𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑, 𝘸. 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘬𝘢 [ DISCONTINUED ]

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

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THE BAKER
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ೃ⁀➷  𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄  *ੈ✩‧₊˚
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✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

"WISH ME LUCK, MAMA" JULIE SIGHED AS she stared at the photo in her hands. Julie kissed the photo lightly before putting it back in her pocket. Today was the day Julie McDonald was going to open up her very own bakery. She has been dreaming of this day since she was twelve years old. She always imagined seeing a beautiful store with a big red banner that would have 'JULIES BAKERY AND DELIGHTS' plastered on the front of it. And today was the day that was going to happen.

"Is it too late to back out?" Julie asked herself as she walked into the Gallery Gourmet. Julie shook her head and stepped into the building as she replayed her mothers words in her head, 'No matter how scared you get, always remember who you are'. "Okay. I can do this. I've got this." Julie hyped herself up before walking up to the receptionist. "Hello."

"Hello, how may I help you, dear?" The lady smiled, calming Julie's nerves just a tad.

"I have a meeting with Mr.Slugworth." The lady nodded and pointed to a set of stairs not far from the desk. "Third floor. You'll know the door when you see it." Julie sent the woman a smile before walking away. "Good luck, my dear."

"Thank you." Julie nodded before beginning her journey up the stairs. "Mr.Slugsworrh? I'm Julie McDonald, we have a meeting today." Julie knocked on the large door.

"Come in." Julie took a deep breath before opening the door. As she walked in the smell of chocolate filled her nostrils making her smile slightly. "Hello Ms.McDonald." Mr.Slugsworth held out his hand for the girl to shake.

"Julie will do just fine." Julie smiled as she shook his hand, gripping it tightly. Fake it til you make it, her mother always told her.

"You have a very good handshake, Julie." Mr.Slugsworth complimented making Julie's nerves calm down. She made a good first impression. "Now, I see you are interested in opening a bakery?"

"Yes sir. It's always been my dream." Julie grinned. Mr.Slugsworth just nodded his head and wrote something down in a book. "I brought some of my delights for you to try."

"Oh! How wonderful!" Mr.Slugsworth stated as Julie put her basket of delights on the desk.

"This is a Mille-Feuille." Julie handed the man infront of her the wrapped treat, waiting anxiously. "I have other pastries if you don't like this one." Julie quickly added as she watched Mr.Slugsworth bite into the pastry. Julie was on the edge of her seat - literally - as she waited for the man's opinion.

"Is that vanilla?" Julie nodded. "With raspberry?" Julie nodded again. "And chocolate glaze?" The girl nodded. Mr.Slugsworth wiped his mouth with a napkin before shaking his head. "Ms.Mc–."

"Julie." Julie quickly cut in, but quickly regretted her decision as Mr.Slugsworth gave her a look she couldn't understand.

"Julie, with all due respect, this has vanilla, raspberry, chocolate glaze, whipped cream, and so much more. Does that seem simple to you?" Mr.Slugsworth asked.

"No sir." Julie shook her head, not understanding where this was going.

"Exactly. A good pastry is simple. Easy to make. This is not simple, it is complicated and not easy to make. I'm sorry Julie but I cannot let you open a shop." Julie's eyes went glossy as she looked down.

"Thank you for the meeting, sir." Julie mumbled and grabbed her basket. She quickly made her way down the stairs, not caring about her tears falling as she ran out the big set of doors. Julie made her way to a small alley and let out a sob as she slid down the wall.

"I'm sorry, mama. I let you down." Julie sobbed as she took out the photos from her pocket. It was a photo of Julie and her mother ice skating. Her mother, Katie, was in the middle of laughing while Julie was grinning, neither of them looking at the camera. "I'm so sorry, mama." Julie muttered as she sat there, looking at the camera. She didn't even notice the sun going down, or the air getting colder as she sat in the alley crying.

"Hello, Deary." She heard a voice making her look up. "You seem lost." Julie quickly wiped her tears as she stood up.

"I'm alright sir, just looking for a place to stay for the night." Julie told the man, not noticing the evil look in his eyes as he smiled.

"Well you're in luck. I know a place not far from here that can get you a room for a small price." Julie smiled before following the man further into the alleyway.