Crumbly Couscous

Lilla almost suffocates just from the tension in the office. Her eyes dart from the sleek pearl white ceilings and museum gallery of plaques that shine on his wall like gems on a crown. Her heart hiccups with worry, one that painfully nibbles at her bones. The whole time she’s been here, she can’t stop staring at him.

Everything about his appearance is calculated. From his navy blue tailored suit to his chestnut brown dress shoes tapping on the soft ash carpet. Usually, Alexander, her boss, wears a warm smile and a matching set of blue eyes. She isn’t used to his piercing sapphire stare and pensive lips. The clean white light streaks his slicked-back raven hair and bejewels his silver watch. Alexander raises his ivory fingers embellished with silver rings, causing Lilla to flinch.

“A drink?” Alexander finally asks, his warm tone not matching his expression, “I can summon one for you.”

“I’ll do without one, sir.”

He teasingly wiggles his fingers and flashes a grin, “Afraid I’ll put a spell on it?”

“Uh, no, sir.”

“There’s no need to be so tense,” he insists, “Here, let me get you something. It's not coming out of your paycheck.”

Lilla giggles.

“Don’t worry, I’ll also make sure it’s nonalcoholic for your drive home.”

She shakes her head. Although, she can use a cider right about now.

He pouts, “Aw, come on, don’t leave me hanging. I’ll get you a cider. ”

Her eyes widen, “How did you know-”

“Mind reading. It comes with the magic, my dear.”

She shrugs, “Um, I guess some cider would do.”

Alexander snaps his fingers and a glass of apple cider materializes in Lilla’s hand. She tenses up at the cold glass stinging her fingertips.

He leans forward with his elbow on the desk and props his chin onto a hand, “Look, there’s no need to fear me. I’m not gonna turn you into a frog or curse you,” his fingertips spark with crimson, “No punishments here, it’s just a misunderstanding. And like all misunderstandings, we just need some communication to figure out where we went wrong.” He beams a smile, “So just tell me what happened, alright, dear?”

The aching knots in her muscles unravel as she takes a sip from the glass. There is something about his grin that brought her some ease. Perhaps things would be okay. “I suppose it was really by accident,” she answers

He raises a curious eyebrow.

“I had a question for you, sir. About where to submit the documents–”

“Sorry to interrupt, but there’s no need to stay an hour after work for that,” It’s the first time he sounds disappointed and only mildly so, “The due dates aren’t until next week. You could’ve waited tomorrow.”

She bows her head, “I apologize, sir.”

“It’s fine,” he waves a dismissing hand, “Just continue.”

“I went to search for you but I didn’t see you anywhere. Even though everyone had left by then. I decided to head toward the archives.”

She swallows before she continues, “You had disappeared in red smoke.” she murmurs, “Before I could say anything else, you reappeared with a sandwich and coffee in your hand. Right in front of me.” Alexander snickers, “Teleportation is just a bit faster form of travel. I’ll admit I do that for lunch breaks or when I want something quick to eat. When it’s time to go home, I drive. I have taken a liking to mortal things like cars. They’re quite fun to maneuver.”

She only shuffles her black stilettos.

He frowns at her silence, “Please, feel free to ask questions, it’s a lot of fun for me,” he shrugs and takes a sip of his coffee, “But I suppose it doesn’t matter, as you won’t be remembering any of this.”

Her eyes shoot up at him, “W-What?”

“I’m sorry, dear,” he sighs, “But knowing your boss is a wizard is all too risky. It’ll screw up the workplace dynamics. ”

Her cheeks burn with embarrassment, “We can talk, sir!”

The wizard raises a silencing hand and shakes his head, “Doesn’t count if I already point it out, I’m afraid.” He leans back in his chair, “You could barely hold a conversation with me.”

“I understand you’d like secrecy,” she nervously laughs, “But I would prefer not to have my memory wiped, sir.”

“It wasn’t a question, my dear.”

She stands up immediately, “What?! No way! I’m not letting you-”

“You weren’t dismissed yet.” With a wave of his hand, wisps of crimson push her down to the seat and bind her wrists to the chair's armrests.

She struggles against her restraints. The bonds seem to sear into her skin the more she jerks away, and she eventually gives up. Helplessness seeps into her bones and tremors infect her limbs.

“You're a great woman, Lilla. Really. But I can’t risk this getting out.” He straightens his posture and his casual gaze sharpens, “Now you’re gonna look and listen.” Before she can snap her head away from him, her head is held by some invisible force. Not tight, but firm. Her lips quiver and her pupils are blown wide with fear. “Don’t look at me like that, you do it all the time, no?”

“Please,” she pleads, “Please don’t do this!”

The words plunge into his brain, erupting in fireworks of memories. Scorched kingdoms. Tortured royals. Bloodied armies. Above it all, a sick and wicked sorcerer. His laughs echoing throughout the ends of the dimension, plaguing it with despair and fear.

“Wow,” he chuckles to himself, grounding himself back to reality, “It’s been centuries since I’ve heard someone beg for mercy. Don’t do it again. I’ve finally learned not to like it.”

His eyes focus onto her chestnut gaze. The last bit of resistance in Lilla’s eyes melts at his command. Her muscles soften and her lips shift into a neutral expression. What made Alexander’s hypnosis so powerful, was not the brute force but the gentle yet firm coaxing that carefully influenced her. “You’re going to forget seeing me teleport this evening. There are no wizards. There is no magic. We didn’t have a discussion about my powers, but rather a conversation about tomorrow’s agenda for work. ” Brimming crimson energy envelops his hand, and the white light now bleeds with red luminescence. His voice darkens and he raises his palm, “Deep in your subconscious, tangled within the thoughts that stream in your mind,” he orders, “You will feel a certain dread that crawls along your body-“ There it is again. Old habits die hard, “Just be sure to tread carefully next time, dear.”

His magic trickles into her consciousness, molding her mind to his will. Once he decides he’s satisfied, he snaps his fingers and releases her from his hypnotic spell. The bonds evaporate and her head is released from the hold.

She blinks and shakes her head, “Oh, Mr. Brukovach.”

He nods, “Lilla. How are we doing?”

“Fine, sir,” she scratches her head, “Thank you for giving me a headstart on work for tomorrow. But I also had a question for you.”

He grins, “Ask away.”

She clears his throat, “It’s about the documents. I wanted to ask where I should submit them.”

He smiles, “Just leave them on your cubicle desk. I’ll take them.”

“So..I don’t need to go to the archives?”

“Not at all, my dear.”

“Perfect,” she sighs of relief, “Thanks for everything.”

Alexander glances at his watch, “It’s getting late then. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She nods, “Yes, sir.” She rises from her seat and with a smile and a wave goodbye, shuts the door behind her. Her footsteps eventually blend in with the still silence of the office building.

The wizard grumbles, “Great. Now I’ll have to cast some warding spells near the archives.”