"Over the past eight years, Ms. Hart had six different relationships, two of which ended due to infidelity on her part, and one due to infidelity on his." Aqwyn's voice came through the computer monitor, and Vira frowned. "No need to frown, Sister; it's not necessarily a bad thing. We talked about giving him what he wants, and this could be it. Their relationship is likely to fail—hopefully, in a way that teaches him a lesson."
"Right…" Vira maintained her frown, worried he might learn the wrong lesson. It had been a couple of weeks since Kai's first date with Maria, and the second date seemed to have gone well too—at least as far as she knew. The fairy godmother was starting to have doubts. "I understand some of the relationships ended because of infidelity, but what caused it? And why did the other relationships fail?"
"My best guess is that… her thinking is similar to the Oathless's."
"Oh?"
"She chooses partners only based on looks and attitude, chasing romance and the thrill of infatuation, then jumps to a new relationship when things get tough or the fire of passion dies. She was fairly serious with one of them, for example, but broke up with him the moment he got fired from his job. In her defense, he wasn't taking it very well… but still, she isn't the type who would stick around if Kai ever got into trouble."
Vira pinched the bridge of her nose. It was just a matter of time before Maria broke Kai's heart, and the plan was to stand by and let it happen… that didn't sit right with her. "I must warn him."
"That would defeat the point."
"But… when she breaks up with him, he is going to be devastated. What am I supposed to do then?"
"Explain to him that he has nothing to mourn, that the woman wasn't worthy of true love, either."
"He will never accept that answer."
"It is your job to make him accept it."
"I know…" she moaned. "But what if I could spare him the heartache, warn him, make him see beforehand that—"
The apartment door sprang open. "Vira? Are you home?"
The fairy winced. "In your room, Kai."
"He is your godchild, Sister; it's your choice, but I fear that… even if you warn him, he won't believe you."
Vira pursed her lips, and the monitor shut down.
"I just came back to change clothes and drop a couple of things," he said as he entered the room, taking off his shirt. "I'm going out with Mason and Catherine."
"Oh?"
"One of my character designs was picked by management," he smiled as he pulled a couple of shirts out of the closet, unsure which one to wear. "Catherine is taking us out to celebrate."
"That's wonderful," she smiled.
"I know, right?" He settled on the buttoned shirt and returned the other to the closet. "Everything seems to be falling into place, with work, with Mari," he put it on and checked himself in the mirror. "And it is all thanks to you."
"Oh, Kai," she maintained the smile, smothering the urge to warn him in her throat. "You… you are very welcome. I'm glad I could help."
Satisfied with how he looked, he turned to face her. She was in her pixie-form, floating above his computer. "Soon, your job here will be done," he said with a bittersweet smile.
She blinked. "What… what do you mean?"
"Once Maria and I get together on our next date, your job will be finished, and you'll go back to… wherever you came from, and that will be that."
Her jaw dropped. "Are you going to propose to her on your next date?"
"Propose? God, no! It's only the third date. I'm going to sleep with her."
"What?!"
"Don't look at me like that. I don't make the rules."
"There are rules about that?"
"I think so, yeah."
She bit her lip. She had to tell him, warn him now, before it was too late.
"We should celebrate," he said, putting on a jacket and changing his shoes to something fancier.
"Celebrate?" The idea cut through her train of thought.
"Yeah. You, me, Vermallelia, and Bella… Felicia could tag along too if she wants. I owe all of you so much, and I'd like to pay it back if I can."
"That's… quite thoughtful of you." She smiled.
"I thought we could go to the beach. It is going to be autumn soon, so this might be our last chance to enjoy some sun."
"That would be nice," she admitted. It really would be, she thought, if it weren't all a lie.
Meanwhile, Kai's head was occupied by other things. And of course, he chuckled to himself and pushed up his glasses. I'll get to see them in swimsuits.
"Then, it's official," he nodded. "After my third date, we'll all go to the beach. Do you mind telling the others? I was thinking… next Saturday?"
"Yes, I'll talk to them."
"Cool," he headed out of the apartment. "Gotta go now, cya later." He left and locked the door behind him.
