Game of fate

THE VIRTUAL ENCOUNTER

Ding

TRIUMPHANT 23

Do you need a heavenly invitation to reply to a text

RARE GEM

Someone has a humour

TRIUMPHANT23

Such a rare gem, huh? Well, at least you are not named ‘common rocks ‘ or ‘ordinary pebble’ that would be embarrassing.

RARE GEM

Triumphant? That's cute. Your name sounds like a participation trophy. Mine may not be perfect, but at least it doesn't sound like a desperate attempt to cling to victory. ?

TRIUMPHANT23

Lol, I like you, my name is Adaora

Smiling and saying to myself I like the sound of that Adora Portman, I quickly brush off the thought I have always hated guys who simp but here I am simply at someone I only know by her name

Ding

TRIUMPHANT23

Do you need a personal request for you to tell me yours, if so

His Royal Highness will you do me the honour of accepting my humble request and gracing me with your name

I am a Gemini and I am rare, what more could you possibly want

Just kidding call me Kwan

Okay “she said”

As I leaned back into my leather chair, staring at the dim light of my screen, hands hovering around the keyboard, the Nezuko profile picture staring at me, a smile curled on my lips. Meeting Adora was the best thing that had happened to me so far. Everyone I met had been focused on kissing my ass or looking at my achievements and assuming I was living the life. I was the epitome of success. Dominic Portman: “Golden boy,” acing academics, sports, clubs. Every corner of the school had a symbol of me embedded on it, from my medals to my trophies. Nothing excited me anymore; it had become more of a routine than a lifestyle. To ease my boredom, I decided to take up another major besides being an architectural major and took up software programming. Well, I aced that too. School life was a breeze, and being Portman came with its advantages. I was untouchable and enjoyed being feared by everyone.

But then there was Adora, my feisty online acquaintance, the one who spoke Dominican TV without a hint of fear. I smirked at the thought.

“Hey, Gemini, you there?”

“We are sticking to Gemini, I see. What's up? What did I miss?” I grinned as I replied.

“You don't like it?”

“From you, it's acceptable. Any other person wouldn't dare.”

“Are you like a God or something?”

“Something like that. I am untouchable,” I typed, leaning back into my chair.

“Sounds narcissistic to me.”

“And you sound like adorable chaos,” I teased.

“Just think of me as not ordinary.”

“Then what are you?”

“Don't worry, just know I am not your typical silver spoon type.”

“Just so you know, if you end up looking like a clown who escaped the circus, I deserve every right to run and scream.”

“Fair enough,” I replied, laughing. “You might be surprised. Who knows?”

“Don't get cocky, Gemini,” she teased.

Weeks and months went by, and speaking to Adora was the only thing I looked forward to. She brought back my spark for excitement, and everything seemed to be falling into place. I started speaking to my mom again, my relationship with my dad improved. I decided to let some things go. Don't get me wrong, when I say something, Vivian is not included. Ignoring her became a breeze. Plus, watching her face when she was being ignored or things not going her way was fun. Despite her countless attempts to get me kicked out of the manor and on my father's bad side, all was to no avail because I was the “golden boy.” Compared to my sibling, I was the much better version, and it pissed her off. She once threatened me to my face, saying she was going to get rid of me—it was a matter of time. But she was Vivian, and I didn’t pay much attention to her. Her words were like barks without a bite.

For the first time in a long time, I was not Dominic, the one good in trade, aced academics, good in sports, the one with a past filled with gold medals, or the heir to the Portman group. I was someone longing for something genuine. Adora helped me forget the weight on my shoulders. As our conversation continued, the connection deepened. What started as an online acquaintance was becoming something more, driven by shared humor and respect. I might sound crazy, but day by day I saw myself falling for someone I had never met.

“Hey, Gemini, missed me?” Her message flashed on my screen, jerking me out of my dreams.

Feeling something like a blush crawl up my cheeks, I immediately cleared my throat to keep my head back on track. I told myself, “I am a Portman. I am feared, not some twelve-year-old having a crush.” I growled in frustration, hands on my head.

“Gemini, you there?”

That name had something it did to me, the sudden urge to hear it come out of her lips while I pinned her to the wall and kissed the name off her. I brushed off the dirty thought. “Hey, what's up?” I replied.

“Sometimes I think that’s the only word in your vocabulary.”

I let out a small laugh. “Lol.”

“You know, it's been more than six months, going on a year, and I still don't know your name or anything about you.”

Revealing my real identity was not part of the plan, but something about her made me want to bend the rules or break them. “Fine, I will tell you.”

“My name is Dominic Portman.”

“If you are Dominic Portman, I am Jessica Alba,” she teased. “Wait, Dominic, the illegitimate son that is nowhere to be found? Some people even say he is dead. I just had a good laugh.”

“Woohoo, am I speaking to a ghost? Please don't hurt me,” she replied with sarcasm.

No, she’s not ready yet. I'm done trusting my gut. “Just kidding. How about I make you a deal?”

“What deal?”

“I will tell you who I am in person.”

“You want to meet up?”

Not sure what I was doing, I replied, “Yeah.”

“When, how, and where?” she asked.

“Your next birthday, I will fly to you, wherever you pick.”

“You don't even know my birthday or where I stay.”

“You could always answer that.”

“I live in New York, and my birthday is April 22nd. A location, I don’t know, your pick.”

“22nd April, Masa's Bar it is then.”

“What! That place is really expensive.”

“Oh, really?”

“Do we split the bill? Even if we split the bill, I am not sure I can afford a restaurant like that.”

“Don't worry about that. Look pretty, and I will spend the money.”

From the silence, I could feel a range of shock and disbelief. I continued, “That's settled, right?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

Our virtual encounter was one to remember. Love can be found anywhere, even in a world full of ones and zeros.