Theodore paced around his bedroom, restless. It had only been a day since Bella had gone to her mother’s house, but the absence of her presence was making him anxious. He missed her terribly and was desperate to have her back. But he couldn’t simply ask her to return so soon—he needed a plan.
As he ran his mind, a naughty thought appeared in his mind. Without wasting another second, he picked up the phone and dialed Bella’s number, the anticipation building as he waited for the call to connect.
After what felt like an eternity, Bella’s groggy voice finally answered, "Hello?" It was as if she was speaking in a sleepy haze.
"Are you still sleeping?" Theodore asked, a frown knitting his brows together. He couldn’t sleep at night without her, but she was sleeping peacefully. He was a bit annoyed.
"Hmm." Bella let out a lazy hum, barely opening her eyes. "Why are you calling me so early in the morning?" she whined.
"Early? It’s already nine o’clock, and I’m running late for work," Theodore said, his voice tinged with a hint of exaggerated desperation. "You’re not here to make breakfast or pick out my clothes. I’m at a loss for what to wear."
"Theodore!" She winced, feeling a headache at his childish tone. "Don’t be like a petulant child. You have a closet full of clothes. Just pick something."
"I can’t find my favorite white shirt and the tie I usually wear with it," Theodore replied with feigned distress.
"En?" Bella opened her eyes frantically, taken aback at his demands. Most of his shirts were white. What was there to choose? "You know where your clothes are. Just choose something else if you can’t find them."
"I don’t know. Come home," Theodore demanded.
Bella stared at the phone, speechless momentarily, as realization dawned on her. The missing shirt and tie were just an excuse; Theodore wanted her to come back home. His childlike demands amused her, and a sweet smile crept onto her lips.
"Theodore," she said gently, almost like pleading with him. "I want to be here with mamma. I’ll come back in a few days, okay?"
Her sweet persuasion disarmed him. Theodore’s plan to coax her back immediately was crumbling, and he knew he had no choice but to accept defeat.
"And don’t make such excuses again, alright?" she added, this time with a firmer, playful warning.
"I get it," he replied quickly, sensing that pushing any further would annoy her. But he wasn’t ready to let the conversation end just yet. "But, Bella—"
"Theodore, put the phone down." A stern command came from Bella. Aren’t you running late for work? Go get ready."
Beep
He blinked at the screen in disbelief. "She hung up on me!" he muttered, half-amused, half-surprised.
On the other end, Bella grinned widely, pressing the phone against her chin. The distance between them seemed to heighten their affection, igniting a deeper sense of love and longing.
Bella’s earlier sadness lifted, replaced by a warmth that made her think about their future with a hopeful heart. Smiling to herself, she rose from the bed, ready to start her day with a lightness she hadn’t felt since she left. She headed to the bathroom, her thoughts filled with Theodore.
When Bella stepped out of her bedroom, the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air, drawing her toward the kitchen. She inhaled deeply, a smile lighting up her face.
"Smells delicious. I can’t wait to have some."
Selena looked up from the kitchen with her usual warm smile. "You’re awake," she greeted her daughter. "Come on, have some while they’re still hot."
But as she spoke, Selena started coughing.
Bella’s smile disappeared instantly, her heart tightening with concern. Thoughts of Mrs. Green’s illness flashed through her mind, and she feared her mother might be hiding something worse.
"Why are you coughing?"
"It’s just a cold and cough," Selena replied, waving it off as though it were nothing. "When I came home that evening, it was pouring, and I got soaked. That’s all. Don’t worry, I’ve already taken medication."
Only then did Bella notice her mother’s red, puffy eyes and the slight flush on her nose. The signs of her sickness were unmistakable now, and Bella’s expression hardened with concern.
"You’re not well," she scolded, stepping into the kitchen. "Why did you wake up early and bake cookies instead of resting?"
Selena shook her head, her smile fading as she sighed. "Bella, I’m fine. It’s just a mild cold. It’ll pass. I have to open the bakery today."
"No," Bella said firmly. "You’re not working today. You need to rest."
Selena’s shoulders slumped. She knew how stubborn her daughter could be, but missing a day of work wasn’t an option.
"I can’t afford to close the bakery," she explained softly. "I’ve been repaying debts with the earnings. Mrs. Green had debts to settle, and now that she has gone, the moneylender is pressing to take over the bakery."
Bella was taken aback. "Debts?"
"If I had not stepped up, the bakery would have been sold by now," Selena added. "She started the bakery with her sweat and blood. I can’t let it slip away. I want to take care of it like she used to. In this way, I am repaying the favors. But now, if I stop working for even a day, it could mean losing everything."
"Why didn’t you tell me?" Bella furrowed her eyebrows, displeased. "I could have helped you."
"You have already done so much," Selena said. "You have suffered a lot and have just started your life with your husband. I didn’t want to be burdened with my issues. It’s not a big amount that I couldn’t repay. So, don’t bother."
She gave her a reassuring smile, trying to dispel her worry.
Bella’s heart ached, realizing the burden her mother had been carrying all this time. Determined, she took her mother’s hands in her own. "You’re not alone. We’ll find a way through this together. But today, you’re resting, and that’s final."
"Your wound hasn’t healed yet. I can’t let you work."
"I am fine." Bella packed the cookies into a box and gave her mother a reassuring smile. "I have worked at the bakery before. So, I can manage. Let me bake some fresh pastries for your customers."
With a zeal in her steps, Bella left with the box in her hand.
Later that day...
Bella worked with an unusual energy that morning, determined to keep the bakery running smoothly. The warm scent of freshly baked pastries filled the small shop, and to her satisfaction, the shelves emptied quickly as customers eagerly bought everything she had made.
As she was busy preparing the pastries, the soft jingle of the door’s bells echoed through the bakery. Wiping her hands on her apron, she turned around, expecting to greet new customers. But instead of a familiar face from the neighborhood, her eyes landed on Zack standing in the doorway, tall and confident as ever. His presence caught her completely off guard.
"What are you doing here?" The question escaped her mouth instantaneously.
Zack stood frozen, his gaze locked on Bella as if seeing her for the first time. She looked effortlessly beautiful, even with flour dusted on her apron and her hair falling loosely around her face in messy waves. Zack couldn’t take his eyes away from her and kept looking for her, forgetting about replying to her.
"Mr. Hudson?" Bella’s voice brought him back to reality.
Zack blinked, shaking himself from his daze and offering an awkward grin as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I’m just... surprised. I didn’t expect to see you here."
Zack had come here deliberately to see her, but he wasn’t about to reveal his true intentions.
Bella, just as surprised to see him, smiled warmly. She hadn’t expected a visit from someone like Zack in her small-town bakery. "You’re here for work, right?" she asked, trying to make sense of his sudden appearance.
Zack’s heart raced, but he kept his expression neutral. "Yeah, for work," he lied smoothly. "Hill Group abandoned a development project nearby, and I’m looking into restarting it. So here I am to inspect the site."
It wasn’t a complete lie. He did have an interest in the project, but his real reason for being here was more personal.
"I didn’t know you owned this bakery," he added, trying to keep the conversation light. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Bella chuckled, shaking her head as she brushed a stray hair from her face. "No, this bakery belongs to Mrs. Green. My mother has been taking care of it since Mrs. Green passed away. Today, she is not feeling well and I’m helping out."
Bella smiled again and gestured toward one of the tables. "Please, have a seat. I’ll get you today’s special pastry. You won’t be disappointed."
"Sounds great. I can’t wait to try it."
"Wait a moment. I’ll be right back." Bella rushed back to the kitchen.
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