Chapter 4

Seraphine's Pov

 

“Are you okay? Isabella," I asked her over the phone after the call finally went through. The delivery never got to its owner, and I had received tons of calls. For that reason, I began to worry. After calling her with no answer, I became agitated. Maybe something happened to her; I shouldn't have sent her for the delivery; probs she lost her way.I was worried, continuously calling to know whether it would go through.

 

“Yeah, I'm fine,” she said. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was fine. If she was fine, then what happened to the cupcakes?

 

“The cupcakes didn't get delivered, why?” I could feel her roll her eyes at the end of the phone.

 

“Sera, I quit.” 

 

“What do you mean?” I managed to ask; it was the bad time for her to do so; the business wasn't going as smoothly as before, and I needed every support I could get from her, no matter how little.

 

“I quit Sera; I'm done with those shenanigans.”

 

“You own part of this business, so what'm I supposed to do?” My heart was beginning to get so heavy.

 

“Then buy me out” was the last word she spoke before the phone finally went dead. I stood there shocked to my bones to ask why Isabella would quit now. Why now? We have been in this business for three years, and now she just wants to leave. I felt a surge of heat on my skin, and suddenly it became so hot even under an air conditioner. 

 

It was already a bad day even before it ended, and just then a handsome dude with sunglasses walked in like he owned the place.

 

"Hello,” I greeted myself, not allowing Isabella's words to get to me. I still need to get money to buy her off, which means attaining my customers even though I wasn't emotionally stable.

 

"Hello,” he said with a flash of a smile that could warm the heart.

 

“I need some muffins and cookies.”

 

“That's a good choice; just give me a second.“ He went over to one of the seats and sat down with his legs crossed over the other. I gathered his order, and that was when those good-for-nothing mafia decided to show up.

 

They took money for protection every single month for shop owners, and when you don't have them, they become so aggressive and use force to take them. Why will bad things happen on this day? As they approached, my heart sank into my stomach, knowing I had money to offer them.

 

“Cupcake queen, we are here for the money for protection,” one of them said harshly, hitting heavily on the counter. There were about three of them; they looked fearful with different kinds of tattoos on the skin and irritating piercings. They looked so fearful.

 

I was ready to face them and bear all the consequences.

 

“I need someone to protect me from you. Please, I don't have the money. Can I use cupcakes to pay?” I said hastily, getting some freshly baked cupcakes. But instead he pushed them away, and it fell to the ground.

 

“I don't need your cupcakes, but the money.”

 

“I don't have any; if you don't leave, I'm going to call the cops,” I said just to scare them away, but instead they laughed at me.

 

“Do you think the police aren't on our payroll? You must have lost your mind,” the head said, gripping my hand tightly.

 

“Don't you think you need to treat the lady with some kind of respect?” my customer, the one that walked in a few seconds ago, said, drawing their attention away from me.

 

No no! They can't be fighting my customer; I should be the one they are supposed to face.

 

I ran over, blocking off the guys.

 

“Hey, face me and leave him out of this; he is my customer,” I said boldly, stretching out my hand to block him from making another move, but instead he gripped my waist forcefully, taking off the necklace I wore around my neck. 

 

"Argh,” I groaned in pain as he forced the necklace off my neck.

 

“Yeah, probably if I have the sweet juices of your pussycat, I might consider.” 

 

How absurd? I was so irritated by his demands.

 

“Let the lady go,” he said firmly behind with authority evidence in his tone.

 

“And if I don't, what would you do?” one of the guys said. I heard him stand on his feet, immediately twisting the hand of the guy that dared challenge him. The guy that held on to me quickly released me, and I fell to the ground, losing my bearing. Punches were heard as they all groan in pain.

 

“I will give you a chance; walk out of this place whole or you are going to have your bones all cracked,” he said with a threatening voice, and I kind of admired him at that moment. Who was he, and why was he defending me? He was just like an angel sent to save me. I wondered what these guys would have done to me if he didn't stand up for me. 

 

I moved to the side as I watched him take the three men throwing in punches at each and every one of them, and the amazing part was none managed to hit him. It felt like I was watching wrestling and my support team was winning. Each one of them had a broken leg and a lost tooth. They all retreated when they couldn't take him out, pulling themselves till they were out of sight. 

 

“Sorry about your necklace.” 

 

“Yeah, it was all fake, so there wasn't any need. I will just trash this out.”

