Chapter 185 - 11 (1/2)
”So you're saying is, this pot is made from a foreign tribe in the east?” Evangeline asked, eyeing the man in front of her.
His dark hair was loosely tied, reaching the blazer of his shoulders left open over a black shirt. Evangeline didn't like long hair guys, but she didn't know why she was mesmerized by him. He felt oddly . . . familiar.
Dimitri Hernandez. The man that Eric said was a tea expert and his former boss. She found it strange that Eric seemed to have lots of connection despite his status, but her mother's pressing matter took utmost priority. She was so close to figuring how her mother died.
Dimitri seeped his tea and grinned. ”Man, I never get tired of this flavor. The richness of the taste and stubble stringency after taste. This tea which I specifically brewed, is not just your normal darleejung. The first sip, there's the aroma of caramelized sugar and a hint of almond. But at continued sip, there's a flavor of other spices like jasmine, citrus, and mint. Ah . . . don't you think that teas are simply divine? A miracle by nature?”
Evangeline's impression dropped from ten to negative ten. She made eye contact with Eric and Eric looked at Dimitri with dead eyes.
Dimitri cleared his throat. ”Yes. I thought the art was lost, but some remnants were left like this post, for example. If you auction this, you'll get a good price but of course not as good as mine. Even though this pot is broken, I'll still offer double or even triple your asking price. Speaking of teapot, don't you know that teapots are much wider and rounder than the long coffee ware so the tea leaves can move around inside. And this teapot particularly has an added material specifically found in the lost Hulu tribe. They called it muddy stone. This stone is crushed into paste and added to the clay mix. This special material keeps the temperature inside the pot even. Speaking of which don't you know that–– ouch!”
Dimitri looked at Eric. His little brother just kicked him under the table. He sighed. You're no fun. ”Anyway, considering all things I've said. This pot has a downside. Since it's made of muddy stone, it couldn't be mixed with other add-ons, specifically milk. And since ancient times, the Hulu tribe took their teas raw. They never like add-ons, and they have never known about it until the west began their colonization. So it wasn't surprising that they made their teapot––”
”What will happen if you add milk inside?” Evangeline but-in.
Dimitri just shrugged his shoulder at Evangeline's interruption. ”It will cause the pot to deteriorate and alter its composition leading to organ failure in the long run. But it only happens if you pour pure milk straight from the farm into the pot. Otherwise, it wouldn't cause you harm. And besides, milk nowadays is heated, causing the microbes to die inside. And who adds raw milk straight into their teapot anyways?”
”My mother does, and she only drinks milk straight from the farm,” Evangeline said in a daze.
. . .
. . .
Eric and Dimitri looked at each other.
”Well, what I said is only possible if you take it consistently for––”
”My mother drank from that pot for five years straight.”
”. . .” Dimitri was quiet for a moment before he puffed an awkward laugh. ”Then that person must really hate your mother to give that pot to her.”
”It was my father who gifted that to her.”
”. . . Oh. Then your father must really ha––ow!”
Dimitri yelp when Eric kicked his foot once more.
”I think we have enough for today,” Eric cut in, looking at Evangeline's paper white face. ”Let's go back home first and rest.”
Eric pulled Evangeline by the arm when she didn't move.
”What's the hurry?” Dimitri said, ”We still haven't finished our tea. Speaking of which, my latest tea creation resembles marbles and blooms whenever hot water is poured into them. I had my group developed a new plant. A hybrid one. Its distinct feature is that it has an orchid scent, but it's just a leaf. What sets it apart is its quality of emitting scent even without adding anything! It has a floral scent but a fruity taste! But the best part is when you add whi––”
Dimitri stopped when he noticed that he was the only one left in the café. Evangeline and Eric already left while he was speaking all his heart about teas.
”Heartless as always . . . ,” Dimitri murmured.
----
”Hey,” Eric said, voice low, ”are you okay?” he asked Evangeline after they arrive inside his apartment.
”Do I look like I'm okay to you?” Evangeline snapped.
Eric was caught off guard at the sudden hostility.
Evangeline was shocked too and said, ”I'm sorry. I just . . .” she sighed and gave Eric a weak smile. ”I'll take a bath first.”
That was all she said before she went inside their room.
Eric's eyes shot to the ceiling as he breathed a heavy sigh. This was serious. He couldn't exactly fault her when she snapped at him. He couldn't probably know the web of emotions spinning behind her wall of silence.
He sighed again and went inside the kitchen. He placed Evangeline's bag on the table and drank a glass of water. There was so much he wanted to ask her, but he'd give her the time and space she needed first. He knew that the problem was serious this time as it concerned her family. He didn't even know how to comfort her.
For some reason, he wanted to drink a beer.