|43| • Amelia
Everest was a jerk.
Papa was an even bigger jerk.
I wanted nothing to do with the pair. As soon as he drive off — after snapping and calling me a brat (which was a heavy jab at my heart), I went back inside, ignoring my Papa's call.
I locked myself in my room and cried until sleep took over.
Why did he think he could control my life for so long?
When he commanded that I get a job — even though I didn't want to, I did!
The one thing I wished he'd bless, he'd be okay with, all crumbled before my ears.
Did I rush bringing him here? Should I have waited until whenever?
My heart ached, thinking of this hurt my mind mentally.
If Momma was here, perhaps Papa wouldn't be so firm, perhaps they'd be someone to put his butt him place!
When I woke up, my face was stained with tears, my eyes puffy and my nose blocked.
Surprisingly, the slumber, if fallen into, was calm, and peaceful, it made me feel a bit better.
Though, I still woke up groggy, movements sluggish.
It didn't take long for me to take a hot shower and dress up in the attire for Margaret's Delight.
I didn't even know what to do with my hair, I simply coiled it after applying conditioner, leaving it to puff out in its natural beauty.
Walking down the stairs, my eyes caught Papa and Abel at the dining table, it made me hesitate.
I didn't want to see any of them today, not even that big jerk Everest!
So I was a brat, huh? I shook my head, not even ready to unfold it yet.
Their heads turned to me simultaneously, Papa putting his newspaper down.
"Good morning Abel, Papa," I muttered his name, darting my eyes away. Papa grunted, I could still feel his stare on me. Abel rose to his feet, coming towards me. As I reached the landing, he was in front of me. I didn't want to look at him, my eyes were burning just being here.
"I heard what happened." He whispered, blocking my view from Papa.
I shrugged, pursing my lips, there was nothing to be said.
Papa chased my boyfriend away and now he was frustrated at me, and I was mad at him!
Seemed like a domino of disaster. "Look at me," Abel stated, his hand going to reach my jaw.
Why did the men in my life think they could tell me what to do?!
Huffing, I pushed his hand away. "I'm leaving for work.
" Heading to the door, I heard my big brother bark out, "I'll take you!
" This made me roll my eyes, "No need!" I was out of the house now, quickly walking out of the gate and down the road.
It wasn't that I was mad about it, perhaps it was just transferred aggression.
All the men in my life just seemed to be getting on my nerves!
First Darrick, was moving and didn't want me in his life any longer, apparently I was the bad friend for not choosing him over my boyfriend!
How couldn't he see how much I loved and cherished him as a person?
More especially our friendship? He was such a jerk!
A big skinny jerk that I knew my heart would miss for a long time.
He was there for me when people weren't.
Then Papa, being so mean to Evie! I wasn't sure what happened when I was out of hearing but it was enough for Papa to send him out in a rather harsh way. I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye; party because I would burst out crying if I did.
Last but certainly, most definitely not the least was Everest Simon.
That big, tall, handsome jerk! Did he really think I was a brat?
All I wanted was to know what conspired between the two most important men in my life, and what did I get in return?
A stab at the heart. He hadn't even messaged me after, I was honestly expecting an apology when he got him but it looked like there was an invisible brick wall between us.
If he wanted to ignore me, then fine.
I didn't need to talk to him anyways. As I thought this, my heart ached. Sure I didn't need to communicate with him but I wanted to. He made me smile, he made me laugh so effortlessly. Yet, he could make me cry with just a single hurtful word.
Opening the door to Margaret's Delight, I was met with familiar faces, the cool air blowing against my cheeks made me realise that a tear had drop. Quickly wiping it off, I sniffled all my sadness in. This was my job, I had to be professional.
"Sunshine!" A pair of hands scooped me up, my feet lifting from the ground.
I squealed, being squashed to a masculine chest. "Preston!
" The way he carried me so easily made me giggle, was I so light?
Or was his slim self stronger than the appearance?
One would think we were dating or hadn't seen each other in years. He twirled me around like a bride.
"Oh, how I've missed you sunshine! When Mrs. M told me you weren't feeing well, dear dear, I couldn't bear it!" His voice was animated, expressions exaggerating his words. I may have taken a day break from work under the guise that I was sick. But it was for the greater good!
I cheesed at his words.
"You missed me that much?" Preston nodded his head profusely, wiping a fake tear.
"Nice to have you back, Amelia." Blossom said flatly, a small smile on her face. I grinned her way, waving my hands at her. "Thanks B. How are you?" She shrugged, "Never better."
Before I could make my way into the store to change, I was attacked with another hug, the force almost pushing me down. "Amy!" Someone squealed, their small body jumping on mine. There was only one person who called me that, Ava! I hugged her back, inhaling her sweet scent. Strawberry perfume.
"Ava!" Gosh, these bunch made me feel so welcome, and here I thought I was lonely. A tear almost welled up in my eye, I'd been so ungrateful.
