Heaven's sorrowful muse,
Gazing into the night's watchful eyes,
Drifting across untouched seas,
A cosmic voyage for mother and child.
Chapter 11
The next morning, Willy woke up late. He stayed in bed for a while, his mind still foggy with sleep. As he blinked at the ceiling, the events of the previous night came flooding back—the long conversation with Lyyli in the library, the way her eyes had sparkled as she listened to his stories, and then... that weird moment at her bedroom door. The memory of it made his chest tighten, a strange mix of warmth and unease settling in his stomach.
He sat up, running a hand through his disheveled hair, and shook his head as if to dispel the thoughts. I can't let that happen again. he was a weird feeling, one he couldn't quite place. Was it good? Bad? He wasn't sure —but he knew one thing for certain: it had the potential to complicate things. And he didn't want to spend years of silence without hearing from Lyyli again. The lockdown had brought her back into his world, but what would happen when it was over?
Then it occurred to him. He still had someone else to bring into the factory, for his own safety. But knowing him as he did, he knew it wouldn't be easy to convince him to come to the factory.
With a sigh, he reached for his phone, quickly typed two messages and pressed sent.
Charlie had just woken up. He stretched and made his way downstairs. His father was up, sitting in his usual chair with the grandparents, all of them huddled around the television. The news was on, the reporter's voice grave as she discussed the latest updates on the pandemic.
"Cases are rising in the country," his father said, his brow furrowed with concern. "They're saying the hospitals near the capital are nearly at capacity."
Grandpa Joe shook his head. "It's a terrible time, it is. But we'll get through it."
Charlie quietly slipped into the kitchen, where his mother was already busy preparing breakfast. The smell of fresh bread and sizzling bacon filled the air, and Charlie smiled as he grabbed an apron and tied it around his waist. "Morning, Mum," he said, reaching for the kettle to make tea.
"Good morning, love," his mother replied, her hands dusted with flour as she kneaded dough for the morning's scones. "Did you sleep well?"
The boy nodded to his mother, when his father called out. "Charlie! Did that Oompa Loompa find you yesterday?"
Charlie turned his head to his father, his expression serious. "Yes, Dad. The Oompa Loompa found us. We're in the Inventing Room when he came in and showed us the news on TV." He paused, his voice dropping slightly. "Actually... Lyyli fainted when she saw the news."
"What?" Mr. and Mrs. Bucket exclaimed in unison, their voices overlapping. His mother immediately stopped what she was doing, her hands still dusted with flour, and turned to face Charlie fully. The grandparents, too, swiveled their attention toward him, their faces etched with concern.
"What happened, Charlie?" Mrs. Bucket asked, her voice steady but urgent.
Grandpa Joe leaned forward. "Is she alright?"
Charlie nodded quickly, trying to reassure them. "She's fine now. Willy carried her to her bedroom and called an Oompa Loompa doctor. We helped her, and she came around after a few minutes. But it was... shocking. She can't go back home because the airports are closed, so Willy said she'll be here until things get back to normal."
Mrs. Bucket's eyes widened slightly, her concern deepening. "She can't go home? That must be so difficult for her."
Grandma Josephine hummed in agreement. "Poor lass. She came all this way, and now she's trapped here with no idea when she'll be able to return home."
Charlie frowned slightly. "Yeah, but... I don't think Willy minds."
His parents and grandparents looked at him curiously. Mrs. Bucket wiped her hands on her apron and leaned in. "What do you mean?"
Charlie hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Well, I think he's glad she's here. He won't say it outright, but... the way he looks at her, the way he's been since she arrived—it's different. He's different."
"Told you." said Grandpa George. A knowing look passed between Grandpa Joe and Mr. Bucket, while Mrs. Bucket's lips curled into a small smile. "That makes sense," she murmured. "From what I remember, they go way back, don't they?"
Before anyone could respond, the sound of beep came from Charlie's phone. "Speaking of him..." Charlie said as he pulled the phone from his pocket and read the message. "Meet me after breakfast. I need you and Lyyli and you to help me today."
