ZOE walked towards the counter. “Hi,” she greeted the cashier.The cashier smiled brightly as if she was already expecting her visit.“You must be Zoe, right?”Zoe pressed her lips together and smiled as she nodded.“I’m Cindy,” the girl said and extended her hand.Zoe then reached for it and shook her hands. “Aunt Millie told me that I can—”“Yes, yes. She reminded us. Anyway, it would be best if you met our baker,” she said and gestured for her to follow.She then walked around and stepped in front, following the lead of Cindy.Cindy opened the door, and the aroma boosted soon as they got inside.“Mr. Reynolds…” Cindy called the baker, who was currently mashing a huge dough on the left side of the baking room.“Over here, Cindy,” he said.Zoe’s forehead knitted when she heard that deep voice.Cindy turned to her. “Come on. You need to meet that awesome old man,” she said and laughed.“I heard you, Cindy!” It was Mr. Reynolds.Cindy snickered and covered her mouth.Zoe couldn’t help
“THIS is your fault, Helios. Why would you listen to your father?” Grant’s voice keeps on lingering inside Helios’s mind.He opened up his problem to Grant so that his cousin would help him to find Zoe. And as promised, Grant will look after it.“You’re a son of a mafia boss, a future mafia leader after your father. Yet, you’re scared?”“Fuck!” Helios throws the glass on the wall of his office inside his penthouse.‘Grant’s voice is really troublesome,’ he thought.Helios went mad like this… for a woman. But Zoe is different. She possessed something that enchanted him, and she was hard to forget.Speaking of who, Grant entered his office and clapped his hands soon as he sat on the side of his desk.Helios arched his brow. “What are you doing here?”Grant smiled. “Hmm… visiting my dearest cousin, whose heart—”“Shut the fuck up, Grant. I am not in the mood for your jokes,” Helios cut off the hum of his words.Grant shrugged his shoulders. “Well, if you say so. Anyway, I came with a pi
Zoe’s POVIndeed, it’s strangely different mingling with others. But Cindy never failed to entertain me while we were inside the bar. She finds a seat for us at the corner, where lights were somewhat not passing through.“Drinks here are awesome, Zoe. It would be best if you tried it,” she said as she leaned on the couch.I smiled. “I’m okay with flavored beer. I don’t drink alcohol with higher—”“Come on. I swear you will love it. Let’s try?” she asked, making me shake my head.“You can go. I’ll stay here with my beer,” I said as I raised the bottle.Cindy laughed. “Okay, if you say so. Anyway—oh shit!” she exclaimed when her eyes darted to the entrance, I guess. I followed the direction of her eyes and arched my brow.I saw two men, one with blonde hair, while the other one was black.I arched my brow. “Who are they?”I can’t see any special thing with them. They’re like Helios, and I could smell their luxury.“Girl…” she bit her lower lip when I met her gaze, “The one with black ha
Zoe’s POVMonday morning, I was awakened by the noise of my alarm and greeted by the rising sun, which lights beamed past through the window.My eyes widened when I realized that I had work to do. And I am late!I dashed inside the bathroom to take a quick shower, and afterward, I wore a simple white shirt and jeans. Since it’s summer, the weather is fine, and it suits my clothing… er, I guess?I don’t want to wear any sexy stuff like sleeveless or summer dresses. There’s no way. I am more comfortable with shirts and jeans.When I got out of my room, I smelled freshly baked cookies. I know that Aunt Millie’s cookies smell like that, and we’ve been here in Cali for almost a week now.Mr. Reynolds, the baker, has excellent baking skills so as cooking and I can sense that he likes Aunt Millie. So as my aunt. It’s just that they’re like teenagers who still feel shy with tints of cowardice.Even though mom always teased Aunt Millie, the latter still didn’t accept it. And she reminds me of
Zoe’s POVThe following day, I felt much better, making me woke up early and open the café myself. As aunt Millie and mom took overtime last night, I decided to open the café myself at four.And to my surprise, I saw Mr. Reynolds on the staircase, waiting for the café to open.“Good morning, Mr. Reynolds,” I greeted.He stood up and smiled at me. “Good morning, young lady. You’re up too early. I thought it was Millie who would open the café,” he said, and I could sense the tint of regret in his voice.It seems like I ruined a chance for them.I smiled and tried to ease it. “I’m sorry about that, but Aunt Millie was tired when they got back home last night. I know you’re expecting her—” I halted when I heard Mr. Reynolds’s soft chuckles.“It’s okay, Zoe. It’s no big deal. It’s just that—”“You like her, do you?”I know my question is a little bit personal, but cowardness is a big NO. If he likes her, why not tell her? Besides, I know that aunt Millie likes him too.Seconds passed, but
“ALL I need is an update, Grant! Why can’t you give it to me? I already paid you!” Helios’s thunderous voice boomed inside his office at the penthouse.Grant is standing in front of him. “I am doing my best—”“You all have the sources, but why are you having a hard time locating her?”Grant pinched the bridge of his nose as he met Helios’s gaze.“What you are doing will cause trouble, Helios. You have to think—”“I don't fucking care! All I want is to see her!” he yelled.Grant sighed. “I will look for her again. But I am telling you, it’s so hard. My informant is a skilled one, but still, she’s having a hard time. It seems like someone is hiding her—”“Don’t add bullshit to your shit, Grant!”Grant frowned. “I am your cousin, but you’re telling me those things?”Helios glared at Grant. “Don’t make me say that you’re useless.”Grant let out a soft chuckle. “But you already said it. Whatever, pussy-whipped. I will find your girl,” he said and was about to turn around when Helios spoke.
CINDY AND ZOE are waiting for a cab when suddenly an Audi stops in front of them.Cindy grimaced and looked at Zoe.Zoe arched her brow and shrugged her shoulders.They are about to move to the other side when the window on the passenger side opens. Their eyes widened, and Zoe heard Cindy gasp when they saw the person in the driver’s seat.“Grant?”Grant smiled at them. “Come on, ladies. I’ll drive you home,” he said, making Cindy arch her brow.“Are you following us?” Cindy asked.Grant smirked. “Of course not. This is a coincidence. And if you don’t get in…” he paused and raised his phone, “—I will call Helios right away, Zoe,” he added.Zoe clenched her fist and walked to the left. She opened the back door.Cindy was about to follow when Grant stopped her.“I don’t want to be your driver. At least, you, seat in front,” he said.Cindy didn’t bother to talk and just rolled her eyes as she got in.“So, where do you want to go, ladies—”“Home!” Cindy and Zoe said in unison.Grant smirk
“SO, what’s your decision, Zoe?” Cindy asked the next day at their work. It’s still early, so they’re sitting while sipping coffee paired with bread.Zoe shook her head. “I don’t know. I am distracted. I can’t think clearly.”Cindy heaved a deep sigh. “You know what… I experienced falling in love too, but it was unrequited; he didn’t know about it until one day. I confessed—even if I knew that he would reject me, I still told my true feelings. Because the more I keep it myself, the more I get distracted and even get weak.”Cindy reached for her left hand. “Love is all about taking risks, Zoe. You must know that.”Zoe pressed her lips and nodded.Cindy sighed. “In the end, it doesn’t matter what other people think about whether or not taking risks for love is a good idea; we do it anyway. The most potent weapon a person can wield is fear. Fear of being harmed, ridiculed, making mistakes, failing, and not achieving our objective. It’s possible that fear keeps us from pursuing our goals