The Alchemists

Jean's last message made Finland smile. She returned to work and prepared a program for several new brands that had entered into contracts with LTX. An hour before lunch, Ms. Song invited all members of the Marketing department to eat together. She treated them to lunch to celebrate the success of the previous Bartz event and their success in bringing together Jean and Bartz's Brand Manager in Singapore.

"This is all thanks to Finland. We thank you." said Ms. Song in her speech. "You really are a very valuable employee. I want to announce that today, LTX will officially hire you as a full-time employee."

Finland gasped at the sweet announcement. She could only bow and say thank you. Her colleagues clapped. At that time Finland felt very moved. Finally, her hard work was noticed and recognized by the company. The 800-dollar bonus from Ms. Song was transferred on the same day. She felt very grateful.

[My probation period is over. Now I'm LTX International's full-time employee.]

She sent an SMS to Jean and Caspar.

[Congratulations! LTX is lucky to have such a talented and dedicated employee like you.] Replied Jean.

[I am very proud of you.] Replied Caspar.

That day Finland did not stop smiling. Slowly her life was going in the right direction. When they returned to the office from lunch, two bouquets of flowers were waiting on Finland's desk. Her office friends teased her about her fans. They were no longer mocking her and Finland felt very grateful for the change in attitude.

The first flower was definitely from Jean. He always added one white rose in the bouquet of whatever flowers he sent, so even though there was no card, Finland immediately knew who the sender was.

The second flower was very large and filled almost all the space in the empty corner of the office. It had a card from Heinrich Schneider.

"Excuse me, Finland, you have a guest." Jenny from the front office called Finland when the girl was admiring her flowers. "Katia Sorrenson wants to meet you to discuss the design you submitted yesterday."

"Oh, she came here. I thought we'd meet tomorrow during dinner with Jean." Finland was rather confused. She invited Katia into the Marketing department office. The beautiful platinum-haired girl walked in gracefully and sat on the sofa facing Finland's desk. For a moment her gaze swept over a large bouquet of flowers in the corner of the room.

"Oh, what is the occasion? Who do I need to congratulate?" she asked in a cheerful voice.

"Today, Finland is officially a full-time employee at LTX, and the bouquet is from her lover." Tran answered quickly. She glanced at Finland enviously, but the tone of her voice was not cynical.

"Wahh... congratulations, Finland. Sorry I didn't know, so I didn't bring anything."

"Er... no need. Thank you ..." Finland smiled wryly. She opened her laptop and looked for the material she prepared for Katia.

She did not notice the platinum-haired girl studying the card attached to the large bouquet of flowers. Her forehead twitched as she read the contents of the card. She turned and looked at Finland in disbelief.

"Is this card from Heinrich Schneider?" she asked quietly. "What is your relationship with Heinrich Schneider?"

Finland gasped. She did not know whether or not she should be honest with Katia.

"Uhm... I met him several times. We worked together for the launch of Bartz's new product at his hotel last week. He was very friendly." answered Finland as casual as possible.

Katia looked at her with a complicated look.

"Finland, you're Jean's friend, aren't you?" She asked a moment later. "We will meet for dinner tomorrow, right?"

"Er... yes."

"Then I don't need to talk now. I have some important things I need to deal with. We will continue this conversation tomorrow during dinner."

After saying that, Katia said goodbye and left.

Finland did not understand her purpose of coming and why she suddenly left. She could only shake her head.

***

Finland arrived home at 7 o'clock in the evening. She was surprised to see Caspar sitting on the terrace of her pavilion, working. He did not lie when he said that he would be back from Hong Kong before dinner.

"Hey, how was your day?" Caspar closed his laptop and approached Finland, who just climbed onto the terrace. He put his arms around the girl and hugged her for a few minutes before letting her go. "Congratulations on your job!"

"Thank you. How was your business in Hong Kong?"

"All good. I'm looking for a new identity and I wish to live in a country that isn't too far from Singapore. So, at least for the next 3 years, I can stay close to Singapore. Close to you."

"Oh..." Finland knew that Caspar had been Heinrich Schneider for too long, and with his current face, it was getting more difficult for him to claim that he was 36 years old. She remembered that Caspar initially had a plan to move to New York and take a new identity as a film school student. Apparently the plan had changed.

"I thought you wanted to be a film school student in New York?"

"Indeed. But then I met you. You are not sure if you wish to come with me, so I have to come up with a different plan. New York is too far from Singapore. I won't be able to meet you often. I know you can't leave Singapore yet for the upcoming three years, so I have to look for a new identity not too far away. Hong Kong also has good art schools. The other options are Malaysia or Indonesia, but I would attract too much attention there, only in Singapore, Dubai or Hong Kong I can blend in easily because they are all internationally-known countries filled with people from all over the world.

"Oh..." Finland felt so moved that she spontaneously hugged Caspar.

This man was very understanding. At least for now, Finland did not have to worry about her life for the next three years. She was able to fulfill her obligations to the Singapore government, keep in touch with Jean, and Caspar would stay close to her with a different identity.

She would then have three years to figure out their relationship. She would have time to think things through and make careful decisions..

She believed, over time, the best choice would come.

"I'm glad to see you're happy like this." Caspar smiled broadly, showing off his dimples. Finland melted and spontaneously kissed him.

Caspar was stunned for a moment, but then he returned Finland's kiss and tightened his embrace. His second kiss was postponed when he heard the footsteps of Ms. Law who came to tell them that dinner was ready.

Caspar cleared his throat and Finland coughed a little. They then followed Ms. Law to the dining room. When the two sat facing a table full of delicious dishes, a bell rang from outside the gate. Finland and Caspar looked at each other. Katrin and Ms. Law also could not guess who the guest was.

"Maybe Ben forgot something?" said Finland. John immediately went out and opened the gate. He returned 5 minutes later with a girl who walked behind him.

This girl had beautiful platinum colored hair. She stopped when she saw Caspar and Finland sitting together at the dining table. Her face twisted...

"Ka... Katia? What are you doing here?" Finland asked, confused.