My Neighbor's Wife

Chapter 20

Mrs. Lovett is standing in front of the mirror, looking at her swollen belly. She is three months far now into her pregnancy, and is starting to show. Soon, people will start to notice and will start asking questions. She is quite scared on how will people react about her condition- Londoners love to gossip. She already knows what to tell them, for she and Benjamin has talked about it already, yet, she does not know if they will believe her.

Also adding to her concern is David. Over the few weeks, she can tell that they have gotten considerably close. They are always in each other's company- going out for a walk, picnic, or just buying things in the market. There is something about him that makes her happy and makes her forget about Ben- which is good. That's why she is afraid to tell him of her pregnancy, because there's a big chance that he will not want anything to do with her when he finds out that she is with child.

Sighing, Mrs. Lovett walks out of her bedroom on the way to the kitchen. It will not do her good to start her day with such thoughts; she should be positive. Putting a smile on her face, she sets out the things that she will use for making her pies. She starts working on the dough- mixing the ingredients she needs to create it. She will work on the fillings later, for it is easier to do.

As she becomes engrossed with her pie making, Mrs. Lovett does not notice the person who just walks in her shop; she has the tendency to tune out her surroundings when cooking. So, she jumps from being startled, and gasps as someone encircles her waist and covers her eyes. Her hear beat is fast racing- from the shock and nervousness.

She tries to remove the hand from her eyes to see her attacker, but her attempts are in vain. Flailing also is not in the option for the person has a firm held of her on her waist. "Who's this?"

The mystery person leans towards her- her back pressed against its chest. Then, it whispers in her ears, sending shivers down her spine. "Guess who."

The baker laughs in relief and leans her head back, so it is resting on her attacker's muscular chest. "David, you scared me. I'll get you for that."

Mr. Harris laughs then removes his hand that is covering her eyes. He puts his chin on Mrs. Lovett's shoulder as he fiddles with the strings of the apron the she is wearing. "What would be my punishment, Milady?"

The baker turns around so that she is facing David. They are so close to each other that their faces are almost touching. She raises an eyebrow and lifts her hand to caress his soft hair. The way he closes his eyes and smile charmingly whenever she does this always makes her stomach do somersaults. "Well, there'll be no breakfast for you."

Both of them started eating together when the baker one day told David that she doesn't like it when she eats alone. Mr. Harris noticed the hints that Mrs. Lovett are dropping, so he asked her if she wants, he will drop by every morning to eat with her. Of course, she gladly accepted his offer. From then on, he would always go to her shop very early before he took off for work.

"No breakfast... even if I gave you these?" David grabs something from his pocket behind, and reveals to Mrs. Lovett three red roses. They are still freshly looking, except for the stems that are slightly chipped- due from being put in his pocket.

The baker beams, but quickly masks her expression by putting on a disinterested look on her face. She will not let what David did go that easily- he scared her! She shakes her head in negative, as she looks at the roses then back to Mr. Harris repeatedly with a sneer.

David sighs, looking crestfallen. He steps away from the baker; holding the roses in his hand, he starts walking towards the door, without even looking at Mrs. Lovett. "Well, if you don't want these, I guess I'll just give these to the lady down the street who wanted to go and have dinner with me. Maybe, she'll let me have one of her pies too. I heard she's a good cook too, that widow- Mrs. Mooney."