"What could he possibly need you and his friend to help him with?" asked Grandpa Joe as curious as the rest of the family.
"I don't know." said Charlie, thoughtful. Then it hit him. "Oh, actually I may have an idea."
Lyyli was escorted by an Oompa Loompa to the factory's main entrance. She stood alone on the red carpet, glancing around, but there was no sign of anyone else.
"Do you know if he's coming?" she asked the Oompa Loompa who had guided her.
He shook his head and gave a polite bow before walking away. With a sigh, Lyyli crossed her arms and waited.
A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed behind her. Turning around, she spotted Charlie approaching.
"Hey, Charlie! Do you know what this is about? Did Willy call you here too?" she asked.
"Yeah," Charlie nodded. "He said he needs our help. And... I think I have an idea of what's going on."
Before he could elaborate, Willy appeared at the entrance, his usual energy radiating off him.
"Ah, good! You're both here!" he greeted enthusiastically. "Shall we get going?"
"Wait, go where?" Lyyli questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Outside, of course!" Willy said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He reached into his pocket and pulled out three masks, handing one to each of them before putting his own on. "And don't forget these. We're heading somewhere far from town, but you never know—better safe than sorry!"
Lyyli blinked, still confused. "Willy, where exactly are we going?"
Charlie adjusted his mask and answered before Willy could. "We're going to meet his father."
"That's right! He he!" Willy nodded with a grin.
Lyyli, still holding her mask in her hand, stared at him in shock.
"Since when do you talk to your father?!" she demanded.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention—we're on speaking terms again. Thanks to Charlie." Willy said casually as he pressed a button on the wall to summon the Great Glass Elevator. "Now, put your mask on. We wouldn't want you catching anything, would we?"
Still stunned, Lyyli hesitated before reluctantly securing the mask over her face. "You owe me that story," she muttered, eyeing both Willy and Charlie.
With a ding, the Great Glass Elevator arrived. They stepped inside, and Willy pressed the button labeled Up and Out. In an instant, they soared out of the factory and into the sky.
As the elevator glided through the sky, Willy and Charlie recounted the story of how Willy and his father had reconnected after the Golden Ticket contest.
"Fascinating," Lyyli murmured, completely absorbed in their tale. She turned to Charlie. "How did you manage that? I tried so many times to convince him to visit his father."
Charlie chuckled. "Yeah, it wasn't easy to persuade him."
"And now," Willy interjected, "I need both of you to help convince him to come to the factory and stay with us until this quarantine ends. Who knows how long it'll last? Besides, he shouldn't be alone—he's getting older. If something happens, he'll need someone around. It's safer in the factory."
Charlie raised a brow. "And you need our help to make that happen, right?"
"Exactly!" Willy nodded eagerly.
Lyyli tilted her head. "What about me? I don't even know your father."
"You're backup force—ha!" Willy grinned.
Charlie sighed. "He's probably going to be reluctant."
"Oh, so that's where the stubbornness comes from," Lyyli said teasingly.
Willy shot her a sharp look. "Hey! That's not true! I'm not stubborn!"
"Yes, you are," Charlie said matter-of-factly.
Before Willy could launch into his defense, the elevator slowed as they arrived at their destination—a two-story brick house standing alone in the middle of nowhere.
Lyyli stared at the building, instantly recognizing that it had been removed from an apartment complex. She couldn't help but wonder how on earth did someone transport part of a building and place it here?
As they stepped out and approached the house, her curiosity grew. What kind of man was Willy's father?
When they arrived at the front door, Willy hesitated. Lyyli could clearly see how nervous he was.
"Are you ok"? she asked.
"What?" Willy turned to her and then again to the door. "Yeah, sure. It's just... it's always a little bit... difficult." he sighed and finally rang on the doorbell, the sound echoing through the quiet, open landscape. A few moments passed before they heard footsteps approaching from inside. Then, the door creaked open, revealing an older man with sharp features, neatly combed silver hair, a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He wore white latex gloves and a white mask on his face as well.
