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Cheryl sighed when she opened the box-like structure of the AI book. A tiny packet of coffee powder lay inside.

Taking a goblet which she had filled with hot sweetened milk, she tore the packet to sprinkle the coffee and mixed until the addicting smell arose.

She tossed the empty packet into the fireplace, leaving no trace of plastic in the fourth century BCE.

"Ah, I can't go on without you, my love," she kissed the goblet to sip the sweet coffee in the winters of Babylon. Sitting by the windowsill, she gazed at the beautiful garden of the sixth floor of the palace, as the Sun's rays peaked through the cloudy sky.

Coretta had already left for Romanos because the ruler had some important work.

Her thoughts drifted to what she had witnessed outside the temple of Ishtar.

Initially, she had stood there with Lorenzo to make sure who had taken her dear bestie. And had planned already that Lorenzo would tackle that man in a combat, while she would pull Coretta out of the mess, and send her safely back to her lodgings.

But what she saw was the ruler of Romanos hugging her weeping friend.

At first, she couldn't believe it. It was like a lion soothing a lamb, literally. She had pestered Lorenzo to go face the ruler because she feared what he might do to her friend.

But Lorenzo was already on his way to a heart attack.

And what will I say? That I'm her brother?! You can slap me all you want, Cheryl, But I'm Not Going There! I don't wish to die so soon. Please! He had wailed.

Furious, she had stepped ahead on the porch to defend Coretta as her sister, only to see the ruler hugging her. And she had instantly dashed back in the temple.

Now she pondered over it. Maybe he wasn't bad? Then again, it was only Coretta who knew what type of person he was.

It was natural to be curious about the mysterious ruler. She'd talked about him with Aarmen and Lorenzo, only to learn they were scared stiff at his mention.

Since the moment she'd seen him in Concubine's association and Dionysus festivities, she couldn't shake the feeling that he looked like someone she knew. For that, it was necessary to have a clear long look of his face, but she hadn't got the chance.

There was one member still left who had to give his views about him.

Calling Dunkin...

"Hey, Donut-" she started.

"No. Lorenzo didn't send me another drunken sext meant for you." Came the reply.

Her cheeks flamed. She couldn't believe she made such a stupid boyfriend.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat, "What about your marriage with Coretta? How much have you guys planned out?"

The receiver end was silent for a while. Then she heard him sigh, "It's not that easy as it sounds..."

"Bullshit," she clicked her tongue, "You both were pro at faking your gf-bf relationship during the preparation of the project."

When he said nothing, she continued, "And what about the kisses? You guys kissed and cuddled too."

"Cheryl..." he groaned, "That was just us touching our noses and mumbling 'Stay away from my personal space'. Throw in a giggle and you thought we were in love."

Wow, they really were a pro, she thought, amused.

"Why didn't she fall for you, though?" She wondered aloud, counting on her fingers, "You are intelligent, funny, flirty, athletic build. You are a full package, Dunkin!"

"Thank you for boosting my ego, and there's something called platonic buddies too, Lol-a," he chuckled, "I and Cors happen to be the best example."

"Oh man, salute to both of you, cause I don't have such resisting skills," she grinned, "Now tell me something about... Julian Romanowski."

He was writing his AI book as he spoke, but stopped at the question, "OTT alpha male," he deadpanned.

Cheryl giggled, "Sure, he looks like one but isn't, I suppose? I think he has developed a soft spot for our Cors."

"Well, dunno 'bout that. All I know is, he looked close to mauling the shit outta me when he saw me." He moved a hand through his bald head and gulped.

She held her breath at the similar opinions of the guys. Everyone was afraid of him. While her dear Coretta was handling it all so well. She wiped her imaginary tears. She couldn't be prouder of her bestie!

She joked some more, telling how lucky he was to live in the temple underground quarters, where it was cool during the summers and warm in winters.

"And one more thing," Dunkin said before she could disconnect, "Did you and Loren really visit Aphrodite's one-night stand club?"

That had her rolling in laughter, that she was about to fall into the garden outside, "Have some... r- respect for the temple of Ishtar... you Remun Ra!" She said between fits of laughter.

Placing the emptied goblet on the windowsill, she sighed. Though she knew how Coretta worked, rejecting guys left and right when she was focused on the project.

It was then she had decided to fake it because Dunkin was in the same situation.

Also, it wasn't the right time to fall in love with someone when they'll be leaving for the mission that would take years to complete.

She hoped Coretta's resistance value didn't break now when it was needed the most.

But there was only so much a person could resist.

Not to mention, ancient men like Mr. Armani didn't go for sexy women who could match them. They went for sweet, soft, easily spooked women like baby Cors.

She bit her lip in distress. More than herself, she was tensed about Coretta because undoubtedly; she had to live here longer. Covering about Julian and Romanos as much as possible.

Coretta must use Julian's softness to her advantage instead of drowning in unwanted emotions.

The door to the room opened and entered an exhausted Alexander, rubbing his temple as he tossed the scrolls he carried, onto his desk.