"My gosh! I was starting to miss your happy self! I was worried that you and your boyfriend wouldn't make up either!"
At the mention of his name, my stomach turned.
In a good, and slightly bad way. "Starting to miss me?
I think I should be offended." I scoffed playfully, making Ava— the bubbly twin giggle.
"But why am I surprised? I bet Hugh has been keeping you busy.
" I say in a whisper tone. She gasped, hitting my arm, her fair cheeks getting red.
"Keep it down!" Ava held both of her cheeks. "Is it that obvious?" She asked, checking her face as thought it was scribbled on their. This made me burst into fits of giggles. "Oh no, I just guessed. What? Did he ask you out?" She got even redder at my question, nodding her head softly.
We both squealed. "And you said yes, right?" She nodded and we giggled secretly again. "But it's just one date though, it's on Saturday and I'm so nervous." Ava explained, fanning herself lightly. It wasn't hot, it was definitely just her.
"Don't be, I bet he's more nervous than you." Even though Hugh Barry showed any emotion, I knew he'd be nervous. He was putty in her hands, or should I say against her smile? Ava sighed, nodding her head. "You're right. I'm so easy to read." Me too, Ava. Me too.
"I better go get changed."
Heading to the store, I put on the comfortable slides, my socks still on, wrapping the apron around my waist. I was back on serving now, the kitchen was fun but it was about time to switch.
Putting on a smile, it now came naturally to serving all the customers with a smile, doing this made me imagine even more of a time when I'd have my own bakery. I wasn't sure how I was going to achieve that but honestly? It has been on my mind for quite a while.
That was one of the reasons I wanted to enrol into a cooking school, so I'd be able to know more recipes, to byproduct a pastry that stood out and would also make the customers keep coming back.
Smiling to myself, I thanked Kesey — a nice lady with pink hair for ordering two portions of chocolate croissant and a cup of milkshake.
Humming to myself, I skipped away to sneak in a snack.
"Nice work, Amelia." Milan said casually, beeping the last customer, "You've been smiling from ear to ear, I'm impressed.
" She continued. This made me grin, shrugging my shoulders.
I wasn't going to bring my situations to work any longer.
Even though I was almost torn in half between two men in my life, I was going to work my best in this bakery — for as little time that I had.
"Thanks Milan, that's encouraging." I grinned, she cracked a small smile.
"Amelia, take number 4." Preston said, tapping my shoulders before going to another customer. Nodding, I asked Milan to add the chocolate cake I'd taken to my bill. Quickly, I stuffed as much as I could into my mouth, gobbling it all down. Milan chuckled, her eyes squinting. "Don't choke on that."
I was done on time, running to number 4 as Preston has said without paying much attention to who was sitting there.
"Good day! Welcome to Margaret's Delight, my name is Amelia, what can I get you?" Those words had now come naturally to me, it made me feel good.
"Uh, I'm looking for an Amelia? Oh, wait a minute," as a female voice said, my eyes snapped towards her, hers too. "Amelia!"
"Binta?"
We said in unison.
She was here! Binta was at the bakery! I'd told her where I worked but I wasn't sure she was going to visit because she was working as well. I looked around her but didn't see any company, "Told you I'd try to come see you." She teased, turning to face me, her hand testing on her cheekbone.
Binta had her hair permed, her lashes accentuated with purple mascara, she looked quite mystical with it.
"Binta! You came!" I was still surprised, looking around, I didn't want to be seen as unprofessional so I adjusted.
"I'm working now but I can take my break now, what can I get you? It's on me."
Binta waved her hands, "No, no. I'm going to pay, that yes final. I'd want...Hm, I don't know, surprise me. I'll be waiting for you to take your break." Binta uttered, and I noticed her acrylic nails. They were lovely!
"Be right back, then!" If I knew I was taking a break so soon, I wouldn't have stuffed my face.
Taking out a raspberry pie with whipped cream along with a strawberry milkshake, I removed my apron, signing off for my hour break. Binta had relocated to a seat at the back, giving us more privacy. I strutted excitedly towards her with the tray.
"Here you go, I hope you like it." She hummed, taking a look at it. "Strawberry milkshake? Okay, looks like you read my mind." After a big sip from the metal straw, she grinned. "Amelia, you have great taste." I couldn't help to giggle, feeling proud of myself because she seemed to like it.
"You want some of the pie?" Binta asked, pushing the wooden spoon to my lips, I wanted to decline but her stare made me open my mouth and take a bite. I'd never had this but I did hear Milan say it was one of her favourite.
"Wow." I muttered, covering my lips to chew, she arched her brow, taking a bite as well. "I'm impressed. Margaret's Delight is quite good." She said, nodding her head before taking another bite.
"Seems like you've been busy too." She continued, "I was thinking we could hang out soon, but now you got a boyfriend..." Binta said the last part in a whisper, watching my move. My face felt hot when she said it, oh right, I may have hinted at it.
