Sweet and Sour Trilogy 1: Sweet Shop With a Sour Secret

Chapter 1

BEING in a candy shop is not that easy, due that our shop is one of the famous shops that tourists ever liked. And aside from that, you have to do every single thing.

My mom, Elizabeth Dubois, is the founder of this shop. This shop became famous due to our signature candy, sakura candy chips.

And I am Crizelda Dubois, a daughter of a candy owner, Elizabeth Dubois.

The said candy became famous within hours, we were so lucky to became our shop as one of the tourists likes, thanks to the sakura candy chips.

"Mom, it seems like your not alright, just go to sleep. I'll handle this" I said to mom that is now sleeping in the cashier's counter.

"Mom?" I asked. Mom really fast asleep. But the truth is mom is not really fast asleep as always.

Maybe because she was tired. Mom was been diagnosed as a diabetic person and now, she became an over fatigue person.

Suddenly, a customer came. She picked the candy chips and then came to the counter.

"150 pesos, ma'am" I said and she give me 200 pesos, i got the change from the money counter and give it.

I called our janitor Troy and let him carry mom to the basement, where our bedroom is located.

I turned the door label as closed and eat my lunch. After eating, I decided to clean the shop together with our janitor.

AFTERNOON, the time where customers are dwelling everywhere. Like as always, the candy chips are now out of stock rather than any candies in the stall.

"1,050 pesos sir" i said to the guy who buy the candy bouquet. He gave me the money and i give the receipt.

"Anyways miss, can I ask what's your name?" the guy asked. I used to not tell any of my private information to anyone. So I lied.

"Gia Velasco" I lied and faked a smile. "what a beautiful name, by the way, I gotta go" he said. It seems suspicious that he acts like as if we're close as friends, even though I met him for the first time.

Also, some of the tourist gave a picture of our shop. I also check the notifications on our f*******: page and the tourists gave us 1,200 likes and 1,300 follows.

'Thank you for supporting our little shop, we are so grateful to serve you and we're looking forward to serving you again. We at The Candy Dreamer truly appreciate your purchase and we're so grateful for the trust you've placed in us'

I typed the words in my phone and uploaded it. Suddenly, one of the candy workers Raymond, came.

"How's the candy chips, ma'am?" he started. "out of stock sir" I answered and go back to the inventory.

Our inventory is full of candies. Each stall has their own brand. Such as 'The Candy Dreamer sakura candy chips', 'm and m's', 'twix', and many more.

I get the sakura candy one and put in on its shelf on the shop.

The shop begun to have more customers until the time strikes 6 pm. The employees started to end their shift and bid me goodbyes.

We cleaned our shop and closed it. I counted the money and put it in on the money bag.

"We're gonna head home, ma'am Crizelda, bye-bye!" my workers bid me goodbye and I nodded. The workers are slowly closing the door and walk towards their direction.

The employers bid me a goodbye, until it was me and janitor Troy.

"You gonna stay up late Troy? It's night already, your family must be worried about you" I told him and look at the time. It's already 7:00 pm. The streets looks dangerous but thanks to the street lights, now the road will now look like more dangerous than what it is.

"It's okay ma'am, I changed my shift into 8 pm" he answered and put the broom and dustpan in its place.

8 O'CLOCK, janitor Troy is now finished the shift. I go to the bedroom, only to find out that i smell blood.

I rushed to the bedroom and open it. I found my mom... Dead.

Before I touched the body, I heard a voice. "I thought you're gonna give me the chips, as an exchange for your work with me?" that voice said. I got stunned when I saw who's the voice...

It was a girl, wearing a cloak, like a witch's cloak. She was holding a cauldron with a candy on the other side. "you told me that, didn't you?" she asked me again.

I didn't remember that I told her about it. And I didn't go to the witch's home to grant a wish from them.

"And when did I told you that?" I asked. The girl didn't answer. She was there, silent, still holding the cauldron and candy. "did you pay it?" I asked and pointed the candy chips.

"I don't do debt of gratitude" she uttered and eat it. "it was a debt now, pay it. It costs 150 pesos. Cheap, right?" I said sarcastically. But what's make me too nervous is the dagger beside the bed.

I gritted my teeth and asked her. "You killed mom, didn't you?" she smiled. "how dare you do that!" I exclaimed and rushed to her. I reached her hand and I will threw her cauldron if she didn't get my hand and throw me to the wall.

Sh*t, it hurts. It seems like my spine will broke sooner or later.

The witch slowly walking towards me. Still holding her pot and chewing the candy that is now stale.

"Now, you only have two choices, give me another candy, or you'll die together with your mother" my eyes gets wider and my ears became redder than before.

She was mixing her pot with a scent of a jasmine, pouring some potions there and putting the chips next.

