Bonus Chapter: Progress Update

Aphrodite, can you give me a progress update for all of my current connections please.

Of course. Would you like me to provide some insights about them too?

Sure, sounds good.

Great! You have seven connections at present. I will list them in order of affection rating.

To begin with we have Stefanie.

Liked Gift: Tips

Fun fact - you interacted with Stefanie on one hundred and eight separate occasions before making her your first connection, and you never spoke more than three sentences to each other during any of those exchanges.

Things are obviously going very well between you and Stefanie now. She is top of your Love List for a reason, and it is clear you enjoy each other's company quite effortlessly. Your relationship with Stefanie is still a little superficial though. She has a lot of depth to her. Exploring that might raise her to four and five stars more quickly. You have reached the point with Stefanie where constant tipping probably isn't going to do much.

Moving onto Rachel.

Liked Gift: Coffee

Loved Gift: Kit Kats

You are doing a really good job with Rachel too! The Romance Mechanic is great at transitioning platonic love into a sexual relationship, which is part of the reason things are progressing so quickly between you. You already knew Rachel extremely well before she became a connection, which is a huge advantage - and is fantastic that you were able to figure out one of her loved gifts without needing to spend any tokens! You still have a tendency to treat Rachel as a buddy you find hot - things may move quicker if you can get her well and truly out of that friend zone mentality. I would recommend either unlocking a loved compliment or figuring one out for yourself.

Now we take a look at Juliet

Liked Gift: Anything cat related

Loved Gift: Quirky socks

You have made really solid progress here. Getting a virtual stranger into dateable territory while they are busy working is never easy, and your decision to combine a liked gift with a loved one on your first date with Juliet was a stroke of pure inspiration. You probably could have built her affection rating up a little more after the comedy gig if you had focused more on your current date and not become preoccupied with Sasha. I would recommend calling Juliet over to your place soon. With some proper attention, maybe a few more cat socks and the occasional well chosen compliment, that third heart and all of the wonderful things that come with it might be closer than you think.

Next on your Love List is Diane

Like Gift: Completed Reports

What is interesting about Diane is that she still has quite a low opinion of you, even as her affection builds. That is a surprisingly common scenario with the Love Mechanic, which our unique match making technology is able to account for without any issues. However, do bear in mind that those conflicting emotions may sometimes prove confusing for Diane until you fully win her over.

When double dating, be sure to pay equal attention to both of your connections - I fear you are a little star struck by Sasha, and may focus excessively on her to the detriment of Diane. A little tip - if two of your connections clash with each other and you pick a side, that will result in a significant affection rise for one and a small decline for the other. If you don't support either, you will see a small decline for both. Therefore, it is never beneficial for you to sit on the fence during connection on connection conflict.

Now we get to Sasha

Loves: Hideous Charity Shop Finds

A word of warning here. Sometimes, when a beautiful celebrity finds their way onto someone's Love List, the user gives them their entire and undivided attention at the expense of all other connections. While you have not gone very far in that direction with Sasha yet, I have noticed one or two early warning signs it is a mindset you could slip into. Please let me be crystal clear here - the Romance Mechanic works the same way on famous people as it does on everyone else. Sasha does not require special treatment or extra attention. You have done well so far, making a good early impression on her. Just don't turn Sasha into your personal obsession or pet project.

Now, Here is a fascinatingly complex connection, Gina.

Loved Gift: Vinyl Albums From Favoured Artists

Things are always complicated with exes when it comes to the Romance Mechanic. A part of you and Gina still loves each other. Another part remains angry and resentful. Our unique relationship building technology will transition Gina so she moves up the heart system like any other connection, but that doesn't mean there won't still be complex and conflicting feelings on both sides during the journey.

A common question with connections the user has slept with before is, can that be repeated without having to reach five hearts? The answer is no. The Romance Mechanic is very strict about things progressing at the right pace and in the right order, which is for your own benefit.

It is also worth noting that Gina is your only connection with a current boyfriend. She may continue her relationship with him while dating you until she reaches five hearts, at which point she will automatically break up with him to devote herself exclusively to you. You will need to consider if you are comfortable with that.

And finally, little old me!

Loved Gift: Love Token Purchases

Okay, I know we had a small setback at the end of our video date, but that was really my fault for failing to manage your expectations properly. I hope it was also a useful learning experience for you. I really appreciated your apology, as well as all the lovely little chats we have had since. I notice you have become way more personable with me over time, which is awesome. So the upshot of all that is, we are almost back to where we were before the date.

To avoid any further uncertainty, I want to be really clear with you here and now - if you raise me up to two hearts, I guarantee we will have a physical, in person encounter. Sound good?

It really does Aphrodite, and thank you so much for that incredibly helpful update. It was actually way more detailed than I was expecting. I know I don't say this nearly enough, but I do really appreciate everything you do for me and how good you are at your job. I feel really lucky to have you.

Luke's phone was buzzing.

Well, look at that, I'm back up to a full heart! I know video dates aren't really your thing and they are unfortunately all I can offer you for now, but keep up the good work and you and I will be getting physical with each other before long ;)