Chapter 149:
Elena’s gaze remained coolly detached. “You’re just seeing her clearly now.”
A heavy silence hung between them.
“Why?” Javier pressed, genuinely perplexed.
Elena’s response was clinical and precise. “When you listen to someone, don’t just hear the words. Use your brain and figure out their intentions.”
Her tone implied what she left unsaid: only a true idiot would need such basic instruction.
Surprisingly quick to adapt, Javier seized her advice. “Then what’s your intention in saying all this to me?” His eyes widened, suspicion etching itself across his features as he scrutinized her.
Elena exhaled, a gesture of pure exhaustion. “I can’t stand stupidity.”
“You’re insulting me!” Javier’s volatile temper reignited after a few minutes of forced civility. He whirled around, desperate to fire back a retort, yet something inexplicably restrained him.
Elena turned away, a subtle, knowing smile playing at the corner of her lips—as if she understood precisely the battle raging within him.
Frustrated and deflated, Javier finally managed a feeble, half-hearted threat. “Elena, just you wait!”
When Elena arrived in Foiclens, the sun had not yet set. The lush greenery and fading heat created the perfect atmosphere for taking care of business.
With her belongings in hand, Elena walked purposefully toward the town’s largest café.
The café belonged to Patrick Marquez, a collector she had come to know well.
Patrick was just finishing his coffee preparation when Elena entered. His face brightened instantly, a warm smile spreading across his weathered features. “Ha-ha, Elena, what brings you here to visit me all of a sudden?”
She nodded subtly. “Patrick, am I not welcome?”
“Not at all! I’ve been saving these special coffee beans just for you.” Turning, he retrieved a carefully preserved bag from the cabinet beside him.
Elena settled across from him. “How have you been, Patrick?”
Patrick nodded enthusiastically. “Your scented candles have been a miracle. I’m sleeping better and feeling more alive than I have in years.”
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Age often stole the gift of restful sleep.
For years, Patrick had battled sleeplessness, trying countless medicines without success. Elena’s scented candles changed everything, allowing him to sleep soundly through the night. Not only did his sleep improve, but his appetite had been renewed with unexpected vigor. This unexpected gift made Elena especially dear to him.
“When will you create more remarkable scented candles?” he asked. “I’ve been using them so sparingly.”
As he spoke, his hands moved with practiced skill. Carefully, he measured the beans, grinding them to a perfect medium coarseness, and heated the water to precisely 95 degrees Celsius.
He put the ground coffee into a filter and then slowly poured hot water over it, allowing the coffee grounds to steep carefully.
After about four minutes, Patrick pressed down the filter. He poured out the coffee and placed a cup in front of Elena. “Try this,” he said warmly.
