An Alchemist’s Love

The Call

Flyn was walking out the front of the G.A. Pharma museum, whilst fidgeting with one of his sleeves that had begun to slide down past his elbow, when he bumped into someone. He instinctively apologised while reaching out to make sure the person had not been knocked over by his force. Until recently Flyn had been very slim. He stood 6'2" tall, which was not common for Chinese, but his family originated from Northern China, where the average height was taller then average. The combination of his height and his high metabolism made him look like the slender man. Therefore, two years ago Flyn began callisthenics, in hopes to gain some muscle mass. He kept a strict diet and a consistent routine of exercise - if there was one thing Flyn was exceptional at, it was his unwavering determination. He now was much broader with a sizeable chest and defined abs; his biggest change were his thighs. About one year into training, his thighs had grown so much that he had to buy an entirely new wardrobe. He used to wear tight black pants, but discarded them for stretchier blue jeans. Overall, he was very pleased with his progress. However, one of the side effects of bulking up so quickly, was loosing a sense of spatial awareness of his own size. He had therefore become a bit of a klutz, knocking things and people over.

Flyn looked up to find Ellalise, Genavie's mother, in his grasp teetering on the top step of the museum entrance. Suprised, his grip tightened and she let out a yelp. "Oh gosh, I am so sorry." He helped her rebalance before letting her go. Ellalise adjusted her haringbone petit coat and gave him a radiant smile.

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Tze, what a pleasant surprise!" she exclaimed while leaning in to kiss both cheeks in a European manner. Ellalise was a character to behold. She had feline features that reminded him of the Cheshire Cat, if the cat were a beautiful Eurasian woman. She donned a black lace jumpsuit with a gold silk lining that reflected the sunlight, casting the illusion that she was glowing. Her herringbone petit coat, on closer examination, was made of tiny purple parrots tightly squeeze together and offset to create the illusion of a lined pattern.

"Oh, please just call me Flyn" he replied

Ellalise reached out and clasped his hand, "As you wish Mr Tze" she goaded on.

Flyn could not help but smile at this peculiar character. It was clear now that Genavie's fire was a reflection of her mother's own veracity.

"Now come along, what serendipitous timing! I will show you everything that is behind closed doors in this ancient snooze fest." Ellalise said, dragging Flyn along behind her. There was no fighting this woman, he knew better from their first encounter.

Genavie's mother, Ellalise, was a respected physicists and her father, although he passed away around 10 years ago, was the leading researcher in tropical fruits and their medicinal applications. The entire Vern family was a trophy cabinet of acedamia, philanthropy and pedigree. The exact origins of the family was more rumour then it was facts, and it was hard to filter through hundreds of years of gossip, headlines and memoirs. Regardless, nothing could have prepared him for his first meeting with Ellalise. Ellalise had contacted him directly to his mobile phone, which was not information he made available online (as Flyn preferred to keep his life private. He didn't even have a social media account). When he answered a voice asked, "Flyn is that you?" Her tone was jovial and familiar, like close friends meeting after a period of separation.

Flyn had hesitated before responding, "Sorry, who is this?"

"Oh it's Ellalise. Are you free now for a quick chat?"

Flyn wracked his brain trying to remember who this might be, "I, I..." he stuttered in confusion. Was it a scam? he wondered.

"Oh, I see you!" The voice chirped.

Flyn looked around nervously, and spotted two men in suits approaching him from behind. He began to back away from them, when a woman in a flowing linen tunic and chinos squeezed past them and covered the remaining distance at an alarmingly fast rate.

"Let's walk" she said, locking her arm into Flyn's and turning in the direction that Flyn had been originally walking. He had been on his way to a cafe around 5 minutes from his home when he received the call.

"Hold up," Flyn replied standing his ground aware that the two men in suits were now hanging back around 20 feet. "Who are you, and what the hell is going on?"

"Right, sorry, I got a bit carried away and I am in a bit of a rush. I am Ellalise De Vern" she said, while pulling out a name card and handing it over to him, "look it up later, no time now to give you the full run down. I am in need of a tutor!"

Flyn looked at the card and was stunned to see Garden of Vern Pharmaceuticals printed across the top. As an aspiring chemist, he knew this company's name. In fact, he was certain that any layman would know G.D. Pharma. There was no phone number or email address on the card, just the name Ellalise De Vern and the position, Chief Research Officer, Medicines & Technology.

"It's one of those tap it to your smartphone kinda name cards, then you will get my phone number and email."

"I am sorry, but why would you need a tutor? And what do you think I can teach you?"

She paused for a moment, staring blankly at Flyn before bursting into laughter. "Oh no Pumpkin, it's not for me, it's for my daughter Genavie. She's in her last semester of University. Her sisters and I have a bet if she will be top of her class or not. I, being the loving mother that I am, of course bet that she would. Her sisters feel differently. Anyways, I am not a fan of loosing, and those snakes that I call my daughters (not Genavie, just the older two) want my favourite brooch. So, let's just say that you are my insurance. I heard from Peter's mom that you helped him out and the results were unbelievable. So you in?"

"This is all a bit sudden" Flyn replied, weighing the possible benefits of tutoring her daughter. "Can I have some time to think it through?"

"Yes, of course! Give it a thought - her exam is in a couple months." She gently pulled on Flyn's arm and ushered him into a brisk walking pace. The suited men followed behind at a measured distance. "Now, tell me all about yourself!" she continued.

