Declaration: I own nothing. Everything belongs to C.S Lewis

Ch.1

Mocha and Cinnamon

Headquarter of Narnia Corporation, Cair Paravel, shined in the beams of sunlight. Its magnificence could be seen even from a distance. However, Rosalie Westwood just did not have the mood to admire the lovely picture this morning. Walking into the said building of her everyday workplace, all her cells froze as she saw a tall, dark , lean figure in front of the lifts.

Rosalie quickly slowed down her pace. No, this was not the right moment. She was not ready to continue her argument with him. Not in this hour with Edmund Pevensie. Her mind went back to the quarrel they had yesterday…

"The accident will cause the budget to exceed for several millions. We need to cut down the cost."

"Ed, that does not mean we reduce half of the amount we are supposed to give!"

"Rosa, you are not thinking clearly. The government's project was in only a few months. We need to gather all resources on it. Burning more money just to compensate the mistakes the contractors have made will pose repercussion on the bigger target!"

"I am just saying you can cut only 20-30% of the budget but not totally giving up the whole thing."

"Rosalie, I know it's a hard decision but I think you are too sentimental now to make the right move."

At that, Rosalie simply stormed off without a word.

Rosalie knew why Edmund was so concerned on the upcoming governmental project. Narnia Corporation was originally owned by the legendary tycoon, Aslan. He was an urban myth who vanished a few decades ago. In the meantime, the company was controlled by Jadis, a rich woman with unknown origin who secretly brought the majority of the shares from all their holders through blackmailing, threatening and other dirty trades. It was a miserable time for both the company and the city. She monopolized the town, suppressed the government and deal with the mobs and gangsters. It was rumored that a few competitors of hers were murdered under the order of the evil woman. Fortunately, her reign was ended three years ago when Aslan returned together with the Pevensies, a family well-known in the city and took back control. Surprisingly, Aslan himself did not reprise his position as CEO but handed over to Peter Pevensie.

The corporation was then restructured into an entrepreneurship of different diversified brand names in various businesses, from media to property market. The government recently announced an infrastructure project which was to be outsourced and the company had its eyes on it. It would be a great opportunity for them to have greater influence among others in the city.

Many would reason the success of the corporation was due to the leadership of Peter Pevensie. He was a man with great charisma and vision that led them through one accomplishment after another. He was the one to decide the direction for the enterprise and to strive for any possible business deals and opportunities. While he realized all the targets, Edmund was the one who made sure these projects are achievable goals, watched over the budget and finance, and supervised their progress. Rosalie often liked to compare the Pevensie brothers as visionary and thinker. Peter was daring enough to take risk and dream while Edumund strategized to ensure these visions were possible.

The Pevenise guys were the pillars of the well-oiled mechanism in Narnia. However, their sisters were also not to be looked down off. Susan Pevensie was in the business; handling for all PR matters and other media-related issues with her inborn diplomatic skills and of course… her beauty. The youngest Pevensie, who Rosalie had just met a few times before was of a cheery yet compassionate nature. Lucy was a medical student studying for her final semester in USA. Still, she made great contribution. Her knowledge and connection with doctors, medical researchers have introduced much investment chances for her brothers.

The Pevensies may be the legacy of young successful entrepreneurs. Yet, Rosalie Westwood also had her own reputation within Cair Paravel. The 26 years old head-strong woman worked as a management trainee in Mega Company after graduation. Edmund came into their company for a joint project. Maybe was the quick wit or the calmness the brunette displaced no matter how bad the situation was, or her ability to be tactful at times, Rosalie was handpicked by Edmund to join in his team in Narnia. Throughout her times in Narnia, she had proven herself as worthy enough to take up the place as the second-in-command of the dark haired Pevensie. The Project Managers in their department recognized Rosalie as their co-leader.

However, this morning when Rosalie walked into the office, her co-workers were more evasive than usual. She sighed internally, did her argument with Edmund in their glassy office known to all others? With tension filling high in the common office, Rosalie stepped in her own room, unsurprisingly finding a cup of Mocha on her table. She took her sip and laughed quietly when the teammates out there emitted audible sound of relieve.

It was a well-known ritual between her and Edmund. Rosalie never needed to buy her own coffee. Edmund brought her favourite Mocha every morning together with his own Double Expresso. When they had a fight the day before, the Mocha became a peace offering. If Rosalie accepted it (which she always did), the quarrel between them was settled. The coffee ritual served another meaning in the common office. After mommy and daddy fought, it was a signal of everything was ok. They no longer need to bear the rage and passive-aggressiveness from both parties. Peace was restored.

The brunette frowned slightly when a faint bitter taste of cinnamon appeared under the richness and sweetness of chocolate. Having been working closely with Edmund for more than two years, people often doubted weren't there anything personal between them? Rosalie admitted to herself in some ungodly hours (like before she slept or with a few glasses of wine consumed) which she was most vulnerable that she did feel something for her current boss when she was still a representative of Mega Company. Towards the end of their corporation, she even had the slightest suspicion the feeling was mutual. Instead, he sat her down for a business proposition, not a personal one. The gesture pretty much stated clearly, the feeling between them, was like the thin taste of cinnamon in her Mocha, barely existed.