11 Taking a Bath with the Doll

When they got home, it was already 10 in the evening. Evan sighed deeply as he opened the door, tapping the light switch on.

Eternity, having the common sense to remove her shoes before entering, went ahead and dove onto the sofa. Evan sighed again, pulling his shoes off before following her toward the living room.

"That was tiring!" Eternity's voice was muffled as she buried her face in her newly bought pillow made of duck feathers, the wrapper still intact.

"You could at least remove the plastic before using the pillow," Evan pointed out.

Eternity raised her head from the pillow.

"Oh, that's why it's uncomfortable," she said, ripping out the plastic cover without much finesse.

She tip-toed towards the trashcan and threw the plastic away before returning to the sofa immediately. She hugged the soft pillow to her chest, giggling like a child.

"Help me set aside your things, at least before you laze around." He shook his head in annoyance, setting all the shopping bags on the kitchen counter.

"Oh, I apologize." Eternity finally calmed down from her shopper's high (which she didn't even pay for), setting the pillow on the sofa before following Evan into the kitchen. She grabbed the shopping bags and asked, "Where should I place them?"

"There are three extra rooms in this flat. You choose where you want your room to be."

Eternity looked dejected.

Evan raised an eyebrow.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Eternity bit her lips, eyeing him before quickly looking away in embarrassment. "I thought we would be sharing a room…"

Evan dropped the things he was unpacking onto the cold, wooden floor.

Such innocence made him want to cry.

He immediately regained his composure and picked up the things on the floor before placing them back on the countertop.

"I know you need your privacy--" Evan started.

"I don't," she answered bluntly.

He 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 it. "I need my privacy, Eternity."

She pouted, her face turning slightly red as she crossed her arms like a little kid.

"If that's what you wish," she said begrudgingly.

"That's a good girl." Evan patted her on the head, and she beamed brightly at him.

"Well then," she said, turning around, shopping bags in hand. "I'll be taking the bedroom next to yours!"

Evan nodded.

It didn't take them much time to put Eternity's things in order.

By midnight, they were already done. Eternity already had a room that she could proudly proclaim as her own. Although she preferred sharing a room with him, it felt like she was her own person now that she had her space.

"I'll be taking a bath now," Evan said, finding it odd that he had to say it aloud now that he was not the only one staying in this apartment.

"Please tell me when you're done," she replied in return.

"Want me to draw you warm water as well?"

"How kind of you!" Eternity fluttered her eyelashes.

"Out of character," Evan said, rolling his eyes.

She giggled. "Yes, Evan, that would be lovely!"

Evan formed a slight curve—his version of a smile—before turning his back to head toward the bathroom.

***

Evan soaked himself in the bathtub with a towel on his head.

Water overflowed from the bathtub due to Archimedes' principle.

The water was warm, not scalding, but comforting enough—just the right amount of heat on this tiring day.

He sighed.

How many sighs did he release today?

Eternity was truly troublesome, but he didn't mind that much for some reason.

He has yet to know a lot of things about her.

One of the few things he did know about her was that she came from a country he had never heard of and was an advanced robot-like being capable of analyzing and absorbing knowledge from her surroundings.

Out of nowhere, the bathroom door slid open.

Shit, he must've forgotten to close it since he was so used to living alone.

Eternity emerged, wearing a soft cotton towel covering her petite body.

"Evan," she said. "Mind if I join you?"

Evan closed his eyes, angrily rubbing his temples.

"I do mind. But since you're already here, you might as well."

Eternity's moss-green eyes widened in delight.

She hurriedly positioned herself between Evan's legs, the water overflowing again. She rested her back on Evan's chest, which he didn't mind. She made this cute little sound, akin to gentle chimes in his ears.

"Don't worry, I will refrain from touching you inappropriately."

"Thank you for the reassurance," Evan said sarcastically.

She must've not sensed his tone because she only smiled widely in response. What a weird girl she is. Or doll, he supposed.

They both sat there in silence, not in awkwardness but in comfort. Evan was glad that Eternity wasn't the excessively talkative female type; then again, he 'ingrained' in her to have a shy personality, so it must be why.

"Evan?"

There you go…

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for accepting me."

"Where is this coming from?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I just thought you must have such an intense dislike for women, yet you didn't throw me away."

Evan was at a loss for words. Honestly, he didn't know why he got so easily attached to her. Yes, she was merely an imitation of a woman, but she was still one.

Evan buried his face in her fluffy hair, inhaling her scent.

Good Lord, she smelled like vanilla. He wanted to ravage her right then and there, but he'd stop himself from doing so.

He, after all, was the one who insisted on being chaste for now.

He didn't want to break his word like an untrustworthy man (even though Eternity would've loved it if he did).

"What have you done to make me so mercilessly enchanted by you?" He found himself muttering.

"Pardon?" She turned to look at him with her wide green eyes. Such a lovely creature she indeed was.

"It's nothing," Evan says before grabbing her by the chin.

He moved much closer before dipping his head to devour her lips. She gave out a surprised moan but complied anyway.

Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and allowed herself to be swept away. And that's precisely what Evan did. They entangled their tongues together before Eternity softly bit his and gave it a soft suckle.

She will be the death of me!

He grabbed her by the back of the neck and deepened the kiss. She tasted so good. So delightful.