Dr. Wilbur Wonka stood in the doorway, his sharp gaze scanning over them. His eyes landed on Willy first, narrowing slightly. Then, he acknowledged Charlie with a brief nod before his gaze settled on Lyyli. His expression shifted—curious, but unreadable.
Willy cleared his throat. "Dad! Surprise visit! Bet you didn't see this coming."
Dr. Wonka sighed. "Indeed, I did not." His gaze flicked back to Lyyli. "And who is this?"
Before Willy could answer, Lyyli introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Lyyli. An old friend. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Dr. Wonka hesitated only a moment before answering her. "Likewise."
He made space for them to enter the house. His eyes briefly studied Lyyli before he turned his attention back to his son. "Why are you here, Willy? You shouldn't leave, don't you read the news?"
"That's exactly why I came!" Willy grinned, stepping forward. "Well, I was thinking... you're all alone out here, and with everything going on in the world, I just don't think that's very safe. So! Pack your bags. You're coming to the factory with us."
"Excuse me?" Dr. Wonka blinked.
Charlie cleared his throat. "It's true, sir. The pandemic is getting worse, and it's not safe for you to be alone. If you come with us, you'll have everything you need, and you won't have to worry about anything."
Dr. Wonka's sharp gaze remained fixed on his son, his lips pressed into a firm line. "Willy, this is absurd. I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself."
Willy sighed dramatically. "Oh, come on, Dad! You live in the middle of nowhere, alone! What if you run out of supplies? What if you get sick?"
Charlie gave Willy a glance, then tried himself. "Sir, I really think it would be best for you to come with us. The factory is safe, and everything you need is there. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing."
Dr. Wonka's expression didn't waver. "I don't need to be coddled, young man."
A tense silence followed, and just as Willy was about to launch into another frantic attempt, Lyyli stepped forward. Her presence was steady, confident, and when she spoke, her voice was warm yet commanding.
"If I may, Dr. Wonka," she began carefully, "The world is facing an unprecedented situation. It is unpredictable, volatile, and beyond even the best doctor's control. You may have supplies for now, but what happens when they run out? What happens if hospitals are overwhelmed and there's nowhere to turn?"
Dr. Wonka remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning Lyyli with quiet scrutiny. Meanwhile, Willy and Charlie exchanged stunned glances, utterly baffled by how effortlessly she had taken control of the conversation.
She tilted her head slightly. "I believe you're intelligent enough to know that isolation in times of crisis is not always a strength. The factory offers a controlled environment. You wouldn't just be safer—you'd be able to ensure that others, including your son and Charlie here, are safe too. Don't you agree?"
Dr. Wonka exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms. "That's... a compelling argument."
Lyyli smiled lightly. "It's not just about you, sir. It's about the people who care about you, too. Don't you think Willy would sleep better at night knowing his father is somewhere safe?"
At that, Dr. Wonka's eyes flickered ever so slightly toward Willy, who shifted awkwardly but nodded. "She's right, Dad. It'd really put my mind at ease."
A long pause.
Then, finally, Dr. Wonka let out a small sigh and nodded. "Very well. I will come with you."
Willy's jaw nearly dropped. "Wait—what? Just like that?" he whispered to Charlie.
Charlie blinked. "That was... easier than I expected."
Dr. Wonka turned to Willy, his expression softening just a fraction. "Come son, help me bring my suitcase downstairs."
"Yes, Dad." Willy hesitated, then glanced at Lyyli. "How did you do that?"
Lyyli just grinned, lifting her hands in an innocent shrug.
As Charlie and Lyyli waited, her eyes landed on a framed photo of a younger Willy.
"Oh, look at this!" she said, pointing. "This must've been taken shortly before we met in Finland. He looks so young..."
