Faith [Donati Clan #1] [Complete]

Chapter 12

DAHLIA

The smell of fried bacon enticed around the hall as I walked towards the delicious smell.

A small smile played on my face as I remembered the last time, I ate a simple delicacy. Money had been a big factor in stopping eating from day-to-day. Still, forgetting those thoughts, I walked forwards to find a lady steering a brown mix and next to her was cupcakes form.

She must have felt my presence when she looked at me with a smile, "Morning, Miss Dahlia."

Instead of correcting her, I simply said, "Morning."

Elsa asked, "What would you like?"

I continued without sounding rude, "Anything."

Elsa looked deep in thought as she suggested, "What about an English breakfast?"

Shyly, I uttered, "Yes. Thank you."

Standing at the entrance of the door, I watched her cook with such novelty. She moved like a painter painting his prized possession. She was in control of the kitchen as she advanced swiftly from the side to side.

It took me back to those dreadful memories with one of my foster parents, where I was their maid for three years. It has been hard to adjust at first, but after a while, I became a machine that was programmed in a way that they wanted.

A voice broke my thoughts, "Are you okay, Miss Dahlia?"

Standing straighter, I forced a smile and said softly, "Yes."

Elsa frowned, instead, she offered, "Please take a seat. The food will be ready soon."

I sat down and gazed at the cloth that was on the table. The sound of running water made me look in her direction once again.

When I looked at her, she was putting the mix into the cupcake forms. Without thinking twice, I uttered, "What type of cupcakes are you making?"

She looked up from what she was doing and said with a keen, "Chocolate, my favourite. I have a sweet tooth. I do these every few days, I can't help it."

Her statement made me laugh easily.

Elsa continued, "You have to try them."

I confirmed happily, "I will."

Elsa smiled and put the cupcake form into the oven. She moved around a little and gave me a plate with food. Looking at her, I felt fortunate for this simple gesture. In the past, people who knew that I was adopted had ignored me, like I was made of heart-stone.

But I felt, and I felt a lot. I was never enough for people, however, looking at her, I didn't feel alone. I had never felt this unspoken love from a stranger.

Unable to understand, Elsa encouraged me, "Eat, Miss Dahlia."

I told her, "Please call me Dahlia."

Elsa frowned as she said, "I don't know if Mr Matteo would like that."

I uttered, "Please."

After few heartbeats, she accepted, "Okay, only when Mr Matteo isn't around."

I smiled, "That is fine."

I began eating and Elsa continued working her chores. Although the comfortable silence ended, when Elsa uttered, "May I say something?"

Frowning a little, I still urged her, "Yes?"

Elsa wiped her hands against her apron, and continued hesitantly, "I don't know how to tell you this, but... I am not sure what circumstances Mr Matteo brought you here, but if you would like to call your family to tell them you are alright, I wouldn't tell him."