A Christmas Chance.

Chapter 18

We need a solution

Sheila stared at Maleek as they stood behind the cafe deep in conversation. When she had turned up to work earlier and heard that Sheldon was going to sell the cafe she had out of desperation texted him to meet her here. She had no idea what she was doing but she had to find any way possible to prevent Sheldon from selling.

This place had been her rise above the depression that had befallen her when Wade had jilted her at the altar and left her looking unwanted and very much rejected in front of tons of family and friends. Her life had seemed useless and it was this very place she had come to find herself worthy. 

When her sister had told her to leave town and find a new start she had not expected it would be in a little rustic cafe where it was said angels lurked waiting to restore all you have lost and mend what was broken.

How could she walk away and just return to Westbridge and settle back into life with people who she knew cared nothing for her and would only be there to offer pity? In the past year being in Mistle had shown her what real love and care were all about.

If only Sheldon could discover it just the way that she had come to. If only his eyes could be open to the splendor of what he was giving away. 

"Can you convince him to sell the Angel's Cafe to Alexa? Surely as his brother, there is something that you can do!"

Maleek looked up from the tip of his boots and shoved his hands in his pocket and stared at the woman who stood before him pacing agitatedly. He was for a minute caught up in the way her loose chestnut hair framed her soft cheeks in a blunt bob, the way she nibbled worriedly on her pink lips.

He however quickly looked away as she stopped pacing to look at him pleasingly. He felt like a love-sick fool, and more so now that he had no way of preventing Sheldon from selling.

"I am afraid there is nothing I can do. The Angel's Cafe is entirely in Sheldon's hand. I have no say. It's only on Sheldon's death or should he become incapable of operating as the proprietor would I have a reign of the cafe." he informed her "I am sorry Sheila."

Her hazel eyes were sad but her lips turned into a soft smile as she walked over to him and surprised him with a hug. He stood rigid for a moment as her warmth seeped into his body as if he was standing there naked, it fueled him with further awareness. 

"Maybe we could get Elizabeth to do something," she said quickly, pulling away not yet ready to give up. "We need a solution"

He missed her touch already. The warmth and floral scent of her had him hoping for things that did not have to do with that of the rescue of the Angel's Cafe.

"What could we get Lizzy to do?" he asked, trying to focus on the matter at hand. 

"I don't know, but seeing she's been here for so long there must be something she can do."

He looked to the building in front of him and all the memories that he had here. He even had the chance to find love here, if the Angel's Cafe was to be sold he could very much lose that love before he got the chance to build on it.

"You get in touch with Lizzy and everyone else who you know will fight tooth and nail to ensure the cafe does not get sold. I am going to speak with my brother," he heard himself saying and was more than happy when he saw her face erupted in delightful appreciation.

He was also very pleased to have her hug him again and this time got a kiss on the lips that caused him to be shining like the northern star. He doubted if she was aware of what she did because before he could react she was rushing back through the back entrance into the cafe where Bertha could still be heard banging pots and pots.

He felt the vigor and vitality of a cavalier as he made his way to find Sheldon and fight for his very own love and also his survival. If the Angel's Cafe should be sold he would be losing a valuable part of his young and adult life and his possible chance at love.

In the cafe, Sheila took out her phone and placed a call. Her voice was low as she urgently relayed a message to the other person on the line. She listened to what was said then she hung up and made her way to the counter that separated her from the no other that held only a few out of towers. 

She felt her heartbeat with fear that pretty soon she would no longer stand by this counter by the register and cash in the Angel's Cafe if nothing was done to persuade Sheldon against selling. 

In her nervous state of worry, she absentmindedly began to rub the already spotless counter. She was busy rubbing when Alexa walked out from the workers' room looking all business-like and ready for corporate war. 

Her mind drifted upstairs to Maleek who she hoped was chipping away at the brick wall that was his brother. She had stopped wiping only to start again when Maleek returned and informed her with a sad look upon his face and a negative shake of his head.

She started to vigorously rub the counter again as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks and her mind drifted to taking one of Bertha's pots and going upstairs to knock some sense into him.

This and some other crazy scenes were playing in her mind as she absentmindedly continued to polish the counter when a tall handsome stranger walked in through the door looking like a personified Gabriel in a power suit. 

It was a matter of seconds before his presence caught Sheila's attention and her vigorous cleaning of the counter turned to slow motions as she stared with blatant interest and pleasure at the scene in front of her. 

It however was the total opposite for the man that was coming down the stairs.
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Well, well, well feelings are flying high as the fate of The Angel's Cafe rides in the balance, and what now that someone else close to Alexa is thrown in the mix...? things are getting interesting.

Vote and comments are appreciated 😊😍