After Bob channelled his insane Smooth and Crunchy communications over the phone, alongside Sally 'Allow'-ing him in, trusting him, and reciprocating, their connection had grown even closer.
Now all that was left was to share their secrets, and to see if the other might be okay with the Truth.
Bob went first. "Allie..."
"Mmm…? After Bob's skilful storytelling, Sally was feeling pretty good…
"So yeah… I really think you're Amazing Allie. But I wasn't kidding. I actually… do have an alter-ego that is basically like that Prince - rich, famous, successful and popular. He's separate from me, basically he is a separate entity and has his own life, but he is still connected to my consciousness and part of who I am.
As a matter of fact, I have a few alter-egos… but I just thought I should let you know that… I didn't want you to find out later and think I was being insincere - I care for you a lot, and want to create a real future with you if you're open to that as well…"
Wait, what? Sally was a little confused, but she could tell Bob was meaning what he was saying.
"You mean… like you're not just one person?" Sally was trying to understand. Bob didn't seem crazy… but what was he saying?!
"Yeah. I am still 100% me, Bob, but as technology has progressed, and thanks to my research, I've invented something called [True Multiple Projection]. Essentially, it allows me to do a lot more things than if I was just one person."
"You invented something? True Multiple Projection? Bob, did you… clone yourself?!"
Sally was trying to understand.
"Not exactly… Time, space, these are all variables, but what if you could control them? Well, [True Multiple Projection] essentially creates another "Me" that has travelled along a different path in Time and Space.
"Essentially our current lives are based off one specific space-time-line, but with Multiple Projection, I can create alternate 'Mes' that travel along different space-timelines…"
"So… it's basically like having a normal life, but also getting to live lots of other lives as well?"
Sally conveyed what she roughly gathered from Bob's explanation.
"Basically, it allows me to have my cake and eat it, yes." Bob said, as expected, shamelessly.
"But I wanted to let you know that because I didn't want you to find that out and think that I was playing around on the side… the alternate realities have their own lives, preferences and experiences, but in my life that I have, as Bob, as that handsome guy said earlier… my life, all that I have… is yours Allie, if you're ok with that."
Sally was surprised but of course being an Ice Queen she nevertheless took it all in her stride.
That said, despite everything, even for her, it was still a lot to take in, and she still wanted to take things slowly…
"I'm gonna need some time to wrap my head around this…" Sally said.
Bob had invented something called [True Multiple Projection]?!
It was hard to believe, and part of her thought that Bob might actually be crazy. Perhaps he had studied too much lately. Or maybe he was conflating the online, virtual world with real life? That said… When you discount the impossible, whatever is left, no matter how improbable, must be the truth?!
"…Are you talking about online avatars? What do you mean you're rich and famous?"
Ok, this was a surprise, but actually, after the initial shock, Sally, with her exceptional resourcefulness, had already processed the main details. And quite frankly… they sounded… pretty good!!!
Of course, being a billionaire x billionaire, she really didn't care that much about whether Bob had money, but like it was obviously a good and attractive thing if he did have resources and means to look after himself, and in fact, Sally was thinking that revealing herself wouldn't create too much of an imbalance if he had social capital himself.
In fact, one of the main reasons she had avoided revealing herself and had gone Undercover was of course to avoid things getting weird or being treated like some idol or goddess or being put on a pedestal, and she was also conscious that many guys would feel intimidated by her sheer ability, wealth and status, and even if one's intentions were good, sometimes the realities of the sheer disparity between their background and ways of life would lead to conflict and create many problems and challenges which would need to be overcome.
For example, there would be inevitable speculation that any partner she chose would potentially decide to be with her more for her wealth and resources as opposed to just herself alone, and this would create an imbalance or uneven power dynamic that would lead to future tensions and strains.
Moreover, with her own insane genetic quality, - sorrynotsorry - but she wasn't going to settle for someone who didn't have at least something going for them that she could get behind if she could help it…
As a result, with these thoughts in mind, Sally was in fact, after the initial shock had subsided… curious, interested… and actually quietly kind of excited!!!
Bob, of course, aimed to keep things real. It wasn't like he was going to tell Allie every little random thing, like people still needed personal space and privacy even in close romantic relationships, but after levelling up all his talents, he knew that it was important to build the right foundation based on communication and transparency.
In the end of the day, Bob didn't care too much about revealing this 'secret' to Allie - it was something that had to come up, sooner or later, and in the end of the day, his aim was to become a Genetic Success - to leave a legacy and make a positive difference to the world through his existence and [Intention], and it would be too tiring, dishonest and - the real kicker - a road to inevitable failure, to pretend or compartmentalise or hide the truth of who he actually was from his potential significant other. He knew that in such a relationship, 1+1 would lead to exponential unimaginable returns but the key was trust, communication authenticity and integrity.
"That's a great analogy actually." He affirmed. "You could think of it like that, except the Alter Egos are real, they're not virtual, they are… literally, [True Projections] and currently I have unlocked 4 of them…
"…I do have enough money to never work a day in my life again, and as my Queen, I promise you I would do my best to give you the life you deserve…
but I have to be frank… that in the end, making money alone isn't the end goal, but it's just a means to helping make the world a better place. I'm sure you know by now that you can be sure I won't be idle… I have a lot of plans…
And of course, I'd love to hear more about your hopes and dreams too - you know it's always a team effort, and we could make a great team and make a difference together."
4… Alter Egos?! And they were real, not virtual?!?!
He was really wealthy?! (And humble?) Visionary?!
Sally wasn't sure she could believe it.
"Uh…Bob… is everything okay?!"
"Don't worry," Bob said calmly and nevertheless, warmly.
"I can prove it..."