Chapter 12 Chapter 11
Chapter 12 Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
AILA
“Where are we?”
“Kinpai,”Caelon smirked as he pulled me closer, “Our biggest chocolate factory located in Kyoto Japan.“
“Kinpai means gold cup. This is where it all started.” he nodded at me as he continue, “We produce the majority of the chocolates in all of Asia. Here, you can see the mass production,” Caelon pointed on his left and I pressed my head on the glass window, salivating at the sight of the dark mass that is flowing under us. “While here, Michiko and the rest of the others will be in charge of the special orders. It’s late – the factory closes soon and before they leave, they talk about the performance of the product. Let’s go down and check the stations while they are gone.” I raised a brow and tried to see pass the darkness only to sigh, following him out of the room. I was quickly intoxicated by the scent of something so fragrant, wafting in my nose, as though it was the very air we are breathing in.
“What’s that smell? It’s intoxicating.”
“Oh, that is cocoa, the main ingredient for making chocolates.”
My mouth feel open as Caelon led us inside a room where big whirring things circulates the dark fluid from the transparent glass. The process alone was mesmerizing and I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. Caelon points to the next room that contains millions of dark brown balls, some of them covered with bright golden and silver wrappers.
“This is where magic really happens.”
“What magic?” I took one of the dark balls and stared at it, watching it as one of them slowly melted on my hand. “Did you use enchantments and potions on them? Are they lethal? I won’t die if one of this melted on my hands, would I?”
He bit his lip and smiled, “Some of the special orders, yes, I put allurements, but most of it, no. I personally studied how to make the chocolates and raised the cacao trees myself.” He nudged my hand which is holding the melted chocolate, “And it is not lethal. You can eat it, it’s edible and doesn’t contain poison – let me assure you.” I dubiously look at the ball, watching him as he puts two of them inside his mouth, smacking his lips, “Hmm.”
I bit my lip before taking one, putting the ball inside my mouth. “Oh!”
It’s like having sex with Caelon. Dark and sexy and so satisfying. I blushed at the thought, thankful that Caelon remains clueless of what I was thinking about. If he finds out, I’ll be dying of embarrassment and never see the light again.
“See, I told you so!” He grins at me, his teeth stained with chocolate. My heart fluttered in my chest and I felt like my stomach had just fallen. What is this? Why is he making me feel like I am floating? He touched my arm, pulling me away from my thoughts. “How is it, Aila?”
“This taste like…felt like, heaven. It’s warm and melts in my mouth, making me feel like I would never be sad again.” As though, the promise of forever includes me and you. I gaze at Caelon, wishing that I could wrap my arms around him but he will think of me as someone weird. He only like touching when we are in bed and not in public.
It was one of his rules, to never touch him in front of anyone without his permission.
I wrapped my arms around me and hug myself tight, “ I can’t believe that fact that you did not put some enchantments in them.”
“I didn’t – I swear! I just use my knowledge on raising and harvesting the perfect cocoa. Come,” he tugged at my wrist and took me in another room, containing numerous glasses full of colorful liquid swirls that it was mesmerizing to look at them.
Everything that he shows me was mesmerizing, but what fascinates me is his expression. Caelon has a genuine smile on his face and he really talking about something that he does like. Watching him makes me giddy and I found myself drawing closer, “What are you doing?”
“Uhm—” I bowed my head in shame and twirled my hair upon my fingers. “I just thought of how you came to develop all of this when you were a banished cupid.”
“Ah, well.” Caelon massage the back of his neck and smiled, “I learned how to plant cacao from my adoptive parents before they were taken by Hades. Emyr was the one who discovered how to make the chocolates although, accidentally.” Caelon claps his hand and added, “We need to stay for a couple more hours. I would have to wait for them to present me the product then we shall return.”
“What would I do then? I have no bows and arrows with me. I can’t just sit here—"
“I’m amazed of your enthusiasm, cupid,” he gave me a sarcastic smile, and pointed at the seat in front of the table. I followed his command and was surprised when he emptied the contents of a mystery bag. “These books are related to mortals or Gaeans as you call them. It’s about how this world works. It is essential that you learn about the basics considering that we are in public. Specifically, when we are with mortal company, just like now.”
He gave me a smile and held a finger over his lips, directing his gaze at the that opens, permitting the entrance of a peculiar old lady, “Ohayou gozaimasu, MICHIKO-san!”
“Oh! Good afternoon, Kuki-sama,” the old lady greeted and bowed in front of Caelon, closing the door behind her.
It’s hard to focus. I listen to Caelon as she talks with Michiko – san. Her outfit as bizarre as the chocolates that I have tried. She is wearing bright yellow coat over her green blouse – a style of fashion that reminds me of the Queen of England. Her curly white hair bounces as she waddled across the room holding out a stack of paper over her quite huge belly and taking it to Caelon.