"That doesn't stop anything though..." I trailed off, playing with my fingers. "I'd still want to hang out."
"Okay, okay. I was just teasing you, sunshine." She chuckled, giving me another scoop of raspberry pie. I took it gladly, the tang of sweetness making my tastebuds smile. "Why do people call me that?" I asked, her and Preston called me that and they didn't even know each-other!
"Because from what I see, you're a bowl of sunshine. And even when you're not, you're still adorable, I just want to eat you!" She cooed, pulling my cheeks. "Hey! Binta." The woman laughed, putting up both of her hands.
"Anyways, I'm curious, how has it been with brownie man?" Binta asked with curious eyes. Brownie man? Was that what she called Everest? I chuckled. Tell her his name. She shrugged. "Everest, brownie man, sounds like the same thing to me." I giggled, shaking my head.
Funny thing is, I ended up not giving the brownie to him. I told her how he had asked me out after the little misunderstanding. I also told her of how my Papa didn't approve of him for reasons unknown to me. When I was done, I couldn't help the frown that stretched my lips.
"And you don't know what brownie man did to make your dad so mad?" She asked, her face not breaking even when she called him 'brownie man', it was hard to remain sad when she said that. Sighing, I shrugged. "Beats me, but I know Evie, he wouldn't say anything so bad or...nasty."
"Yet he can call you a brat, I need to have a word with this man you speak of.
" Binta hummed, slurping the remaining milkshake in the transparent cup.
"Stop! I'm meant to be sad!" Why did she keep speaking in such a comical way?
! The knowing smile on her lips made me giggle.
It was kind of nice that she didn't let me beat myself up even for a minute.
"Has he messaged you? To...I don't know, apologise and beg for his queen's forgiveness?" My smile faltered, he hadn't. So I shook my head. Binta scoffed, "If it were up to me, I'd curse him out and block him!" I gasped, "You wouldn't."
Binta shrugged, "Then I'd unblock him when he's questioning my existence." This made me burst into laughter. "Wait what?" I asked, trying to put what she said to imagination. Binta winked, wiping her lips.
"Jokes aside, just give him time, if he doesn't message you then he's probably feeling worse than you are. I mean, the girl of his dreams seems out of reach now that her father doesn't approve." I blushed.
"G-girl of his dreams?" Gee, that sounded rather intense. Had he dreamt of me before? Was I what he expected his next partner to look like? I heard Binta groan. "Don't tell me that's the only thing you picked from my words of wisdom."
"D-do you think I'm really the girl of his dreams?"
Binta rolled her eyes, emphasising on the groan. "Stop, I'm going to puke out all the cuteness you're throwing on me." Pushing her shoulder, I rolled my eyes.
It was almost time to continue working, besides, customers usually got more packed during the afternoon, most of them came here for their break before going back to their offices. Clearing my throat, I stretched out. Before I could say a word, my phone dinged.
"Maybe that's him." Binta teased, leaning into the table.
Was he messaging me now? I suddenly got too nervous to check.
Putting the phone back in my apron, I shook my head.
"I have to get back to work anyways. I'll check it later.
" Was my cowardly explanation. Binta groaned, reading on the chair, "You, my friend, are a coward. "
I gasped, slightly offended that she took those words right from my head.
"I am not."
"Then check it, for all you know, it may be your brother, or your father." After much contemplation, I huffed, pulling out the phone. "It can't be him, he's probably working."
My heart jumped as soon as I unlocked my phone, it was a message, from him.
Everest.
Honestly, I understood why he snapped at me, that didn't mean I agreed with him. I wasn't a brat, and he shouldn't have said that. From his message, he seemed to realise that as well from his message.
It read:
'Hey baby, I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. You're not a brat. I was just overwhelmed...and scared. Please understand.'
The anger I felt bubbling in me dissipated as I read his words again and again. Until I heard Binta call my name. Looking up, I was about to ask what but a frown spread across her expression. "Are you crying?" She asked, in shock.
Oh no, was I really crying? My heart just aches so much when I thought we were going to have another fight.
I hated having misunderstandings with him, especially the type when none of us decided to clear it up until a bit of time had passed.
Sniffling, I shook my head while trying to clean my tears.
"Oh that piece of—" She began, getting furious.
"No, no. It's not that. I promise. It's..."
"It's what? You're in tears right now, sunshine! And that's one thing I won't tolerate with him." The tear dropped when I heard her say this. People did really care about me, didn't they?
I sniffed again, my throat getting dry.
"He apologised, and...I'm...I'm just relieved." Gosh, this was embarrassing. Why was I getting so emotional in front of her, I didn't want my tears pushing Binta away. I tried to wipe them but it just kept coming.
I heard Binta's chair slightly scrape the ground, she was leaving. I scared her, didn't I?
Just then, a pair of hands wrapped around my body, chin against my shoulder. Binta was hugging me.
"You're so emotional, Sunshine."