Charlie nodded. "Yeah, Dr. Wonka has a lot of photos and newspaper clippings about him."
Lyyli studied the pictures with a soft expression. "He must have missed him a lot." Then, with a small smile, she added, "My father was very fond of Willy, you know."
Charlie's interest grew. He turned to her, eyes bright with curiosity. "Willy told me your father was his mentor. How did you two become friends?"
Lyyli glanced at him, a nostalgic smile forming. "Well... he was really shy. So was I, but maybe not as much. One day, I invited him to hang out with my bandmates. Turns out, we had a lot in common. From that day on, we just clicked—became best friends."
Still curious, Charlie asked one last question. "Why did you go so many years without talking?"
Lyyli's expression softened with a hint of sadness. "Yeah... turns out our last letters never reached each other. They got lost somehow, and we lost contact." She sighed, then paused before adding with a small smile, "We should probably figure out where they ended up. But hey, at least we found each other again—and I got to meet you too!"
They heard footsteps on the stairs. Dr. Wonka descended first, carrying a small bag, while Willy trailed behind, lugging a suitcase.
"Alright, we're ready to go," Willy announced.
Dr. Wonka locked the door behind them, and they all stepped into the Glass Elevator.
"I'll never get used to this thing," Dr. Wonka muttered.
Willy rolled his eyes and pressed the button. "Oh, please."
As the elevator lifted off, Dr. Wonka turned to Lyyli. "So, tell me... how did you meet my son?"
The question caught both Willy and Lyyli off guard.
"Well," Lyyli began, smiling at the memory, "he came to Lapland to learn from my father, he was a salmiakki maker in the North. He stayed with us on our island for quite a while. It was great!" She glanced at Willy, who nodded in agreement.
"Her father was the best," Willy added enthusiastically. "I wouldn't have dared to make salmiakki without learning from him first."
Dr. Wonka raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You traveled that far just to study the craft? That must have been quite an experience." His gaze lingered on Lyyli, intrigued. "And what brings you here now, during these chaotic times? Why are you so far from home?"
Lyyli, Willy, and Charlie explained that she was a singer and had come to town for a guest appearance at a concert. But before she could return, the pandemic struck, airports shut down, and she was stranded.
Dr. Wonka listened intently, nodding slowly. "Quite the predicament," he mused. "But I suppose fate has a peculiar way of bringing people together."
Willy and Lyyli both blushed at the comments, while Charlie struggled to hold back a giggle.
As soon as they arrived at the factory and the doors to the Great Glass Elevator opened, Willy barely had time to tell them to close their eyes before a group of Oompa Loompas sprayed them with a disinfectant—an exaggerated measure, but one that Willy insisted was necessary for hygiene and safety in the factory.
"You can throw away your masks here!" he said, gesturing to a nearby trash bin. The three of them stepped out of the elevator, coughing.
"Willy! You should have warned us about that!" his father said, clearly annoyed and still coughing.
"Definitely should have!" Lyyli agreed, still choking on the air.
"Sorry about that," Willy chuckled, clearly finding the situation amusing. He waved it off, clearly not too bothered by their discomfort. "Well, the Oompa Loompas will take you to your room, Dad. You'll find everything you need there—complete with those boring dental magazines you love so much!" He added the last part with a teasing grin, but it only made his father frown deeper.
"Very funny, Willy," his father muttered, adjusting his glasses as he tried to shake off the lingering cough.
Willy grinned and clapped him on the back. "We'll meet later for dinner, okay?" he said, glancing at Charlie and Lyyli. "Now, how about we continue our tour from the other day?"
With a gesture toward the wide, gleaming hallways of the factory, Willy led the way, eager to show Lyyli more of the wonders hidden within. She followed him curious to see what Willy had in store for her next.
"Wow, they're so cute!" Lyyli exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like a child in a pet store, utterly enchanted by the sight. Willy couldn't help but smile, loving the way her expressions changed so effortlessly.
