Light, prolonged
春分 [3] / [33]
“Vanilla Bean and white cedar wood.”
She explained, as if by heart, rather than reading it off the label. Their eyes met in the air, and both giggled. For a short moment, Alexander thought Cynthia must be an expert of fragrances, like a perfumer.
“I don’t know much about perfume. I just love to smell these.”
“Are these all part of your collection then?”
Alexander asked, stunned. There were at least several dozen different products.
“Collecting perfume, candles, diffusers, bath bars and oil etc, was my hobby, but not now though.
A few years ago, I was in a perfume shop buying a present for my friend. As soon as I got into the shop, it was as if I could smell heaven. I never really cared for perfume all that much before.
It just never interested me. But the aroma in the shop changed my condition and mood entirely. I was very tired and blue right before I smelled them.
From that time, I felt inclined to collect various kinds of perfumes, and the like. I smell them anytime I feel exhausted and gloomy.”
He remembered the smell of fresh citrus on the sheets of his bed the first day he arrived at her place, and from Cynthia's bathtub. He nodded, regarding that as quite a nice hobby. Collecting perfumes.
This time she showed him a clear bottle with transparent liquid inside. He knew that it was not open yet. It was like new, but had obviously sat for awhile. It smelled like the bright blue ocean.
He inhaled the fragrance. It felt like his head was completely refreshed just by smelling it. Looking around at her showcased collection, he noted it was pleasant to look at too; like a mini version of Bed, Bath, and Beyond, it just made you want to relax.
“Most are still new. I didn’t even open the packages. If I did, all the fragrances would mix, and mask their unique aromas,"
she explained.
He picked up the big peach shaped ball. The smell of ripe peaches matched it’s appearance.
“That’s a bath bomb. Once you put it into the water, bubbles arise while it melts,”
she said, adding.
“You can use anything you want. I've probably got too much as it is, so feel free.”
While they smelled this and that, the time passed in a twinkle. Today was the day they were set to interview Lucas at the jail. They arrived at the place earlier than expected. They had hot coffee in the cafe nearby the jail, and, as time got closer, they headed towards the entrance. An officer was awaiting them at the office.
