The Grim Reaper’s Mate

Success

My first batch of chocolates were sold out within an hour, and children and adults alike were coming back into the shop to ask for more. I promised that there would be twice as many tomorrow and got to work. I made some toffee and nougat with what we already had available, more caramel, and lots more chocolate. I poured and mixed and filled and created for the rest of the afternoon. The bell over the shop door continually jingled as customers came in asking to try some of the 'amazing chocolate' that people were talking about. They were promised a chance to try some tomorrow, and the excitement over my creations was palpable.

I was working as fast as I could in the kitchen. It felt like my brain was moving faster than I could cook. New ideas kept coming, and I found myself frustrated by the lack of ingredients. Despite David's disgust at the oranges and chocolate idea, I grabbed the oranges and made them into a syrup, added the syrup to my nougat filling, and coated them in chocolate. It smelled good to me.

I worked well into the night, worried that I would lose inspiration if I went to sleep. I was shocked by my own efficiency at keeping the kitchen clean and tidy while also cranking out so many chocolates. I had run out of molds four times already and had to put them in the freezer for a faster turn around rate. I added more molds to my list of things to buy, which was getting longer and more expensive by the minute.

"Angel," David called me from the stairs. "It's time for you to come to bed. There are plenty of chocolates for tomorrow. You need your rest."

"I know. I'm just so excited!" I said, placing another tray of chocolates into the refrigerator to set overnight.

"Inspiration won't disappear overnight, but you could work yourself until you get sick. Come to bed. I'll help you make more chocolates in the morning," David promised.

"Okay, then. I'll hold you to that promise," I said with a tired smile. Now that bed was beckoning, I felt my feet aching for the first time. A hot bath would feel wonderful right now, but David only has a small shower. Maybe I should use some of my money to renovate the upstairs and add a second bathroom to my room with a nice, big bathtub. The idea of building my own business and becoming successful on my own merits makes me excited. I could enjoy some luxury better the second time around if I've earned it by honest hard work.

I finished washing the last couple of dishes and wearily headed up the stairs. A shower sounds good, but going to bed sounds better. David was already back in his room. I went into mind and took off my clothes. Even though I'm sharing a house with a man, I still prefer to sleep naked. Call it a habit.

I wrapped myself in my plush robe and stepped out onto my small balcony at the back of the shop. The fresh night air swirled around me. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply of the night. I love the night and the secrets of the dark. It feels like the time for magic.

"I made my first batch of chocolates to sell today. They made people smile. Wherever you are, dark and handsome gift giver, thank you for entrusting me with a secret today," I murmured into the night.

A wispy wind carried what sounded like a whispered, "you're welcome" before it vanished, making me wonder if I had imagined it. I peered into the darkness, but I didn't see anything. I pulled the robe tighter around me and stepped back into my room, closing the door firmly behind me and drawing the curtains. I don't think the man means me any harm, but still...

I hung my robe back up and slipped into my soft bed, cuddling under the covers and waiting for them to warm up. Before they even got comfortably warm, I fell into a contented sleep and was aware of nothing until the next morning.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound was a soft tapping. Slowly my consciousness returned to me, and I felt the fatigue of the hard day of work yesterday still laying heavily on my body. I shifted and rolled onto my side. My back hurts. I didn't move at all last night. That was some good sleep.

Knock, knock, knock.

The tapping came again.

"Christine? It's time to wake up. The shop opens in fifteen minutes, and there's already a line outside the door! Christine?" David's voice carried from the other side of the door, and my brain snapped awake. Did he just say there's a line?! I jumped out of the bed and grabbed my robe. My room is on the back of the shop. I ran over to the door and threw it open.

"Did you just say there's a line?!" I gasped. David looked at me in surprise and nodded.

"Yeah. Don't get too excited. It's only eight people, but it's the first time there has ever been a line waiting for my shop to open," David was saying, following me as I trotted into his room and looked out his window onto the street below.

"There are more than eight people down there," I told him, offended.

"What? More must have lined up in the past two minutes. Looks like the line has doubled," David said, leaning over very close to me to get a look at the line building on the street below. More people were walking toward the shop, children and adults both. My heart leapt with joy.

"Are they there...for my chocolates?" I breathed.

David turned his head to look at me. His face was really close to mine, and I was suddenly very aware of the one robe separating my skin from his touch. My mind drifted back to that night in my tent when he came to kill me.

"They're definitely here for the chocolates," he said softly, his warm breath fanning over my face and smelling of peppermint toothpaste. "Congratulations. Your business is already a success."

I smiled, but then I spotted someone else down on the street. He was staring right up at the window. Glaring up at the window was more like it. He was dressed in an expensive black suit with shocks of white in his black hair. His eyes locked onto mine, and it felt like he was shooting me a death glare. I instinctively put space between myself and David, and the man's glare dissolved into a knowing grimace before his mouth set in a line, and he gave a little wave to me. I waved back before I realized what I was doing.

"Who are you waving to?" David asked, straightening up and looking down at the street.

"Hm? Oh," he couldn't see the man? The gift giver gave me a knowing smile before turning and disappearing into the alley where I could no longer see him. "I'm just waving in case anyone down there can see me."

"No one can see you. I installed reflective glass for obvious reasons given my dangerous real occupation. Good thing, too. You aren't decent. Go get dressed while I open the shop. Otherwise I think these people are going to break down my doors if I'm late," he chuckled. My heart stopped for a moment. Reflective glass? Then how did he see me?