Chapter 13: Chapter 13

C12

RUBIN

“What is that?” Aeon asked me as soon as I finished pinning the paper on the cold cupboard – I mean, fridge.

“Just some important – stuff.” I shrugged my shoulder and wearily observed him as he squinted at the paper before taking it off, “Hey!” I tried to snatch it away from his hands but he was way too tall.

He began reading,

“One, a cupid has a mission to be done here on earth hence the gods should allow her to complete it. Oh, there’s no problem about that. I allow you to proceed,” he smirks before reading the next one. “Two, A cupid has a wish to be one with the Gaeans and experience everything the earth has to offer consequently, the cupid should be allowed to spend some time outside. Oho! That will be a little bit of a challenge considering that I have to observe you at certain times but it can be plausible – I’ll see to this if we could,” He huff, checking the paper again, “Three, a cupid has a desire to feel precious and loved, therefore she asked for leisure and occasional pampering – Hey! Isn’t it that you greatest law says—”

“We are bound to give love but not receive any at all?”

“Exactly! So why are you asking to be pampered?”

“Well, it’s not that the law forbids us to be pampered—”

“It does pertain to that! They are of the same manner – loving and pampering. Pampering eventually leads to loving and vice versa!”

“No, it isn’t.” I rolled my eyes at him and tried to snatch the paper out of his grasp but Aeon continue to read, “Four, a cupid has certain worries and asked to be left alone when the need arises. She has a right to mellow on her own world! – Oh! The last one is the best, definitely my favourite. Why don’t you consider removing the three and leaving just this one? You should inform me as soon as possible when you feel like it. I won’t have any complains, I assure you.” Aeon gave me a smirk before heading inside his study.

It has been three days since Caelum collapsed after breakfast, making certain confessions that made me cringe sometimes. He hasn’t come out of his room since then and it seems like it will continue for some time.

I took some toast and arranged it beside the sliced apples, balancing the plate on one hand with the glass of orange juice on my other hand. I carefully made my way upstairs only to be surprised when Caelum smirked down at me from the top of the stairs, wearing weird clothes, “Morning.”

“Good morning, are you well?”

“I believe I am,” His pale lips curved into a much sincere smile as he descended the stairs, his dark hair framing his face like curly vines – he badly needs a haircut, his hair quite close to reaching his shoulders.

“It’s alright. No need to worry about how pale and sickly I look because I know I am still handsome and hot. Definitely hot. ” He plunged his hand in his coat and took his pipe, he put some leaves inside and he waited for it to light up, inserting it in his mouth. “ I am perfectly fine, Rubin.” He assured me once again, head tilted to the side as he smirked at me.

He headed down the stairs, snatching the toast and the glass of orange juice from my hands as he made his way inside Aeon’s study. I followed him, lingering by the doorway as I hear him speak to Aeon. “The main office asked for my presence, Aeon. Obviously, they are too nervous to decide on their own that they require me to be there.”

“I don’t need to know about that Caelum, it’s your company now, so why are you telling me this?” Aeon turns on his chair, squinting his eyes as though he is trying to figure out Caelum. “I’ll be taking Rubin with me.”

‘Wait – what?’ I thought only to be surprise to hear it out loud, the words coming from Aeon’s mouth. “Wait – what?” Aeon exaggerated my thoughts as he pushed his chair that has wheels, stopping in front of Caelum, “Why would you take her? Why do you need to take her?”

“I heard of her request – or should I say – seen it from last night. She has a right to enjoy earth as much as we did for the past millennia. I am merely giving her a chance to see how enjoyable this mortal world could be.”

“How touching! Well, if you insist then I will proceed on my research now and not see you off, is that okay with you?” My eyebrows were raised as I hear their polite banter. I peek inside the study only to be surprise to see the both of them looking at me with suspicious eyes. “Haven’t your mother thought you how it’s rude to eavesdrop—”

“I’m sorry to correct you but I have no mother.” The words came out of my mouth as natural as it used to, back in Eros. I gritted my teeth. Aeon opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water while Caelum sighs. “I’m sorry, Aeon. I am just sensitive when it comes to my parents.” I bowed my head, “I know it’s wrong to eavesdrop and I apologize for that.”

