Chapter 2: A New Job

║Chicago, Illinois, US║

Ann had never known what it felt like to make decisions for herself throughout her entire life. Since she was a child, most—or maybe she can tell that her father made all of the decisions in her life. Then, three years ago, Alban took over her right to decide for herself.

Now, Ann was standing on her own two feet and could make her own decisions. Now.

She wasn't sure how long she could stay standing on her own, especially since she knew there were people hunting her—tracking her to the ends of the earth just to take away her freedom.

“I don’t know what else to tell you while we wait for the results of my pastry. I can't make any other pastries because this is all we have in the kitchen. But I promise I’ll send you samples of other pastries after I go back to my apartment and buy more ingredients. You can try them tomorrow or tonight if necessary,” Ann said, glancing up, wearing an apron over her shirt.

Ann felt like she'd been riding a wave of luck ever since she decided to divorce her jerk husband and choose a path she never imagined she'd take. Just as she was walking near her new apartment block, she spotted a “Help Wanted” sign at a small café down the street after leaving the hospital. Luckily, the café was looking for someone to make pastries.

As if she were the female lead in a movie about good fortune striking just when she needed it, Ann walked into the café and met the owner. After talking for fifteen minutes, she offered to bake a sample pastry with available ingredients.

And... here she was now.

“Wait a minute,” a blonde woman with strikingly bright brown eyes snapped her fingers. Her floral dress and light pink lipstick blended perfectly with her fair skin—clearly showing her fashion sense, which also influenced the café's ambiance.

The café was... cozy.

Filled with flowers placed on every wooden table, some of which were set in an open area, allowing customers to spend their afternoons watching the bustle of the Chicago streets.

Well, Ann couldn’t wait to spend hours between the oven and flour if she got this job.

“Didn’t you say you studied law and worked at a law firm for the past four years? Are you serious about applying for a job as a pastry chef here?” There was a frown on the face of the woman across from her—Maisie, not because of age lines, of course. Maisie frowned out of confusion—wondering why a woman who had just moved to Chicago with a law background was applying for a job as a pastry chef.

“My mom loved making pastries, and I love everything about them too. Don’t worry about my commitment—I can assure you I’m serious. It may sound crazy, but this is my dream job, not working at a law firm with piles of paperwork every day.”

“Well, I might believe your story, but I can’t guarantee you’ll be happy with the salary I’m offering. Compared to what you were making at your law firm, this place can’t promise much. I’m just about to open the café, and this is the first project I’ve ever done without any help. I’m not sure if this place will last more than a month.” Maisie shrugged, looking a bit defeated.

Good grief, what was making Maisie so pessimistic?

From the café’s location and design alone, it was obvious that people would be drawn to stop by and spend time there. All they had to do was... make sure everyone who came would want to return again and again. And with her pastry-making skills, Ann was confident this place would last much longer than a month.

Oh... maybe they’d even achieve great success within a month.

“Trust me, Maisie. You just need to taste my pastry and decide whether I get the job or not. Hopefully, you’ll say yes. And after that, we’ll turn this café into a customer magnet.”

“To be honest, I liked your enthusiasm when we first met. Not many people believe this café will work under my management, except my fiancé. Everyone who knows me knows how chaotic I am when it comes to taking responsibility for something. I love living freely, and this idea just popped up while I was planning my wedding. So, here I am now.” Maisie shrugged.

“I love living freely.”

Ann repeated the words in her head—over and over.

It seemed unfair that someone could live so freely—able to do whatever came to mind and make their own decisions—while Ann had always lived according to the choices of those who controlled her.

“You’re getting married?” Ann looked up, offering a little smile.

“Yes, in two weeks. It’s going to be a fun party, and I’ll make sure you’re invited if you get the job.” Maisie laughed, raising her wine glass.

The café wasn’t open for customers yet, but there was already a stockpile of food and drinks. Maisie had mentioned that she loved spending time there, thinking about how she wanted to design the café, which was why she kept food in stock.

“This will be the first wedding I have attended since my divorce. I’ll make sure I get the job so I can come,” Ann said with a grin.

“Oh,” Maisie looked at her with surprise, “I’m sorry to hear that. We probably shouldn’t be talking about weddings since it’s not the best topic for you.” Maisie laughed again, though it was a bit awkward this time, and Ann almost joined in.

“No, that’s okay. I’m not sad about the divorce at all. In fact, I’m happy to be rid of him.”

“Ah yeah, goodbye, jerk!” Maisie responded, waving her hand dramatically, which made Ann finally burst out laughing. “So, is that what brought you to Chicago and made you leave your career in law?”

“Yes,” Ann nodded. “He’s a famous lawyer in my hometown, and my father needed him to help save his nearly ruined career. That’s why we got married. I worked in his firm for four years, and now I’m glad to be free of him.”

“Oh, shit, that’s awful,” Maisie shook her head.

“Yeah, marriage can get pretty terrible if you’re with the wrong person. So, make sure you’re marrying the right one.” Ann spoke calmly as she handed over the freshly baked blueberry pastry. “Sorry if I’m giving you unsolicited advice. I’ve been emotional today, and I might be overdoing it.”

"That’s okay. I’m glad to have someone to talk to about anything. But I can assure you, I chose the right one. We’ve been together for 13 years, and I’ve never had a reason to be hurt by him. Well, I feel like I’m talking to my sister. My younger brother also just said something similar to me, even though he’s the one who convinced me to accept my fiancé’s proposal a year ago. He’s such a drama queen.” Maisie rolled her eyes and took the pastry Ann had handed her.

Ann swore this wasn’t her best pastry, but given her limited ingredients, it was the best she could do for now.

“Oh, shit!” Maisie’s eyes widened as she took a bite of the pastry. For a second, Ann feared she might have burned her tongue.

“Are you okay?” Ann blinked in concern.

“Tell me how much you want for your salary and what you need in your kitchen! I’ll have it all ready for you tomorrow morning, and I want to taste more of your pastries that you’ll serve in this café, Ann!”

Ann stood frozen, blinking in shock. “What do you mean?” she murmured softly.

“I mean, you’re hired, and we can discuss your salary!” Maisie exclaimed excitedly.

Time seemed to stand still for Ann as she processed Maisie’s words. The sentence was clear enough, but it was hard to believe she was finally hearing good news when she was so used to getting bad ones—or at least news that didn’t align with what she hoped for.

Oh God, she got the job. She had actually landed something she dreamed of, purely because of her own abilities—without anyone else’s interference.

Oh goodness, she could make decisions, and she’d succeeded in getting the job.

Chicago was a big city…

And Ann had just planted her feet firmly in it.

Step by step. She only wanted to survive here—to hide for an indeterminate amount of time. And now, she’d just found herself with a job.

Wasn’t the journey still long? But wasn’t this also the start of a new beginning?