Scents and Spells

Cara's eyes widened when she understood Ashton's behavior. Her eyes wandered around, checking the place for herself and have seen nothing unusual. Just when Cara's gladness tuned down, Ashton sat back to his chair and gave her an "okay" sign.

"That scent is bugging me." Ashton thought to himself. What bothers him most is that he is sure that it is some entity that might hurt Cara.

Cara has superpowers to smell different types of scents to distinguish a spell or a potion it is like a built in power for all witches, but being the Sakalam her level is tenfold stronger than a normal witch.

On the downside however, like other normal witches; Cara will never be able to smell another entity; friendly or not. To compensate for this, servants have to do it for them. That is why centuries later Ashton is still doing it for Cara.

Ashton fell asleep while waiting for Cara. She could not help but finally see what other women see in him. Ashton is like God's gift for women.

"Ms. We should go to the next room so you can try on the new clothes set put together for you by our stylist." An associate told Cara.

"Hmm, how long would it take?" Cara asked the associate.

"Ten minutes at most." The woman answered her.

"Okay, but if around twenty and we are still not done, please wake him up." Cara reminded the woman. She nodded and smiled at Cara. The two went to the other room while Ashton was still sleeping.

Cara never expected a variety of clothing style would be at her disposal. She was excited to try on everything. A stylist was there explaining to her how she should mix and match styles, colors, and patterns. She never knew this stuff could be too complicated.

She absorbed the tips like the excellent student she is and chose her own set of clothes. Standing in front of the mirror; Cara certainly likes what she sees. A pair of white silk pants and blazer on top of her old rose haltered blouse.

Her loose curls are now shinier and full of body and life. It falls down perfectly on her small face. While admiring herself in the mirror, she heard some loud footsteps going in her direction. She gasps and prepared mentally for any spell to come to her mind. But no help was coming.

"thud" She heard a loud banging noise.

"Cara! Where are you?" Ashton's voice was loud enough for her to hear. She suddenly felt relieved that it's just him and not some 'entity' like how Ashton describes them.

She went to open the door of the cubicle at the same time Ashton did. He hugged her as soon as he found her.

"Cara!" Ashton exclaimed. He hugged her tight and whispered into her ears. "You are one stubborn babe. I told you to always stay by my side. Do you want to kill me? Or do you want to die? Because I can certainly smell a witch hunter nearby. His teeth gritted in anger.

"It hasn't been that long and you look tired. I wanted to give you some time to nap." Cara answered back.

"For your information, love, your indecent exposure to me last night caused me nightmares that it was impossible for me to sleep." Ashton again brought up the unfortunate event.

"Alright, since you were the one who initiated this hug. From now on, whenever you feel the urge to insult me or do anything not nice, you will do the opposite. You will show only care, compassion and love." Cara pushed Ashton slightly away from her body to create a space between them.

It left Ashton dumbfounded after Cara's compulsion. He knew he was safe from harm; since he warned Cara about that earlier. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect this kind of revenge.

Cara chuckled when she saw Ashton spacing out like she dropped him into the deepest pit of his life.

She gave him a slight nudge, a signal to wait for her outside the cubicle. He walked over and sat on the couch in front of the changing stall. He sat there quietly, feeling embarrassed at the two associates who saw how he held Cara in a tight embrace and how she pushed him away. His pride and ego destroyed by Cara in an instant.

Cara stood in front of the mirror with an enormous smile on her face. It's not every day that another lowly person like her can deflate the arrogant CEO.

She took off her blazer and again admired her visibly curvier body. The smile on her face turned even bigger.

"Blag,"

The door of the changing stall swung open forcefully. Cara covered herself in an instant. Her eyes narrowed when again it is Ashton invading her private space.

Ashton closed the door and started sniffing around. He even checked the vents of the room.

"What are you doing here?" Cara glared at Ashton.

"Just before I went in, I picked up a scent of that entity again." Ashton whispered to Cara.

