrow at the audacity, glancing at Stella to gauge her reaction. She maintains her composure, but I catch a flicker of irritation in her eyes."Perhaps you should focus on your own living, my good sir," I interject, my tone dripping with dry amusement. "You seem to be in desperate need of a proper education in manners."The man blinks, taken aback by my swift response. Stella's lips twitch, a barely suppres
The magazines, newspapers, and books are now neatly stacked, and the garments have been laundered or folded and stored. Who knew I could be so domestic? I, for one, am really impressed. I never thought I had it in me to organize a living space so efficiently. It feels like a small victory, knowing that everything has its place now. Maybe this newfound domestic side of me will extend to other areas of my life too, like cooking or gardening. Who knows, maybe I'll even surprise myself with some homemade meals or a thriving green thumb!The streetlights throw shadows across the bookcases as Stella works over some papers under her lamp. Her glasses are slightly crooked, giving her a seductive geeky appearance.I yawn loudly, as if I were unable to stifle the sudden wave of exhaustion that washes over me. Though, in fact, I just want to draw her attention. Stella glances up from her papers, and her gaze softens with understanding."You look like you could use some rest," she says. "I think
“Where’s David? Who’s this blonde guy?” Sasha asks as the portal closes behind her. Oh, they don’t recognize me. I almost forgot that I look differently now. It is fortunate, I suppose, that we share a common language.[All worlds inside the Harem Multiverse are speaking the same language by the grace of our Harem Multiverse Goddess]“This guy IS David,” Naomi says, smiling. Her conviction throws me off guard as she looks at me expectantly with her bright eyes. “No muscles this time? Such a waste... Bree approaches the bed and turns her attention to Stella, who is sitting up in bed, staring at the three intruders. “He didn’t waste any time finding a new woman. Judging by his good taste as always, I can believe he’s David.”“You don’t know how much I missed you!” I jump out of bed and reach for Bree, who is the closest, but she keeps me at arm's length. “No, thank you,” she says coldly. “I don’t do hugs. Unless you want to be stabbed.”Then I dart to Sasha. She accepts the hug, froz
Stella’s room went silent as my girls and I waited for the widow to continue.“If you want to hear my story,” Naomi starts, watching how everyone in the room prepares to listen, “I should start from the beginning. I have to warn you, it’s going to be long.”No one answers, just a few nods while I wink to prove my point and nudge her to continue.The widow takes a deep breath, her eyes distant, as she delves into the memories of her past. "My journey begins at the humble abode my family had at the Zhenarian border. We lived a simple life, my parents, my siblings, and I. It was a peaceful existence, filled with love and laughter and a lot of work."She pauses, her gaze fixed on a point in the distance, as if she can still see the images of her childhood home. "I was just ten years old when the great war broke out, a brutal conflict that tore through our lands. The next year, when it ended, the losing army — the enemies of Zhenaria — driven by their rage and desperation, retreated throug