She was still smiling on about that day and was rocked out of her dream when a voice said, "So pretty." Ella jerked off from her seat where she was daydreaming now and scolded herself inwardly for being absent-minded. She looked up to that voice and made an uneasy smile to the customer and said, "I'm sorry I must have spaced out." "Well you were looking very pretty then." Ella blushed and looked at the customer who was a boy of two years elder to her approximately. She hoped that she stopped blushing and changed the topic, "What would you like to have sir?" smiling at him.
"For you to stop calling me sir. You can call me Nick."
"Well Nick what would you like?" asked Ella looking at all the items displayed and she then stood in such a way that the customer will glance at the Pineapple Cake and Pastries. There were hardly any sales regarding these and she hoped to sell them before they spoil.
"How about you recommend me some, Miss..." he asked questioningly.
"Ella," she answered.
"Ella. What would you recommend me?"
"I don't know whether it will suit your tastes, but you can try the Cinnamon bread with Hot chocolate," she suggested.
"I wouldn't mind."
"Have a seat. Be right back," smiled Ella.
After Ella brought the order to Nick, two other people had entered the shop, she excused from Nick and attended the customers. She went on with her discount offer with one of the as the man was a regular and surely, he accepted it. Just when Ella was recording her accounts, Nick came to the counter and said, "That's the best hot chocolate I have had since my mother made. Can I pack one too?"
"Of course," said Ella laughing lightly.
"I never knew about this place. Was this opened recently?"
Ella doubted he or anyone else would have known about this place even if it was opened ten years ago. She answered, "Ah, the business was discontinued for a long time until last year. You seem to be new here."
"Yeah I am. I came here to meet my friends and will be heading back in 3 days."
"Where to? I'm sorry, you can answer only if you want to."
"No that's okay. I want to. I live in London. Have you been there Ella?"
"Ah no! Been here always. Don't have time to travel," she said while turning away from him.
"There you go," Ella handed Nick the cup. "Would you like to take something for your friends?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure what they would like."
"Why don't you take some pastries? It's small and handy for you to take more than one flavor," said Ella with a short smile looking at Nick.
"Alright. Can't say no to a lady. Especially a beautiful one." Ella laughed at that and went on to take out chocolate nut, pineapple and coffee flavored pastries.
"What is your favorite flavor Nick?" asked Ella while packing the pastries.
"Guess it." To which Ella quirked one brow and answered, "I think I'll pass."
Nick then started laughing and this made Ella laugh with him too. It was then she realized it was the most she had laughed in a long time that her own sound seemed strange to hear. She would always have her professional smile plastered on her face, but she never thought that she will realize she has not given herself anytime to enjoy her youth. Tears dripped from her eyes which she wiped away.
"I'm sorry did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to hurt you Ella. I-"
"Oh no, no it's just when I laugh a lot I tear up. So.... It's kind a embarrassing."
Ella then changed the topic from herself and said, "So are you going to say a flavor or am I supposed to make you pay for all the flavors here?" while crossing her arms.
"Hahah, you surely know how to make heads turn to you ma'am." She just smiled widely seeing his reaction.
"I would take the black forest one," said Nick while staring her. He was staring at her since he entered and saw her smile.
"Good choice," said Ella and packed his order.
"Thirty-five Dollars." Ella said while handing Nick his order.
"Wouldn't it be Fifty?" He asked while going through the price tags and calculating in his mind.
"Discounted price for my friend."
"We are?" said a surprised Nick. He was actually surprised with the direct approach from her and here he was thinking how to make her get to a date. But he also will not mind it like this.
"Do you mind?"
"Not at all. As we are friends then I think you should show me the best spots to look for here, right?" He hurriedly spoke.
I'll have to look at my schedule and then let you know."
"Sure. I'll be there tomorrow. And you can let me know then," said a little too excited Nick.
"Bye Nick."
"Bye Ella."
As Nick was out of her sight to other side of the road she thought, he was not bad. At least he will come back tomorrow and then she was surely going to sell more of the items. She smiled at that. It wasn't like she was using him or being mean. She meant it when she said him her friend as he was a decent guy, but she wasn't going to let go of the opportunity. Thinking about it Ella went to her counter to update her accounts.