The Man Who Never Speaks

12. Cupcake

"But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade ocean wave blues come
All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret."

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It was a little bit colder than usual on a late July day when Alice entered Pop's diner. Though the sun was shining bright, the little breeze had made her put on a jacket, to keep herself warm enough. Alice had woken up with a smile on her face, knowing that it was a special day.

Nothing, not even a cold breeze on a summer day could ruin her mood. The bell above her head ringed and she walked over to the counter, where the raven haired girl that owned the place was watching her.

Even when Alice knew that Cheryl might have changed her mind about her after their meeting in the park, it was clear that Veronica was still as suspicious as before. No wonder, as the daughter of Hiram Lodge, Alice thought.

However, she wasn't going to be intimidated by a teenage girl, certainly not by one who was related to the man that had turned into an enemy.

"Madam Mayor, what brings you here?" Veronica showed a warm but slightly fake smile as she welcomed her.

She had become a little bit nicer compared to the coldness she had shown upon Alice's first night in town, but her eyes betrayed that she was still keeping an eye on her to catch any dirt that might put her in a bad light. Alice knew to be careful with her words.

"Can't I order something in the town's most famous diner?" Alice raised her eyebrow with a quirky smile, ready to challenge Veronica if she was going into a full attack. But Veronica wasn't out to provoke her today, surprisingly enough.

"Well, you can. What may it be?" She grabbed her notepad, ready to scribble down her order.

"Two Chocolate Brownie cupcakes, please." Alice gestured to the ones through the glass in the counter.

"Special occasion?" Veronica asked curiously as she took the requested cupcakes before looking for a small bag to put them in.

She knew nothing about Alice's home situation, so getting her two cupcakes instead of one was intriguing enough for her to try and fish for some information.

"Indeed. Add a small candle for me, if you wouldn't mind." Alice gave the girl a smile and reached for her wallet in her purse.

"Who's birthday is it?" Not that Veronica really cared, but just like her father she always was a bit nosy.

It was part of growing up in a family with a lot of power. Finding out people's secrets to use them against someone was their speciality. Maybe, if she tried hard enough, she'd find out more about Alice that could come in handy.

"That's my business, Miss Lodge." Alice said simply, giving her a halfheartedly smile.

She knew better than to share her whereabouts with people who had a double agenda, which she suspected when it came to Veronica's faux kindness.

Veronica decided to stay quiet. If she was being so secretive about it, then she had probably something to hide, which only made her even more curious. Though, it seemed that asking her straight away wasn't going to work. She needed to be more discreet to find out more about the mayor's life.

"Here you go. Have a nice day." She placed the small bag on the counter and accepted Alice's bills.

Alice gleefully took her order and turned around with a happy smile on her face, ready to leave to the cabin. Veronica watched her until she had left out of the door, just as an idea popped up in her head.