Chapter 4: Chapter 4

“Lav, it’s a miracle that you’re early here before the sunset.” Her friend was surprised when she confronted her in the dressing room.

“Mars and I are okay, Gertrude, so I have no reason to be afraid of every time I enter the shop.”

After getting dressed, they went straight to the opening of the shop. Lavender was humming while cleaning the cashier's area because she is sure that her day will be beautiful today. But she’s wrong, the first customer ruined it.

A tall woman suddenly entered the shop. She was pale actually just really white, her eyes were a bit narrow. Lavender thought that the woman is just her age. A perfect body shape, beautiful eyes and long wavy thick hair. She didn't miss that smooth skin that can make the insects slip if they land there. The woman went to the cashier’s area.

“Yes ma'am, how may I help you?” Lavender released her best of smiles to win the

woman's attention.

“Is Mars here?” Lavender's ears were widened as the girl spit the name of the man.

“Do you have an appointment with our boss?” she gently replied.

“Excuse me? Do you think of me as a business investor that I still need to set an appointment?” The sophisticated woman's eyes rolled in place

enough to make Lavender's nose vape.

“If you are looking for the owner, ma’am, he's not here.” she stressed

saying her respect that is seem to be forgotten of the woman in front of her who doesn’t have any good manners.

“I don’t believe Mars isn’t here, take him out, do not hide him! Mars are you inside? Mars, Mars!” Lavender frowned.

“As I have said, ma’am. Sir Mars is not here. If he is here, he is too busy and you will not be entertained. So if I were you, I would just leave.”

“And who are you to stop me from doing what I do? Know your level, girl. You are just a worker here so know your place.” There was a mixed grin and disgust; the woman to her.

“Excuse me, you’re too much, ma’am! I am being considerate and calm here, I already told you what is the truth and it's up to you if you are going to believe me or not. So you have no right to insult me. “ She turned her back on the woman. She can't afford to just be insulted like that. If

not only does she follow the rules and regulations, she has long had the woman’s face draped over the thorny rose for its face to shudder.

“And where do you think you're going? We're not done yet. Don't be rude!” The woman grip Lavender's bare hands. Lavender violently pulled her hand from the woman and she slaughtered it. She had enough of this girl's arrogance.

“What, huh? Are you going to fight with me? Remember, I’m a customer and I will always be right!”

“Alexa.” The woman quickly turned around at the entrance door of the shop. It was Mars who looked so disappointed looking at them.

“You should not come here.” Mars looks so upset.

“I just want to see you. I wanted to be with you so I went here.”

“Alexa, stop! Just stop, okay? I told you last night that I don't want to see you anymore. I told you never to show your face to me again. You even involved Lavender!”

“So that woman is more on your side than your girlfriend? You are on the side of this maid rather than your girlfriend!” Judging by the woman with a sharp spear at Lavender.

“You’re just my ex-girlfriend so you can leave now!”

“I won’t leave here until you give me enough reason as to why you side with this woman! Is she the reason why you broke up with me, huh?! Is she?”

“Alexa, just go home okay?” the young man rubbed his own forehead when he said that.

“No, I won't go until you tell me. Is this cheap woman the reason why you're

breaking up with me!”

Mars sighed. “Yes, Alexa. What you say is cheap is the woman I want.”

The woman was stunned in what the young man said, she was speechless and her eyes grew wider in shock. She  was not only the one surprised but also everyone inside the shop. Lavender felt ecstatic and tense, she didn’t know what to do. She was on the edge of happiness and confusion.

“How dare you!” The woman slapped Mars hard, but it didn’t budge on where he stood. “That's why you broke up with me last night, because you had an affair with this slut.”

“Don’t you ever forget this, woman! You’ll pay for this! Remember that!" Alexa said in horror before it cast a bad look on the young man and walked out on the shop.

Without a single word, the young man quickly entered his office. Lavender, who was still dumbfounded by what happened, was quickly approached by Gertrude.

“Is it true that I heard that they just separated and you are the reason, Lav?” Gertrude's question was unbelievable. Lavender was speechless, she knew this could happen but she did not expect that it would be the set-up.

“Lav, this is a miracle. Nothing really is impossible. Before, you almost crookback in search of a way just to steal his attention but he just ignored you. But now that you have done nothing, it’s so easy for him to say that he loves you.”

“B-But I felt sorry for the woman earlier.”

“Don't feel sorry for that damn thing. It's good for her.” raising her friend's snout.

“Lavender can I talk to you?” She turned to the one who spoke - Mars. She just nodded trying to avoid looking. “Gertrude, can you go first so I can just talk to your friend?”

“All right, sir.”

