The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 25

Chess

Wiping the sweat off his face, Chess looks at his Boss "Say, what"? The boss, at seventy, stillfit and active, gives Chess a teasing smile. "You surely don't expect me to keep working, doyou?". Chess sighs heavily and plops down in a chair in the small congested office. "So, who'sbuying you out"? Chess who is the supervisor and right-hand man of the boss has alwayswanted to buy the garage from the boss who is childless. The old man shrugs "A big shotbusiness man. His assistant had come with an offer which is much more than I expected. Icouldn't refuse it, Chess. It provides a very comfortable retirement for my wife and me. But Irequested for the staff to be retained and he agreed. "Its ok Boss", Chess smiles sadly. "Weall knew this day was coming. Who's the buyer? "The boss removes a business card from hisdesk and reads "Elijah Gray".

Dor

She works frantically behind the counter, managing a mostly teenage crowd who all seem tobe in a hurry. Its Valentine's Day and Dor and her assistant have been on their toes all day. Abunch of particular noisy girls who have been yelling out demands suddenly go silent. Shelooks up and sees a young man making a way between the girls. The girls giggle and whisperto each other, watching him carefully. He's tall and well built. As he comes to the counter,Dor who was leaning over a box straightens up. He seems to have similar height as her andmeets her eye to eye. She almost gasps as a pair of beautiful grey eyes look smilingly at her.The man is really good looking, casually dressed but she can recognize the branded clothesand the expensive watch he wears as he runs lean long fingers through his hair. "MilkChocolate". He murmurs. Dor folds her hands "You want milk chocolates? Choose". Shepoints out to the display trays. He looks delighted at her no-nonsense demeanor and grins"Your eyes are the color of milk chocolate".

She sighs, ignores him and leans towards the giggling girls. She quickly wraps up theirorders, which is considerably delayed as they keep admiring the good-looking guy. Finallydone, she looks towards the man. He's still watching her. "Well, have you decided what youwant"? she asks impatiently, annoyed at his relaxed body language. "Blueberry Jamtarts", he replies. "As many as you have". Dor stiffens and her hands clench in her apron."We don't keep Blueberry Jam Tarts. Please check the items on display. We can offer onlywhat you see". He comes in front of her and asks happily "Can I have anything that I see? Isee something really special right in front of me."

 Dor is not easy to surprise and she starts wiping down the counter. "Can you turn around? I'd like to show you something really special?" The guy is surprised but turns around obediently. "The exit" she tells the back of his head. "That's the best thing in here for you. Leave if you are not buying anything.". She can see his body shake and he turns around laughing. She calmly watches him and he quickly gets serious. "Ok, a friend recommended the tarts so I came to try them". Now, Dor is really surprised. "I haven't made blueberry tarts in more years! Who recommended them"?" He starts looking at the display items again as the words leave his mouth causally. "Kas".