The Bakery that Brought Us Together

Chapter 4: Suprise Visitor

Valerie pulled open the curtains to her room, the sky was clouding over her apartment ominously, and the trees had turned scarlet and orange with October encroaching. It was finally her day off and she had decided to fill it with one of her favorite things: Art. The Louvre was the first place in her list of things to do in Paris, but much to her disappointment she hadn’t gotten around to visiting, the bakery took up most of her time. She combed out her hair in the washroom, refraining from putting it up she patted down her light brown hair as it hung just below her shoulders curling slightly at the ends. Days had passed since she read the comment comparing her to the celebrity Céline Boucher, but the thought still stung like salt in a wound. More fans of Céline and Daniel had found her account and messaged her hate and threats. Lucky none of them had put the pieces together that she worked at the bakery. Her mother and friends didn’t know anything about the DMs, Valerie didn’t want to worry them, but she was beginning to regret that. She pulled a thin navy top over her dark jeans and pulled her loose leather bomber jacket over her shoulders. As cliché as it was the jacket was her father’s, he was a star athlete and known bad boy, Rosemary always said he thought he was Danny Zuko from Grease. He was one of those kids who never truly left high school, he made it to college on a baseball scholarship but dropped out when he got Rosemary pregnant. He forgot his jacket at her dorm and for some reason unknown to Valerie, she kept it and gave it to Valerie. She could not care less that it was the only thing of her father’s, she had pictures and stories if she wanted to know about him, but the jacket was still special to her. Valerie took the stairs two at a time excited to begin her journey across the city to the Louvre. She took a course in art history in her last year of high school and fell in love with the deep stories behind each painting, on her phone was a screen shot of a list consisting of her favorite paintings situated in the gallery.
Camila was the only one working the register and Valerie felt guilty for leaving her. “How is the shift going?” Valerie asked noticing the absence of costumers and striking up a conversation. “Boring, the morning rush has died down.” Camila sighed leaning over the counter. “Entertain me please, where are you off to?” Camila asked dryly. “The Louvre.” Valerie chuckled grinning at her friend. “We can chat when I come back.” Valerie said before adding, “What time do you get off?” Camila thought for a moment before answering, “I switch with Camille and my mum in an hour so around 11:30.” Valerie nodded, “I’ll see you then.” She smiled turning to step out the door when a tall figure blocked her path. “Désole.” The figure said. Valerie took a step back as Daniel Laurent came into view. “H-hi.” Valerie stuttered; he was the last person she expected to appear at the bakery. They stood in the doorway awkwardly for a moment before Valerie cleared the way inviting him in. Valerie glanced quickly to Camila to see if she saw him too and to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. Camila’s eyes were wide in shock and her lips were parted in awe. “Hello,” he began, “I know this may be unexpected, but I was wondering if I could speak with you for moment.” He asked rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Valerie considered him, why had he come all this way to speak to her? “Of course, now works.” Valerie said turning the open sign over and glaring at Camila to leave despite her pout begging to stay. Daniel nodded shifting uncomfortably, he was dressed formally in a suit and tie. Valerie was curious as to why he felt such fancy attire was reasonable for a simple discussion at a local bakery. “I’m going to assume you’ve seen the photos by now.” Daniel asked cutting to the chase. Valerie nodded skeptically. “I’m sorry you got caught up in this.” He added sympathetically. “No one could have known that would happen.” Valerie shrugged. She still couldn’t believe he had come to the bakery in person, again. “I just wanted to to apologize.” He said leaning forward gesturing to Valerie with his arms. “You don’t need to apologize.” Valerie countered fiddling with the zipper on her coat. “Yes, I do. Prepare yourself for hate on social media. Private your accounts until the rumour is forgotten about.” He suggested. Valerie wished someone had told her this before the messages came flowing in. She was receiving five or six daily, each one more degrading and threatening than the next. Valerie touched the phone in her back jean pocket silently reminding herself to follow Daniel’s advice. “I also need to apologize for a favour I need to ask of you.” He continued. Valerie looked up to him questioningly, her chest tingled with anticipation as to why he had come for this strange visit. “I understand completely if you refuse but I was curious to know if you would be interested or at least consider