BAKERY BOY | zustin ✔

Chapter 1

It's 10:27 am. What better way to start off the day than by updating?

Dedicated to -silentnights because they commented and voted for this book a minute after I posted it. Thank you again!

And this book got more attention than I was even hoping for (and vvv quick). So thank you all so much. I hope I don't disappoint you with it!

Btw, I'm using the term bakery very loosely. Mainly because Zayn sells mostly breads and small amounts of meats (eggs included) and fresh milk.

I've also put some research into this, not a whole lot but enough to have an idea of how each item I list actually was back then. And they aren't converted to normal currency but it goes as follows: 1 pound = 20 shillings & 1 shilling = 12 pence

Please remember money was very hard to come by back then so 1 pound is actually a large amount of money!

Words: 995 (Will never include A/N's)

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"You need to work overnight."

Zayn looked up to see his father, adopted-father, Risley looking at him with a firm expression. He just sighed and nodded as he continued to pull his pants on and then his worn out shoes.

"I want the bakery spotless by tomorrow morning. Important people are coming to visit. You will make sure it is absolutely perfect. You are not allowed to sleep until it is done. Do you hear me?"

Zayn gritted his teeth before smacking a fake smile on his lips and tilting his head up to glance at Risley, "Yes sir."

"Good. Now get to work. I'm not paying you to sit around." The older man turned around to stalk out of the room.

"You do not pay me at all," Zayn muttered and rolled his eyes as the man disappeared up the stairs. He glanced around his 'room'.

It was as small as a closet and just big enough for a extremely tiny dresser to fit. The cot could not even be considered a bed, it rested just an inch above the floor and had a bit of hay and a thin cloth over top of that. And to top off his 'bed', he had a cloth made up of old and extremely worn out clothes that he had sown together and that was his blanket. No pillow and no nice looking bed.

His room was nothing compared to his families. They all had decent sized rooms and some much nicer beds. And not to mention their blankets and clothes were much cleaner and not nearly as ratty looking.

Zayn let out a breath and shook the thoughts from his head. 

'Do not think down on them. They are not worth your thoughts. You are better than them,' he reminded himself.

With a sigh and another glance around his pathetic room, he stood up and made his way up the stairs.

- - - - - - -

Once Zayn made breakfast for everyone (not that he wanted to but he had to), he was walking into the bakery across the street. A few of the older couples waved at him as he unlocked the door and turned the open sign over.

"Zayn! I've been waiting for you."

Zayn smiled at Teresa and held the door open for people to shuffle in.

"It's good to see you Teresa. How is the daughter?" He asked as he shuffled behind the counter.

She stepped up and leaned against it, pushing the few stray pieces of her gray hair away from her eyes. "She is very pregnant as of right now. And you know how that is. She tries to keep the tempter down but it gets hard. Especially because it has been so hot lately."

"Yes, I agree to that. It has just been getting hotter lately." He shuffled around to the bread and started to grab a few loafs. "How many loafs of bread would you like today?"

"I will just take 2. I can not afford anymore than that as of right now."

Zayn turned around with 2 in his hands and gave her a sad yet knowing look before setting the loafs down and holding his hands out. "6 pence please." Much like the rest of England, his small town was the same. Many people could not afford the day-to-day necessities for living.

Teresa sighed but handed the money over before lifting the bread up. "Thank you, Zayn. Truly. I will see you tomorrow, alright? And please do not be a stranger. We love seeing you at the house."

He smiled and nodded. "I will stop by sometime." He waved her off and smiled to the next costumer. "What can I get you?"

The man smiled. "I will take 4 loafs of bread and your finest lamb."

Zayn hid his shock and turned around to find the man his desired goods. Lamb, and much like any other meat they sold, was extremely expensive. Not so much like pig or cow but regardless, selling lamb and other meats was considered rare.

He pulled out the lamb and inspected it. They did not really have what one would consider "finest lamb" but it would have to do. He carried it out and set it on the counter and the 4 loafs of bread next.

"That will be 29 pence." Zayn hid his surprise gasp as the amount and took the money from the man who in return smiled.

Zayn took the money from the out-stretched hand and the person took the meat and bread and exited the store.

- - - - - - -

It was nearly 2 am when Zayn was finally closing down the shop. He had spent almost 4 hours wiping down the walls, counters, and shelves of the place. It was as spotless as it could get. He even made some loaves of bread to have ready for the next morning so he did not have to rush to get them ready.

Zayn was locking up the shop and was stopped by a voice.

"Zayn Malik."

Zayn whipped around to come face to face with a person who looked about the same age as him. "Who are you and how do you know my name?"

The man smiled and shook his head. "You really don't know who I am?"

Zayn looked at the man and tilted his head before shaking it, "No idea. Should I?"

The man smiled and shook his head, "No, no you shouldn't."

Zayn continued locking up the shop and turned back to the man. "Look, I really need to get home. I expected to be up early and if you have not noticed, it is pretty late right now."

Of course it was not the only reason he was trying to get away, this strange man knew his name.

"Yeah, of course. And so you know," the man smiled and held a hand out. "My name is Drew."

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Ya'll, I got distracted while I was typing this up. The remake of Dirty Dancing was on and I got sucked into it.

Anyway, this chapter was kinda boring and I think it started out good but the ending got a bit rough.

Thank you again for all the comments and votes! I wasn't expecting this book to get this much attention this quick.

Comments and votes are appreciated!

- de