"They're trained, you know," Willy said with a grin, watching her reaction. "They can crack the nuts open without breaking the shell or losing a single piece. Who better than squirrels for the job, right?"
"That's brilliant!" Lyyli agreed, her admiration clear.
"And this," Charlie added with a knowing smile, "is where Veruca went down the garbage chute."
"The spoiled brat?" Lyyli raised an eyebrow, smirking. "She probably deserved that!" They both laughed at the thought.
"Let's see if you're a bad nut," Willy said, gesturing to one of the Oompa Loompas with a quick sign.
"What happens if I'm a bad nut?" Lyyli asked with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Then I'll have to run away with you from this room before they capture you," Willy said, pretending to look worried. "And you'll end up with the same fate as Veruca Salt."
Lyyli raised an eyebrow, but before she could reply, an Oompa Loompa appeared, followed by one of the squirrels. It scampered up to Willy's shoulder, already accustomed to its owner. Willy extended his arm toward Lyyli, inviting the squirrel to check her out. She flinched at first, startled, but Willy met her gaze and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't be afraid, it's ok."
Slowly, Lyyli let the squirrel climb up her arm, and it moved to her shoulder. Then, with a little tap, it knocked on her forehead.
"Ouch!" Lyyli exclaimed, rubbing her head in surprise.
The squirrel made a little noise that sounded oddly affirmative, and Willy's face relaxed in relief. The squirrel began sniffing and playfully darting around Lyyli's arm and shoulder, making her giggle.
"That tickles! Hey, Charlie, look! I'm not a bad nut after all!" she laughed.
Charlie, who had been distracted by his phone, read a message from his mom. "Mom says dinner's ready. We should probably continue the tour tomorrow."
Willy tilted his head, thoughtful. "By the size of this place, it'll take weeks to see everything..." He looked around, considering. "Anyway, let's keep going. We don't want to keep anyone waiting."
With that, Willy led the way to his father's room to accompany him to the Chocolate Room.
As Willy and Dr. Wonka walked down the long corridors of the factory, their footsteps echoed softly against the walls.
"So, did you like your room?" Willy asked, breaking the silence, glancing at his father with a warm smile.
Dr. Wonka nodded, his expression softening. "Yes, I did. It's very nice indeed. You've really thought of everything. Thank you."
Willy's smile widened, though a hint of discomfort flickered in his eyes. It wasn't often that his father gave him compliments, especially when it came to the factory.
As they continued walking, Dr. Wonka turned the conversation in a different direction. "And how about... Lyyli? How's your relationship with her going?"
The question caught Willy off guard, and he quickly glanced at his father, a bit surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Lyyli?" he repeated, trying to keep his voice casual. "Oh, we're just friends. She's been staying here until the airports open up again." He added quickly, as if to reassure his father. "It's safer for her to stay with us, especially right now."
Dr. Wonka didn't press any further, but Willy could tell from the subtle raise of his eyebrows that he was intrigued, though he wisely held his tongue.
As they rounded a corner, they arrived at the Chocolate Room. The Oompa Loompas had prepared a large table outside the Bucket's house, set up as if for a family dinner. It was clear they had done their best to make it feel like home for everyone, now that the factory was full of guests. The table was filled with Mrs Bucket delicious food and some other dishes prepared by the Oompa Loompas, and two bottles of wine.
The Buckets were already seated at the table, and so was Lyyli. She had been escorted there by Charlie, who sat by her side, chatting quietly. Lyyli looked effortlessly stunning, wearing a simple yet elegant black dress that caught the eye. It was casual, but still delicate, highlighting her grace. Her tattooed arms were exposed, and she wore a few pieces of jewelry, including the ring that Willy had given her—a piece she never took off. She smiled when she saw him, her eyes lighting up, and without thinking, he moved toward her, eager to join the group.
Dr. Wonka, following behind, took in the scene quietly, his mind no doubt still turning over the questions he had about his son and his companion.
