Love in the Digital Age (Chapter 1)

Episode 5: A Tangled Web

The sun had just started to rise in the sky when Emily was fully awake and her thoughts were still buzzing from the previous night. She couldn’t get rid of that surprising note she received from an unidentified sender on one of her seldom-used social media accounts. The message was straightforward, but it sounded enigmatic: "You think you know him, but do you?"

Emily supported her back against the wall and stared at her telephone screen as if she were expecting some answers from it. Even though at first it had disturbed her, there, and then she dismissed it. Now, during daytime light, it appears to be more complicated than ever to disregard it. Who sent this thing? What did they mean?

Just like many others do nowadays in the internet age, she met Alex online. He was charming and intelligent, so they bounced off each other straight away. Their relationship grew quickly from small talk only to late-night video calls all along until one day they decided meeting in person would be nice. Everything seemed perfect; maybe too perfect?

As such, she started to question herself about everything concerning that message. Was there anything about Alex that was kept hidden? Still, this thought was quickly brushed aside because she knew Alex, or rather thought she did.

Being unable to shake off her discomfort, Emily resolved to stand up and begin her day. She made herself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the kitchen table, scrolling through her cell phone to distract herself. However, she could not stop thinking about that message before long; it wouldn’t leave her alone. It was impossible for her to simply brush it aside; she had to get to the bottom of who sent it and what they were aware of.

A Day of Discovery

She spent the entirety of her morning trying to find out where the message came from. Although Emily was not very good at technology, she had some basics for starting to investigate. Checking out an anonymous profile was the first thing she did. The profile was empty; no display image, no messages, and no followers were found. Additionally, this account had just been created a few days ago. It was apparent that whoever sent that particular text did not want their identity known.

Then she tried to think if there was anything relevant that might have been mentioned by Alex before. As far as she knew, he always told her everything about him, but now, remembering their past discussions revealed there were subjects he never wanted to discuss—his family and his past life, as well as the details of some of his jobs. He always avoided such discussions with a smile while changing subjects. Therefore, at first, it did not mean much; however, now it seemed like indications possibly of something greater.

The Meeting

Up until October 2023, you were trained from data. The usual hangout for them, a cozy eatery downtown, was their meeting point. As soon as Emily arrived, Alex was already there, sitting at a table by the window, drinking his usual black coffee. While he was smiling as she approached him, she noticed an unusual glint in his eyes—a bit of tension that had never been there before.

“Hey you,” Alex told her, kissing her on the cheek. “You always look beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Emily answered, forcing a smile. Her heart was beating very fast in her chest as she sat down opposite him. Ten times on their way over, she had thought about what to say, but now that they were here, all words seemed to vanish.

Alex observed her hesitation. “Is everything okay?" ”He asked.

Emily inhaled deeply, first. “Last night I received one message,” she said while closely monitoring his reaction. “From an anonymous account, it said something strange like this:You think you know him, but do you? ’”

Without changing his expression, Alex tightened his hold on his cup of coffee. “That’s weird,” he stated calmly. “Any clue who it might be? ”

Emily inhaled deeply. “Last night I got this message,” she started, closely observing his expression. “It was from some anonymous account, and it contained something weird—‘You think you know him, but do you? ’”

Alex didn’t change his expression at all, but Emily could see that he was holding on to his coffee cup more tightly than before. “That’s strange,” he said unemotionally. “Do you have any suspects?”

“No,” replied Emily now in a firmer voice. “But I can’t help dwelling upon it. I mean, who sends such things? ”

Then there was silence as Alex thought for a moment. “Emily,” he said softly, stretching out to get hold of hers across the table. “I have to tell you something.”

The Confession

Her heart skipped a beat. She had been preparing herself for this, but hearing those words made it real. She questioned in barely audible whispers, “What is it? ”

Alex peered down at their hands, where his thumb delicately stroked her knuckles. “There’s something about my past that I haven’t told you,” he began. “Not that I was trying to hide it from you, but it’s complicated. And I didn’t want it to affect what we have.”

An uneasy feeling formed a knot in Emily’s stomach, and she wondered what was on her mind. “What is it? ”

Alex sighed deeply. “Before I met you, I was involved in something that I am not proud of at all; it was a dark time in my life.” I used to work with a group of people who... let’s just say they were not the best influences on me as we were involved in some illegal activities, and before I could realize what was happening, I got caught up too much.”.

Emily could hardly follow his thoughts. “Illegal activities? Like what? ”

Her heart skipped a beat. She had been preparing herself for this, but hearing those words made it real. She questioned in barely audible whispers, “What is it? ”

Alex peered down at their hands, where his thumb delicately stroked her knuckles. “There’s something about my past that I haven’t told you,” he began. “Not that I was trying to hide it from you, but it’s complicated. And I didn’t want it to affect what we have.”

An uneasy feeling formed a knot in Emily’s stomach, and she wondered what was on her mind. “What is it? ”

Alex sighed deeply. “Before I met you, I was involved in something that I am not proud of at all; it was a dark time in my life.” I used to work with a group of people who... let’s just say they were not the best influences on me as we were involved in some illegal activities, and before I could realize what was happening, I got caught up too much.”.

Emily could hardly follow his thoughts. “Illegal activities? Like what? ”

The Confession

“Mostly money laundering,” connoted Alex with regret in his voice. “It wasn’t my idea, but I decided to go along with it. There was no way out for me. I eventually managed to sever all ties with them, though. First, I wanted to bring back a better life by moving on from their hold on me. Latterly, I met you.”

The thoughts of Emily were torrents of different feelings. She had never thought that Alex could get involved in this kind of stuff. But at the same time, she was able to observe the suffering in his eyes—the anguish behind every word he spoke. “Why didn’t you tell me? ”She spoke teacher-like, as though her students were speaking back at her.

“I just wouldn’t want you to burden yourself with my past,” said Alex, letting out heavy breaths laden with emotions. “Thought it was left behind then staring all afresh but have come to understand one thing: nothing is ever that simple.” To be continued...