Chapter 2

Arriving at the bakery, I parked across the street since there was no parking on the other side. Turning off the ignition, I took the diaper bag from the passenger side and climbed out of the car. Looking across the street into the baker there was no movement which was weird. Every morning there would be people already waiting outside the bakery for us to open and the workers would be running around talking to each other getting everything ready but it was quiet this morning. 

Where was everyone, aren’t supposed to come to work today or what. Did I miss something in the group about there being no work today? Maybe Elena texted me about today. Reaching for my phone in my pants, I unlocked it and there were no messages from the group or from Elena. Just when I was about to put my phone away it rang and Elena’s name appeared on the screen. 

“Hey, Miss Elena.” I answered, opening the back door on my side ,unclipping Neveah from the car seat, picking her up.

‘Hey dear, how far away are you? ' Elena asked, sounding a little weird.

“I just arrived, I'm on my way in.” I said, walking across the street towards the bakery.

Upon entering Elena came running towards us, taking Neveah from my arms showering her with kisses.

"Good morning to you, Miss Elena." I giggled seeing how happy Neveah was, ending the call.

"You look tired my dear, did this little one keep you up." Elena asked, examining my face.

"I'm fine Elena, no need to worry." I said, giving her a small smile.

"Come dear, let's go to my office and set this little one down." Elena said, walking towards her office.

“Miss Elena, where is everyone?” I asked, walking behind Elena looking around the bakery.

“Uhmm, I've sent them away for a few minutes.” Elena said, playing with Neveah.

“May I ask why, miss Elena?” I asked, walking beside her.

"Aaliyah dear?" Elena called out to me, stopping in front of her office.

"Something wrong Elena?" I asked, looking at her.

"Oh no nothing wrong dear. It's just that the reason why I sent everyone away for a few minutes was because my son’s came to visit me. My oldest son, Dominic, has this way of making people feel welcomed  when they are in the same room with him. And the employees are scared of him when he comes around. So I told them in advance and told them they could leave for a few minutes if they wanted since there is still time before we open.

“Well if that’s the case……… then I don’t want to go in there.” I said taking small steps backwards.

“Don’t focus on Dominic dear. He won’t do anything to you. It’s just the way he has been since Amelia died, he was a very sweet and kind person.” Elena said, handing Neveah over to me, taking the diaper bag.

“Just this once Aaliyah.” Elena said, placing her hand on the door knob.

“Okay, just this once.” I say after a few seconds of being quiet.

What the worst that could happen. Elena’s son, Dominic, staring me to my death. 

 Elena walked in first and I followed behind her with my head held down. Lifting my head I instantly fell out of place, unwelcomed by the way one of them looked at me, guessing that one is Dominic. From where he stood I could  feel the dominants radiating from him. By the way he stood, the way he was dressed you could see the way he carried himself. The way he looked at me at first I felt a cold silver run down my spine but then I saw something in his eyes for a millisecond.

His eyes traveled to Neveah and it stayed on her for a few seconds before he looked back at me. It was like he was studying us from where we stood. Just being in the same room with him makes you feel out of place. I don’t know how Elena expects me to ignore him since I can feel his confidence and dominants radiating from him from where I stood. The other two brothers were just staring at me but not the same way Dominic was. They didn’t make me feel the way he did. No wonder everyone decided to leave the bakery for a few minutes just to avoid this man standing a few feet away from me.

“Aaliyah, these are my son's. Luciano, Matteo and Dominic." Elena said, pointing towards each one of them.

“Boys, this is Aaliyah." Elena said, placing her hand on my back pushing me forward.

“Who's baby is that?” The one leaning on the desk asked, guessing that one is Luciano.

“This little one's name is Neveah, Aaliyah's baby girl." Elena said, taking Neveah from me and walking towards them with her.

“You look so young to have a baby." The one sitting down on the single couch said, crossing his leg over the other. Guessing that’s Matteo.

Elena stood in front of Dominic introducing Neveah to him but then Neveah reached out towards him with her little hands. Elena pulled Neveah’s hand back and she whined reaching back out to Dominic. Elena looked up at Dominic to see his reaction but he was staring at my baby with that same look. Stone cold, with no emotion at all. I took a step forward to get my baby away from him but he reached out to her and she took his index finger into her small hands, laughing that adorable laugh of hers.

“Dear, you should get going. Almost time for you to start working." Elena said, staring at her watch.

Walking over to Elena’s desk , I placed the diaper bag on the floor next to the desk. Walking over to Elena, who was still standing next to Dominic because my dear baby held onto his finger not letting go. He just stared at her, letting her hold his finger.

“Mamma has to go to work now. I love you.” I said, placing a kiss on Neveah’s cheek.

Dominic’s head shot up when he heard me talk. What is it now, something wrong with my voice.

“You have a beautiful voice.” Luciano said, lifting himself from the desk. Walking towards Matteo, sitting down on the arm rest.

“Thanks….I guess.” I said in a soft voice, placing another kiss on Neveah’s cheek.

“It was nice meeting you all but I have to go work now.” I said walking towards the door.

 Leaving Elena’s office ,everyone was back starting to work. Rushing around to get everything ready since we had no time to get everything ready before we opened. Walking towards the kitchen I put on my apron and black gloves and started working.