Back in the alley....
By the time the girl got off her phone, the procession was already at its close. However, thanks to her new found friend she was truly no longer interested in the procession. Tucking away her phone, she chose to play with the little guy while she waited for the crowd to clear up.
Another five minutes in the alley and she was finally free. With the royal carriage of the last prince just passed by, the crowd was starting to thin out.
" Thank God that's over!! " She cooing to the kitten, carefully removing it from her chest and placed it in the front pocket of her pullover. " Now you don't have to stay in this cold and dirty place. We'll go to your new home. Aren't you excited?? "
Not sure about excitement but, the kitten was definitely happy to be in her pocket. Made out of wool, the size of the pocket was just perfect for the little guy to fit in. With its body tucked inside her pocket and its head sticking out, the little guy was warm and quite comfortable.
Guarding the little one with both her hands and ensuring that it was safely tucked, the girl made a mad dash for her destination.
Exiting from the alley, she took the left turn of the crossroad and headed straight down the road. After running at a full speed for about ten to fifteen minutes she entered a secluded alley, one that was far different from the previous one.
At the opening on the other side of the alley, she was immediately transported to a completely different era. With eighteenth century red brick carriage houses on both sides of the road, each with its perfectly preserved facades and the layout of area retained to its original state, the alley was the city's personal stunner.
Known as the Green Golf Alley, the area was a subtle reminder of the past glory to the busy modernity. But, under the label of the past was luxury at its pinnacle.
The interior of these red brick carriage houses were renovated to seamless and contemporary tastes of its owner, making it the perfect shopping hub for nobility and at times even royalty.
Inside the close doors of these historic structures were luxury boutiques, jewellry stores, antique shops, restaurants and one of the city's up and coming confectionery store.
Unfortunately, the girl didn't have time for sceneries nor was she interested in those high-end labels. She hurried past the buildings without even sparing a second look and stopped only when she reached her destination.
Huff..Huff.. Huff..
Panting heavily from her long run, the girl stopped before a three storey house at the end the alley. From the outside, the house was just like every other house in the area. A large industrial glass door marked its main entrance. On either side of the door were two large windows with lots of baked goods on display. An array of potted plants hung down from the balcony above the display windows.
A large signboard was placed above the glass door where following words were written in bold cursive ' Shop no 17 : Patisserie Roche '.
Founded just a year ago, today Patisserie Roche was the most sort after confectionary store amongst the city's upper class society. Even with its posh location, what truly attracted it's loyal customers was it's unique taste and one of a kind craftsmanship that's luxury cater only. Thus, standing out from most of its competitors and was at par with the world oldest confectionary giant. What nobody knew was the fact that in the eyes of faith and time even such an astronomical achievement meant nothing. Therefore, together they made other plans.
" We're home!! " She exclaimed excitedly to the little guy only to find him fast asleep in her warm pocket. She chuckled at the little one as she made her way in. However, instead of entering through the front door she headed straight for back of the house.
At the back, there was spiral staircase leading up to the second floor padio.
The padio area was small and was barely enough for two people to stand on it. Yet, the tasteful decoration by the owner made it look so much more cosy and spacious. On the padio was another industrial glass door similar to the one in the front, just in a smaller size that lead to the living quarters of the building.
The girl, still panting heavily had only just stepped on the padio when the door slammed open and she was greeted with a jolt.
" Ayat!! "
Greeting her at the door was a young man dressed in a chef's uniform. " Thank god you're okay!! " Seeing her in one piece, the man looked visibly relieved and immeditately bombard her with questions. " Where the hell have you been all this time? Do you have any idea how worried we were? Mr. Roche was just about call your father. "
Ayat could feel the man's anger in his words and knew that he was geniuely worried about her. Hence, she silently stood there listening to the man as he continued scolding her.
Only after he released everything off his chest did he finally calm down and asked somewhat gently. " Anyways, are you okay? Are you hurt? "
Ayat didn't say anything instead, simply nodded her head indicating that she was fine.
" Good, now come.. " He ordered, grabbing her arm and together they entered the house. The next thing she knew, she was sitting in the living room with quite a crowd glaring down upon her and just like the man at the door, they too began scolding her
Ayat removed her hood revealing her extremely long silk-like hair. In the bright sun lit room, her dark chocolate shade hair really stood out while sweat beads glittered like diamonds on her flawless rosy pale skin.
" Where on earth have you BEEN? " One of the woman from the glaring crowd interogaited.
" Stuck in the basement.." Ayat muttered under her breathe not sure if she should say it out loud. But, it seemed that the crowd wasn't ready let her off the hook that easily. " Do you have any idea how worried we were? We tried calling you, texting you but none of them got through. If you were second late your poor dad would've gotten a heart attack. Do you even understand what I'm saying ?? " Even though it was just the woman speaking, from the looks it seemed the whole crowd was speaking.
After pausing for a moment the woman was about continue interogating when a gentle voice from behind the crowd boomed throughout the living room. " THAT'S ENOUGH NOW, TASHA!! "
Both Ayat as well as the crowd turned towards the direction of the voice and was stunned. Emerging from the kitchen behind them stood a middle aged couple. " I understand that you're worried about Ayat, Tasha. But, you also have to understanding that only asking question after question without giving her the time or the confidence to answer isn't going to help anyone. " Said the middle aged man calmly.
" Atleast let her rest for a moment. She must be exhausted after staying out the whole night. " Added the lady whislt offering Ayat a cup of hot coco.
Thanks to the couple's intervention, the crowd's anger subdued and they were now more understanding. Taking a seat were they found, the whole crowd waited anxiously for Ayat to speak.
" What happened Ayat? " The middle aged lady asked, looking gravely concerned as the couple took their seat on her either side. " And what happened to your pocket? "
" Actually Mrs. Roche.." Starting off hesitantly, Ayat showed the kitten to the middle aged Roche couple. " I was stuck in an alley at Grand Canyon Road on my way here because of the procession and found this kitten. It was out there in a cardboard box. I thought you and decided to bring it here. "
The little kitten was a real life-saver and turned out to be a total ladies man. The moment Mrs. Roche, Tasha and the other ladies saw, they were instantly swayed by the little guy's cuteness and they abandoned Ayat like stranger.
It's not like Ayat was bothered. In fact seeing the sudden change of attitude, she was actually very grateful and could hardly stop herself from laughing out loud. ' Thank god we met today. I don't what I would done today without you. Thank you so much. '
Not only for herself but, she was also happy for the kitten. Now the little guy wouldn't have sleep in that dirty box in this cold weather. And she was confident that Mrs. Roche wouldn't turn her down.
Mrs. Roche was actually a pet lover and was recently planning on adopting a kitten. So in the end, things worked out well in her favor or at least that's what Ayat thought.
Unfortunately, she celebrated a little too soon.
Because while the ladies were charmed by the kitten, the men weren't and leading them was none other than Mr. Roche.