Jessica’s fingers trembled as she slipped the prototype smartwatch into her purse. This was silly. Better yet, it was dangerous, but in the heat of the moment, it was also the only thing that felt right. The sheer thrill kept her blood pumping and primed for action.

The hallway outside the lab stretched for too long, giving the impression that she wasn’t moving at all. The bright lights above her head buzzed incessantly like a swarm of angry bees. She hated bees. It was easy to hate something she was terribly allergic to.

Jessica’s pulse hammered in her throat. At times, it was so loud that she swore the security cameras could hear it. “Just act normal,” she told herself, half-expecting an alarm to sound off at any moment. What would she do if that happened? She didn’t know, and wasn’t looking forward to the answer, either.

She took a deep breath and forced her shoulders to relax. To her left, there was a group of engineers talking about a hockey match she wasn’t the least bit interested in. One of them, a man with bright eyes and a childlike smile, stopped sipping his steaming cup of coffee to glance at her.

His name was Kyle, and he had had a crush on her ever since she had started working there as an intern. Jessica was easy to like, with her dark red hair, generous hips, and bubbly personality, but she was also taken. Though she loved the attention she got every day - even from nerds she would never date - she was also as loyal as it gets. Once committed to a relationship, she would never do anything to jeopardize it. Spice was the word of the day.

The watch was worth it. It hummed faintly inside the purse, a vibration so subtle she might have imagined it. Besides being a sophisticated piece of technology, it came with a secret she wanted to explore. The demo video showed test subjects following commands without hesitation, their eyes glazed, and their voices eerily calm. “Mind control,” she clicked her tongue. The words slithered inside her head, as exciting as they were terrifying.

After finally navigating the long corridor, she turned the corner toward the elevators. Marcus from security leaned against the front desk. Though not as obvious as Kyle, he also enjoyed admiring her at every chance he got, and that was to her advantage. His gaze landed on her butt cheeks, and she smiled. “See you Monday,” she said, one step closer to the elevator.

The stainless steel doors opened when she was within three feet’ reach. Almost there.

Jessica stepped into the elevator and exhaled when the doors slid shut without a sound. She pressed the button for the underground parking lot and fiddled with her long brown hair as the square contraption descended. Success was almost assured at this point, and the relief was clear.

When the doors opened again, she bolted out. Her car was parked near the far end of the subterranean lot, and so she broke into a jog to reach it. The sound of her footsteps echoed in the cavernous space.

Without fumbling, she unlocked the driver’s door and slipped inside the car. The vehicle felt like a sanctuary, albeit a temporary one. She dropped her purse onto the passenger seat and stared at it for a moment, as if expecting it to come alive.

Jessica gripped the steering wheel. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done. The watch was still humming faintly, always reminding her of the risk she’d taken. Now, she had to get home.

She turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life. The sudden onslaught of sound startled her, but she quickly shifted into gear and peeled out of the parking spot, the new tires squealing.

The streets were relatively quiet, but every car that passed felt like a potential threat. She glanced at the rearview mirror repeatedly to see if anybody was tailing her. Her mind raced with possibilities she didn’t want to face. What if they already knew? What if they were watching her right now? Jessica shook her head, trying to push the paranoia aside, but it lingered on long after she left her workplace behind. “The hard part is done,” she muttered, eyes fixed on the road.”Now, focus and get home safely.”

A few minutes later, the familiar sight of her apartment building came into view, and she allowed herself to unwind. She pulled into her usual spot and killed the engine, sitting there for a moment in the silence. Her hands were no longer shaking, and her heartbeat had slowed down considerably. She grabbed her purse and stepped out of the car, locking it behind her with a quick press of the fob. 

The walk to her front door was quick and painless, all her past fears gone. The hinges creaked as she pushed the door open. The scent of microwaved pizza rolls hit her immediately. It was Eric’s go-to snack when he was around, and there he was, on the sofa. The TV was on in the living room, some random ads playing in the background.

Eric was wearing sweatpants and a wrinkled T-shirt, with one arm draped over his eyes like he’d been napping. The coffee table in front of him was littered with empty soda cans and a half-finished bag of chips. He blinked and looked at her with the same lopsided grin she found endearing.

“Hey, babe,” he said, stretching his arms and legs. “You’re home early.”
Jessica dangled the purse from her wrist. The smart watch inside felt heavier now. She forced a smile, stepping further inside and kicking the door shut behind her. “Yeah, I am. And you’re busy doing nothing once again, it seems,” she replied harshly.