“Raise your head, cupid, we do not demand for your respect.” I looked at Caelum to see him thoughtful of what I just said. “Since you heard about our conversation, I take it that you’re ready to go with me.”

“Where exactly are you taking me?” I asked Caelum as he led me out of the study, and wee stopped by the foot of the stairs. “Just bring your coat. I will buy you everything you will need once we are there.”

I snatched the yellow travelling cloak Vivian has insisted for me to have and followed him as he headed at the middle of the living room. With a smirk, he flicked his hand and I watched as the pastel colored living room dissolved, replaced by a dark room.

“It’s far too late – the factory closes at 6 pm and they are currently in a meeting about 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 is a factory and what products are you talking about? And what’s that smell? It’s intoxicating.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, it definitely slipped my mind that you are ignorant of this mundane terms. Well, a factory is a place where certain products are produced, developed or processed. In this case, this factory is purely dedicated to making chocolates and other sweets – what you are smelling is cocoa, the main ingredient for making chocolates.”

My mouth widened as Caelum 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, pressing my face on the glass. “Don’t be such an idiot – pressing your face like that doesn’t deem you normal, you know. You are such a kid.” Caelum pulled me back, beckoning me inside another 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 at 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, but most of it, no. The one you are holding is one of our altered chocolates. 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!”

“See, I told you so!” He grins at me, his teeth stained with chocolate. “This taste like…felt like, heaven. It’s warm and melts in my mouth, making me feel like I would never be sad again.” I hugged myself tight and smiled up at him, “It’s impossible 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. The rest of it happened accidentally when Aeon ask me to take a cocoa and cook it. He takes some honey and mix it in, afterwards leaving it outside. It’s an interesting story and it will take me a day to tell it which I will, another time, possibly. Come on, I have so much to show you.” he tugged at my wrist and shoved me in another room, containing numerous glasses full of colorful liquid swirls that it was mesmerizing to look at them.

“This is the candy room – it is specifically for kids favorite which is why everything here is colorful,” Caelum pressed a bar of something completely covered with multi color wrap in my hand and asked me to take a bite. I carefully peeled it open, frowning at how colorful a food can be. The bar cracked as I ate it, giving me the impression of biting into an edible rock that occasionally pops inside my mouth – the taste of chocolate overwhelming me as it melts.

“That’s the end of your tour for I believe that the workers are going back now – let’s go.” He takes the rest of the bar from me and swallowed it in one go, making his mouth full of the crystal bar. We went outside of the room and we silently walk back to where we came from.

The factory was now resuming its life as weird Gaeans comes back in wearing blue funny suits, stationing themselves on certain machineries. “We’ll be staying here for a couple of hours. I have to wait for them to present me the product.”

“What would I do then? Just hang around here?”

“I’m glad you asked,” he gave me a sarcastic smile before he takes a bag under his desk, he held it out to me and said, “These are books 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 world. Specifically, when we are with mortal company, just like now.” He waves his hands and I felt my knees cave in as I was forced to sit, glaring at him.

He gave me a smile and held a finger on his lips before directing his gaze at the door which opens at that moment, “Ohayou gozaimasu, Missy-san!”

“Oh! Good afternoon, Sora-sama,” the old lady greeted and bowed in front of Caelum, closing the door behind her.

She is wearing bright orange coat over her yellow blouse – her fashion reminding me of the Queen of England’s unique style. Her curly white hair bounces as she waddled across the room holding out a stack of paper over her quite huge belly. “Here, Sora-sama. I have given them strict instructions of how they should avoid seeing you for the duration of your three hours stay.”

“Brilliant, Missy-san, as how it should be. How about the proposal?” Missy held out the paper and Caelum takes it from her, skimming through them.

“The proposal includes four of the new products: exploding chocolate bombs, diamond nougat lockets, color changing crystal pops and treasure buttercups, Sora-sama.”

