Ice cream

C45. Italy

The street has always been busy in this place,and it was always lively while it is filled with different people from tourists to passerbys and to vendors. The air was filled with different smells from fresh flowers,roasted sea foods,fresh fruits and pastries.

A left turn from the main street stood a cafe and a bakery side by side. Inside the said bakery,an old woman was busy baking and preparing for the upcoming rush of customers three hours from now,the bakery can be seen almost empty but filled with different kind of sweet and delicious bread and pastries,the old woman was undeniably feeling happy and warm as she look at the cozy surrounding of her bakery. She have been running this business with her husband for 5 years now,and even after he died,this bakery have carried their memories together,making her feel warm and giddy on the inside. Just then the bell on the door chimed as a tall figure came in with a smile.

"Good Morning,Julie. Wow,I see you've done well with this cinnamon buns huh?" The 65 years old woman chuckled at the tall girl and nodded her head proudly.

"Good morning,dear. This cinnamon buns will surely be at the best sellers place any minute from now." The girl hummed excitedly and smiled back at the old woman.

"Well,I can't probably miss the chance to taste this best-seeling-to-be cinnamon buns,can I?" Julie vigorously shook her head woth a playful scared face.

"Oh no,you probably can't,Pran. Now go and buy them before you regret it." The two cracked a laugh and went on with their chat before the tall girl,Pran bid her goodbye to Julie and leave.

••••

Pran had live a block away from Julie's bakery for 9 months now. She's been living alone for 7 months after her girlfriend Zoe died due to brain tumor 2 months after they moved there. She worked as a photographer on the nearby photoshop for 8 months too. Although she live alone,she was happy and contented with her life,even after waking up sweating really hard due to the same nightmares she'd had for 5 months now,she still felt lucky and glad to be alive like this in this place. For her,her life is simple but lovely,but at the back of her mind,she have always wished to regain the past years of her life,her memories of the places she went to beforeoving here,and the persons she was with before she came here with Zoe.

•••

JENNIE

"Young lady,the 2nd bottle is now empty,please consider this bodyguard's words as words of sincerity and care. Young lady,please stop drinking and proceed to your room and rest now." I sighed at Bobby's words as he stood firmly beside me. This is the nth time he'd stop me from drinking.

"It still hurts,Bob." His widened eyes swiftly met mine at the nickname. I smile bitterly at him as he bowed. That was the nickname Lisa created for him. I remember those times that I overheard her complaining to bobby about his name and how she smiled cheerfully when bobby agreed to be called the way Lisa find fit.

"Young lady,I know it's such a tragic lost,I  understand your sorrow,although you haven't been together that long,I saw how the young lady found peace and happiness with the young master. Despite that,the young master wouldn't be happy to witness this." A single tear drop fell from my eye as I watch Bobby's mournful expression.

This house has turned gloomy for the past months,it seemed to have lost it's glow. I could feel the whole house's sorrow by just looking at all my staffs. They've been close with Lisa while she was here. Now she's gone,and she took that warm and happy atmosphere that fills the house when she is here. At home.

Ring•Ring

Incoming call

Dad

I reached for my phone and quickly answered it as my head throbs and spins.

"Dad—Someone found her,Ruby."

The phone almost instantly fell from my grasp as I stared at Bobby,wide eyed.

"Someone found her. Somewhere in Italy. She's alive,Ruby. She's alive."

A tear once again fell from my eyes,followed by sobs and slowly the tears seemed to fall inevitably as my head spinned and throb even more.

"Lisa's alive,Ruby."

Was the last thing I heard before everything turns black.

••••

There,there. Merry Christmas everyone! Have a great evening with your family. Thank you for the consistency,your love and support is the best gift I've ever receive this year,Lovelots!

–Author.Eys