The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 26

Kas

"Kas? Did you say Kas?" she's already coming out from behind the counter and is straight infront of him in the blink of an eye. "Yeah, Kas" he repeats as he feigns an exaggeratedinterest in the chocolate eclairs. "These look great". She puts an arm on his elbow andforcefully turns him around to face her. He smiles, looking at her hand on her elbow. "I likethe personalized service. Should make it a point to come more often". The desperation inher eyes and her urgent whispered "Please "feels like a blow to his heart but he keeps apainstakingly mildly ignorant expression "Please what? Come here more often"? Her face isnow eager and hopeful "Did you mean Kas as in Kaiser Maris?" 

He takes the opportunity to put his hand on her hand which is still on his elbow. Her hand is warm and feels like home. "No, I meant my friend from school, Kassandra, who I called Kas. She used to come here very often. That was quite some years ago. She used to always rave over the tarts here. That memory just came to me so I wanted to try some". He watches the hope fade from her face.

She easily slips out her hand from beneath his and goes back behind the counter. Shequickly becomes business like again. "The chocolate eclairs are really good. I'll give you acouple of them on the house". He leans over the counter "Free eclairs? Is it because I'mgood looking?" She ignores him as she deftly places two gooey chocolate eclairs in a pastrybox. "It's because you mentioned a name very dear to me. Enjoy the eclairs" She hands himthe box and completely dismissing him off goes on to attend other customers, the brisk andefficient Dor back in place.

Dor

"Say what?".  Dor gapes at the young neatly suited man who is adjusting his glasses. Both ofthem are seated at a table in her bakery. She looks down at the business card which he hascourteously presented to her. "My CEO wants your bakery to open an outlet in the Malldowntown." She continues gaping. The man, called Neil continues patiently. "He really feelsyour bakery has quality goods and it would do well in our mall. Also, you can charge muchhigher rates than what you do here. Overall, the conditions at our exclusive mall are reallygood for your business prospects." She puts her strong hands on the table and glares at theneat well-mannered man" The rent would be exorbitant. I wouldn't go to the Gray Mall tobuy stuff, forget do business there". "Now here comes the incredible part" Neil smiles ather. "The first lease agreement, which is of three years, is rent free for you. 

"Dor gapes at him "Rent free outlet in the exclusive Gray Mall?! Are you kidding me?". Neil, who has anticipated the response continues smoothly, "All the paperwork will be legal, please be assured". Dor stands up and tells him sarcastically. "There's no such thing as a free meal. Ï need to know what the real reason is. I am not crazy over money nor am I very ambitious. I don't buy this fairy tale offer. Tell your boss thanks but I am not interested." It's Neil's turn to look shocked. "Are you sure? Do you know who the boss is?".  Dor is already back at work leaving Neil alone at the table. "I don't care. Please show yourself out".

Kas

Chuckling softly to himself, Kas recalls the flabbergasted Neil's narrative of his encounter with the mighty Dor. He already knew she would be difficult to win over but only Dor can turn down such an offer. He broods over how he can win her over to his side. Though he is now rich and powerful, Kas is still emotionally afraid to do a lone battle with the devil Ryan Bernard and his spawn Zander. He doesn't have Ash with him anymore. He needs Dor desperately and wonders how he can get her to care for Eli as much as she still cares for Kas. He needs to find a chink in her armor. Her only weakness is Kas. He needs to exploit Kas to help Kas.