Chapter 13: Consequences

“Seriously? You chose that prissy stuck-up cow. The red-head who was happy to jiggle her tits and give you a hand-job in public?” I fume while Michael and I walk through the car park. This probably isn’t the sort of conversation we should be having in a public area.

We failed the Personality Compatibility Test big time. Both of us chose someone else. We both felt the strongest connection to the character we chose. It’s just that the characters we chose weren’t each other’s avatar.

I suppose it could be worse. One of us could have picked the other, while they picked someone else. I think that would have been a horrible outcome. That would mean only one of us is committed to the other, but their feelings aren’t reciprocated. At least this way we can share whatever guilt or blame we may feel for the outcome.

“I mean, didn’t my character’s name give you a clue? Lisa Anne ... Annalisa?”

“Why would I make the connection, Lisa?” grumbles Michael. “I didn’t know you had a middle name.”

And that just about sums up the reason we failed the test. We’ve been friends for a decade, yet Michael never knew my middle name is Anne. But I can’t blame the disaster on Michael alone. I recognised his personality in Philippe, but I couldn’t help being drawn towards more exciting prospects. My true personality was drawn out for all to see, but it failed to spark an emotional response from Philippe. In the end I deliberately chose the character I connected with the most, and it wasn’t Philippe.

“So, who did you pick in the end?” asks Michael.

“It doesn’t matter who I chose. It wasn’t you,” I snap.

The last thing I want to admit to Michael is that my choice was Drax. Why I should choose someone like Drax is beyond any logical explanation. But Drax made me feel more alive than the feelings I experienced from my interactions with any of the others. Drax was serious ‘bad boy’ material; selfish, arrogant, rough as hell. But sexy, domineering and self-assured with it. And that’s what rang all the right bells with me. Inside the scenario I recognised my desire to submit to someone who would be strict but fair in his treatment of me. Despite his many faults, Drax was the character who fitted that profile. My impressions of Philippe and Nico were that they would be fair, but they were not very strict. On the other hand, the Duke of Quenier was very strict, but unfair in the treatment of his slaves. So Drax got my vote.

“Fine. I guess this is where we spilt up. Goodbye,” shouts Michael in a fury

Michael storms off in a huff. I’m too shocked to react. I want us to still be friends. I even want to continue to live with him to see if we can reconcile our differences. The Personality Compatibility Test isn’t a legally binding test. The test’s results are well regarded, but they aren’t foolproof. I was sceptical about its accuracy from the outset. It was Michael who insisted on taking the PCT. There are instances of couples failing the test, but going on to live a perfectly happy married life together. But Michael isn’t interested in any of that at the moment, which perhaps underscores why we failed the test. I wait a few moments to see if he’ll return once he realises I’m not chasing after him. But he doesn’t return. I see our car being driven out of the car park at a reckless speed.

“Hey!” I shout forlornly. “Come back! My stuff is in the car.”

Shit! I’m stuck here with nothing other what’s in my jacket pocket. Hopefully Michael will realise my predicament once he calms down, and return here. Our apartment is too far away for me to walk there, and the three dollars plus a few smaller coins in my pocket are nowhere near enough for a bus ride home. Besides, my key to our apartment is with my stuff in the car. I find a seat to sit on and wait. I’m really screwed until Michael comes back.