When morning came to wake up the world with its radiant sun, darkness was replaced by light and all the living things happily welcomed the new day. Just like how nature carried out its cycle without interruptions, a similar routine for Emilia took place.
Wake up.
Dress up.
Eat up.
And get an earful of chides from her parents.
This was a special day, or at least that was what her parents had said, but to her, it was just another boring day of work. Apparently, it was the senator's son's birthday and his father had decided to make it all the more special by requesting the popular machine, also given the name Emilia.
Arriving at the scene, the commotion was loud and noisy, turns out it was more than just a birthday party after all. It is to be expected, of course, that the senator would invite all the popular figures to attend his son's special day. Screams of idle laughter defined the place; along with, the loud chatter of people getting acquainted with each other. Rounds of drinks were being passed around; in addition to, an open buffet that stretched across a long table. People of different statuses occupied the area, all excited to witness the awaited event of the year.
Emilia followed her parents without a voice as they shook hands with the people present. With a blank expression on her face, all she wished for was an end to this parade. A waste of money, she thought. She just wanted to get it over with.
The awaited birthday boy finally appeared to steal the spotlight. He stood on the little stage that was installed and thanked the crowd for attending. A group of girls and boys flanked either side of him while happily chatting among themselves.
Bodyguards? Emilia pondered the thought.
Maybe maids and butlers?
Or are they children of other famous people too?
When the moment the entire crowd had been waiting for arrived, it was time for Emilia to shine. The people's cheers all came to an abrupt stop when the light spot transferred over to her. The charming boy motioned over to the young people around him and they all proceeded to form a pose unique of their own. The girls rested one knee on the ground with a bright smile towards the cameras; while on the other hand, the guys linked their arms behind each other's shoulders and focused their sight towards the lenses.
Friends, they were his friends. The thought came crashing down on Emilia like a heavy rain pour. A pang of jealousy struck her feelings and envy rippled through her miserable form as she took notice of the happy features that coated their faces. How nice would it be to have a friend to lean on, was Emilia's last thought before she wiped away her thoughts. An audible gulp was the only evidence of her now concealed sentiment.
Slowly, with her eyes downcast, she used her left hand to take off the gloves she had worn to reveal the metal hand hidden underneath. Divorced from feelings, she fixed her vision to the ground. She refused to look up and meet their shocked expressions, having well memorized the responses that were often thrown her way. Women often expressed feelings of sorrow when they see her, and that is what Emilia wanted to avoid the most. Because she noticed that other women feel sorry for her while her own mother doesn't.
The girl focused on getting her job done and over with as quickly as possible. Next, she proceeded to remove the eye patch that concealed her right eye.
The moment Emilia lifted her face, the lens embedded in her eye flashed craving pictures of the scene that was being played. All aspects of the picture were taken into consideration, the lighting, the angle, the position, and the content.
The cameramen strived to record the live show, alternating from the birthday boy's actions to Emilia's.
Her right hand moved swiftly against the canvas that was provided for her. The pencil was skillfully being used to draw a delicate piece of art. A rough sketch was done in a matter of seconds with the use of her hand; after all, it was designed for this purpose.
Her presence was all a part of a play her parents were controlling with invisible strings. Being present at the sight of the incident was all a show to boast about. That is what you can expect the least when you are born into a high social status family.
Her job included three different parts; first, a live sketch of the scene, second, a painted picture of the actions that took place which usually takes some time, and lastly, a printed frame of the picture she took using her eye.
Years had passed since her new birth and Emilia was used to it by now. She was reborn to be solely devoted to the talents her parents forced on her. She wasn't given a chance to oppose; didn't even have a say in all the things that were forced upon her life.
The show ended and the group of close bonded individuals resumed their fun activities. A soft melody was introduced to the air and everyone strived to take place on the dancing floor. It goes without a saying that the priority was given to the senator's son and his friends. The group formed pairs of girls and boys then started moving to the beat of the music. No doubt other plans were ahead of them to create the perfect day for these friends, but that was the last thing Emilia had glanced at before turning around and shutting herself away from the world.
This is the girl her parents had shaped; a robot that cannot be labeled a human, even though she is one. But, without feelings, without emotions, and without sentiment, a human is no longer a human.