The Catch | Zayn Malik

The Catch ; Chapter 11.

11.

Blythe flipped her long brown hair into a high ponytail before gently opening the door and looking out into the newly bought bakery. The crisp, pastel green walls were enthralling her in a hug, as the white tiled floor made soundless noises whenever she walked. It was like entering Papa Armando's old bakery, except, this time it was more clean, and more new. Spotting Papa Armando in the corner of the bakery, hastily wiping down the already cleansed tables, Blythe softly chuckled to herself before making her way over.

"Papa," She said softly, crossing her arms as she stood behind him. He dropped his dirty rag and spun around on his foot, looking down at Blythe. "You've been cleaning that for the past half hour." Blythe sighed, giving a meaningful smile at Papa. Papa Armando nodded and replied with a weary smile, attaching the dirty rug to his belt as he walked past her and made his way behind the counter. Blythe flicked away a stray thin piece of hair dangling freely in her face and followed Papa behind the counter, nibbling the top of her nails nervously.

Tick, tick, was all that Blythe's mind consisted of as the large clock on the wall passed, each tick building up inside of Blythe. This was it. This was a whole new beginning for Papa Armando and for the new bakery. Only a few weeks ago was Papa Armando lazily shuffling around the old shack, baking biscuits and scones for his customers, which came rarely on the hidden days. It was time to take a stand! Time to be heard, and so that's what exactly Papa Armando did. He moved out of that old hidden bakery and decided to start fresh. Fresh with his business, and a fresh new home for his family. And here came in Blythe. Blythe happily volunteered to help Papa Armando for the starting of his business, as he could barely afford to pay someone, and with Blythe being practically family, it was her duty to report.

A small chime echoed throughout the bakery, only meaning that it had struck ten. Papa Armando scurried from behind the counter and swiftly turned the 'open' sign around from the glass entrance door. From the outside, it could be seen as 'open' as before it were closed. Blythe made sure that all the cupcakes, biscuits, scones, macaroons, and cakes were in order in the glass cases, ready to be drooled over by various customers.

One, two, three came int he number of customers as the large bakery started to slowly fill of people. The newly bought cash register was ringing every few seconds as Blythe punched in buttons and placed treats after treats into small foam packages. Blythe smiled happily as the customers walked out of the bakery content, and some even sat down in one of the tables to eat. Blythe glanced over to see Papa Armando happily circling the bakery, his cheeks rosier than ever before. Blythe's smile broadened as she continued on her work,.

*

Papa Armando tiredly strutted towards the front of the shop, and flipped the sign around, so that on the outside it'd be seen as closed. Eight hours of hard-earning, hectic-working baking had been done and sold, as the once full glass showcases filled to the brim of sweets were now gone. It was as if the black plague came and wiped out the cakes, because not a crumb was to be seen. Papa Armando lightly chuckled as he stared around in awe at his new shop.

"Thank you tesoro, thank you so much for helping me. Lo prometto to pay you your earnings for when I get the money. Sì?" Papa Armando spoke, standing in front of Blythe, yet on the other side of the counter. Blythe gave a meaningful smile as she placed the palm of her hand on the cold, granite countertop.

"Papa no, I was just helping you, I don't want any of your money! Please Papa," Blythe started by Papa Armando covered his ears playfully and started humming. Blythe cut off her own sentence and carefully pulled Papa Armando's hands away from his ears, as his belly shook with laughter.

"Il mio bambino, nonsense! But, I will have to definitely teach you the ways of baking if you're going to be helping me out around here!" Papa Armando rose his eyebrows as he spoke, slapping a gentle hand on Blythe's petite ones. Blythe nodded enthusiastically and reached in to give Papa a hug, in which he wrapped his arms around her lovingly and stroked her back. As Papa broke away from her, he glanced at the window as his eyes widened, his head shooting towards the clock sitting happily on the wall away from him.

"Blythe! It's seven! What're you still doing here? Mio dio, we've worked for seven hours! Go, go, you must go home now, and I must too!" Papa Armando suddenly exclaimed, making Blythe jump slightly. Blythe looked out towards the window, only to see the sun drooping down below the high buildings, towering over the calming roads. Sighing, Blythe nodded and made her way around the counter. Un-typing her apron, she ran towards Papa to give him a small kiss and a goodbye before leaving. She placed the dirty apron in his hands in which he held onto tightly, as if it were a prized medal. He gave her a tight kiss on the cheek before she made a hasty goodbye and left, speeding off down the roads to her home.

