Hello! Welcome to Amor.com!

This is a place to find true love. I know what you're thinking, really? Love?

I, Romulus Caesar Cupid, promise you that our algorithms and personality tests will provide the best match for you. Our employees work 24/7! Please message us if you have any questions, complaints, or compliments.

Sincerely,

CEO: Romulus Caesar Cupid

I'm born with a purpose.

I find love.

For me? No – I find love for humans – yes, I guess you could say I'm a "matchmaker." Although I don't know how match making can help – it does start a fire and all.

I digress.

I'm a helper in soulmates. We call them SMs here at Amor Headquarters. Or at least, us – Humilis – do. I don't know what the Vente call it. However, all of us help to give a gentle "push" as our CEO, Mr. Cupid, has stated in our brand promise.

"Do no harm. We put on our armor to protect the innocent. We must give a push for humans to embrace and experience true love."

Yeah, a bit old and war-like. Then again, the first language we learn is Latin. And Mr. Cupid's father is Mercury.

Therefore, we choose our pushes. I like incidents. Humans can't seem to figure how the situation occurs.

My go-tos are the casual "bump" during grocery shopping, a friend's hand that pushes a strand of hair behind an ear, a cold drink drops all over the human, and many more coincidences.

Ah.

Those moments I thrive in. The humans' reactions change depending on the event and their personality; sometimes, their eyes glow, their face transitions into a ruby color like my arrowheads, and shy smiles. Although, there has been opposite results like yelling, stomping, and throwing things towards the other person.

I laugh.

I think it's adorable that humans have different responses. And yet, whenever the two people leave, there's something within their souls. I see it. What do I see?

Potential.

Our eyes are capable to see this. But we rely on a higher being.

Mr. Cupid. And his book!

The book consists of names, birthdays, personality, faith, preferences, and the exact day when these two people will meet. Only the Vente employees receive a chance to touch, smell, and read this most precious book! I give my sharpen arrowheads over to have an opportunity to touch it.

But my numbers can't beat the Vente. They always exceed minimum within an hour (or less!); they know who, what, when, where, and how the SMs meet.

Whereas, the Humilis get the sloppy seconds.

We have to wait for the copied version of those pages. We don't have the authorization. Therefore, mistakes happen. It's hard to tell what the copied version says; the thick, doubled vision words are difficult to read.

"I've confused Ms. Susan Bradbury with Ms. Susan Cooper. It wouldn't have been a big issue, if only Ms. Susan Cooper wasn't Mr. Julian Cooper's mother," I explain.

"Incest is frowned upon, Pulchra. Want to guess your punishment?" Mr. Cupid declared.

He sits in front of his computer. He has four screens and an iPad on his keyboard tray. His smart watch buzzes and binges with all the new notifications.

This is the first time I've been in his office in all my three hundred years.

Somehow, it's spotless; there's a gray couch that sits in the middle of the room and papers lay on top of his desk.

"Help the newbies?" I guess.

Cupid makes new creations. As more people are born, he has to make more employees.

"You'll help find love on the internet."

Oh no.

I don't know anything about this new digital age. This "internet." The latest thing I know about their entertainment is Shakespeare. The comedies are divine!

Now, I'm behind a computer screen.

Of course, I understand the mechanics. We undergo training in all departments, but this skill seems to slip from my mind.

How do I locate the humans?

On our Amor website, there's an enormous arrow that bends into a heart. The design department's decision is to have bright tones to make the participant feel welcome. I don't know how they come up with the idea. The design seems boring to me, then again, I enjoy the real deal.

I log into my account. Twenty-five messages.

All from Cupid reinstating my new purpose.

How am I going to get someone to fall in love through this machine!?

I delete all the messages.

I take a deep breath in. Thinking of all my accomplishments, the smiles, laughter, and the bells – yes, wedding bells.

Oh wait.

I look at my screen.

That's a message.

A chat box opens up at the bottom of the screen.

Sam:

Hello?

Oh my gosh! I've never interacted with a human before.

Pulchra:

Hello! Welcome to Amors! How may I help you?

I cheat. There is a script on the side of my keyboard. I have no idea what I'm doing.

Sam:

I think there's something wrong with your website.

On my cheat sheet, there's multiple arrows guiding me to figure out what to say.

Pulchra:

What do you mean?

Sam:

There's no way I'm going to fall in love with the person you matched me up with.

Pulchra:

Why?

I can't find another question to ask!

Sam:

We're complete opposites.

What do I say?!

Pulchra:

Why?

Sam:

Are you serious right now? You're getting paid to say "why'? I just know okay.

Bubbles pop up.

Sam:

What kind of name is Pulchra, anyway?

On the bottom of my sheet, there's a sentence a fellow employee pencils in, "Tell the human to try!" I'm desperate!

Pulchra:

Give your person a try.

Sam:

Whatever.

Sam logs out.

The next chat box, I'll be better.

A week later, Sam and Alex message each other.

A year later, they marry.

Word count  >> 973 words

This short story has a special place in my heart. This was an amazing challenge for myself. I usually write third person omniscient and in past tense. This whole entry was written in first and present. I actually wanted to write more!

There was so much world building that I hope it didn't take away from the small romance. I hope this story brought a new perspective on Cupid in the digital age. I thought, he must be super busy doing so many couples that he had to have helpers, right?

Therefore, Pulchra came to be!

Also, latin inspired a lot of the names, small nods to history about Roman gods and family relationship, and motivation.

I had so many ideas, but I had to cut it off.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity! I hope you enjoyed reading this story!

~ Fallon ~

xoxo