My Wish

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Sabine gripped the Mug with both of her hands, tension in her knuckles.

Tom and her had resumed the business, but it wasn't easy. Marinette was missing, and though they had filled a report to the police, nothing else had happened.

Customers came and went, many of them staying for a talk, a word of comfort and reassurance. They all inquired about Marinette and she told them the truth, hoping to get as much word out as possible.

"That's a pity," one of her old friends said, even though it wasn't a pity. It was a tragedy to them. "Why don't you contact Nadjah? Maybe she could help."

Nadjah Chamack was the news anchorwoman. A talented, virtuous person, with an ambitious goal. She was also a frequent customer of the Dupain-Cheng's bakery.

And that is why Sabine had called her, asking her to come over for a cup of coffee, and to discuss on the latest news.

So, as Tom prepared another batch of honey coconut scones, Sabine waited at the counter, sipping her oolong tea, and wishing for Marinette.

Marinette would be in school now, but the ache for her was like a dull pain in Sabine's side. It was like losing a limb. Or a frequently used muscle.

No, it wasn't like losing a limb. You could get used to it after a while, and it will almost not affect you afterwards. This was worse. So much worse.

It was like Sabine lost part of herself.

She took another sip of her tea, as she glanced at her phone, reading the text Nadjah had just sent.

Sorry for making you wait so Long! You don't mind if I bring my little rascal along, do you? She's been asking for one of your cookies, and it's nearly driving me insane

Sabine couldn't help it as the corners of her mouth lifted. Maybe she could distract herself with Nadjah and her Daughter, it was much better than sitting here, drinking cold tea and moping about what might happen to Marinette.

The thought of her own Daughter bought a painful squeeze to her heart.

Unconsciously, Marinette's face came into her mind. It was one of her at eight, only six years ago. But she still looked the same.

Laughing, smiling eyes, with a glint in them that told you she could easily outwit you. It was at that age that she started wearing her hair in twin pigtails.

Lost in thought, she didn't hear the bell of the bakery ring, alerting her that her Friend has arrived, until a little ball of mischief hugged her waist, squealing, "Aunty Sabine! Aunty Sabine!"

Looking down, Sabine smiled at Manon who gave a her a gaping tooth smile.

"Go to the back and find Uncle Tom, Her has some cookies and toys you could play with," she said sweetly.

"Okay!" Manon quickly ran to the kitchen, yelling, "Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom!"

Turning, Sabine faced her Friend, and gave her a warm smile. "Coffee?"

"Oh yes, please," Nadjah said, giving a smile of her own. Besides her purple short hair, which Sabine had grown used to, the eye bags under her eyes were as shocking as well.

"You have no idea, how busy it is at the TV station. Besides Ladybug and Chat Noir's disappearance, more accidents has happened, and so many reports are streaming in. Work has kept me up for quite some nights," said Nadjah, sipping her coffee, as Sabine refilled her own tea.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you could take some of the scones Tom is baking to work, you could use that."

Nadjah smiled, a weary look upon her face. "Thank you, Sabine, but I don't think you called me here to give me scones."