Lavender was extremely nervous. Her heart was pounding and she was about to faint a little. She was left staring at the door as Mars sat in his own swivel chair.

“Lavender, why don't you take a seat?” he held out his hand to the chair in front of him. Lavender hurried over there and sat down.

“About what happened this morning, I should be the one to apologize to you.”

“It's okay.”

“But, Lavender, it was not okay for me especially since Alexa hurts you. It hurts me too when she’s hurting you.” That's how the young man was so aggressive.

“But Mars, you shouldn't have done that!” Lavender insisted.

“Which one? My confession to her that I like you? Why? That’s the truth!”

“But Mars you shouldn’t have humiliated her!” The young man became silent at what Lavender had said. He sighed and stared at her intently.

“That doesn't matter, Lavender. The important thing is I love you, I love you very much.” he touched her two palms. “So if you give me a chance, I’ll prove to you that you’re the woman I really want.” His soft lips touched the girl's hand. Lavender felt self-inflicted, she knew it was all the potions doing.

It was past three o'clock in the afternoon when Lavender arrived at the restaurant that Mars had told him about. After that day, her mother immediately went out and ate, but she didn’t refuse. She looked around but the man wasn’t there. Lavender adjusted herself. She glared at the watch. This is the first time she is going to date Mars, the first time that they will share a meal with just the two of them. Lavender looked at her watch again.

“Ma’am.” Lavender looked up at the waiter in front of her.

“Yes?”

“Are you Ms. Lavender Guevarra?” She nodded in agreement.

“This way, Ma’am. Just follow those rose petals.”

Lavender followed with drops of rose petals scattered on the floor until she reached a garden. It was full of flowers that Lavender enjoyed the most, as if she were in paradise. There are butterflies in every corner and its fragrance overflows all around.

“Did you like it?” Lavender looked up when he heard the young man's voice.

“Mars.” Lavender's cheeks warmed when she saw the young man. He is very handsome in a tuxedo. It matched her lilac dress and ponytail.

“Let's go.” He supports her towards her chair. The waiter put wine in the goblet then the orchestra on the side started playing music. Mars just stared at Lavender. The girl was restless in her seat.

“Lav, you don't know how much you make me happy now.” He grabbed her hand and it made her heart pound. Lavender feels that what Mars is saying is true and that it doesn’t seem to be just a potion effect.

“So am I, Mars. You never know how excited I am to be with you. I am dreading for this moment to come.” No one seemed to want to look back at the two of them. They also lingered in that order until the young man stood up and held out his hand to her.

“May I have this moment to dance with a very special and beautiful woman?” His bright smile melted Lavender's heart.

They are alone in the private area. Along with the melodious music is the sticky stare of the two. Lavender's heart was beating so fast, she seemed to be in the glory of emotion because of the very sticky and hot eyes of the young man staring at her. It accelerated even more as their bodies came together. Lavender could feel the hardness of the young man's chest. It wraps around her waist and the warmth of her hands as if she has a voltage of electricity flowing through her body and it activates her muscles.

Gradually, their faces came closer to each other. Lavender could feel the young man's fragrant breath, as if she was going crazy with the scent of his breath. In a few moments their lips met. Lavender's long-awaited feeling was replaced by warmth and glory, as if his warm kisses brought her to the ninth glory. She couldn’t explain the sweetness of Mars' lips, as if she would faint. Mars' grip tightened on the girl's waist. Even he himself was swept away by the strange sensation brought by Lavender's lips. Lavender moaned as Mars entered the depths of his mouth. Their tongues played but the young man's tongue became more daring which signaled Lavender's moaning. The young man's kiss was insane, very sweet and delicious. That is what Lavender's heart and mind dictate.

Both Lavender and Mars sighed as their lips parted, but that did not stop the young man from grabbing his hand and speaking.

“Lavender, you're so gorgeous." those words came out of the young man's mouth. It sounds good but Lavender knows that it wasn’t true, that it is just the result of magic. But only now has she been very happy all her life and Mars made her feel that way.

“Mars.” Lavender hugged the young man.

“Lav. I lo--” Lavender quickly kissed Mars' lips. He cannot say that he loves her. The potency of the potion can’t be lost immediately. She worked so hard for it. She struggled to lie so just a little more moment before she could admit it.

“Mars, I need to leave.” The girl quickly grabbed her bag from the chair.

“Wait, why?” Confused, the young man held in her hand preventing her from leaving.

“I’ll see you later. I have to go.” And she walked away. She wanted to stay but if she stayed, she might even say that she loves him too. She will only tell Gertrude everything. Her secret to her friend will be safer. Although she wouldn’t believe what she would say Mars kissed her, she knew she could trust her friend.