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We entered the facility, and I must say, serious money was really spent on this place. My mind wandered at the wonders of gadgets, equipment, machines, and tools in the facility, as well as the highly sophisticated decorations from the first floor to the third where she brought me.

“You may have a seat over there, sir, and someone will attend to you shortly,” she said.

I smiled and went to take my seat as the mysterious lady walked away. I was scared at first, but somehow I felt… ah… nothing was going to happen. In the end, they might even give me a job as a cleaner. ‘I don’t mind.’

Shortly after Amanda left, an even more beautiful lady than Amanda walked up to me.

“Hello!”

“Hello!”

“You must be the young handsome man Amanda told me about.”

She smiled and offered her hand for a handshake.

“Oh, yes, I am.”

I shook her hand, smiling and feeling excited as I was called handsome by this divine creature.

“Alright. I am Ms. Monica Andrews, and I will walk you through how this works. What is your name, by the way?”

“Dominic, ma’am. I am Dominic Williams.”

I gave her my name, leaving out my native name so I could sound sophisticated.

She explained what the facility does: you get placed in a machine, but before that, you explain to them a fantasy world and life you want to visit or live in; then they design the world according to your prompt, and thereafter you are artificially sent there. This is done by connecting you mentally to the machine. It’s like you’re dreaming, but you’ll have memories of the experiences in the other world.

I loved the idea, but I told them no, as I had no money to try it out.

“Oh, no, Mr. Dominic. You can have this chance. Actually, we make it free for all first-timers. We let them experience it briefly and then leave them to decide if they want to try again or not. And believe me, no one has ever turned it down.”

She assured me, smiling and holding my hand softly. I smiled back, nodding in agreement. What did I have to lose? After this, I’ll probably have to leave since I don’t have money.

She led me to a room. I noticed there were several rooms and sections. Each floor represented the caliber of people who wanted to try out the facility. I saw well-dressed men and women, even people around my age. I was amazed that people could actually be here. I was going through the price list she gave me as she asked me to take a seat in the new room we entered. My floor was termed ‘Level 1’; the sessions ranged from 30 minutes to 24 hours. An hour on Level 1 was 50 grand. I was really shocked at how expensive this was. Something that wasn’t even real.

“Please, Mr. Dominic, lie there gently and take off your shirt and wristwatch.”

I quickly removed the items and returned to my previous position. I noticed her handing a file to the guy operating the machine. I suspected that was my story for my fantasy world. Shortly after the guy made some inputs on the machine, I was asked to lay still. I was injected with something I didn’t recognize, and I felt dizzy. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was entirely in another realm.

I found myself standing in front of a beach house with decorations around a sign that said ‘Welcome to Ardentia.’ I entered and was greeted with the existence of a mesmerizing world. I could feel the vibrant dreams intertwine with the ethereal; standing on the threshold of this enchanting realm, where desires and passions are embraced.

As I approached the center of Ardentia, I could find people just as I described in my story. I couldn’t believe this. It was so real. I could interact and touch them. I could even taste the wine. This is unbelievable. As I moved further, I was instantly surrounded by an aura of adoration. The air was filled with an intoxicating blend of laughter and joy, for I was truly cherished here. Beautiful girls with captivating smiles and twinkling eyes gravitated towards me, their presence an ever-present source of delight. They danced and celebrated, their laughter echoing through the realm, as I found myself at the center of a whirlwind of exuberant festivities.

Amidst the revelry, the coastal breezes caressed my skin, carrying with them the intoxicating scent of the soft sandy beaches that stretched along the horizon. These picturesque shores, adorned with colorful seashells and kissed by the gentle waves, provided a soothing refuge for my soul. I could feel the warm grains of sand beneath my feet, their comforting texture inviting me to relax and unwind.

I felt on top of the world. I never knew I could enjoy such luxury. Even though it was just a fantasy, it was indeed real, and I was glad I tried it out.

Within the realm of Ardentia, a haven awaited me. I was ushered into a master bedroom of unrivaled elegance and sophistication. Here, the ambiance was one of refined luxury, designed exclusively for those with discerning tastes. The room exuded a tranquil atmosphere, adorned with plush furnishings and sumptuous fabrics that invited you to immerse yourself in absolute comfort.

“Oh Lord!!! This is surely heaven. Wow, I never knew such a facility existed with this kind of super treatment.”

As I explored further, I discovered that Ardentia was a realm that celebrated pleasure in all its forms. It was a place where the exploration of sensuality was embraced, and desires were met with open arms. Within these magical lands, you were free to engage in intimate connections, weaving bonds of passion and affection that transcended the ordinary.

And, of course, in Ardentia, the indulgence of the senses was paramount. You could indulge in the finest delicacies and savor the flavors that tantalized your taste buds. Whether it was the finest wines, exquisite dishes prepared by masterful chefs, or the most decadent desserts imaginable, your every craving was catered to, ensuring that your journey through this fantastical world was one of unabashed delight.

I was deeply astonished. ‘Omo,’ I didn’t waste time; I approached some of the attractive people hovering around me like vultures. They didn’t even complain or try to refuse. I was scared before, but then I remembered, this is my story, my plot.

In Ardentia, where dreams were born and desires were realized, I was surrounded by love, adoration, and an atmosphere of celebration. The soft beaches, the sophisticated sanctuaries, the companionship of beautiful girls, and the sumptuous feasts all merged together to create a fantasy world that embodied pleasure, warmth, and enchantment.

I was about to approach the fifth lady who had brought me a glass of champagne, but I opened my eyes to reality.

“Chai, nawa o… even this thing I thought I’d enjoy didn’t last.”

I sighed in disappointment.

“Oh, don’t be disappointed, Mr. Dominic.”

Ms. Monica approached me, rubbing my back.

“You might not have noticed, but the time over there and our time here is different. We allocated 30 minutes in the fantasy world for you, but in

real time, it’s been over 2 hours.”

“What? You mean I was in a dream world for over 2 hours?”

I couldn’t believe the difference. I was asking myself why it wasn’t 30 minutes in real life and 2 hours in the other world.

“It’s alright, Mr. Dominic. Our technology can manipulate the perception of time. You might have experienced hours there, but it’s only been a short while here.”

She reassured me, and it started making more sense.

“It’s alright, Ms. Monica. I get it now. I must say I enjoyed every bit of the other world. It was incredible.”

“We’re glad you did, Mr. Dominic. You could enjoy it even more if you spice up your story next time and add mind-blowing features. We can help you with that.”

She smiled charmingly, and I was completely drawn into accepting her suggestion.

“Of course, Ms. Monica. I will definitely come again, but I’m afraid the fee is beyond me. I cannot afford it.”

“It’s alright, Mr. Dominic. Anytime you can, we’re here.”

I took my leave, feeling a bit sad that I might not be able to return soon due to the cost. When I reached the entrance, I ran into Amanda, who was seeing some clients off.

“Hey, Mr. Dominic, how was your first experience?”

“Oh, it was out of this world. I really enjoyed myself; I wished it wouldn’t end.”

“Oh, really? You can always come back again.”

She smiled, rubbing my shoulders. I felt her soft palm on me and I fell in love.

“Yeah, I would love to, but sadly, I cannot afford it.”

I shared my story with her, and she took pity, assuring me she would help if I came by again. I thanked her and left joyfully, headed home to my reality of struggling and hunger. I hoped Stevo would come through for me tonight because this last garri would not go a long way at all.

Click To Continue The Story……