 

 

“That's impressive; I wish I could have those moves and take them out myself,” he chuckled. I headed over to the storeroom to get a sweeper to take care of the mess they just made. There were broken bottles shattered on the floor.

 

“Let me help you,” he offered, his hand blushing over mine. I felt a tingle run through my veins, and with both locked eyes, my stomach was twisted in a painful knot like I could feel butterflies deep down my lower abdomen.

 

 

 

I shook my head off those dilutes. I politely declined. He had done so much for me already for defending me and didn't know how to pay him back for getting those scumbags out of my way. I knew they would come back, but before they will I be able to get their money ready, there was just one thing to keep them off, which is to close down the business.

 

“No, you have already done a lot.”

 

“I made the mess, and I thought I should help clear off the mess,” he muttered, even though I still didn't allow him to sweep my shop for me.

 

“I will have to close down the business,” I said, breaking the deafening silence in the room.

 

“Why?” He asked with concern in his tone.

 

“My partner just backed off from the business, and I can't afford to pay her off, coupled with the Gambino and Gotti, all these freaking mafians. They will always have their way to get back their money. Those mafian scumbags,” I said, getting comfortable on one of the chairs with my hand on my forehead. I was already having a migraine from the bad day.

 

“Do you like baking?”

 

"Yes, I do; it feels like whenever I'm in the kitchen all my worries go away.” That was how deeply I love baking; it wasn't just about the business, but I love what I do. Making nice confectioners was a dream come true, but now it was already crumbling. 

 

“You mean magic cupcakes?”

 

“Yes, but I guess I ran out of magic today." I was mentally drained from the bad play of today's event. 

 

“What if I invest?” 

 

“What!” My face lit up in surprise. Why will he invest in an already crumbling business? He sat opposite me, pulling off his sunshade, and that was when I recognized him.

 

He was the guy at the party; I remembered him; he removed his mask so I could get a glimpse of what he looked like, though I didn't remove mine. Probably that was why he couldn't recognize me.

 

“How are your wounds?” I asked, leaning further with concern, my eyes on his chest, where he got injured the previous night.

 

“That isn't my blood.” He raised his knuckles to my face, and I felt probably he didn't remember me, but it felt good knowing he was still alive and well.

 

“What is your name?” I asked inquisitively to know who he really is.

 

“Carlos.” He paused, looking around them back at me. What was he looking for? 

 

“Carlos Meyer” 

 

“Carlos Meyer.” I etched a brow at him. Was he the son of Danny Meyer, the famous founder of Union Square Hospitality Group?

 

"Listen, my grandfather gave me a bit of cash, and investing here will be the best since he was one of the famous chefs.” 

 

He stretched out a check to me for $20,000; my eyes widened in shock. Isn't this a little bit too much? .

 

“No, I can't accept this. This is worth four times my business.” I stretched it back at him to take it back. What if something happens and I can't pay back?

 

 

“You don't have to pay back,” he said with a smile, and I couldn't stop admiring those beautiful dimples at the side of his cheek.

 

“Ok, then I will make sure your money is worth it." I stretched out my hand for a professional handshake to be partners. I could feel the determination within me, like I could quench a wavering storm. He took them with a warm smile, and just then the door cracked open, revealing a man in a black suit, which I assume was his personal bodyguard.

 

“Carlos Gotti,” the bodyguard called, and I kind of twisted my brows in confusion. Why is he calling him Carlos Gotti? Is he a mafian, don?

 

“No, Carlos Meyer, not Carlos Gotti.”

 

“Oh my God, newbie.”

 

“Is Carlos Meyer?”

 

"Ok, boss,” he answered before looking at me, and I politely said hello.

 

"Boss, your dinner date with your girlfriend has been scheduled.”

 

Oh my God, he has a girlfriend friend. I thought I stood a chance with him, I thought to myself.

 

The air suddenly became so tense, and for a spit of seconds I couldn't breathe.

 

“I will like you to do something for me,” he said, turning his attention to me.

 

“I will be glad to assist; I'm at your service,” he nodded, coming closer to me and whispering something to my ears. Tingles ran down my spine as his breath fanned my neck.

 

He took me to a shopping mall to select a gift for his girlfriend. I helped him select a classic handbag that was worth a fortune. My eyes fell on the necklace, which was destroyed by those scumbags. It was the pure version of it, and it was worth 30 grand.

 

“Let's get this too,” he said to the attendant who took both the necklace and handbag to package them, and I was kind of drawn over how lucky his girlfriend was to have him.