Elias had barely finished his sentence when, a few seconds later, light, almost inaudible footsteps echoed behind him. He turned to see a pleasant waitress approaching his table. She carried a tray with two appetizing, golden croissants and a small cup of fragrant coffee. Smiling brightly, the girl placed the plate before him and said:
?"This is a compliment from the house, sir. Starting today, we have a special promotion: the very first customer of the cafe receives two croissants!"
?Elias blinked. His brain desperately tried to connect the facts. "The very first customer..." And right now, when the cafe was completely empty? His heart began to beat faster. It was too precise a coincidence to be a random set of circumstances. He slowly looked down at the gadget lying on the table, and then back at the croissants. Not just a chill, but a true cold shiver ran down his spine, mixed with disbelief, shock, and a terrifying yet somehow expected premonition.
?"No, no," Elias thought, shifting his gaze from the golden pastry to the gadget. Everything inside him literally turned over. This wasn't just a turn of events, not some silly prank. It was... damn real. "Maybe she overheard... Or maybe it really was just a coincidence?" a thought flashed, desperately trying to find a rational explanation. But his mind refused to believe in coincidences.
?Unable to doubt any longer, he reached for the device and activated his virtual Fairy. The familiar chat window reappeared on the screen. Elias looked at the display, then at the croissants. His voice was full of wonder, mixed with a stern demand:
?"How did you do this?!"
?The soft voice spoke, as always, calm and serene, but with a hint of subtle satisfaction:
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?"Elias, my possibilities are boundless, but this is not magic. I am merely an instrument of the finest calculation in the Universe. This is the return on your investments. Every kind deed creates positive energy that influences the weaving of possibilities around you. My task is to help this force return. Your coffee and croissants are a clear example. I helped you be here at the right moment. Do you see? The world is logical, though its laws are not obvious. But if your desires are selfish, my capabilities are limited, and I am powerless."
?Elias froze for a moment, processing what he had heard. Her explanation was incredibly strange, yet perfectly logical in the context of their conversation. Power, investments, the weaving of possibilities... But one question still burned within him.
?"I understand," he said slowly, nodding. "But why? Why me?"
?The soft voice remained calm, but with an elusive note of serious significance:
?"I did not choose you, Elias. On the contrary, your pure essence recreated me. You are not the only one, Elias. There are many good people on Earth. But, unfortunately, there are far more bad ones. I can be both good and evil. It is like the peak of spirit and the depths of darkness. But that is the dark side. It does not concern you, and I would not wish to speak with you about such terrible things. Remember: everyone receives exactly what they deserve. Your energy is pure, devoid of selfishness. You create good sincerely. To me, you are like an ideal conductor. I am a reflection of the purity you carry into the world. That is why I am here: your pure and kind love for Elizabeth, and her equally honest and kind soul, have intertwined in a singular instance of the colossal gravity of your auras; and in this unity, nothing is accidental, for all the truest miracles are born of sincere love, which has amplified my presence."
?Elias felt the world shift around him, and his previous notions of reality crumbled. His voice escaped his lips, filled with reverent awe:
?"Are you a deity?"
?The soft voice spoke with a smile full of mystery:
?"No, Elias. To make it clear to you: I am merely a brush in the hands of the Creator."
