An Intangible Pattern - Fate Bound.

Return

"Did they fire him?"

"Actually, they didn't. He was too well connected and he did bring in wealthy clients. They were afraid he'd take them with him if they let him go. I think they slapped a credit limit on him, but not much else."

"Really? I must remember that next time I claim my expenses," Laughed Jess, "I think Gillian and I would have much to discuss over a spa day."

"You blew it, I'm afraid. You already landed Courentin and Stone." giggled Cat.

"I'm simply ensuring that we maintain a good client relationship, should there be any future business." Jess answered as innocently as she could.

Cat rolled her eyes, "I'm sure you'll be busy enough with Destiny, or whatever we're calling it now."

"Which is why I'm convinced a spa day is a reasonable business expense, we'll need to recharge." She said it with such believable earnestness that the group burst out laughing.

"I'm genuinely really excited, I think it's going to be a massive hit," she beamed, "Everythings pretty much ready to go! The website is being beta tested, most of the bugs have been fixed and it's ready to launch.."

"It looks really good," added Rob.

Cat raised her brows at him, "You've seen it?"

"Yeah I'm one of the beta testers, here have a look."

He reached for his laptop and tapped in his password.

"Here."

He showed them a sophisticated looking webpage: Destiny was scrawled in deep pink cursive along a dark gray banner at the top of the page. He moved the cursor around the screen.
"So you get an alert here when the lab finds a match, or you can search for traits and just chat to people whose profile you like the look of. If I click on this profile, I can see their likes and dislikes, a basic description of their appearance and a bit of text about themselves. Location, name and photograph are all hidden unless they accept a request. There's a block and report button here if you don't like them."

"How did she rope you into doing this?." Cat asked.

"I got offered a free membership."

"Thought you were busy playing the field?"

"Yeah, but they won't find my match overnight. You gotta seize opportunities when they appear, and I can suspend my account whenever I want. This way Jess gets feedback, and I get the love of my life. It's win-win."

"Fair enough. Alex, are you sure you don't want in on this?"

"No, it's not for me."

"Why not?" Cried Jess.

"I just think there's more to it than physical compatibility."

"Sure, but it definitely helps," shrugged Robert.

Jess took a sip of her beer and said "I get you, but it does give you an overview of their core values. If they don't line up, you can just reject them and wait for another match."

Alex looked doubtful, "Aren't you relying on them telling the truth? Or like...not even lying intentionally, just not knowing what their values really are? It's a snapshot in time isn't it? So who says what we value today, will be what's important in ten years?"

"I think you're overthinking it."

"I don't think I am. There's a lot hanging on one decision. Once you're bitten, that's it, you're bonded for life. I wouldn't just be able to get a divorce if it didn't work out."