Page 4 of Joven's Bride
“Nothing’s wrong, I just have some news. Remember back when Sara and I applied to that Narovian Matchmaking agency?”
“Yes… Why?”
“They found me a match, and he’s gorgeous. But I would have to go to his world, a place called Glasica.” Carly said.
“You mean to another planet?”
“Yes, Mom, in another star system. I haven’t decided yet, but the Narovian Matchmaking’s success rate makes it very tempting… And did I mention he is gorgeous?”
“But, Carly, we would never see each other again.”
“We hardly ever see each other now,” she reminded. “I will still be able to video email. I emailed the stats on his world, pictures and his profile.”
“Why can’t you find a nice husband here?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It might be because I am working all the time. Teaching isn’t just an eight hour a day job. There are extracurricular activities, lesson plans, grading papers. Eligible men are few and far between in this town.” Carly said.
“What about other agencies on this world?”
Carly tried not to roll her eyes. This was her mother’s favorite subject. She knew her mother wanted her happily married and ideally close to home.
“None of them can genetically match me to my soul mate. This is a chance of a lifetime. I can spend my life teaching other peoples’ children or find some other job and maybe find a husband by trial and error. Or become a single mother by artificial insemination.”
“It sounds like you’ve made up your mind already.”
“I am considering it.”
“What’s a cyborg?”
“A technologically and genetically enhanced humanoid. He has a computer connected to his brain, and tiny little robots in his bloodstream to repair injuries and ward off disease. He was a super soldier.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
“He was a warrior, but now he runs security for his star system. I have his complete profile, and I saw nothing alarming. It sounds like he is in the same situation I am, with few prospects for a wife,” Carly said. “His species can recognize their soulmates by scent, but they are often worlds apart. They use genetic matchmaking services to find their genetic mates, and they are very successful at it.”
Her mother frowned at her from the computer screen and sighed. “I hate to see you go that far away, but I don’t want you to miss a chance to be as happy as I am with Hector. Just be sure it’s what you really want.”
They talked a few more minutes about mundane things before signing off. Her mother didn’t really want her to go off to an alien world, but she had gone to Brazil to be with the man she loved. Carly didn’t love Joven yet, but she was open to the possibility.
After she ended the call, she replayed Joven’s introductory video. As she looked into his intense feline eyes, something about him fascinated her. She realized she wanted to accept his proposal. She just needed a little more time to get used to the idea.