Eric yawned and scratched his jaw. “Are you mad at me about something?”
She sighed and sank into the couch cushions, right beside him. “No, but this whole unemployment thing is getting old.”

“You’re right,” he replied, his stomach twisting. He was as frustrated about it as she was, but couldn’t move past the stupor. That was why she’d taken the risk, why she’d done what she did. It was for him. Always for him.
Jessica dropped the purse on her lap. The zipper jingled as she tugged it open and pulled the smartwatch out.

“I brought you something. I figured you could use a pick-me-up during these trying days.”

“Oh wow!” Eric’s eyebrows widened as she held the device between her fingers. “It looks fancy.”

The smartwatch gleamed in her hand, its surface polished to a mirror-like finish. The band was sleek and black, made from a new synthetic alloy specifically created for this model. Its weight was substantial, but not to the point of becoming cumbersome. The face of the device was minimalist, with no buttons.

When she lifted it to her eyes, a faint green glow emanated from beneath the surface. The display came alive, projecting a holographic interface that floated inches above the watch face. Rows of text and icons appeared in midair and floated there. The text was small but perfectly legible, written in a classic font that would never stop being elegant no matter how much time had passed.

Jessica traced the edge of the watch with her thumb. There were no visible ports or changing points and no screws either. To the naked eye, it seemed nothing but a seamless curve of glass.

The watch hummed again, a vibration so subtle that it was almost imperceptible. It reminded her of a cat purring after having found its favorite spot for a nap. She turned it over in her hands and noticed the small, circular emblem from which the light appeared to be emanating.

“That is one sexy little thing!” He rubbed his hands as he adjusted his body weight on the sofa. “And they just let you bring this, no questions asked? I thought you were just an intern.”

“They don’t know what I did, and they don’t need to. Not if everything goes right.”

Eric recoiled, surprised by her admission of guilt. 

“What? Are you saying you stole this? Babe, you’re going to get in trouble, and for what? Take it back. Take it back right now!”

Jessica dismissed his concerns. “Not until you try it. I need you to do it, okay? For me.”

“But why? What’s so special about it?”

Jessica swallowed hard. She wasn’t ready to explain it. Not yet. “Please don’t ask any more questions for now, and just put it on. Everything will become clear in time.”

“Are you sure? I really don’t want you to…”

“You’ll need to trust me on this, Eric. You know I only want what’s best for you, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then take it, or my effort will be for naught.”

He reached for it, his hand brushing against hers as he claimed it. The moment his skin made contact with the watch, the holographic interface flickered, the icons shifting and rearranging themselves as though responding to him. Eric’s eyes widened. “Whoa. Did you see that?”

Jessica nodded as he slid the watch onto his wrist. The band adjusted itself automatically, fitting snugly against his skin with a soft click. The holographic display dimmed momentarily before reappearing, this time displaying a single word in bold, glowing letters: Welcome.

Eric grinned, his fingers hovering over the interface. Though conflicted about his girlfriend’s actions, he had no choice but to admire the tech. “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. What does it do?”

“Explore it for a while. I think you’ll be surprised.”

He tapped one of the icons, and the hologram shifted again, projecting a list of options before his eyes. He scanned the text, his expression growing more intrigued by the second.

The watch hummed again, louder this time, and the hologram flickered briefly before stabilizing. Eric tilted his head, his brow furrowing. His curiosity pulled him deeper into the device’s labyrinth of functions.

He tapped another icon, and suddenly the hologram shifted again, this time projecting a series of unfamiliar symbols. “Strange. What’s this supposed to—”
Before he could finish, the watch emitted a sharp, high-pitched hum, and a sudden jolt shot up his arm, like an electric current searing through his veins. He flinched, instinctively pulling his hand back, but the band tightened around his wrist, locking him in place. The hologram flickered violently, the symbols morphing into a single, pulsing command: Comply.

Eric gasped. His head felt heavy, as if it were being crushed by the force of a thousand suns. He blinked, trying to shake the sensation, but it only grew stronger, clouding his thoughts. The hologram shifted again, and the word he saw was: Obey.

“Eric?” Jessica’s voice sounded distant. He turned to look at her, but her face was fuzzy, her features indistinct.

His fingers twitched, his hand drifting back toward the hologram as though guided by an unseen force. He tapped the word, and the watch emitted another, softer hum, this one almost soothing. His shoulders relaxed, the tension in his body melting away. His thoughts were now muffled, as if someone had turned down the volume on his mind.

“Eric?” Jessica asked. “Eric, are you okay?”

