Author’s Note: Hello everybody ! As you can see, I’m back with the next chapter :) it took me a while to post it because initially I continued the story with another chapter, but then changed my mind and wrote this one instead, so…here it is! I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of my reviewers: E.J., magz88 (hehe,I know,nice mental image isn’t it? LOL.), Lysi Marie (your comment made me blush!), minorly-crazy (it’s great to know you changed your mind mate!), AngelWithHorns222 (LOL, I know, isn’t he a sweetheart for doing so? As for the kissing…I promise you I’ll make it worth the wait ;P), x.Shadowz Arrow.x (yep, lit’l girl IS a spoiled brat… XD) , julie (echanges virtual high 5! thanks!), keymasters (oh yeah, it IS starting to show… you’ll see!), EnchantingBeautifulHypocrit..., GDgirl1993, panthergirl101, Tbooki (yup…alone at last!), almightyswot(takes chocie hey, thanks for that! And yes, Willy’s a hero all right! And what a hero he is!), shariena, Samira Granger (LOL. Wonka the Knight. Gotta Love that XD), Phantom's Ange (nice little scene, eh? Adds some drama ;P), dreamer 3097, iiceangel3.o (you can say that again!!LOL! as a matter of fact, I’d also go ahead and add IT’S ABOUT TIME! :D), and princess moon shadow. I want you all to know that I appreciate everyone of your comments very much, so thank you for leaving them.
I hope you’ll continue enjoying the story. And now…on with the next chapter!
Special thanks to Mrs.DeppQueenObsessorGoddess, my Beta! :D
Lots of love and candy to all!
xoxox
Kayla

Chapter 13 – THE BEST KIND OF PRIZE

A while later, Willy was pacing back and forth in front of a closed door. Behind it, Charlene was currently getting cleaned up. After having escorted her to the room that was once used as a changing room by the women who worked in his factory, he’d left her in the hands of a couple of women Oompa Loompas and had gone to change himself.

He had come back shortly after, all freshened up and cleaned. He was now wearing a purple shirt and a pair of pants and matching coat that were dyed a shade darker. His hat was balanced on top of his head, and he was holding his cane behind his back, entwined between his fingers.

“What’s taking her so long?” he wondered impatiently.

He didn’t understand why he was feeling so anxious, but ever since the last contestants had left, he had started to feel as though he’d swallowed a fistful of Gobstoppers, and nothing he did seemed to calm him down. He assumed it just had to do with Charlene’s presence. After all, she was a…well, a girl.

“And a very pretty one, for that matter.”

Willy stopped in his own tracks.

Had he really just thought that?

He resumed his pacing, shaking his head.

Well, of course, she also loved sweets and chocolate.

That was good.

And she was really nice to him.

That was even better.

So why was he feeling so nervous?
 “Wilbur Wonka,” he scolded himself, “You are going to calm down this very instant, do you understand me? You are a Chocolate Genius, for crying out loud! Why on earth should you-”

His train of thought was interrupted when he heard the door finally open behind him. He turned around, and felt his stomach twitch in a funny way when his gaze set upon the figure before him.

Charlene was wearing a short, deep-red dress that the Oompa Loompas had conjured up almost magically when Willy had ordered a change of clothes for the girl, and her hair was partly pulled back, with a few loose curls framing her face. She shyly stood with her hands together, blushing and looking down when she saw Willy staring at her that way.

It took him a moment to realize he was wearing an extremely silly awe-struck expression, his mouth forming an odd sideways smile. He quickly shook himself back to reality and cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.

“You…you look lovely, Charlene,” he said, taking a few steps towards her.

“Thank you, Mr.Wonka,” she answered, feeling pleased by his compliment.

She really appreciated his help, and found that the new dress the Oompa Loompas had given her was lovely. She wanted to thank him, but felt too awkward to do so.

“Uhm, Charlene?” he asked.

She raised her head to look at him, and only then did she notice he had changed too. She found the darker colors suited him very much, and when she made eye contact with him she felt that feeling in her stomach again. She was slowly starting to realize that, even though she’d known him for such a sort time, she actually liked him, and not just for the wonderful Chocolatier he was. Truth be told, she admittedly thought he looked quite handsome.

“Yes?”

“Ah, listen, I…I realize it’s getting late, but I was wondering if…if you’d like to take a walk with me, please?” he took a step closer to her, “I have something very important to tell you.”