“Insisting on the crystal pops, again?”

“70% of the kids were amazed at the color changing property, sama .”

“As expected,” Caelum says as he pushed the papers back to Missy and she bowed, “Bring me samples of the said four and I’ll tell you about my assessment later. Arigatou, Missy-san”, Missy bowed once again, clutching the papers on her beefy hands. My eyes followed her out of the room and was startled when Caelum called my name, “Yes?”

“Eavesdropping again, are we?” my cheeks heats up as I bowed my head. “Focus on your task, please, I will ask you questions after I am done with the assessment. I won’t take long so you better study hard and quick.” Nodding, I busied myself with the book I am holding and sink down on the sofa, a bit amazed of the pictures inside and the information it provides.

Gaeans are a creative bunch.

It wasn’t long when the door opens and in came Missy, pushing a cart that contains a lot of colorful stuffs. I observed Caelum 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.

I guess, I now have sweet-tooth, as how the book I am reading describes it. I wish, I can make these things up in Eros – the Erosian kids will explode in happiness with all these chocolates. I smiled to myself and listened as Caelum says, “This is really tasty, Missy-san, though I believe that this will cause toothache for most of the young ones. Their teeth are brittle, not like adults have. I’d give it 3 out of 5,” He puts the locket down before taking a paper and marking it. The chocolate balls toppled on each other as Caelum grabs the jar, opening it. He pops one of them inside his mouth and moaned, “Hmm, this is—” he takes another one and moaned once again, making me blush, “This is outstanding , Missy-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 take one ball out, 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, a sneak attack to my tongue.

Caelum returned the now empty container at the trolley and marked the paper, giving Missy a wide, chocolate-stained smile. Missy stands there, watching Caelum as though this is how he always is, acting normally even if it appears like he was a spoiled child that was given his best presents.

I shook my head and gaped at Caelum as he opens a small treasure chest that contains little circles – It looks like the change they gave me when I give the Gaean money in shops.

Is it edible?

Caelum hastily takes one and chew on it; some he tried pulling with his teeth and I was surprised to see a golden line extend from his mouth connecting the half of the circle, before finishing it. “Exquisite. I’ve never seen, oh!” I looked at Caelum to see that he had broken the lid of the treasure chest. “Is this edible, Missy-san?” my eyes widened at his question and I can’t help but gawk as I see Missy’s response.

Missy nodded vigorously, her white hair bouncing, “Of course, Sora-sama, it’s white chocolate painted gold.”

“Fascinating, 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?” Missy takes a pink notebook from her pocket and wrote it, bowing once again. “Hai, Sora-sama!”

Why does she keep on calling him that? I wondered inside my head thinking about how I should ask Caelum about it later.

“Last but not the least, the favorite of all our little customers,” Caelum 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 Missy 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,” Missy bowed and Caelum chuckled, seeming as though they’ve had this conversation before because of their reactions. Missy looks at Caelum with such affection that I have to avert my eyes, “How is Sota-sama?”

“He’s back home, a bit busy with things. You know how he is with people, Missy – Aeon or should I say, Sota-sama is a bit close off ever since his significant half left the earth. ” The candy cracked as Caelum bit on it, making his teeth turn blue. “These are all good, Missy-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,” Missy nodded once again, reaching out to take the papers from Caelum’s desk and taking some more notes in her notebook. “I will let the division know about your decision and let the marketing team be in charge of the advertisement.”

“Very good! I am glad that I have you here, Missy-san. I know I can trust you,” I scowled at his words. What does he mean by that? I folded the sides of the book and gritted my teeth, which made Caelum smirk at me. He fixed me a glare as Missy pushes the trolley out and shuts the door behind her.

Caelum sauntered, eyes glinting as he leans down, “May I ask what your problem is? Acting like an insolent child as you did awhile ago?”

“I’ve no problem. I just—”

“Excuses!” he snapped, raising an eyebrow at me before he waves his hand, making me stand from the sofa, unwillingly. “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.

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