Secret Recipe

[ 1 ] Dead Bird?

D a i s y

The dangling sound of the chimes above the door, echoed around the room as I entered the coffee shop. My sense of smell suddenly awaken at the sweet aroma that spread through the air. Taking a deep breathe, I closed my eyes for a brief second and savour the moment of smelling the scent of the coffee mixed with vanilla and candy.

Not a few days from today and It'll be already the start of Junior Year. So I kept all the time I had for helping my grandmother mananging her bakery. It wasn't really a problem to me. In fact, I really love baking -- specially making cupcakes --. It is my passion. I actually started learning how to bake when I was fourteen. My twenty-two year old cousin used to work at this certain bakery named 'Baileys' ,and everytime she visits us, She'll teach me several techniques she learned. We actually considered it as our bonding time. I mean, she doesn't take it too seriously. Some jokes we're thrown here and there. And the best part of it, is that we're both having fun. I kinda missed those days though. Too bad she already moved away to Canada and started her new life with her husband.

My thought turned back to reality when I heard footsteps coming closer from the kitchen. The familiar mops of curly gray hairs came in sight. And I already knew that it was my grandma. She was standing behind the glass containers, with two big trays full of newly baked cookies held with her hand-- that was suited with green, fluffy mittens--. The tray wobble a little as she tried to balance them, but miserably failing.

Throwing my bag to the nearest table, I went beside her and scooped both of the trays with my arms.

"Oh thank you, Daisy. I knew you'd came in time," She said while sending me one of her warm smiles.

"Of coarse I did, Nonna," I chuckled. Calling her 'Nonna' has been a hobby of me. I guess I wasn't used of calling her by her first name. But She didn't seemed to mind at all. I actually thinks she likes it better that way.

"You can continue you're thing in the kitchen if you want," I offered. "I'll be taking a good care of this,"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," I assured her.

"Okay, then. Me and Sarah will be at the kitchen if you need us, sweety," She patted my back gratefully and walk back to the kitchen.

I dropped my knees on the floor and opened the glass containers. Slowly but surely, I sarted putting the cookies inside, one-by-one. I was to make sure that the other beverages -- most especially the cupcakes -- displayed, isn't gonna be touched in any way. Or else I would be dead. Nonna might seemed to be caring and lovable, but she takes good care of this bakery. And she hasn't received any complains before. And it has to stay that way.

The dangling sound erupted throughout the whole room, signaling that someone just entered.

I quickly closed the glass doors and stood up, hugging the trays tightly against my chest. I was suposed to greet whoever it was, but my mouth shut closed as soon as I came eye to eye contact with the familiar grey orbs.

I blink once. Twice. Trice. Praying that I was just dreaming. But I wasn't. My throat sudenly felt dry as I tried my best to swallow my fear.

It was Jake.

But not just any Jake.

The Jake Andrews.

I didn't know what to do. I never had a schoolmate stepped inside this bakery before. And it just surprise me that of all the people that could come here, it just had to be him. He didn't look like the kind of guy to be obsessed with cupcakes or cookies. I mean Jake Andrews? It's impossible. Jake meerly cares about anything. His rude, arrogant and dangerous -- from what I heard --. But despite his horrible attitude, many girls still swoon to get his attention. While some other people were too scared to even face him -- including me --. You coudn't actually blame me. I mean, judging by the blunt looks his sending me right now, he might be some kind of criminal or ... or a serial killer rather.

After an awkward minute of staring contest, Jake cleared his throat while dipping his hands inside his pocket in process. I, being me, shifted uncomfortably with my feet and tried to think of a way to get this momment less awkward.

"Uhm, goodmorning sir. What would you like to order?" I ask him. Trying my best to sound polite.

Jake, on the other hand, was taking time of choosing whatever his order is. His eyes slowly scanned the list of menus above me before finally deciding what to take.

"Red velvet sounds good,"

"How many would you like?"

"One dozen," He said with no hesitation. Then, he glance down at his wrist and started tapping his foot repeatedly against the tiles, seeming very eager to leave.

I nod my head, still feeling a bit intimidated by him and began to take 12 cupcakes outside the glass containers. After putting them inside a pink box, I placed a blue ribbon on top of the handle and started tapping different buttons on the register. I waited patiently as four digits numbers appeared on the screen
[ 11.00 ] before turning back to face Jake.

"Uhm, that would be eleven dollars, please."

Jake quickly fumble his hands deep down his pocket until he reached his wallet. After giving me the exact amount of money, He grabbed the pink box by it's handle and left without even waiting for the recite. However, while I was putting the cash inside the register, I saw a glimps of a small object falling down the ground when Jake walked outside the door.

I wasn't sure wether It's real or I'm just being crazy. But when I looked past the glass doors, there was a small paper lying down the ground. So out of curiosity, I went beside the glass door and slowly knelt down at the cold tiles. My neck cringe as I put my face further down to see a clear view of the object.

I adjust my glasses and blink furiously to see that it wasn't just a paper. No, it wasn't just any kind of paper.

It was a picture.

My fingers tightly grip at object as I pick it up, putting it infront of my face. But before I can even take a glance at the photo, Sarah -- one of my co-workers -- came out of the kitchen.

"Is there some kind of ritual going on and you're kneeling on the floor?" She asked.

My body reacted so fast that I almost stumble while standing up. I slowly slid the picture at the back pocket of my jeans while sending her a tight smile.

"N-no... I just thought I saw a ... a dead bird lying on the floor," I stuttered.

Really Daisy? Out of all things you could've came up with ... it just had to be a dead bird I felt my subconsious said.

"Dead bird?"

I nod my head in confirmation,
"Y-yes, But turns out that it was just a dried leaf," I chuckled nervously, "I know, haha. Silly me."

Sarah look at me warily but surprisingly didn't question any further. "You should probably get a new pair of glasses," She stated.

"Yeah... I think I should."

~ ~ ~

Hey guys! So this is chapter 1 for you. I hope you like it. Click that vote button right there if you did. And let me know what you think by the comment section below.

I know this is probably short but I promise that the next chapter will be longer.

- all the love ... Aliana ♥