Guests

Kasarna lifts the hot chocolate container, pulls the foil top with a pop and takes a deep sniff of it. With a look of rapt expectation she spoons a measure of the contents into the drinks engine in front of her and it begins to gurgle. Eventually it spits out a mug full of darkly steaming liquid and she takes a long sip before looking back at me. The liquid is the same colour as her skin. Watching her drink I realize that there is no part of her that I do not love. Not her long shapely legs. Not the hair a shade lighter than her skin. Not the tiny scars that run up her leg arm or the whispery silver tattoos she uses to try to hide them. I love the way that her apron moves as she breaths. I love the long on her face as she drinks. I must be insane to ever leave her.

"You're staring." She looks up at me over the cup and blushes. It's appropriate somehow. I've never seen anyone who loves chocolate as much as my girlfriend.

"Just never saw someone in religious ecstasy before. Is it what you wanted?"

"Italian chocolate is the best." she takes another sip. "At least, until I figure out how to improve it. I'm going to replicate this blend so everyone can enjoy it" Her eyes twinkle and she leans over and grabs me for a kiss. Her mouth tastes of chocolate. The kiss breaks apart again after a moment and she says "I'm so glad your home. I missed you." Then we're back to kissing.

I'm just slipping one hand under the teashirt she has on under her apron when house's phone begins to buzz. We try to ignore the instant bleeping for a long moments then finally sigh and break contact. "Fucking phone." Kasarna mutters, then sighs and puts the remains of her coffee back into the warmer as I tap the icon.

"Hello." The number is as unfamiliar as the picture that pops up a moment later. A civil servant by the look of her.

"Ms. Riya Jez?"

"That's me." I peer. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm sorry to interupt your time off but an urgent diplomatic matter has come up. An important visitor is arriving and needs an escort. Would you mind coming down to my office to discuss it?"

I sigh, look over at Kasarna who shrugs. Go says her expression. I nod to the suit on the other end of the line "alright, I'll be down there in half an hour." Whatever this job is it had better be important.