“I’m sorry, Professor. What was the question again?”
“What are the ethical implications of AI on society?”
I thought about it for a minute and then answered, “Barring the potential for misuse, job displacement, and discrimination, we must also consider plagiarism and the impact it’s having on communications and media from journalism to fiction writing. Most people are for AI and believe it enhances society, but I don’t think they’re considering all the aspects of it and what it will do to our future or the human race as a whole. What happens when more people are being displaced by robots in the workplace, and one can’t feed their hungry child or afford to pay their bills? More and more people will turn to crime to support themselves.”
I continued with my answer and then listened to a few other students. Before I knew it, class was over. I wanted to go to her, but I couldn’t. Other students swarmed her to ask questions, andalthough I took my time packing up, Carlos Bryant hung around a little longer. He flirted with her, and she dismissed all his efforts, keeping it professional.
I was pissed and wanted fuck that nigga up, but I knew if I did, that would raise suspicion. It fucked with me that I couldn’t be with her in public the way I wanted to. I needed her, and keeping my distance wasn’t helping.
I glanced at her, and she looked up at me. She gave a subtle shake of her head, so I turned and headed out of her room and on to my next class. The day dragged on, but when the evening finally arrived, it seemed like it took forever for her to arrive at my place.
Although I was tired of sneaking around, and I wanted to take her out in public on a real date, I respected her right to privacy and to protect her job. Koi was the type of woman who was independent and enjoyed shaping minds and making a difference. It wouldn’t matter if I told her to walk away from the university, and I would take care of her; she would never do it.
I looked around my apartment and made sure everything was the way I wanted it to be. When the doorbell rang, I took one final look before I opened the door.
“Hey, sorry I was running late. Professor Jimenez needed me to?—”
Koi’s mouth dropped open as she looked around my apartment after stepping inside. “What is all this?” she asked.
Bouquets of sunflowers were on every viable surface, and I had erected a tent in the middle of my living room. Fairy lights were strung up around the tent, and flower petals created a walking path from the front door to the tent.
“I’ve been trying to get you to Tahini’s, but you’ve declined my invitation. So, since I couldn’t get you there, I decided to bring Tahini’s to you. Only I did one better, baby.”
“What’s that?”
“I cooked myself.”
“You’ve been saying that you can cook. Let me see what you’re working with.”
“Come inside,” I invited, holding the tent panel open. We usually ordered out, or she cooked for us.
“Let me wash my hands really quick.”
I waited until she returned and then held the panel open again. When Koi stepped inside, she turned to me with watery eyes. “Salem. Oh my God, why do you have to be so freaking sweet? Nobody’s ever done anything this nice for me before. You’re so creative.”
I had run out and grabbed a low table along with a charpai for us to sit on.
“You even bought a thali to serve our food on,” she stated, gesturing at the round metal platter.
“I wanted everything to be as authentic as possible,” I explained as I took her hand and helped her sit down. I moved across from her and instantly served our food.
“How did you know what to make?”
“I’ve heard you talk about Chicken Tikka Masala and how much you love it. So I decided to add some biryani, butter chicken, naan, and samosas. I figured I couldn’t go wrong with that meal.”
“Not at all, sir.”
She lifted her fork to her mouth to taste the Chicken Tikka Masala and then closed her eyes. When she moaned the way she did, I instantly grabbed my dick and squeezed it hard.
“Fuck,” I grumbled.
“What’s wrong?”
“Baby, don’t make that sound unless I’m buried deep inside of you.”
She covered her mouth with her eyes wide and then giggled. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’ma take that as a compliment to the chef.”