Espresso Love: Fragments

Brandy (Cosmo Clock 21)

This is the first segment of "Cosmo Clock 21", a new novel project, the sequel book to "Espresso Love". "Cosmo Clock 21" will be a standalone separate story, but will take place in the same dystopian world as "Espresso Love", with different characters and a different, more concrete, action-packed approach. "Cosmo Clock 21" will be launched after "Espresso Love" has been fully posted. Stay tuned!

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The smoke in her face seared her lungs, but she kept on a straight face.

"Just water is fine."

"Ms. Suwabe, surely you didn't come here expecting just to have a glass of water."

She smiled apologetically. Then she shifted the documents in her hands. They were ordinary documents, nothing special as far as he could tell. A little thick perhaps. Just thick enough to produce a nice three dimensional quality. Though not weighing much either, you could tell it still had a solidity, as if it was struggling to prove its physical existence. Pondering over them for a few moments, she finally slid the manila envelope towards him, almost reluctantly, and set down a slender black clipboard on her right side. Next she slipped out a white touchscreen and tapped something onto it. Everything was done slow, in an orderly fashion. More out of show than business.

"I believe you already know about the terms and conditions of the contract." She said.

"I do." He smiled back.

"You contacted us roughly three months ago. During this time, we have done an extensive background check on you and found no issues. This included requesting for files from the Bureau of Registrations and Records, contacting family members and employers - of course while keeping the nature of our agreement and our company confidential. I hope you will be understanding of our procedures." She paused a full breath. It was within her training to make use of psychological tactics on clients. However it seemed to have no effect on him. His posture was as relaxed and amused as ever, a calm and nonchalant manner, legs crossed, as if he were listening to an old friend describe her cat. The cat must had done something remarkably strange.

Instead of looking at or picking up the documents before him, he was staring at her. From time to time, he'd take a long puff from his cigarette and frown a little, as if delicately scrutinizing the taste of a new dish. She could tell his act was just as good, if not better.

She was not one to be perturbed by her clients, but this time she couldn't help but fidget uncomfortably. His gaze was even and methodological, and with every moment, she felt as if he was slowly stripping off her clothes and peeling her skin, bit by bit. She felt the urge to tug down the hem of her skirt a little more but she resisted the temptation.

"Normally, you would be cleared and approved to proceed with the full premium coverage, however, I'd like to ask you a few questions personally," she said. "This would not be recorded I assure, but on the company's behalf I hope you understand I have consider both our interests."

"Of course, by all means." He spread his hands.

The waiter returned at this point and placed two glasses of brandy "on the rocks" on the table. She raised an eyebrow.

"To toast to our contract."

"You haven't signed it yet. And I haven't gone over the details."

"You know I will." He smiled. "I hope you don't mind cognac, at the moment it's almost the only thing in the bar that's somewhat worthwhile tonight. Hennessy. It's the only brand I can enjoy. I don't know why sometimes. It's something you're just born to drink. Everything else tastes sickening. It seems that case with many things in the world. Some people can eat durian, some people can't. Some people are genetically allergic to nuts and some are lactose intolerant. Some people like women with long legs, and others with nice delicately shaped collar bones." She shifted uncomfortably. "In this case, I am stuck drinking one brand of cognac. Or else I might get sick. Mind you, I can drink beer or red wine, champagne, vodka, martinis - oh those are delightful - yes, a variety of things, but when it comes to brandy it has to be this one."