Hours have passed and she was done doing the thing she did on the cauldron. "are you done deciding?" she started and I nod nervously. I go to the inventory and give her one pack of sakura candy chips.

"thank you darling, I'll see you tomorrow" she smirked and gone.

"Crizelda! The customer is waiting for you" my employee waked me up.

"Thank you, and hope you enjoy the candy!" she greeted and the customer left. I touched my forehead and rubbed it. It hurts.

"Where's mom?" I asked. "ah! Ma'am Elizabeth was on the house, she said that she's going to get the lunch" she stated. I looked at the clock. It's 10:00 am. What the hell happened?

10:00 am, mom was supposed to be beside me and sleeping. But why my employee is here? Am I dreaming?

"350 pesos sir" she said to the guy that looks like he's around 50's. The guy gave her the money and the employer thanked him. Still, my brain doesn't connect of what happened now.

'It seems like that dream is so realistic' i think about it. Is there a witch that is connected to me?

"Ma'am Crizelda, are you okay?" the young employee asked. I nodded and go to the basement.

Suddenly, I heard a knock, maybe it was janitor Troy? I opened the door and saw that it was him. I let him im

"Mom was in the house" I started talking, not to make things awkward.

Silence filled the room. Troy still looking in the basement and he go to the bedroom.

The guy go to the kitchen and get the pot. And suddenly, he opened it. Put some potions and the chips.

"Hey Troy—" I was supposed to stop him but he transformed as a witch. The witch in my dream.

She looked at me, seriously...

I woke up in a different place. It's a house, I guess?

This house is full of vintage stuff, and it seems like I'm in a mansion. Suddenly, there's a maid looking at me, in both sides.

"Mademoiselle Leonora, she waked up" the maid on my left side started. Still shocked, I left my bed and the maids were here. Looking at me, seems like they're watching my every move. I go to the cabinet and I got shocked of what I see.

European old-fashioned gowns? Witch's cloak? Filipiniana dresses? What household is this?!

I suddenly realised what happened before I got here.

"Hey Troy—" I was supposed to stop him but he transformed as a witch. The witch in my dream.

"Good afternoon, mademoiselle Crizelda" the witch smiled and greeted me. My brain is still not clear of what I see. Troy is a witch for a long time? That's impossible!

"Sometimes, things can be possible" she said. She can read minds?

"Did you know why am I here? Crizelda?" she smirked and looked at me, l**t filled her eyes like... She's gonna kill me before I react.

I shook my head. She slowly walks towards me. And suddenly, she uses magic to let me sleep. And I woke up. Here in this house...

"Mademoiselle Crizelda, mademoiselle Leonora is now waiting for you" the maid told me. They left and I was here in this bedroom, leaving me clueless and having strange feelings.

I pick a dress on the cabinet and take a bath. Even the bathroom is also full of vintage style.

I took a bath and dressed up. I got out to the bedroom. The style are also in vintage. There are so many maids out there, busy cleaning and cooking.

Suddenly, a lady who is wearing an old-fashioned gown talked. "you don't have to be shy mademoiselle, go down and let's eat together" the lady said.

Her eyes were black, she have pinkish lips, pointed nose, long eyelashes, and a pale skin.

I go to the dining room and the maids fill the teacup with tea. They also put some foods on my saucer.

"My lady" the lady started. "have you ever seen my sister?" I got shocked by her answer. Is she crazy? I don't know about her sister at all yet she ask me about her.

"Lady, I'm sorry but I didn't see her" I answered and start eating. She nodded a little. "oh. I see" she murmured.

"Mademoiselle, there's a letter from your sister" the maid rushed into us and give her the letter. It has a wilted little flower design and it so yellowish.

"She's not returning, again" she uttered and she give the letter to the maid. "I'll give a letter, send it to Eleanor" she commanded and finished the food.

I was left in the dining room, maids watching me like they are saying 'eat'.

LADY Leonora told me earlier that this city is not far away from the city where we worked in. So that's why I have nothing to worry about. But the most thing that's in my mind is. Why am I in the woods?

I think they are lying, witches are liars, aren't they?

I am still in the balcony until the maids knocked on my bedroom.

"Mademoiselle, it's time for bath" she said and I nodded. I go to the bathroom and she helped me take a bath. It's been hours since i am finished bathing.

I am now wearing a black European dress. I am not breathing properly because of the tight corsets. But thanks because she loosened the tight corset.

"Mademoiselle Crizelda" lady Leonora started. Her voice is so creepy, like a decaying soul.

"There's someone who is looking for you" she commanded the maid to open the big door, and there is a guy, he seems like a witch due to its clothing, but his face. Its makes me feel goosebumps.

"You're Crizelda, right?" he asked. His voice is also like lady Leonora, decaying soul. I nervously nodded. "you don't have to be scared of me" he added.

