AUDREY
I yawned, taking a seat on my sofa with my laptop in front of me.
2 New Emails
'Come to Cupid's base immediately. I've got a case for both of us.
Libby'
Groaning I begin to get ready. Considering it's a Saturday, I am able to wear whatever I want. Glancing at my watch I realize I have loads of time so I settle for going to a nearby Starbucks.
"Audrey!" I turn to face James Harper, Libby's boyfriend. "You going to the base?" He asks, smiling when I give him a quick nod.
It's ironic, the cupid who breaks relationships is in an unbreakable relationship herself and the person who makes relationships a.k.a me, couldn't be more single. Not that I'm complaining, I just focus too much on my schoolwork and the family company.
"LIBBY!"
"JAMES!"
"God, someone go and fetch me some bleach for my eyes," I exclaim, earning a glare from the happy couple and a chuckle from a random guy.
"Okay, the presentation is beginning now," Libby announces as we take our seats followed by an undisturbed silence.
"Sebastian King, 19, number 7396, wrote us a letter yesterday," Libby said, pulling up a picture of the letter on the screen. "I have done some personal research and I have concluded that Rachel Heart is the friend yes?" She asks, continuing when she receives a nod. "I believe this is a case for both cupids," Libby states triumphantly, earning many gasps from the people around us.
"A case for both of us?" I ask, thrusting my card with 'Cupid' in gold ink, earning a nod from Sebastian.
"It'll be fun, it's been ages since we had a case together." She squeals excitedly.
"Libby, it goes against all of my policies!"
"Can't you find a loophole? I'm not working this big case alone. If he wrote to you, you can handle it but he wrote to me." She pleaded.
Sighing I reply, "Well, technically it won't break my policies if I set Sebastian up with his fake girlfriend and Rachel afterwards."
"You." A sharp voice cuts through the air. "I choose you."
"What am I? A Pokémon?" I snarled.
"It would be best. You could get intel on Rachel from him and you'd be able to get to know him and act like the perfect girl. As far as I know, Rachel has no idea who you are." Libby cuts in earning a glare from me.
Slowly, I stand and walk towards Libby. She takes a step back, then another. I reach for the laptop that displays the letter and exit it, going into the school database instead. Each of us has a copy of the school database that Libby and I edited to fit Cupid's purposes, everything is the same except there are likes, dislikes, student number and more.
I give Sebastian a look over, analysing him. I could swear that I know him, but we've never actually met. Suddenly it clicked. Typing frantically, I bring up a profile.
"Oliver? My friend? What does he have to do with this?" Sebastian asks. I roll my eyes at how oblivious he is and pull up a letter linked to his profile.
'Cupid,
There is a girl I like; her name is Rachel Hart. She's so beautiful, smart, funny, and her smile, it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I've liked her for a while now, I need your help. I've never had the courage to talk to her, can you help me. She's shy, self-conscious and I don't know how to approach her. Even getting her to go on a date with me would be enough.
Thank you, 5128'
"I received 2 emails this morning. One was from Libby, this was on the second email from one of my team members. If there are any cases they think will inspire me then they send me a direct email with the letter. Other than that, I just look through the letters in my free time." I explain.
"So, number 5128, that's Oliver? He was there last night with me. Wow, you do things quickly." Sebastian replies.
"I believe this is a couple I will have to set up. My plan is to act as your girlfriend, break Rachel's heart and set her up with Oliver." I state, earning a nod from Libby and my team.
"I have a couple questions. How come you weren't in the file Libby gave me when I had to choose a girlfriend? How does this whole Cupid thing work exactly?" He asked, scratching his head with confusion.
"The reason I wasn't in the file is that I am one of the head cupids along with Libby. You might have noticed she wasn't in there either." I answered.
"And my second question?"
"Everyone, begin today's work. Sebastian, follow me." I walk over to one of the free tables by the window, Sebastian in tow. "This is where it's going to get heavy so please try to listen closely." I warn before we are greeted by one of our lower ranks who ask us for coffee orders and they return with our drinks.