pursuing the rumour.” Valerie’s eyes widened in surprise before narrowing. Why would he be asking this of her, weren’t celebrities supposed to be conceded and reclusive. Daniel was polite and friendly despite his odd request that baffled Valerie. “Why would I do that?” Valerie asked still unconvinced, “and how do you purpose we do that, pursue the rumour?” She finished, her thoughts were scrambled inside her head. Why did he ask this of her. “Well, you would attend a few events with me. I don’t want to come off as selfish but it would also be to shut down rumours of my relationship with my ex still being existent.” He explained. “Céline Boucher.” Valerie said. Daniel looked surprised then smirked, “You have done your research.” He chuckled. Valerie wanted nothing more than to crawl into her own skin, how could she have been so stupid as to let it slip that she had been up late learning everything she could about him and his ex-girlfriend like a stalker. The oddness of the situation was dawning in Valerie; she was standing awkwardly in front of a famous celebrity that she was rumoured to be dating. Now this celebrity was asking her to be his fake girlfriend. Daniel stood blocking the door wearing a perfectly ironed white button up tucked into dark grey dress pants. An old baseball cap that clashed with the attire was pulled ridiculously over his protruding curls. Valerie took in the bizarre sight and sighed genuinely considering his offer. Being his plus-one to a couple of events couldn’t hurt and as far as anyone knows they were already together. As much as she was considering the offer she still needed some convincing, Daniel noticed the uncertainty in her expression. “Let me take you to a café and we can discuss this further.” He suggested, reluctantly Valerie nodded. “I’ll send a car to pick you up tomorrow. Eleven in the morning here.” Daniel explained checking his watch and turning towards the door. “You don’t need to send a car I can bike.” Valerie offered before he could leave. “You can’t bike in Haute couture.” He said shutting the door behind him. Valerie furrowed her brows as she watched in confusion as Daniel walked down the street and ducked into a limousine. The phrase Haute couture was French for high sewing or fancy attire and Valerie was sure he was implying that she dress nice for wherever he was going to bring her. Camila flung open the door into the shop and searched the room to assure it was only Valerie. “What did he say?” She asked impatiently, joining Valerie at the window. “He wants to pursue the rumour.” Valerie said still stunned. Camila’s eyes widened in excitement, “What did you say?” She questioned. “I said I would consider it.” Valerie said slowly, turning away from the window to face her friend. “He is taking me for coffee tomorrow.” Valerie finished. Camila’s mouth was agape,” Izzy is going to freak when you tell her.” Camila said. “I’m scared she is going to try and dress me up.” Valerie laughed. “Can’t help you there, it’s inevitable.” Camila smiled. Rosemary trundled down the stairs and opened the back door into the bakery. “Hi girls!” She said, “Your shift is finished early Camila. Valerie and I are going to take the next shift.” Rosemary explained placing her apron over her brown hair and tossing one to Valerie. She pulled the fabric over her own light brown hair, “ Mum you said I didn’t  have to work today, I was going to the Louvre.” Valerie groaned disappointedly wishing she had left sooner. “Selena has to pick up Isabella from dance, her hip is sore again.” Rosemary explained positioning herself behind the counter. Isabella had twisted her hip badly last year in her twelfth year of high school, she had to drop out of competitions she was sure to have won. Isabella was worried that the Dance Academy wouldn’t accept her but when they did, she vowed to never falter in her work. But this meant she wouldn’t listen to her body when it got sore. “I’ll go another day.” Valerie sighed as an older woman walked into the shop.

Rosemary and Selena went out for a girl’s night on the town leaving Valerie, Isabella and Camila alone. They bundled up in blankets and sweaters on the couch. “What movie did you pick Izzy?” Valerie asked dipping her hand into her bowl of buttery popcorn. “I think you will like this one Val.” Isabella giggled mischievously. “Oh no.” Camila groaned as a movie cover with Daniel Laurent appeared in the television screen. “Oh yes!” Isabella grinned. Valerie barried her face in her hands laughing, “I’m actually curious to see something from his discography.” Valerie said honestly. “Perfect.” Isabella said pointing her remote at the screen. The movie was in French, about a boy who topped his class after being doubted because of his background. By the end of the film Isabella was in tears, Camila was asleep and Valerie was watching intently eager to see more of Daniel’s acting. The movie was made three years ago when he was 18. As the credits began rolling and Valerie’s eyes began drooping her last thought before sleep was of Daniel.