The Buckets greeted Dr. Wonka with enthusiasm. "Dr Wonka! What a pleasure to see you again! Looks like we'll have another guest staying here in the factory for a while," Mr. Bucket said with a grin.
"This lockdown is certainly going to be interesting for all of us!" said Grandpa Joe.
Dr. Wonka smiled and took a seat beside Mr. Bucket and Grandpa George, while Willy sat next to Charlie, who was positioned between him and Lyyli. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with everyone settling into their places around the table.
As Mr. Bucket began slicing and serving the roasted chicken, Grandpa Joe uncorked one of the bottles of wine. "Where did you say this was from, dear?" he asked Lyyli as he poured wine for everyone.
"I brought it from Porto, the city where my mom was born," Lyyli replied. "It's where Portugal's most famous wines come from—this one especially."
Willy glanced at her with interest. "So, you take after your father when it comes to wine taste."
"He knew the good stuff!" she said cheerfully.
Dr. Wonka, who had been listening, suddenly spoke up. "So, your mother was Portuguese?" he asked. "I've always been quite fond of their traditional fado music, you know."
Willy and Charlie exchanged glances. "That I didn't know." Willy murmured, raising an eyebrow.
Lyyli turned to Dr. Wonka, intrigued. "My mom was actually a well-respected fado singer in Porto."
"You don't say!" he replied, nodding in approval as Grandpa Joe poured him a glass of the rich Porto wine. "You have quite an interesting background, young lady."
The night unfolded with lively conversation, laughter, and the occasional burst of loud chatter—partly fueled by the effects of the wine. Even the grandparents, usually more reserved, enjoyed their fair share of Porto's finest. The only exception was Charlie, of course, who happily indulged in one of the most delicious desserts his mother had made using Willy's chocolate and cream fudge.
Meanwhile, Willy and Lyyli carried on a conversation over Charlie's shoulder, their attention drifting toward Dr. Wonka.
"Look at him! His cheeks are red! I've never seen him like this before—all extroverted and fuzzy," Willy pointed out, watching his father with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
"So what? He's happy!" Lyyli laughed, grabbing the wine bottle and pouring a generous amount into both her glass and Willy's. "Stop mumbling and drink," she said, clinking her glass against his.
"I'm not a mumbler!" Willy protested, but he took a sip anyway. He loved the taste—it was the same wine he used in some of his liquor-filled chocolates. He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Now, tell me—how the hell do you smooth him over like that?"
"Maybe she just has a natural ability to enchant the entire Wonka family," Charlie teased, barely able to hold in his laughter.
Willy's face turned bright red, and so did Lyyli's.
"Shut up, Charlie," Willy huffed before smearing some chocolate syrup onto Charlie's nose.
"That's not fair!" Charlie protested, quickly wiping his nose with a napkin.
It was already late, but the warmth of the evening lingered. Not just Dr. Wonka, but the entire Bucket family had been utterly enchanted by Lyyli. They were eager to hear about how she met Willy, her career, and even her bandmates. Willy, for the most part, remained quiet, simply watching how effortlessly she charmed them. It was a rare and satisfying feeling for him—to see the people he cared about form such a good impression of someone who was also so dear to him.
As the night came to an end, they all exchanged goodnights, and Willy took it upon himself to escort Lyyli and his father to their rooms. Dr. Wonka's bedroom was downstairs, so they stopped there first.
"I'm glad we'll have plenty of time to hear more of your fascinating stories, my dear," Dr. Wonka said, taking Lyyli's hand and placing a polite kiss on it.
Lyyli's cheeks flushed at the unexpected gesture. "So am I, sir." she said with a warm smile.
"Good night to you both," he added before stepping into his room.
Willy glanced at Lyyli as they continued walking, amused by the light blush still lingering on her face. "Well, look at that," he teased. "I think you've completely won him over."
Lyyli chuckled. "He doesn't seem as tough as you made him out to be."
Willy turned to her, narrowing his eyes. "Not when you're around, it seems."