"The Cupid's Database has been around for many years, it was passed down my family. My mother started this organisation. Back then they didn't have all this technology to help them so it was much harder. Every profile was written by hand until good laptops became available. Eventually, laptops where created but by then there where different heads as cupids."
I asked if he wanted any food but he rejected, so I continued.
"Our database is split into years so that we can delete the profiles and student numbers and reassign them to those beginning Rowell Academy's nursery," I clarified, taking a sip of my coffee.
Taking out my laptop, I pull up his profile. "Sebastian King, pupil number 7396, born 23rd January 1997, currently 19, in his first year of Rowell University and... single. Father is Edward King and his mother Alicia King, co-owners of King's Boutique. I won't go into details but that is the basic information yes?" I confirm, continuing when he nods.
"Okay, so according to your letter, short and brief, which I like, you are in a situation of unrequited love. Rachel loves you, but you don't feel the same way. My plan is to set you up with your fake girlfriend, which so happens to be me, and show Rachel that you do have one and are in love with someone else. This will be Libby's work done; she always gets the easier work. Then I will have to set Rachel up with Oliver - easier said than done I suppose." I lean back in my chair, sighing in frustration. I glance at Sebastian, fidgeting nervously in his seat. He is tall and lean, with soft, pale skin and dark, ebony hair. His soft brown eyes are downcast watching his twiddling thumbs.
"Are you nervous?" I ask, feeling concerned for him. After all, his best friend of fifteen years just confessed, I don't think I would be feeling over the moon either. His head quickly jerked up, his eyes meeting mine.
"I just, I...how do I put this? She's a good friend, she's like a sister. I don't want to hurt her, but I feel it's the only way, to let her down gently. It's my mistake, I screwed up and blurted it without thinking. I really appreciate your help and time, I really do. It's just..." He mumbles, stopping abruptly. He quickly put his gaze on downcast again, an internal battle within them. His eyebrows became furrowed and his lips were pressed in a firm line.
"Sebastian," I softly murmured, "I want to introduce you to the teams." I took a hold of his hand, smiling brightly. At this, his shoulders slumped and a soft smile played on his lips. I stood with him in tow and brought him to a couple stations, explaining the roles of the Cupid's database.
"Sebastian, these are the main teams, Libby's is blue, mine red. They are the ones that read through letters and send the heads the important batches. They also save our lives when it comes to researching the clients and other students in Rowell Academy." The group wave at us and I nod in return.
"Now these are the green and purple teams, the green team are the finances, those who keep track of our budget and spending. These are the ones to decide whether we sponsor our clients, dates, meetings and other things. The purple team are our resources, they supply us with everything we need, like daily coffee, food and accessories when we are in action. The green and purple teams often work together." They nod and greet us as we pass by.
"How's it going, Audrey?" Libby, asks brightly, skipping over to us, her boyfriend behind her watching her lovingly.
"It's going great, I believe that is my meeting over with you today Sebastian if Libby has anything to say then she will speak with you now. Make sure to give us a ring when you feel ready to orchestrate the plan, contact the number on the card and my team will get you through to me." I mention, smiling when I noticed he had calmed down.
I glance at my watch to see that it is 12:30. "I have to go to a business meeting now but I'll see you later yeah?" I ask Libby, earning an energetic nod from her. "Alright. Bye then." I wave, turning and making my way to the door, stepping out into the school hallway.
SEBASTIAN
I watched her retreating back, her dominant aura intimidating me. I turned to Libby, feeling a nudging on my ribs, meeting her giddy face.
"So... What do you think of her?" She interrogated, her face blindingly bright.
"She's interesting. Different." I comment.
"So, she's suitable for the job?" Libby chirped, nodding enthusiastically.
"She's perfect." I laughed, nodding in agreement.
"Good. That's all for today. You can stay here and get to know the teams, how this place works and all. Sometimes, the people we help end up joining the database," She shrugs, "I'll contact you when we will have meetings, but apart from that, you are free to go." She concluded.
Nodding, I decided to leave and go to the dining hall. On the way, I began to wonder if this was the right thing to do, and if so, was this the best choice to make. Well, either way, it's too late to back out but I guess, in the end, I'm grateful.