My heart flutters with excitement when I check my holojector for the billionth time. No sign of Stella, but that's to be expected. Her important meeting has probably run late, which is promising. If she decides to acquire AfterLife, it'll be a game changer.

I can already see the headlines: VR Mogul Acquires Digital Heaven.

Just be patient.

Rumbling with hunger, my stomach demands a savory morsel while a pot of sauce simmers on the stove. The scent of Italian herbs and spices permeates the kitchen. It's almost torturous. I've skipped breakfast and lunch in order to save room for our tenth anniversary dinner: conchiglie pasta with chorizo.

As a special treat, I've made it by hand. Food printing might be convenient, but nothing tastes better than crunching into golden-brown garlic bread or savoring the crisp texture and vibrant colors of real veggies in a garden salad. It's worth every holocoin. Actual ingredients have a flavor and freshness that extrusion can't quite replicate yet.

Decked out with our finest porcelain china, crystal water goblets, and a linen tablecloth, the mahogany table looks inviting. The dimmed lights give our dining room a gentle ambience while the flames of twin candlesticks dance to the rhythm of soothing music. I've even used our silver cutlery, which forms one straight line from the forks to the knives and spoons.

To mark the occasion, I've ditched comfy projector attire in favor of real clothing. It doesn't happen often. I'm wearing my cute little black dress, the one with the princess seams that fits snugly around the bodice and falls gently to my knees.

When I give a childlike twirl, the skirt flares out in a circle.

Classy and fun, Stella always says.

Clicking my tongue, I check my holojector once more. Not a peep. It's not my style to turn into a royal fusspot due to a bit of tardiness. Not when Stella's cushy job at AfterLife means she gets to create virtual reality--her true passion--while it gives me the freedom to do freelance work from the comfort of my own VR pod. Those perks are worth the odd late night.

Still, this is our special day. I'm a bit disappointed, and my stomach is gnawing at me.

Hope she gets home soon.

When my holojector pings, it startles the living crap out of me. I knock over my glass of ice water, and it shatters into a thousand tiny shards. 

"Ahh, shit!"

Aila appears in the middle of my kitchen and vacuums the shards within seconds. It pings again. "Incoming video feed from Stella Gotthard," says Aila in a calm tone. "Do you accept?"

"Yes, yes!" The tomato sauce is burning and the pasta water is boiling out of control, making me press the wrong damn button. "Accept, Aila!"

"To confirm, shall I--?"

"Accept, dammit!"

Stella smiles brightly, wearing that gorgeous shade of crimson lipstick I love so much. "Hey, my love. Sorry I ran a bit late. Stupid meeting took forever."

I grin. "That's fine. How did it go? Should I break out the Bollinger?"

She gives me that coy grin that makes my heart sing. "Mayyybe."

"AG sold AfterLife?" I ask, almost shrieking with excitement.

She nods. The goofiest grin spreads across her face. 

That's it! I can't hold back anymore. It's like I've regressed to being a teenager, jumping up and down like when I got accepted into Harvard. 

"I'm so proud of you, Stella!"

"It cost a fortune, but it's worth every penny." Her smile reaches her eyes. "Now our company's future is secure. And guess what?"

"What?"

"You won't believe this." 

"Tell me!"

Stella lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Even Rainer greed to put his Arcadia career on hold to help us."

"No way!"

"Yes, way. It's all over the holoblogs."

I flash through the evening headlines. "Arcadia hottie sells armor for Armani?"

"Okay, that's a ridiculous headline, but yes. He's our new CTO."

My cheeks burn with pride and happiness. "You're amazing, Stellz."

"I've missed you, my love." Stella's expression turns almost melancholic. Odd for a woman who has acquired the world's most popular VR world. "It feels like a lifetime since I last kissed you."

"Don't worry. You're just a train ride away."

***

Stella reaches out and touches the holographic projection of the woman she loves and hates in equal measure. Forty years ago, this woman mended her broken heart. Thirty years ago, she sliced it back open by creating the serum that trapped her brother in eternal torment. 

Only to trap herself trying to save him.

No more resets needed. Tara's perfect.

And I can finally join her.

Now that Stella has hacked her quartner's final flaws, they can live in peace together. That's why she bought AfterLife from AlphaGalaxy. It may have cost three-quarters of her wealth, but no one can destroy or torture the Sims now. She will protect them all from AG's clutches.

Stella can't live without them. 

Won't live without them.

At last, Stella will fulfill her dream. The venom doesn't hurt long. A few moments of pain followed by an eternity of pure joy. Once again, she can hug her brother. Once again, she can dance with her quartner, touch her waves, and kiss her tenderly on the cheek.

Soon they can live the life they always wanted. They will eat the finest food, drink the finest wine, and dance to fifties tunes. Tara will twirl in that cute little black dress like she did as a teenager. And she will thrive at a position worthy of her talent. Not languish as a freelance writer.

It doesn't matter that the real Tara is nought but an empty shell trapped inside a digital coffin. Just like her brother. If Tara begins to suspect, Stella will reset her. Restore her back to health.

It's not cruelty. It's kindness.

Stella loves Tara in death as in life. Loves her brother in death as in life. And that will never end.

As Stella walks into the second VR pod beside Tara, she takes her last step into a brave new world. She jabs herself with the Viper's poison. Though her veins burn with fiery cold, she doesn't scream. She clenches her jaw and pulls the coffin lid shut as her eyes flutter closed.

Finally, we can be together. 

As it was meant to be.

***

A faint knock sounds at the door. I rush forward to welcome Stella home with a huge hug and an excited squee. 

"You did it, my love!" We laugh as I pick her up and twirl her in the air, setting her back down. "Tomorrow, we should celebrate with Rainer."

"Absolutely, he'll be thrilled." Stella plants a tiny kiss on my nose. It tickles so much, I rub it away with a squawk. "But tonight I get you all...to...myself."

"Oooh, now I'm scared!"

She laughs. "Don't worry, nothing too racy."

I hold up my hand, showing off our black quartner rings. "You better be good, Mx. Gotthard. You chose this for life, remember."

Her face turns dreamy with a hint of melancholy. "Yes, I have."

My heart clenches. "Is it enough?"

"I love you." Stella traces her fingertip across my cheek, and I shiver. In a good way. She plants a tender kiss on my cheek that warms my heart. "And I'll show you in any way I can."

A wide grin spreads across my face.

"Wait until you see what I've brought you for our anniversary." Stella reaches into her handbag and hands me a small box, black velvet with silver filigree. "It's what you've always dreamed of."

When I open it, I find a business card. It's mine. 

Mx. Tara Walters, M.Sc.
Director of Communications
AfterLife

With a squeal of delight, I embrace Stella. "Sun above! I can't believe it!"

"This is the start of a brand-new life."

___

Word count: 1,295
Total word count: 19,520/20,000

Ah mah gahd! Yaaaas! Check out the epilogue before you go! Then we'll reach the goooooooal! If you've enjoyed this story so far, please leave a comment or click the little star in the upper right. ♥