*

Changing into her comfortable over-sized sweater and old sweats, she plopped herself down onto the vibrant red couch with her phone on one side, and a box of warm pizza beside her. With her long, dark brown hair dripping water down onto her shirt, she merely tied it up in a lazy bun before letting it dry while she were to be watching the telly. Tapping on the button of the remote, the telly screen came to life. Bright pictures made their way across the screen, which slightly made Blythe flinch as she wasn't yet used to the bright light. Switching the channels, she landed on the MuchMusic UK channel and decided to watch whatever that was on. Shoving the warm pizza in her mouth, she chewed on it furiously as her eyes darted everywhere on the screen, feeling quite content.

The couch that Blythe was sitting on started to merely vibrate, which resulted in Blythe to dropping her pizza on her lap. Picking up the pizza and throwing it into the now empty box, she reached for her phone and dusted off her hands on her sweater. With the motion of her finger, Blythe unlocked her phone to see that she's received a message from none other than Harry Styles.

"Hello Blythe-a-boo! Are you busy tomorrow?" The message read, a small smile appearing on Blythe's lips. She dropped the phone onto her criss-crossed lap and stuffed the greasy pizza in her mouth, chewing slowly as the chunk was too big for her small mouth. Wiping her greasy hands on her pants, she picked up her phone and tapped away furiously.

"Djkdhgkdg. I can't! I have work tomorrow, starting to teach a new routine to my class." Blythe answered, a bit disappointed on how she couldn't see the lads. But the thing that made her smile even more now, was that they continued to still wanting to see her. They like me, Blythe thought happily. Sending the message, she placed her phone down before hearing it vibrate again.

"Damnit! You just made all the lads very sad, including me." The message read, which oddly enough made Blythe laugh loudly.

"We were gunna' do a movie and everything! The lads were even going to order Asian!" Another message came up, making Blythe laugh even more. She wearily wiped her forehead and closed the empty cardboard box beside her, pushing it onto the floor. Turning her attention back onto her phone, the bright pictured telly suddenly caught her eyes and ears. Her eyes glued onto the screen now, on was playing 'What Makes You Beautiful' by none other, than One Direction. Blythe chuckled softly at the irony of that, as she was now texting to Harry Styles.

"You're on my telly!" Blythe texted, waiting for Harry's answer. Not even a short moment passed as her phone vibrated once more and the screen enlightened in a bright, white light.

"Lovely. Now, can't you cancel or something? Call in sick?" Harry texted back, and Blythe could see in her mind that he were pouting if this conversation was face-to-face. Sadly, Blythe couldn't cancel, as it would be too late by now. Sighing, she replied back.

"I'm so sorry, but I can't. Definitely another time, I'm missing you already!"

"Fine, alright. Hey, you're dance studio is the one just around the corner that little boutique that's all pink and frilly, right?" Harry asked, which was a mystery to Blythe. Yet, Blythe knew exactly what he were talking about, as her studio was a uptown warehouse, a fifteen minute walk from her flat. And of course, the pink frilly store was something that she sadly had to endure every day. Just the colour made Blythe's mind rot.

"Yes, yes it is. Alright, I gotta' go to bed now, bye Harry! Xx" Blythe settled on before shutting off the annoying spokeswoman. Moving the box over into the kitchen, Blythe quickly brushed her teeth and comfortably snuggled into her bed before hearing the familiar vibrating sound of her phone. Picking up her mobile from her nightstand, she unlocked her phone and read the message.

"Wonderful! Ok, night Blythe! Don't let the bedbugs bite! Unless they're friendly, than try to befriend them and have a nice cup of tea. Lots of love from me and Lou! Xx" The heart-warming message read. Blythe could feel her heart grow ten times more as a toothy grin appeared from nowhere on her face. Saving the message on her phone, she placed it back down on the nightstand and turned off her lamp-light, drifting off into a deep slumber.