He turned to her, his expression blank, his eyes glassy. “I’m fine,” he replied, his tone eerily calm, devoid of its usual warmth. “Everything is fine.”

Jessica was dumbfounded. She hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly, or for the effect to be so... unsettling when seeing it live. 
  
The watch hummed again, louder this time, and Eric’s lips curved into a small, vacant smile. “This is amazing,” he said, his voice flat. “I feel... clear. Like everything makes sense now.”

“Eric, listen to me. You need to…”

“I need to follow your instructions,” he said. His personality had been drained away, replaced by something robotic. “Yes… That’s exactly what I need to do.”
Jessica rose from the sofa, her purse forgotten. She hadn’t thought this far ahead. What was she supposed to do now? She glanced at the watch again, its interface still glowing faintly, the word “Obey” hovering in the air.

“Yes, you must do as I say. As long as you’re wearing that watch, my word is law, so… Um, stand up,” she said hesitantly, testing the waters.

Eric rose to his feet immediately, his movements unnaturally smooth. He stood perfectly still, his arms hanging limply at his sides, his gaze fixed on some point in the distance.

“Okay,” she choked. “Sit down again.”

He obeyed without hesitation, sinking back into the couch as if he were a robot hiding behind a human suit. The watch hummed softly, its vibrations faint but insistent.

“Eric,” she said again, her voice firmer this time. “Can you... Can you talk to me? Like normal?”

He turned his head slowly to look at her, his eyes still glassy. “Yes, my love,” he said, his tone still unnervingly calm. “What would you like to discuss?”

Jessica stared at him. “I’ve been so worried about you, Eric. Ever since you lost your job, it’s like… like you’ve just given up. You’re stuck in this funk, and I can’t stand seeing you like this.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “I did this for you. I thought… I thought it might help.”

Eric tilted his head slightly, his expression unchanging. The faint hum of the watch filled the silence between them. “I understand,” he said calmly, his tone almost clinical. “You want me to be better.”

“Yes,” she whispered, her throat dry. “I just… I need you to try. To get back to being you.”

“I will do as you say,” he responded, his voice flat but filled with certainty. “I will improve.”

Jessica nodded. Her intentions were genuine, but the result felt so hollow… so wrong. She touched his arm. His skin felt warm, but there was no spark, no connection. Just emptiness.

“Maybe…” she started, her voice trembling. “Maybe we should take it off for now. Just… just to see how you feel.”

Eric shook his head slowly, his gaze fixed on hers. “I understand, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. This is what you wanted. This is what I need. I should wear it to see that your will is done.”

The watch hummed louder, its vibrations resonating through the room. Eric’s lips curved into that vacant smile again. “Don’t worry, Jessica,” he said. “Everything will be fine now. Better than fine. Excuse me.”

He walked out of the living room without a word. Jessica watched him go, her face flustered. 

A moment later, she heard the faint click of his laptop opening. Soft keystrokes broke the silence. She peeked into the study to find him sitting at the desk.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Looking for job listings,” he replied. “As you requested.”

Jessica cocked her head. She hadn’t asked him to do that - not explicitly, but the watch seemed to interpret her desires, twisting them into commands.
 
“Do you need any help?”

“No,” he said, his gaze never leaving the screen. “I have everything under control.”

Jessica stared at him, her mind racing. This was what she’d wanted, wasn’t it? For him to take charge, to get his life back on track? But seeing him like this, so cold and detached, made her chest ache. She wondered if she’d made a mistake, if the price of his obedience was too high.

She lingered in the doorway, watching him work. The rhythmic clatter of the keys filled her ears.

Her gaze drifted from his hands to the way his shoulders tensed beneath his wrinkled shirt, the muscles in his forearms flexing as he worked. A slow, wicked thought curled in the back of her mind. If the watch made him obey her every word… well, that didn’t just apply to job hunting, did it?

She bit her lip, heat creeping up her neck. No harm in testing the limits. Just a little fun.

Stepping closer, she let her fingers trail along the edge of the desk, deliberately slow. “Eric,” she murmured, pitching her voice lower.

He didn’t look up. “Yes?”

“Stop what you’re doing and stand up.”

The chair scraped back instantly. He rose, posture unnervingly straight, hands limp at his sides. His eyes fixed on some point past her shoulder, blank as polished glass. A bulge formed between his legs.

“Touch me,” she whispered.

His hands lifted, hovering just above her hips before settling there, warm but hesitant. The watch hummed, a quiet vibration she felt through his skin.
Jessica grinned. Oh, this was going to be fun, after all.

((to be continued))