For the remainder of the walk she asked Flyn questions on rapid fire; his favourite restaurant in town, recommendations for books, opinions on the recent change in governor, his familial situation, as well as some chemistry related trivia. Flyn got a sense that Ellalise was sizing him up in her own unique way. Finally they arrived outside the cafe he frequented, slowing to a halt.

"Thank you so much for the conversation - my life has been so dull recently, so a snappy conversation is always appreciated! Well, ciao!" she said, as she walked back in the direction of the suited men.

Shortly afterwards Flyn had a realisation that sent shivers up his spine, Ellalise had been the one leading the walk but how did she know that he was on his way to this cafe?

---

Genavie exited out the employee entrance enjoying the gush of crisp autumn air which helped to cool her temper. She knew that meeting Flyn was inevitable but she had expected him to be more understanding. She cancelled twice on short notice, true, but she had reasons. The tutoring classes were not really that important and on Monday, when they were supposed to have their first session, she had gotten a last minute invite to a book store opening. One of her favourite authors was going to be at the store signing books and reading a chapter of his latest novel, "Death at Curtain Call". The second time, she had been out the previous night at a family function and drank too much, consequently she woke up an hour before the session. She hadn't been in a condition to study. Of course, she didn't tell him the full truth the second time, and simply stated she had a stomach bug. Her bailing was not ideal, but it didn't warrant him loosing his temper.

She strutted into the car park and looked about for Claire. Sure enough, she was leaning on the trunk of her car scrolling through some obscure dating app. She had gotten tired of the large dating pools on the major apps, and taken a liking to niche dating apps. Claire had a unique and asymmetrical face that gave her a consistent smirk, she oozed sensuality and confidence in equal parts. She also had impeccable taste in clothing - for that reason alone, Claire and Genavie's mother got along charmingly. Claire actually designed several pieces of clothing that Ellalise wore frequently.

"About damn time." Claire shouted when she saw me approaching.

"I am, like, five minutes late Claire, please no more drama today. I am sooo ready for a drink." Genavie retorted.

Claire c****d her head and made a mental note to dig deeper when they got to the bar.

"Alright, alright, get in. I told Richie we are coming to his bar tonight. He said he's got us our favourite spot."

Richie was an older gentleman who owned a scandalous little bar - it was a townhouse in West Village that had once been his father's. It was the kind of place where older men gathered to find young exotic creatures of the night. No shenanigans we're allowed within the bar - so most people who visited were transient. Coming for one drink or two at most before leaving with their entertainment for the evening. Claire and Genavie loved this place because no one seemed to care about social norms. It was so primal and raw, which was becoming harder to find nowadays. Plus, Richie bartended when they came by and he made the best cocktails. He could always make a perfect drink to match his client's mood. Genavie's half expected to be served a spicy Bloody Mary at this rate.

Claire insisted on driving a beat up old Volvo from the 70s. That being said, she had it's engines ripped out and exchanged for an electric motor instead, which was pretty cool. Claire was probably making some intentional statement about "old dogs can learn new tricks" or something similar but Genavie didn't ask. The drive was about 20 minutes, and consisted of mainly 6 PM traffic. During car rides we didn't speak much, instead we would listen to some music and enjoy the comfortable silence.

Richie's bar didn't have a name, so they just referred to it as Richie 's. They arrived at the unassuming townhouse and walked up to the main entrance. There was a piece of paper taped above an electric door lock with a 6 digit code. To unlock the door, you input that code backwards. The place was simple. The top floors and basement were blocked off, as only the main floor was open to clients. The rooms were all wood panelled and heavy curtains hugged snug against the windows. There was an mishmash of furniture, no two pieces matching. The star of the show was the bar. It was a craft project of five different bar trolleys melded together with a single oak panel secured on top. The trolleys varied in size and make - some with coloured glass, others just a steel frame.

Richie was tending to another client but saw the girls come in. He pointed to a pile of pillows on the floor that had a piece of paper with the words "reserved" written in cursive. Genavie and Claire had a seat and gave Richie an appreciative nod.

"So, why the foul mood Gee?" Claire asked

"I met your friend Flyn" Genavie replied

Claire scoffed, "we were never friends - told you he was an arse. Not sure why that puts you in a bad mood though..."

"Well, he came up to me after the presentation today and decided to lecture me and sass me out."

"What for?"

"Well," Genavie replied sheepishly "I bailed twice on his classes and then tried to sneak out when he came to meet me."

"Hm." Claire responded "so really babe, it's on you."

Genavie flushed pink - she knew that she was at a fault but did not want to admit it.

Richie, with impeccable timing as always, arrived with drinks. Claire had a blue cocktail and Genavie's was black. Richie was not a garnish kind of guy. Everything was served in a tumbler with a large ice cube.

"Oh god Richie, your a damn genius. I could kiss you!" She said, blowing him a kiss after taking one sip.

Genavie was a little less enthused. Her cocktail tasted like medicine and licorice.

"Figured I would add a bit of flavour to you swallowing your pride sweetheart." Richie said, winking at her before returning to the bar table.

"That man is a genius!" Claire laughed

Ugh... genius. There is that word again, Genavie thought to herself. I have encountered enough genius today - I could go a year without seeing another one.

Claire didn't mention Flyn again, and instead began recounting her most recent inspirations, muses and hook ups. Genavie opened up as well, recounting horrible dates, family gossip and lamented on the monotony of her current job. She felt safe here with Claire at Richie's - so warm and comfortable. If she had known that her life was about to be turned upside down, she would have stayed out later that night but as the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20.