Chapter 4 - first taste (pt.2)

She and Alex turned heads to witness Harry standing alone. "You're that dude who took us out that one time!" the latter friend blurted.

He cleared his throat and courteously spoke, “Clover, you are being summoned.”

“Oh, by who exactly? And why me?” she retorted, “There better be a good reason…”

“I was informed it is in regards to your last mission.”

“Ooh, you’re in trouble!” Alex joked.

“As if!” Clover voiced, “I thought Jerry doesn’t need me anymore?"

“I was not summoned by Jerry,” he replied.

Sam rose to confront, “Who? If it’s about her, then it concerns us...and him too.”

“It’s alright, I know why he’s here.” Clover slid off the bench to be at Harry’s side. “One of the scientists at WHOOP wanted to do some tests to make sure Passion Patties is completely out of my body. Funny thing is, I completely forgot about it,” she explained while rubbing the back of her head.

“Oh, well, that’s fine. I was worried there for a moment. Us girls gotta stick together. We can go to the mall tomorrow afternoon I guess.”

“Yeah, Clover. This is more important,” Alex emphasized, “...besides, I got a ton of homework to do this weekend, and I’d like to not worry about it.”

“Thanks for understanding. We’ll totally go tomorrow, okay?” Clover grinned.

“Ahem, are we departing soon? I do not like to keep my client waiting…” Harry spoke, interrupting the group chat.

“Alright, let’s go then, bye Sam, bye Alex!” the blonde waved her farewells and followed the driver to his vehicle. Once away from the others, she questioned: “So, why are you here?”

“Did you forget?”

Clover thought for a moment, “No, actually I didn’t,” peering for any onlookers, “We had plans for me to be picked up at my house?”

“Things change, I suppose,” he said. When the two reached the idle SUV, Harry opened the rear passenger door, “Besides, he wants to make it a surprise.”

The skinny girl rolled her eyes and hopped inside next to a musclebound, brown-haired man clad in polo and jeans. Despite the inconvenience, when she witnessed the hunk in the car, an overjoyed smile enveloped once witnessing her handsome lover. “Markus, y’know we’ve talked about today… I thought we’re gonna meet in the evening.”

“Well sweetie, I didn’t break my word, did I?” he responded gently.

Clover recalled his words seven days prior, “You’ll meet me here at the school in a week…Wait-a-minute, ugh I had plans after school!”

“Sorry, but I thought you’d love the opportunity to try some…” he raised his brow suggestively, “...Samples.”

“Of what-don’t tell me-”

Markus completed her words, “-I have successfully recreated Passion Patties.”

“That’s awesome!” the teen’s eyes beamed, “This quickly? I thought you’d need some time to remodel that factory you purchased.”

“You can make magic happen with money. Let’s just say I got some backers who are interested in my efforts.”

Harry announced, “We are departing now!” accelerating out of the school’s parking lot.

Markus continued, “I met with Dr. Roberts, and she was very thrilled at the resources I provided to her. When we arrive, you’ll notice it looks a bit run-down outside - trust me, it’s quite the opposite within.”

“What, you’re ready to start making boxes now?” Clover inquired.

“No, we’re still a few weeks off. First things first, we need to do taste tests with control groups to find the best recipes and flavors. Second, is to design the product, from shape and size to the boxes. Third, we’ll need to calibrate our machines to mass-produce. And finally, we’ll prepare for distribution. Timeline wise, It’ll take probably a month to accomplish.”

“And that’s when the money will roll in?”

“Yes. Let’s just say some of our backers have already reserved a few pallets. I’m looking forward to it, that’s for sure.”

“Gosh, I can’t wait!” the yellow-haired spy giddily clapped.

***

After more than a half hour's drive, the couple reached the small factory on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Clover witnessed it in its unkempt glory. “Wow… uh, you weren’t joking.”

“The crew will be working on that next week… these past few days we’ve had people working round the clock to get it all cleaned up and ready,” Markus answered. The vehicle curled around to a set of double doors at the front of the building.

A large faded sign with ‘Amazing Delicacies’ caught the attention of the teenager. “Hm, so what was this place before?”

“Supposedly twenty or so years ago, Amazing Delicacies was a boxed sweets company. They were the first to make the famous Sweet Sea Rolls.”
“Oh! Those blue icing sea shell shaped things? They made those?”

“Yep, then they sold all their assets to competitors before filing bankruptcy and shutting down the factory. Fortunately for us, we have ample space to create similar treats… even a lower level - you’ll see.”

The SUV parked, and Harry walked around to open the doors for the couple. Outside, Clover inhaled the stale city air, “Gross… it’s all smoggy n’ stuff.”

“But, it’s inconspicuous!” the strong boyfriend retorted with a clap, “Nobody would think the world’s best cookie is from some rinky-dink factory in this part of town. Let’s go inside, the air’s fresher there.” He held his hand out for her, the svelte girl nodded and clenched it, entering the building together. Once inside, a breeze of cool air brushed her short blonde hair. Markus stopped to have a word, “Here are the offices and front desk. Behind it is a corridor to where dreams come true.”

“Wow… this is completely different!” Clover stepped away, sliding her hand against the desks’ smooth, dark wood. She gazed upon the pure white wallpaper, wood doors, and file cabinets lining the area. “This was all done less than a week?”

“Yep. Multiple crews of people working all at the same time, day and night.”

“That’s gotta cost a lot of money!”

“I got interested parties who want to see my business venture be successful. I’ll explain later, let’s take the stairs to the balcony so we can get a good view,” the businessman led the way, opening a door to a staircase. Reaching the top opened up to a larger room. “This is the break room of the factory. Both floors have bathrooms, but the ones up here are reserved for staff. Think about them like a gym locker room, with all the commodities that come with it. There’s a couple of vending machines we plan to put, and a couple of televisions too. I want my employees to be happy, to keep them hard-working and quiet.”

“Quiet?” Clover questioned, “What-do-you mean?”

Markus moved to the large interior window, “You see, I don’t want the public, government, or WHOOP to find out how we’re making our product and what’s in it. Each employee will be signing a non-disclosure agreement and will be compensated for their hard work and dedication. With the orders that’ll come in, we’ll need people like that.”

Clover moved aside, sliding her hand on his, peering out the window too. Through the opening, multiple large machines and vats took up most space in the large chamber. Conveyor belts lined into various other machines until ending at large bins. Within sight, over two dozen men were busy cleaning, building, and inspecting the room. “Wow… You weren’t joking. So all those machines are for what?”

“Well, for now, we’re only making cookies… basic stuff. Of course, depending on the reception we get, this factory is capable of producing multiple flavors, and even other sweet treats such as chocolate bars, and brownies.”

“I can’t even imagine what brownies would taste…I think I’d die!” the blonde’s mouth watered.

“Just wait, we’ll be heading down to the basement in a moment,” Markus wrapped his burly arm around her shoulders.”

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, “Let’s go! I can’t wait!”

(Continued...-->)