15. POR TU AMOR

Spring has finally arrived in full force in Ciudad Enamorada, and Sofia has graduated in Psychology, moved in with Bastian, and started a new job as a Romance Consultant, beginning as an Emotional Health Counselor.

It might not be easy to impress a romance expert when it comes to dating, but Bas is doing his best to show he cares. Luckily, Ciudad Enamorada is now completely free from smog, so the beautiful surroundings make for a perfect atmosphere for flirting and romance.

And those nights? Simply magical. That date was absolutely perfect. Even a Love Expert had to admit it.

Meanwhile, Atlas got promoted to Command Center Lead. He’s getting closer and closer to fulfilling his dream of going to space. In fact, closer than he expected. That same night, aliens abducted him! Maybe it had something to do with the promotion... Who knows? Sadly, he couldn’t remember a thing afterward.

Atlas was always the lover type, but now he also discovered Single and Lovin' It lifestyle. And while he used to hold back, now he fully embraced the Don Lothario lifestyle.

He even hooked up with Lea (Bas' failed date) and her partner, and let’s just say it ended in a very spicy way.

Lea’s partner, Yoltic, wasn’t interested in Atlas, but introduced him to his friend and roommate, Manuel. Manuel, however, was very interested in Atlas, and the feeling was mutual. Still, before the date was even over, Atlas’s eyes were already wandering toward new horizons.

Following his next crush, Atlas found something he didn’t expect. Unable to find the woman in the red dress, he started looking around. And that’s when he ran into Valentina, falling in love at first sight. Valentina returned his fiery advances.

Atlas took Valentina home, where he showed her much more than just a few sensual dance moves.

Bas: I have to share something with you! I got a promotion at work! I’ll be personally supervising the creation of new Mechanisms.

Sofia: That’s great, honey. But we need to talk. Just let me finish this level.

Bas: That sounded serious. Should I be worried?

Sofia: No. But we have a problem with Atlas.

Bas: What do you mean?

Sofia: Didn’t you see how he’s been acting? He brings new Sim home almost every day. I get, he’s an adult and it’s his right, but he’s woohooing my boss right now! And she has a husband!

Bas: Are you sure it’s your boss? Maybe someone who just looks like her?

Sofia: I’d recognize Valentina anywhere! Though she didn’t seem to notice me at all. Maybe that’s for the best. I’d rather pretend I didn’t see anything. Watcher, what a mess...

Sofia: Still, he cannot keep seeing her! And honestly, all these flings of his are driving me crazy. What’s he trying to do, write a Play Book? I don’t know, Bas, either you talk to him, or I will. But something has to be done.

Bas: I wouldn’t worry too much. Knowing Atlas, this won’t last past tonight.

Sofia: You’d better be right. But talk to him anyway. At least tell him to be more... subtle and discreet about his affairs.

Unfortunately, the next day Bas didn’t get a chance to talk to Atlas, he was sent to give a guest lecture on mechanical engineering at Foxbury Institute.

Meanwhile, Sofia came home from work and walked straight into a sight she wished she could unsee. She quickly backed out, hoping the entangled couple didn't notice her this time either. What shamelessness. They didn't teach her that kind of situation management at university.

Sofia: Bas, I can’t take it anymore! I came home and they were doing it in the living room! The LIVING ROOM! Couldn’t they at least go to the bedroom?? Why did he see her again? You said they wouldn’t! Why didn’t you talk to him??

Bas: I’m sorry, honey. I had to go to Foxbury to give that lecture.

Sofia: Don’t use work as an excuse! He’s your friend! You could’ve brought it up over morning coffee!

Bas: You know how I am about these things. I can’t just be that direct...

Sofia: Oh no, that’s not an excuse either! I had to wait outside in the park until I saw her leaving because I didn’t want to bump into them, again!

Bas: I promise, I’ll talk to him.

Bas: Come on, don’t be mad, sweetheart.

Sofia: Bas, seriously, if you don’t talk to him, I... I don’t know what I’ll do! We’ll have to move out. Or he will!

Bas: You know that’s not so simple. There are no free places in Ciudad Enamorada. That’s why I had to move in with Atlas in the first place.

Sofia: I know... You’ve told me. But this situation is stressing me out. You have to do something.

Bas: I said I will. You’re beautiful when you’re angry, you know that?

Sofia: That’s not going to work.

Bas: What isn’t?

Sofia: Whatever you’re trying to do right now.

Bas: You mean... this?

Sofia: I’m still mad.

Bas: You know what they say is the best way to make up?

Sofia: Bas...

Bas: Perfect time to test that theory.

The next day, Bas was sent for a few days to Oasis Springs, to the Spaceflight Center, to work on missing rocket components and fixes. He was the only one on the team with the required skills, and deadlines were tight.

Sofia: You promised!!!

Bas: I’m sorry, honey. I had to go. There was no one else. It’s just for a few days. When I get back, I’ll talk to him. I promise.

Sofia: Guess I’ll handle it myself, then!

Sofia decided to prepare first - read a few psychology guides about dealing with “types like him.” What did everyone see in him anyway? I mean, sure, Atlas was very handsome. And smart. And athletic... not everyone makes it through astronaut training, after all.

And he was funny. Yes, he definitely had a sense of humor. They didn’t know each other that well, but he always managed to make her laugh when they talked. And, well... after what she accidentally saw yesterday... let’s just say he had certain undeniable assets.

Still, that didn’t change the fact that a grown Sim shouldn’t behave like that. Have some shame! And an affair with her boss, of all people. Ugh. Hopefully it wouldn’t affect her job in any way.

Finally, she was ready for the talk. Atlas was playing in the living room. Shirtless. Watcher, could he not put on a shirt? The plumhole Adonis.

Sofia: Atlas, umm, I’d like to talk to you.

Atlas: What’s up, beautiful?

Sofia: So, I’ll get straight to the point. Your current girlfriend...

Atlas: Valentina? She’s amazing.

Sofia: Yes, well, Valentina happens to be my boss.

Atlas: I had no idea! Why didn’t you say something sooner? We could’ve gone on a double date!

Sofia: No, Atlas, no. What I wanted to say is that Valentina is married!

Atlas: What? That’s impossible... We had something special.

Sofia: Okay, maybe so, I won’t argue. But it doesn’t change the fact she has a husband, and you really should stop seeing her. Tactfully.

Atlas: Why? Maybe she’ll leave him for me and we’ll be happy together?

Sofia: Do you even hear yourself?! Atlas, you fall in love with someone new every week! Soon you’ll meet another, and even forget to break up with Valentina, and you’ll really break her heart!

Atlas: You seem awfully stressed about this.

Sofia: Of course I’m stressed! The only thing that can come out of this is Valentina blaming me somehow and firing me! This job means a lot to me, and I don’t want your love whims to mess up my career!

And that was it for diplomacy and psychological strategy. The conversation went nothing like she’d imagined. But talking to a half-naked Atlas turned out to be far too distracting. Sofia wasn’t proud of herself.

Atlas: Hey, don’t worry. If it matters to you that much, I won’t see Valentina anymore. I’ll make sure to end it tactfully, so you won’t be affected. In any way.

Sofia: Really? But just a moment ago you said...

Atlas: Oh, I was just teasing you. Come on. Like you said, I’ll meet someone new soon anyway. Valentina was already getting a bit boring. I don’t want you stressing over my, what did you call them? “Love whims.”