strawberry shortcake

Chapter II

"Call me Matthew"

     "Please have a seat Matthew", I said gesturing to the 6 tables on the left. Yeah I know it's not a very big place but everyone knew this bakery as I'm a very skilled baker. I'm proud of myself.

     I made my way back to the kitchen to prepare Matthew's order. Once I was done I put the food on a little wooden tray and went back to the bakery. He choose a table next to the window, and was holding a black book in one hand and a pencil in the other. Thank you morning sun for shining at this man's face. "Here you go si- Matthew", I smiled shyly and placed a cup of coffee and a plate on his table. "This is a freshly made strawberry shortcake. It's underrated but I think it's the best". After hearing a thank you so much and saying an enjoy, I went behind the counter to hang the menu board and arrange the new batch of bread the had just made its way out of the oven.

*ringggg*

"Hello, this is Rose bakery, how can I help you?"

1 brioche loaf

1 sourdough bread

2 baguettes

5 cinnamon cookies

"Alright Mrs. Elaine, I'll be there as soon as I'm done here...see you later"

     I hung up the phone and got a basket from under the counter and started pack Mrs. Elaine's order. I covered the bread and cookies with a cloth and secured it with a bow. Looks like Matthew has finished his cake and is now sipping the last bit of his coffee.

     5 minutes later Matthew came up to me and asked what he owes me. "It'll be 2.00", I said adding up his bill with Mr. Brown's, although I didn't add the cake because I always give a free item for new costumers. He payed and left. Then I switched the opened sign with a will be back soon one.

     I took off my apron placing it on a hook next to the door, grabbed the basket, and walked to Mrs. Elaine's library with my dog Luca right by my side.

———

     I finally got to my destination and got welcomed with a "hello dear. Beautiful day isn't it?" from Mrs. Elaine. She was on a ladder dusting some old book on the top shelf.

     "Hello Mrs. Elaine. Beautiful indeed. Where would u like me to place these for you?". She told me to put the basket on her desk as she climbed down to give me a hug. "You met a boy didn't you?". "How did you know?" I replied chuckling. "The eyes reveal wonderful secrets honey".

     She sat me down at her desk and made me tell her all about Matthew. I told her about how he came into this town out of nowhere like the mysterious man in every fairytale, and about his dreamy handsome looks from his hair to his face down to his body and hight. I talked and talked about him and how I'd imagine my future with him. If this was a story book the artist would draw me with hearts as my eyes.

     "Be careful dear. Not every man is as good as his outsides. Stories and secrets can be hidden for a while and the truth can either break you or set you free. Everything comes with a price."

     "You don't have to worry about me Mrs. Elaine. I'm too busy with the bakery and even if I'm not, I guy like him could never end up with a girl like me"

     After that the conversation switched to talking about the town with a side of biscuits and tea. An hour had passed and I had to make my way back to the bakery. The rest of this busy day had passed quickly and the night time had come to end it. By the time I made it to bed I had forgotten about Matthew. I was ready to fall into deep slumber.

———

     A new day means a fresh start. I woke up early as usual and changed into a brown dress, put on my only pair of shoes, took my basket with me, and headed out to the woods where all the berries grew.

     I hummed the tune of a song that Mary used to sing me to sleep when I was a child. Then the humming turned to singing. Then a started swaying as I walked through the woods to the bushes of berries.

     These woods are scary at night and I'm a little scared of them in the daylight. I could feel someone's presence around me but i kept singing as it made me feel safe.

     My basket got half full with berries but that was enough to make a good batch of muffins and cookies. I decided to fill up the space with beautiful roses and daisies. I grabbed enough daisies to make half a bouquet and now all I needed were the roses. As a went to pick a rose, I got picked by thorn that caused me to wince is pain. I was bleeding a little bit.

"Are you okay?"

     It was him. Matthew. I looked at him is shock as questions started popping into my head. Where did he come from? What was he doing here? Was he following me? I realized that I've been staring at him with wide eyes and a slightly gaped mouth. I guess he saw my obvious shock and confusion because he took my hand in his and wrapped a small cloth on my finger to stop the bleeding and wipe my finger.

     "Here you can have mine so you don't have to hurt yourself again". He placed some roses in my basket and I thanked him for it. He kept holding my hand and lead me to where his horse was standing. I built up the courage to ask "I don't mean to be nosy but what are you doing here and how did you find me?". He then explained to me that he comes here to practice what he calls archery in front of his father but is really called guitar playing when he's alone. He heard me singing so he followed my sound till he found me. "I couldn't come out and stop you from singing. Your voice is so soothing and wonderful, I didn't want you to stop. My mother used to sing that song for me the few times she was home. She was too busy with royal work so I barely saw her".

"Royal work?"