Success has always been good at numbers and appearances. Years ago, when we were together in college, he was the sort everyone wanted to have around all the time. Back then he was pursuing Purpose, and they did seem like the perfect couple to those who knew them both. Since then however, they have not seen much of each other, except at other people's weddings. After that, Purpose went abroad in search of her beloved Passion, who has been missing for a while now. Success immersed himself in work, and eventually met and married Complacency, who is easy to please. He still hasn't forgotten his first love, and hopes that their paths will cross again. In fact, I suspect he's been secretly trying to track her down all this time. He won't admit this of course -- he's afraid of what he might do and what he would have to give up, if he really found Purpose again. -- Alvin Pang, in What Gives Us Our Names, 2011.