"Oh, come on. You're overreacting," she said, rolling her eyes. "He was actually really interested in you when we were in Finland. Kept asking me all sorts of questions about you. I bet he was proud of you for going all the way there just to learn about salmiakki."
Willy hesitated, glancing at her. "Really? You think so?"
Lyyli sighed and turned to face him. "Willy... are you sleepy?"
"Uh... not really?" he admitted.
Her lips curled into a mischievous grin as she pulled an unopened bottle of wine from behind her back. "Then let's go somewhere and finish this!"
Willy's eyes widened. "You're impossible!" he accused, staring at the bottle.
"I'm a Finn!" she shot back. "Come on, let's go!" Without waiting for a response, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the elevator.
Willy let out a small laugh, shaking his head as she dragged him inside. "Alright, fine. You pick the—"
"Nope! You choose!" she interrupted, nudging him toward the buttons.
He didn't even need to think. His fingers hovered for only a second before pressing the one labeled "Stargazers."
Lyyli tilted her head. "Stargazers?"
"You'll see," Willy said, a secretive smile tugging at his lips as the elevator doors closed around them.
As the elevator came to a sudden halt, Lyyli lost her balance and bumped into Willy, who instinctively caught her to keep her from falling.
"Why does this thing go so fast and then stop like that?" she groaned, rubbing her head.
"To feel like you're on a roller coaster, of course," Willy said with a playful smirk as he reached for the doors and swung them open.
They stepped into a dimly lit room, illuminated only by the ceiling—a breathtaking projection of the night sky, filled with thousands of twinkling stars. It was as if they had stepped into the cosmos itself.
At the center of the room stood an enormous telescope, easily the largest Lyyli had ever seen. Her grip on the wine bottle loosened in shock, and she nearly dropped it.
"You have an observatory? In a chocolate factory?" she asked, utterly baffled.
Willy grinned, his eyes twinkling just like the stars above them. "Well, of course. When there's a creativity block, you need distractions to spark inspiration. And what better place to build an observatory than at the very top of a factory?"
Lyyli shook her head in disbelief, taking a slow turn around the room. "You're unbelievable," she murmured, still processing the fact that this secret space existed within the walls of the factory.
Scattered throughout the room were candy-shaped puff couches, some of them surprisingly small. Lyyli figured they must have been designed for the Oompa Loompas to stargaze, though at the moment, it was just the two of them.
As Willy adjusted the telescope, she glanced up and noticed something remarkable—the starry sky above wasn't just a projection. It was a massive screen displaying a live feed from the telescope itself. The realization made her stare in awe. "This isn't just an artificial display... it's real," she murmured.
Willy, still fine-tuning the telescope, smirked. "Of course, it is. What's the point of stargazing if you're not actually looking at the real thing?"
Lyyli sank into one of the larger puff couches, gazing up at the star-filled ceiling, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Willy continued adjusting the telescope, shifting its focus farther and farther into space. It wasn't until she noticed his determined expression that she caught on.
"You're trying to find Saturn, aren't you?" she asked, a knowing smirk on her lips.
Willy sighed dramatically, turning to her. "Why do you always have to ruin the surprise?" He huffed and went back to the telescope. "I've spotted it a few times before—I even memorized the coordinates. I wanted to show you the first time I found it... too bad you weren't here."
Just as he finished speaking, the image on the ceiling shifted. At first, it was slightly blurred, but with a few adjustments, the rings of Saturn came into perfect focus—majestic and luminous against the vast darkness of space.
Lyyli sat up, her eyes widening in awe. "Wow... I can't believe it. I need to drink for that." She popped open the bottle of wine and poured it into the glasses she had brought, handing one to Willy.
"This stuff is strong, Lyyli!" he protested, but still took the glass from her.
"Don't be such a killjoy," she teased, taking a slow sip. "The worst that can happen is you get a little tipsy."
Willy eyed her skeptically. "And that's supposed to be a good thing?"