"Monsieur Riego" Leonora started. "she just doesn't know you, that's why she's so scared. But don't worry, it will be fine" she said and the guy smiled and nodded. "and, do you know why am I here? I am here for the candies" the Riego guy reminded her. Leonora stand from sitting and get the candies from the storage... I got shocked of what I see.

The Sakura candy chips? Damn it!

So it was Leonora who's keep hunting me in my dreams? Is she also the one who pretended as Troy?

"I am not, mademoiselle Crizelda" she said, realising me that she can read minds. She give the candy to the guy. He smirked and thanked her to the candy.

Suddenly, the guy looked at me, smirking and winked at me.

"Love strikes, mademoiselle" Leonora chuckled and looked at me. "it seems that Riego has an interest on you, so act properly, act like one of us" she smirked at me and sit beside me. She get the book from the accent table and started reading.

I am still in the sofa, having nothing to do so I decided to go to the bedroom and sleep.

AFTERNOON, the maid told me to behaved. All dry leaves, candles, books, and incense are here in the dining table. So... This is the witch ritual. How evil.

"Are you going to call Eleanor for this?" the maid asked the lady. She shook her head. "no. This ritual is only for me, the older sister, and I must do it"

She turned her head... And she saw me. "what are you doing there?" she asked. I go stunned to her voice. Too dark and gloomy.

"I... I am just wandering around here" I lied and smiled. I pretend to walk like a person wandering but because of her powers, she pulled me and I was here in a dining room, full of witch's materials and a ritual. There is also a skull.

"Stop lying, mademoiselle" she hissed and pulled my hands brutally that I could also feel my bones are gonna break soon.

"I know your not wandering around, aren't I?" she asked. "fine. Fine. I'm not wandering around" I said sarcastically and sway my hand away from her. She breathed deeply and look at me with a neutral look.

"I'm sorry if I did it mademoiselle" she said. She continue preparing the materialz for the said ritual.

"By six o'clock, please expect that Eleanor will be here" she yelled and the maids nodded. "exactly, Eleanor wants to meet you, so. Better to prepare yourself" she said. And finished the decoration, she said that by the said time, the ritual will start aside from Eleanor's arrival.

4 O'CLOCK, I go outside, the outside were full of woods, and fallen leaves. The sun will set later and before 6 o'clock, I must be in the house.

I got out of the woods. I saw roads, there's also a pink house few miles away from this. I guess that this is also the candy shop. I got there and the employees shocked.

"Ma'am Crizelda?!" they said and I nodded. Seems weird, me wearing an old dress while the others wear the modern ones.

"Hey girl" a young lady approach me. "are you weird? You're wearing that damn gown yet you're in a modern world?" she hissed and tighten her grip more.

"And so? What's wrong about it?" I also hissed and look at her sternly.

"Stop giving me that look, remember, your just an another worker here, I am just your customer" she added and I sway my hand away from her.

"And so? Could you stop making a scene here? There are customers watching us" I give her a slang look and go inside the candy shop.

"Ma'am, you look so weird today" Raymond started. "it's okay, I just got in a shooting" I lied and change my clothes into the common one.

I started my job and the customers seems fine.

"100 pesos ma'am" I said and she give the money. I give her the receipt and she got out. There is also a customer giving me a gift. And she run away. I get the gift and put it underneath the table.

5:30, I ended my shift. I reasoned to mom that I was in the shooting, but I will sleep in the basement, as an excuse not to make her feel suspicious.

I go to the woods and knock. "who is this?" the maid asked. I still knock on the door until I hear a sound. She opened the door.

"Mademoiselle Crizelda" she said and she let me in. Mademoiselle Leonora is in the living room and she bowed when she saw me.

She talked to me. "good thing you go back to the said time" she said and hugged me, are we close now lady?

"Later, wait for Eleanor, I'm sure she'll be glad to meet you" she said and sit beside me. I didn't expect Leonora to be this kind. I know that she is a witch due to the rituals, but I thought that she will be an evil one.

Like a witch in my dream and that witch who ruined my day...

I am still waiting for the said sibling until I feel a wind, heavy wind, like there's a witch in the door. I looked at the time, it's now six o'clock.

Lady Leonora now started to lighten up the candles, put the book in its place. And the skull in front of her.

"Someone let that girl in" she tell the maids and the maids do the task. Many minutes passed until the said sibling entered the house. Her whole body is covered by a cloak, I didn't see her face.

"Eleanor!" Leonora yelled and hug the sister. Eleanor hugged her sister back.

"Is the materials ready? If yes, we can start the ritual today" soft voice filled the room and the sister nodded.

Eleanor looked at me. Only shocked that her face... Is the witch in my dream.