“Here, Kuki-sama.” She lays the papers in front of Caelon, “The voting happens last week and there are four products that topped the evaluation. The proposal includes four of the new products: exploding chocolate bombs, diamond nougat lockets, color changing crystal pops and treasure buttercups, Kuki-sama.”
“Insisting on the crystal pops, again?”
“70% of the kids were amazed at the color changing property, Kuki-sama .”
It wasn’t long when the door opens and in came Michiko, pushing a cart that contains a lot of colorful stuffs. I observed Caelon as he stands from his seat and took one of the colorful package. He opens it to reveal a crystal locket which he bites on afterwards. I can hear the crystals crunching inside his mouth.
I licked my lips, wondering how it would taste in my mouth. Caelon bites on it again and I swallowed. How would it taste like after he pass it to me from his mouth?
I shake my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts I have. What is happening to me? Why am I thinking about such disgusting things? But then, sharing food with Caelon isn’t that disgusting when we have shared so much more.
Caelon turns at me and I tried to hide the blush from my cheeks. The sight of his smirking face made me sick. Ugh, he just caught me drooling over me. This isn’t right.
Caelon marks a paper and took a jar. The chocolate balls toppled on each other as Caelon shakes the jar, opening it. He pops one of the balls inside his mouth and moaned, “Hmm, this is—” he takes another one and moaned once again, making me blush a deep red. He caught my eyes and I gritted my teeth. He is doing this in purpose!
“This is outstanding , Michiko-san! How did they make it explode like that?” He takes another ball from the jar and smiled at me, offering it, “Try it – it’s better than the first one, promise! It’s so good…” He gave me a wide grin, his teeth stained with melted chocolate.
I carefully dipped my hand inside the half full container and took one , popping it inside my mouth only to stop.
“This is – extraordinary!” I exclaimed, taking another ball. Once the ball was inside my mouth, it pops and the chocolate explodes, coating my mouth with its yummy taste – like an avalanche, an assault to my taste buds.
No. This isn’t right. Chocolates are not supposed to taste like this. Like, sex.
Caelon returned the now empty container at the trolley and marked the paper, giving Michiko a wide, chocolate-stained smile. Michiko stands there, watching Caelon as though this is how he had always been.
The treasure chest was next and Caelon ate the coins and the diamonds while I stared at it in wonder. “Exquisite, though I have to vote out the gold paint – not very healthy for our young customers. How about we change the color to bronze, a matter of mixing our original cocoa with other components, like caramel? Will that be alright?” Michiko takes a pink notebook from her pocket and wrote it, bowing once again. “Hai, Kuki-sama!”
Why does she keep on calling him that?
“Last but not the least, the favorite of all our little customers.” Caelon takes the brightest and the most colorful package, pulling out a couple of oddly shaped crystals before tossing it in his mouth. He grins at Michiko and showed her his bright pink teeth, he sucked on the crystal for a full minute and smiled again, his mouth and teeth turning green, “I can taste various fruits – I am amazed they still like it even with that.”
“Of course, the brain behind it all is the one we shall praise,” Michiko bowed and Caelon chuckled, seeming as though they’ve had this conversation before because of their reactions. Michiko looks at Caelon with such affection that I have to avert my eyes, “How is Kaze- sama?”
“He’s back home, a bit busy with things. You know how he is with people, Michiko – Emyr or should I say, Kaze-sama is a bit close off ever since his significant half left the earth. ” The candy cracked as Caelon bit on it, making his teeth turn blue. “These are all good, Michiko-san, though, I believe that I am a bit prejudiced of the chocolates. I will approve the bombs and this pops to be our flagship product, the rest will have to do well at featured. Make sure to put the bombs as first though,” Michiko nodded once again, reaching out to take the papers from Caelon’s desk and taking some more notes in her notebook. “I will let the others know about your decision and let the marketing team be in charge of the promotion this week. We shall start distributing for next week.”
“Very good! I am glad that I have you here, Michiko-san. I know I can trust you,” I scowled at his words. What does he mean by that? Am I missing something here? Does Caelon prefer old women over me? I folded the sides of the book and gritted my teeth. Caelon fixed me a glare as Michiko pushes the trolley out and shuts the door behind her.
Caelon sauntered, eyes glinting as he leans down, “May I ask what your problem is? Acting like a jealous woman, huh? Remember Aila, we are married because of our needs. You hold your feelings in wraps, okay? Because it feels awkward and disgusting.” His words hurt me and I felt irritated.
“I’ve no problem. I just—”
“Excuses!” he snapped, raising an eyebrow at me. “Now that you’ve read enough information like what I’ve asked you to do, let’s go.”
“To where?”
“To the world I know,” And he flicked his hand, everything else fading into greens and blues, melting like how the chocolates did in my mouth.
His arms are tightly wrapped around my waist and I feel like I couldn’t care anymore whether he would love me or not, as long as he is next to me.