“Oh…of course, Mr.Wonka.”

“Wonderful,” he said, with a small smile, starting to walk away.

He stopped, hesitating for a second, then went back on his tracks in front of Charlene.

“Ah…may I?” he asked, galantly offering her his arm.

Charlene was taken aback by his kind gesture. She raised her hand and gently placed it on top of his arm, and they exchanged a quick glance before he began to lead the way.

Shortly after, they were back inside the Chocolate Room. Willy brought them to a corner of the candy garden, besides a large chocolate tree whos branches were filled with ruby red apples, and sat down under it. Charlene followed him, elegantly sitting with her legs crossed and waiting for him to speak.

“Charlene,” he began, looking at the distant waterfall, “There’s a reason why I hosted this contest.” He paused, taking a deep breath and leaning back on the soft grass, “You see, not so long ago I was getting my semi-annual haircut, and suddenly my eye caught something that made me freeze in shock. It was a-” He hestitated, frowning and lowering his eyes to the ground, evidently embarassed, “A single gray hair.”

Charlene had to stiffle a giggle: for a moment, she’d feared it was something horrible! The Chocolatier carried on with his story, “In that one hair, I saw reflected my life’s work Who was going to take care of the factory once I was gone? Who was going to take care of my beloved Oompa Loompas? And that’s when I realized: I needed to find a heir. And I did, Charlene,” He stopped and shifted his eyes to look at Charlene for the first time, and then paused, gazing at the girl, before saying softly,“You.”

For a moment, Charlene was sure she’d misunderstood. He couldn’t possibly have said what he’d just said…right?

“I beg your pardon?” she asked, shaking her head in confusion.

Willy nodded, “Yes, you heard me correctly. After I made this decision, I came up with the idea for the Golden Tickets. I decided I’d give five winners a chance to visit my factory,and whoever prooved to be worthy enough would be nominated as my heir. Don’t you see?” he continued, turning over on his knees while still looking at Charlene, “All those other kids…they were just a bunch of spoiled, rotten brats who I’d never, ever even take in consideration for such a big issue. But you,” he suddenly took hold of her hand, making her stomach twitch, “I knew you were different, right from the beginning. I had a hunch you’d be the one to make it all the way, and I was right!”

“But…but wait…what…what does this mean?” she was still too shocked to fully understand what he was telling her.

Understanding her state of confusion, he smiled broadly, and then announced, “My dear girl, it means you’ve won!”

Charlene was specchless. She stared blankly at him, awestruck.

She’d won?

She’d won a Chocolate Factory?

And…not just ANY old factory…she’d won Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory?

Mesmerized, she rose to her feet, her attention turning to the beauty surrounding her: as he eyes slowly took in the view of the room, her heatbeat grew steadily faster. Ever so slowly, the realization of what she’d just been told started to sink in. Everything she’d ever dreamed of…was coming true.

In her mind, she thought about her job. About every time she dreamt about opening her own little candy shop. About the difficut times her family had been going through.

And now, this.

Willy stood silently behind her, watching her reaction and smiling to himself.

Then, as the commotion of it all overwhelmed her, without entirely realizing what she was doing Charlene let out a cry of joy, spun around, and threw her arms around the Chocolatier. She felt him freeze for a moment, and knew he wasn’t expecting her to do that, but she was far too thrilled to feel embarassed.

“I can’t believe it!” she laughed, “This is the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me! Mr.Wonka,” she continued, letting go of him, still grinning, “I…I just don’t know what to say.”

“Well,” he answered, trying to keep himself from blushing from the sudden physical contact, “Just…say you accept my offer.”

She nodded, unable to stop smiling. Then, she seemed to realize something, and gasped.

“What’s the matter?” Willy asked.

“My family!” she answered, “What about them? I’ve got to let them know all about this! I better run home, I can’t wait to tell-”

“Run home?” Willy echoed, frowning slightly, “My dear girl, you don’t really mean that, do you? Do you truly think I’d let you run home?”

“Well, I don’t see how else I-”

Willy shook his head, “Come with me,” he said, “Lucky for us, I’ve got a much quicker way of transportation. Come on!”

He took hold of her hand once again and raced them across the room. Charlene followed him suit, wondering what sort of transportation he was talking about.