OFF-TANGENT(A Lesbian Story)

Chapter Thirteen

By the end of the afternoon, Mika's head was swimming in information about Galang Confectioners. With Vic always at her elbow, she had seen the process of chocolate-making from the time the cacao beans entered the building until the finished chocolates were ready for testing and packaging.

She watched as the bits of solid chocolate were extracted from the shells, and then crushed at high temperatures to liquefy the cocoa butter. Later she was shown how the liquid was further refined and mixed with other ingredients before it could be used for chocolate-making.

"You must use tons of cacao beans", she said, raising her voice to be heard over the rumble of a huge mixer that was stolidly chewing through mass of semi-sweet chocolate.

"Not as many as we would like. We have to buy a great deal of already-processed chocolate because..."

"I know," Mika said thoughtfully. "Not enough room."

Vic nodded at her approvingly, as if she was a particularly bright student. "At the new plant, we will be doing all our own roasting, to protect the quality of our product. We'd have no trouble selling the excess. We have already done the market surveys."

When the tour ended in the packaging department, Vic and Peter Torres both watched appreciatively as she tried to sample each variety. Mika finally admitted defeat, giving up before she was half-way through the list.

"You would soon get tired of those if you worked here," Peter said.

"Shhh, Pete," Vic chided him. "Our company's tag line is that no one ever gets tired of Galang chocolates. But it is just as well, Mika. You would not want to ruin your dinner."

"The heck with dinner," the reporter said. "This is a chocolate lover's dream--- to be loose in this place and told to try anything I like."

Vic laughed. "Nevertheless, I think it is time you stopped. Let us go back to my office."

"But I have not had a chance to talk to any of your workers..."

"Tomorrow," the CEO said. "You can wonder around tomorrow all you like."

"I was beginning to think you would never let me out of your sight," the taller woman said tartly.

"I think I could be forgiven for being cautious. You do own stock in the competition. Perhaps you are a spy." Vic looked at her and smiled.  That smile. Argggghhh!!! Makalaglag-panty! 

"Three shares hardly counts," Mika whined.

"That is true. But how do I know it is only three shares? You told me that.  But perhaps it is really three hundred... or three thousand even."

"Why stop there? Why not conclude that I own the whole company, and I have been planted in Dumaguete for the last four years, just digging myself in and waiting for you to make your move so that I could sabotage you?"

"It is conceivable. Your job would be a good cover."

Mika rolled her eyes. This person is impossible!

Outside the door of Vic's office, in what was really no more than a bend in the hallway, was a small desk with a clean surface and a computer desktop. Mika studied it and remembered the woman who had refused to give her Vic's number.

"Isn't your secretary here today?" She asked politely.

"Nope. She said she was not feeling well today."

"Oh..." Mika said under her breath. I bet she is probably sulking at home... jealous because someone else is getting all the attention. As if I want Vic's attention. I wish she would just leave me alone... "Why did you do this?" she asked abruptly.