"Greetings, my Lord," Cheryl spoke softly and walked up to him to help remove the armour he wore. Unclasping the metal caskets from his wrists, she helped him into his rich overcoat and placed the armours in the cupboard, while he slumped on the bed.

He threw his head back and closed his eyes, pressing his shoulders for the stiffness to go. She quickly climbed behind him on the bed and started massaging his shoulders.

"Ah, thanks Lola," Alexander sighed, relishing in the skilful hands of his concubine. He cracked his neck side to side then laid back, so his head rested on her lap.

Though he was an easy-going man, Cheryl knew never to tell him what to do. People who didn't approve of him and imposed their views were at the endpoint of his wrath.

So instead of telling not to overwork himself, she gently asked, "How was your day, my Lord?" she weaved her hands through his orange blonde hair.

"The usual," he mumbled, keeping an arm over his eyes, "Just wondering how long would it take to unite Europe and Asia..."

It was Alexander's dream to make Eurasia, to unite the people of both continents. He had conquered southern Europe and most of the Middle East, but he didn't know this dream of his wouldn't come true.

"I don't know that, but... I know one thing," she smiled down at him, "More than Alexander III of Macedon, the world will remember you by Alexander the Great."

It was a natural thing. Everyone automatically called him Alexander the Great, when his actual name was something else.

"So sure, Lola?" He removed his arm to look up at her, "It's as if you've travelled to the future to know this," he smirked.

Her breath hitched when he pushed himself up to stare at her. Two of his fingers tilted her face up to look at him.

Cheryl was mesmerised by his eyes. She had read that Alexander had heterochromia iridum, a condition where one of his eyes was blue, the other brown.

But watching it up close was exhilarating. She was so lost in those beautiful mismatched eyes that she didn't realise he had leant forward to close his lips on hers.

She closed her eyes, sinking in the feel. Alexander held the back of her neck to bring her closer, and she clutched the collar of his robe, losing herself in the moment.

They kissed as long as the breath would allow, after which they detached, breathing heavily against each other's forehead.

"You have to continue... my favourite book tonight. Remember?" He breathed out, smiling.

"Iliad?" Cheryl asked back, and he nodded.

"From the part where... Hera took Aphrodite's help to... seduce Zeus," he grinned between breathlessness from the kissing high, as he stared into the dazed grey eyes of his concubine.

"Yes... my Lord," she smiled, and with another kiss, Alexander left her to walk back to his desk for inspecting the scrolls.

Oh, how she would brag about kissing the greatest conqueror ever!

Cheryl laughed to herself. Who knew the long-ass text she loathed in her literature class was Alexander's favourite book. He loved reading and listening to it on repeat. Sometimes, even keeping a copy of that book under his pillow as he slept.

Though she was writing about him,

Her research topic had a limited scope.

The world already knew much about him, and she had to be careful not to write already known stuff.

She had cleverly found ways to ask him in-depth questions. Most fruitful were the times when he was drunk and she'd expertly inquire about things he blurted in drunkenness.

There was one time when he had caught her writing her book. When he didn't understand the English written in it, she had softly told him that it was her prayer book where she wrote verses to her God.

Cheryl turned to face the window, bringing up her knees to rest her chin on them. It was close to 330BCE now. Four years since they came here. As much as she wanted to deny the fact, she had to accept it.

That her time in this century was coming to an end.

Over the years, she had written about every possible thing. Even these Hanging Gardens that didn't have a trace left in the twenty-first century, and the statue of Zeus at Olympia.

It was yet another destroyed wonder of the ancient world, and she was lucky to see it when Olympias had taken the concubines to Greece once to worship the God of Gods.

But now, Alexander was growing fond of her, and that would create a problem.

Within three years, he was to marry his wife Roxana, and Cheryl's presence may change his decision.

She couldn't take the risk of altering history. That too which involved 'The Great' himself.

A ray of the Sun came to fall on her face. The clouds were clearing, giving way to the bright winter afternoon sky. The self-doubt also wiped out from her like the clouds.

She had to disappear from this century as naturally as possible. Before the year of Alexander's marriage, she had one to two years left to devise and execute her plan to die,

Without letting any of her teammates know.

Because that would lead Lorenzo to follow her without a thought. Coretta would be heartbroken. And just like that, the whole bandwagon would follow her, when in fact they needed to stay longer.

She made a mental check on what everyone was doing.

Lorenzo - warrior life, weapons, war tactics

Coretta - unknown kingdom & ruler

Dunkin - rituals, beliefs, temples

Aarmen - life of great scholars, mathematicians, philosophers, life of common people.

The scope of their topics was much larger than hers. And she wouldn't let them leave it all for her sake.

She grew sad, thinking how lonely it would be back home when the guys with whom she ate, worked, laughed with, for over ten years won't be there.

But she willed herself with determination. No. Emotions should be the last thing clouding her judgement. She had to decide for the greater good.

Alexander flicked his fingers once as he went through the parchments.

Immediately standing up, she poured his favourite wine from the cupboard and placed the goblet beside him.

