Imperfect Android

Chapter 13

The two entered the elevator.
"So...when did my father get this job?", Teagen asked.
"Only a couple of days ago, but he is making great contributions.", Mr. Gallows answered.
The elevator settled as they reached the floor. Teagen and Mr. Gallows walked through the halls until they reached her father's office. He was sitting in his swivel chair at his desk, his eyes on his work. Mr. Gallows knocked on the wall to get his attention. Her father looked up from the screen with surprise.
"Teagen!", he exclaimed.
"Father!", Teagen exclaimed going to hug him.
"What are you doing here?", her father questioned.
"I...."
"Teagen decided to help me further technology by coming to work here. She is embracing what she truly is.", Mr. Gallows interrupted.
"I didn't know you wanted to do this sort of thing.", her father said scratching his head.
Mr. Gallows flashed Teagen a look that told her not to reveal the decision she had to make and that choosing this path was the only way to avoid suffering.
"I guess I just felt that I needed to do this. I was even given living quarters here so I can help more."
"Okay then. Just be sure to visit home every once and a while.", her father said cracking a smile.
His dirty blonde hair glimmered in the sunlight  from the windows.  Mr. Gallows glanced down at her father's work, looking content.
"I am very impressed with your work.", Mr. Gallows said., "You're a very good accountant indeed, but I would like you to help me with something else. Design perhaps."
"Design?", Teagen's father asked surprised as he adjusted his dark brown glasses.
"Yes.  The new IA7 project."
"Sir, you want ME to contribute to the new androids...I...I have no experience."
"That doesn't matter. I cherish your judgement Jerdin and it's nothing too technical. Just some collaborating.", Mr. Gallows stated., "of course, that also means a raise in your salary."
Teagen's father paused to think.
"Very well. I am honored to be working on such an important project sir."
"So it's a deal.", Mr. Gallows said stretching out his pale hand for Teagen's father to shake.
"Deal."
The two shook hands sealing the agreement. Teagen shifted from foot to foot. A great sense of discomfort hung over her like a cloud.
"Just to make this official, I have a paper for you to sign.", Mr. Gallows said grabbing a small scroll from his pocket.
Teagen's father took a pen from the tin cup on his desk. He uncapped the pen and signed his name, the black ink glistening.
"You start tomorrow.", Mr. Gallows said leaving the room.