Once he was out, Vira sighed. Kai had reached a high point, and she knew that, things being as they were, it would only get worse from here.
***
"Once again, congratulations, man." Mason raised his mug of beer, their third round of drinks for the evening. "To Kai!" They clinked, then chugged it down. They sat at a table outside a seafood restaurant called the Moon Fisher, in full view of the late summer sun setting below the horizon and open to the ocean breeze.
"Does this mean I get a raise?" Kai turned to Catherine. She still wore her work suit, indicating that this was business after all, not pleasure.
"If you can stick around another month or two without messing up, I'll think about it."
"Com'on," Mason leaned aside as a waiter came to take away their dishes. "The boy has earned it."
"I said I'll think about it," she said with a flat smile, her voice stern.
"It's okay, Mason," Kai said as his own dishes were taken away. "Honestly, I'm thankful to have gotten this far."
"Can I interest you in anything from our dessert menu?" Another waiter came by as the other left with the dishes.
Catherine looked at the two expectantly.
"As long as you're paying," Mason shrugged and gestured to an item on the menu. "I'll have the ice cream."
The waiter turned to Kai.
"Ah… no, thanks."
"Make that two, then," Catherine said and fished a pack of cigarettes from her vest.
"Very good," the waiter made a note on his tablet, then left.
"Well, while we are here—I hate to steal your thunder, but—I do have an announcement to make," Mason cleared his throat. "Sophie and I are having another baby."
"Wow, ah…" Kai stammered, not sure how to respond. "Congrats."
"Really, Mason, another one? Haven't you had enough?" Catherine lit her cigarette, took a breath, and let out smoke—her lips curved in a crooked smile. "And you seem happy about it too, you madman. I really don't know how you tolerate it."
He chuckled. "When you're married and you have your own children, you'll understand."
"I don't plan on doing any of those things."
Mason frowned. "I understand some people nowadays don't wanna have kids, but not getting married?"
"I don't see the point," she blew another puff of smoke. "You spend all that money on the wedding, then spend more on the divorce; it seems like a waste."
"It's not about the money, it's about the commitment… about making a vow to be together until you die."
"Or until you get divorced."
"Yes, about half of married couples get divorced, but most of them get remarried. You know why?"
"Because people are stupid?"
"No, because they believe in love, Catherine, and they keep looking for it, even after they have been hurt."
She drained her cigarette, let the smoke out, then shook her head. "It's all just business… all relationships are inherently transactional, and marriage is simply a contract: the exclusive exchange of money and sex between two parties for the purpose of creating a family. If your wife no longer agreed to sleep with you, would you still be with her? If you could no longer support her and her children, would she still be with you?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Have you ever been in love, Catherine?"
She tapped her cigarette against an ashtray, shedding the burnt end into the ceramic vessel. "Once… when I was young… but then I grew up, and stopped believing in fairy tales."
He chuckled. "I feel sorry for you, Catherine; I really do." He chugged down some of his beer, then set it back on the table, his face flushing. "There is some truth to what you're saying… most relationships are transactional… but love transcends all that…" His lips relaxed into a flat smile, and his eyes grew distant. "Love is priceless."
Kai sat quietly, looking between them as they argued, torn. On one hand, he shared Catherine's cynical view of love and relationships, but on the other… he wanted to believe Mason was right. Because between the two of them, the chubby married man seemed to be the one who was truly content and happy.
"What about you, Kai? Have anyone special in your life?"
"Ah… Yeah, actually, I recently reconnected with a friend from high-school. We have been dating for a couple of weeks now."
"You plan on getting married?"
"Damn, Mason, he just started dating the girl."
"I don't mean now. I mean in general."
"Ah… Maybe one day…"
"And kids?"
"I don't know… I never really thought about it… it's the first time I'm in a relationship, so…"
"It's okay, didn't mean to pressure you," Mason patted the Oathless's shoulder. "You are still young. You've got time."
The blonde blew another puff of smoke and frowned. "I'm only two years older."
"Yeah, but you are a woman."
"So?"
"So? Do I really have to spell it out for you?" he asked, then turned to a passing waiter. "Excuse me, can you check on our dessert, please?"