She smirked. "You'll see." She raised her glass in a playful toast.
Willy settled beside her on the couch, his gaze flickering between her and the celestial display above. "Why do you like it so much?" he asked, genuinely curious, as he drank from his glass.
She tore her eyes away from the image to look at him. "It's not just because of how beautiful it is," she explained. "Saturn has a deep esoteric significance. It represents discipline, wisdom, and cycles of transformation—and other things that have always intrigued me."
Lyyli leaned back against the plush couch, twirling the stem of her wine glass between her fingers as she spoke.
As they lounged beneath the glowing projection of the stars, the wine gradually worked its magic. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, drifting between lighthearted jokes and deeper reflections on their lives so far. Willy, usually more guarded, felt his usual anxieties melt away. He was more talkative than usual, his words spilling out with an uncharacteristic ease. Lyyli, just as affected by the wine, had her cheeks flushed and her posture more relaxed than ever.
"Tero wants to have a meeting with the whole band tomorrow. He's thinking about starting a new album, planning the next tour." Lyyli spoke in a drowsy voice.
Willy stiffened slightly. Even with the wine in his system, he couldn't suppress the discomfort that bubbled up at her words. "A new album? A tour?" he scoffed, turning his head toward her. "We're in the middle of a pandemic and all that guy can think about is making money?"
Lyyli sighed, already sensing his frustration. "I get why you'd see it that way, but..." She trailed off, tilting her head slightly to look at him. "I do miss writing and singing, you know. If I stay on hiatus for too long, I start feeling... lost. You know what I mean, don't you?"
He blinked at her. He did understand. He knew exactly what she meant. His own mind was constantly buzzing with new ideas, new confections to create. Going too long without working on them made him restless.
"And besides, there's a song I still need to record. A collab with Aqua—the band I sang with at the concert you went to." Lyyli continued, her voice softer now. "But the problem is," she sighed, "I don't have a studio to record in. Or anywhere to really work on my music right now. Guess I'll have to postpone it."
Willy, who had been comfortably sinking into the couch, suddenly paused. His mind—clouded by wine but never truly still—sparked with an idea.
Lyyli immediately noticed the shift in his expression and perked up. "Willy, are you okay?"
"Yeah..." he muttered, lost in thought. "Just... something occurred to me. A way to fix a problem with a candy." It was an obvious lie.
Lyyli sat up and looked down at him suspiciously. "Liar. You're scheming something."
Willy glanced up at her and felt an unexpected flutter in his stomach. She was sitting so close, leaning over him, her hair falling loose on one side, her other shoulder bare. Her green eyes shimmered with curiosity, narrowed slightly as she tried to read his thoughts. Even with suspicion written all over her face, she looked breathtaking. The urge to pull her closer, suddenly hit him with startling intensity.
The thought alone made his heart. Nope, nope, nope.
In a flustered panic, he shot upright far too quickly—only to throw off his balance entirely. In the next instant, both of them tumbled off the couch, landing in a tangled heap on the floor.
"Ouch! What the hell was that?" Lyyli exclaimed, sitting up and rubbing her elbow.
"I—I'm sorry!" Willy stammered, his face burning. "We should really get to sleep. We've had enough wine for today." He stood up, still a little too disoriented to look her in the eye.
Still dizzy, they made their way down the hall, bumping into walls and trying (unsuccessfully) to stifle their laughter at how utterly clumsy they had become. When they finally reached Lyyli's room, she turned to him. "Are you sure you can find your room like that?" she teased.
Willy narrowed his eyes at her. "Ha ha. Very funny."
She laughed, and before he could think twice about it, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
Lyyli froze, eyes widening slightly as a warm blush crept across her face.
Willy, realizing what he'd just done, stepped back awkwardly. "Uh—see you tomorrow."
And with that, he spun around and walked off, leaving Lyyli standing at her door, staring after him.
"...What?" she murmured to herself, touching her cheek.