"Can I ask you something, my Lord?" she mumbled.

"Hm," he took a sip and continued with his work.

"Were you and the ruler of Romanos, childhood friends?" she asked as meekly as she could.

His furrowed brows concentrated on the map, slackened, "Uh, huh," he shook his head, "Our mothers met when we were infants. I met him at an event in Athens, at eighteen."

That would be the last entry in her AI book,

Alexander's relationship with Julian.

"Why so curious?" She heard him ask.

"Ah, I- I thought he wasn't an... important companion of yours..." she trailed. After all, if he was, he would've been known to the world.

"Like, I know about General Ptolemy, Cassander, Hephaestion, but... nothing about him, so..."

"It's not like that, my dear," he smiled, fetching a quill to write a letter.

"If it wasn't for Julian, Egypt's annexation wouldn't have been this easy. He worked more than any other. Spied on major areas before defeating the pharaohs. Set up his empire where the Persian satraps didn't dare enter his border. Assassinated Darius' right-hand man, warlord Omid, and," he took another sip.

"Fought in the second battle of Issus with the bravery, only a few can match. Have a look," he handed her a crusty map which showed the location of Alexandria and Romanos.

"I needed a strong coastal base for both strategic and commercial purposes. Thanks to his empire's location, he's handling the sea trade and communication between Greece and Egypt. Fulfilling my dream to spread Greek's Hellenic culture far and wide.

"He's a great companion. Don't underestimate him," he chuckled, tying the rolled letter with a rope. Cheryl made sure not to miss a single detail.

A knock came on the door at which he allowed the person in.

"Ptolemy has arrived. He's waiting for you in the meeting hall," The warrior stated.

Alexander pushed back his chair to stand with the goblet of wine in his hand. Cheryl stepped behind with her head bowed.

"Now?" he asked, amused, "I'd thought of talking with him and Julian together. And he arrived when his brother left? I'm disappointed," he shook his head.

"Why say, when you know it, Alex?" The warrior grinned. At Alexander's gesture, Cheryl quickly poured another goblet and handed it to the warrior.

"Soter and Romanowski can barely stand each other," The man laughed, chugging down the wine in one huge gulp.

"Haha, stepbrothers are weird in their own ways," he patted the warrior's shoulder,

"Anyway, that's not my concern. Why poke my nose when they help me without bringing out their distaste for each..." Alexander's voice faded as he shut the door, leaving his concubine alone.

Placing her ear on the door to make sure they were gone, Cheryl pounced on her AI book to write her last entry.

The map was still in her hand and she traced an exact copy in her book, taking her sweet time to mark all the places and rivers that had vanished in the present-day map.

She had also drawn some sketches of the Hanging Gardens.

After finishing the write-up, she let out a shaky breath. What she was going to do now was a major decision.

To destroy her AI book.

The department had told them how any object from the ancient century couldn't be brought back to their time. That was impossible because time only allowed that human to travel back, who had been transported.

This was to make sure that no ancient human could travel into the future by accident.

Since it was only the transported human who could come back, the AI book came into the category of ancient objects.

But as it was an item of the future, destroying the book was the only way.

It would automatically send all the data written with the laser pen, to the scientists sitting in the Archaeological department of East Macedemia.

During the training, she had heard officials talk, how the pages of the AI book had an intricate wiring system. Jotting down on it with the laser pen constantly fed the writings in a database in a coded language.

This was decoded only when the book was destroyed.

It was then that it occurred to her what the department had planned when the electric compulsion failed.

They'd equated their departure with the AI book. Just like destroying it would decode the data, destroying themselves by dying would let them return.

Omg, she wondered, these people were defeating Einstein.

With a heavy heart, she began tearing all the pages she had written. A blue coloured thread-like thing appeared from where the paper was torn, and she thought if they were the fragile wirings.

She stopped when she remembered it would be the last time she could order something from the future.

There were only two things. Coffee and birth control, which she quickly ordered a sufficient amount.

Gradually, she threw the torn pieces in the fireplace as they burnt to nothing. Next, she placed the rusty cover of the AI book and soon; it was over like the pages. There wasn't any ash left out as her book disappeared in the flames.

The metal chip fixated surgically inside her wrist buzzed thrice, then a dot of red light appeared from beneath her skin, indicating that the department received her data.

It was also a signal that electric compulsion was ready and would get activated whenever she was in a close to death situation.

Her gaze landed on the delicate chain she wore around her wrist.

It was a misery how she got so many jewels and accessories as Alexander's favourite concubine, but couldn't take anything back to her time. But that was okay.

Making out back to her time alive was the priority.

She stretched back on the bed to stare at the ceiling. She knew it was necessary to destroy the book because if she kept pushing this task, the deadline would arrive.

The good thing was, now she could enjoy the remaining years at least, without the worry of writing everything.

Moreover, the years went by unnaturally fast here.

She didn't want to do such sensitive, deathly things at the last moment. It must be all plotted beforehand, and this was the first step.

"Time to plan your goodbye, Lola Rose," she thought with an adamant will.