Hero Villain

4.

"Good afternoon, sir. Is there anything that would please you here?"

Greeted the petite lady behind the counter, smiling hugely with no reason. Silas nodded and pretended to look around. He sniffed discreetly under his scarf; it smelled like a mixture of cinnamon, chocolate and gingerbread. It wasn't unpleasant, though. He took his hands out of his pockets; it was much warmer and brighter inside the bakery than outside. 

In front of him were all sorts of pastries, all made from baked dough. There were cakes, chocolates and lots of bread. One pastry, that caught his eye, was a sort of round mini tart, with a swirl of white cream and a raspberry on top. 

Reaching the peak of curiosity, he pointed out to the little piece with his index finger and whispered;

- "What's that?"

The baker, with the same smile that seemed to expand wider and wider, said in a cheerful tone; 

- "It's called 'Le Puits d'Amour', which means 'The Well of love'! It's a French puff pastry treat, hollowed out and filled with caramelised pastry cream and red fruit jam! (She took a deep breath and continued) This sweet pastry is perfect for events like Valentine's Day and also makes a great gift for couples! Personally, I like to have it for myself because it's so flavorful, not too sweet, not too bitter! This cake is also known to bring eternal love into your surroundings and into your heart, hence the name 'The Well of Love'! Some says that they can feel the scent of love while eating it! I do too... I like the idea of infinite love and happiness overwhelmed on a little tart, which is why this cake is one of my best treats! And also... 

She babbled a lot, and Silas didn't catch everything she said. One thing for sure is that she'd been waiting all her life to say all that. He regretted asking what it was, nonetheless he stayed still, amused by the lady's excitement. 

- "... And that's why it's my favourite forever! So, uh, would you like to buy these?', she finally concluded.

He thought one second before slowly nodding, raising his finger to indicate that he only wanted one.

She smiled and made the 'OK' sign with her fingers, and packed one of the tarts into a small pink paper box.

- "Keep the change." Silas said simply, grabbing the box and putting a coin in the counter. Behind him, he could hear a female voice shouting in a very high-pitched tone;

-  "Thank you for your purchase! Have a nice day, sir!! See you again!"

And he walked away, ringing the little bell above the door on the way out.

As he continued his path to his house, he opened the pink box, revealing a nice-smelling golden tart. Passing a rubbish bin, he threw the box away and held the pastry in his hand. So, you small little sweet, you bring love and happiness to life, huh?  he thought, questioning it as if it could answer. The white smooth cream melted perfectly with the snow around, shining through the bright light of the sky. The young man felt like it was actually answering him that "yes, it could". And it pissed him off. So he ate the whole thing in one bite.

"Not too sweet, not too bitter!" The talkative lady was right. Even though this tart was too small for the thirty-three year-old man to catch all the flavours inside, he could feel an unfamiliar strong scent spreading into his mouth and going all the way through his nose. Feels like a shortbread biscuit impregnated in a red fruit paste and a fine touch of whipped cream, but scented like this strange cherry-sweet odor of a cotton field in a hot summer. Even though it was a strange unknown flavour to me, it wasn't unpleasant.