"What entity? I don't see anyone else here with us." Cara answered back.

"Yeah, it's gone. I can't smell it anymore." Ashton lowered his head and again left Cara in the changing room.

"This guy in unbelievable." Cara muttered as Ashton left.

***

Ashton and Cara are on their way to his company for the press conference. While in the car, Ashton phoned his secretary.

"Hello Barry. We are on our way. I want a private room and brief the press that we will only release some statements and will not accept questions from the media." His tone filled with authority.

Ashton caught Cara's gaze.

"What? Aren't you happy that you added more curse at my already miserable life?" He asked Cara with frustration.

She chuckled. "It's okay. I know you it frustrates you. Curse at me or insult me all you want. Let it out."

"You are unbelievable." Ashton blurted out in frustration.

His remark made Cara smile. She just said the same thing about him earlier.

"I know, and you are rude. I hope this punishment will teach you a lesson." Cara answered with confidence.

Ashton kept mum the entire ride to his office. Cara is slowly embracing her power over Ashton. It gives her the confidence she needs, the confidence fit for the Sakalam.

As Ashton parked his car, his body guards swarmed their vehicle. "Stay here." Ashton told Cara. He spoke to Barry briefly and then went back in her direction.

Ashton opened the door for Cara and extended his hand to assist her out of the car. Something she did not see coming, but she gladly accepted his hand.

They walked hand in hand as reporters took a photo of them. Ashton's guards led them to the VIP elevator.

"Ding,"

Right after hearing the elevator bell, Cara asked Ashton. "What happened? I thought you said this would be a private event?"

Ashton nodded. "That's what I thought too. But when I stepped down from the car, a powerful scent of witch hunters lingered. So I talked to Barry to move the event to the biggest function hall we have and stream it live."

"So it would be safer for us in a crowd?" Cara confirmed it to Ashton. He nodded and pulled Cara closer to him.

"Just follow my lead." Ashton said and clasped Cara's hand like they an actual couple ready to face the world.

They both walked towards the stage. The press took a thousand shot of Cara and Ashton already.

They both sat, and Barry handed Ashton the microphone. "I, Ashton Crafter, the owner and the CEO of Crafter Co. am announcing my engagement with the lovely woman beside me. Her name is Cara de Luna. We will announce our wedding details, soon."

Just like that, Ashton stood up with their hands still interlaced. It still amazes Cara on how smoothly Ashton said everything like it was the real thing.

"How can you marry her when you don't even love her?" A person in the audience shouted.

Cara knows that voice. She longs for that voice every day of her life. She can't see him because of the spotlight that was directly on them.

She mouthed it to Ashton. "It's Theo."

He nodded and cleared his throat before speaking to the microphone again.

"I love your sister, Theo. I told you before. I can't live without her. She is my life." Ashton looked at Cara straight in the eyes while he paused.

Cara noticed the tears swelling up in his eyes. She stood up and embraced Ashton. She acted on instinct; like what you have to do for your loved one.

He wiped his tears and kissed Cara's forehead.

The people in the area started clapping and cheering for the new couple.

"I really hate you for doing this to me. How can your spell make me weep for you? I will kill you if I see my crying face in the newspapers tomorrow." Ashton whispered to Cara's ears.

****

Cara and Ashton were in his office. Ashton was working on some contracts while Cara waited there like a zombie, with a smile on her face.

"Are you smiling right now because you again made me look bad or because Theo tried to get in between us?" Ashton asked Cara with his discerning eyes.

"Both." Cara answered briefly.

Ashton suddenly stood up and took out a gun from his drawer.

"Knock,knock,"

Cara instantly understood that Ashton smelled a witch hunter behind the door.

"Boss." It was Barry.

"Cara has a visitor, he said he is her family." Barry added,.

Ashton placed back his gun in his drawer. "Okay let him in." He said in a calm tone.

Theo walked in and went directly to Ashton's table. "I know who you are. You don't need to hide. Give Cara back to us and let's just forget about everything."