"If I asked you to stay would you?" An old woman dressed to the nine's in a red slip turtle neck dress leaned against the gate of her mansion, gold earrings adorned with red begonias dangling from her ears.
Although "old" her peppered grey and black hair was the only true indicator of her age. It piled atop itself to form an ornate braided bun decorated with jewels. People were still more likely to assume it was a fashion choice and less likely to assume she's past her seventies.
Mercredi nervously smiled at her former employer and headmaster of both her college and high school. "If Mademoiselle Zhu truly means her words just now, it would put me in a difficult position."
The two continued to chat as they waited for the chauffeur to arrive, Ms. Zhu sighed meaningfully, her eyes misted. "Eating food that hasn't been touched by you... not sure if I'll be able to do it."
Despite her age, even the smallest of gestures carried a seductive charm.
Mercredi's smiled politely she couldn't help thinking
("This is why your ex-husband is still hung up on you!")
but her expression was strained.
If the Headmaster truly meant her words just now, she'd have a hard time. She owed too much to this woman to say no and she knew that!
"Erm..."
"I'm kidding." The old woman's gloomy demeanor quickly swapped to a devilish smile. Even after the five years she spent here she always got teased like this even on her last day.
The madame proceeded to say. "After encouraging you all these years saying I'd help you achieve your dream how could I suddenly change my mind now?"
("Actresses are frightening.") Mercredi was certain that deep down, she probably didn't mean those words.
The car pulled up, from here she'd be heading straight for the airport.
"When you set up your patisserie in China, you'll give me a call won't you?"
"But of course."
"Very good. I'll be very upset if you forget to keep in touch Mercredi, don't be a stranger."
"I could never!"
As the chauffeur packed her bags in the trunk, she deeply bowed towards the madame.
"In this life, I don't think I'll ever be able to forget you or what you've done. Even now, it feels like I'm not leaving, just going someplace else to work. My heart will always be here in Paris with you and Pastel Academy."
The Madame's smile became even sweeter, she walked over with open arms and hugged the young lady.
"You're like a grandchild, daughter, daughter-in-law, and a younger version of myself all at once. How was it that I was able to live without you before all these years? And how will I be able to live without you after?" Her voice cracked as she rubbed Mercredi's back.
Mercredi's eyes watered. Her mother was an orphan and her Father's parents despised her existence. The time she spent with Mademoiselle Zhu truly had filled a void in her heart.
"Mademoiselle Zhu is... also like a mother, aunt, and grandmother to me." Her voice cracked, as tears formed in her eyes. "I'll... we can video chat, I'll share the process on my blog, and I'll call."
Mademoiselle Zhu pulled away, her eyes sparkling with expectation.
"It's a promise."
Tears were streaming down her face, she nodded. "Yes!"
The old woman waved as the car pulled away, Mercredi waved back, the Madamesoille's hand lowered as the car descended down the hill and turned the corner. She wiped the tears from her eyes, her smile waning into one of apathy.
"What's that saying about seeing a doppelganger in the same life?" She asked no one in particular as she continued to look ahead. Suddenly she began to cough.
"Your medication, Madamoiselle." One of the maids appeared with a glass of water, on cue.
Mademoiselle Zhu took a small sip of water to clear her throat before tossing the pill in her mouth and washing it down with water.
She sighed.
The maids drew near to help but she held up a hand to stop them.
The Mademoiselle walked by herself back towards her mansion, with a very long line of maids following. The last maid nodded at the security guards upon leaving, the gate slid shut.