"Let's have it next Friday, Alex."
"Sure, no problem," she agreed quickly then paused. "No, wait. Hold it. That's too fast."
"I have lots of questions to ask first. This is just a fake engagement, right? Why do we have to hold a party for it?"
"To make it appear real, Alexandra."
"Why do we have to?"
"Because that's how things work."
"You're just filthy rich to hold a fake engagement."
"I have money to splurge and you're free to spend it as you wish," he said biting his grin.
Alex stood up from her seat.
"Give me a sec," she said, biting her lips. "I need a drink."
She went back to the ref and took a pitcher of water. She went to the sink to get a new glass, poured water on it, and drank. Alex placed the pitcher and the glass on the table.
"We go on this engagement plan and follow it through the wedding plan, right?" she asked carefully.
"Yes, that's right."
"You really love this woman, don't you?"
"I love her with all my heart."
He said sincerely. Alex giggled melting at his sincerity.
"You are so romantic."
He gazed back at her.
"Have you never been in love?"
Alexandra briefly thought about her ex-boyfriend, Julian Carter, and frowned.
"Never mind me. How will you propose to this woman?"
"Before the wedding day. Which is in a month."
Alexandra bulged her eyes at the answer and gaped at Daniel St. Clair.
"Are you nuts?"
Daniel played with the bubble gum bottle. He threw it to his other hand and caught it with the other and repeated it.
"I know she will say yes."
Alex raised her brows at the reply.
"If you know that she will say yes to your proposal, why don't you ask her already?"
"I don't want to. I want to surprise her."
Daniel said with a quiet flat tone.
"Surprise her by proposing to her a day before the wedding? Who would say yes to that?"
"She will."
"How sure are you?"
"I just know. Anyway, she dated my best friend when I was out of the country for work and I'm holding it against her but I still love her and I want to marry her but she has to go through this so I know her feeling for me is genuine."
"That's quite tough, you know." Alex dug her question. "Did you two ever dated?"
He looked back at her.
"Yes, briefly. I have to work out of the country for a long while…"
"How long were you out of the country?"
"Three. I've been in love with her since we were kids but we have a falling out and I don't get her at times which irritates me and she can be really clammed up when she doesn't want to talk. I can't get through her."
"You will get close to her and you will know about her likes and not. You can ask her for advice about the wedding."
"I'm posing as her substitute bride so I will take in all the information she throws at me and make it a reality."
"That's great of you, Alex."
"That makes me almost a saint, Daniel. And you're future wife, the angel."
She studied him with a crossed expression. He looked back at her as if reading her thoughts.
"Which makes me the devil?"
"Can you read minds?"
She frowned at a thought.
"What if she says no?"
Daniel smirked at her, his eyes twinkled.
"I can always marry you for real."
Alexandra rolled her eyes in disbelief.
"You're quite the hideous monster, St. Clair."
Then, she released a shallow laugh.
"Don't make me a fiddle at your messy love life when that happens. I'm only helping you out as gratitude—," she said pointing her right index finger on her lips, "—for saving Juggle House from bankruptcy and for placating mom's plan about this house. That's all."
"That's gracias por favor, Señorito San Claro."
"Quite the Spanish in you, Alexandra?"
"Para pabor por buenas gracias," said Alex in Spanish. Then, switching back to English. "I always know how to return the favor of good tidings, Daniel St. Clair."
"So, let's go out tomorrow for the engagement plan."
--
Alexandra and Daniel went inside a bakeshop called Berta's Bakeshop and CoffeeShop, Catering Services, Inc. which is artfully designed in white, red, and gold on the glass window in curved letters. It's the biggest and most known bakeshop in the city. It's a four-story tall building. The first two floors are business areas where the second floor is the extended coffee shop area while the third floor was for renting apartments and the fourth floor was the private floor owned by Berta Gertrude.
A golden bell built above the door chimed when they entered the white paned glass door. A young woman with shoulder-length blond hair wearing a white baker suit with a red scarf around her neck was busy putting bread on the shelves while a teenage girl in short curly black hair braided across her head from the right side was wearing a red shirt covered with a red apron sat on the cashier stool.
"Hi good morning!" greeted the young girl. "Feel free to look around monsieur-dame."
"Hi. Is Auntie Berta around?" asked Alex to the girl.
"She's at the back, mademoiselle," replied the teenager.
The woman who was busy putting pieces of bread on baskets covered in red and white checkered cloths which were also placed under the bottom of each basket in diamond fashion so every lapel was hanging freely past the edges of the shelf, turned around. Her shoulder-length golden blond hair was caught in the sunlight beaming through the glass window.
"Alexandra! Nice to see you back in town," exclaimed the woman in an excited tone.
She walked towards her and gave her a peck on the cheek and hugged her.
"Alice! Good to see you, too." Alex said kissing her cheek and hugging her back.
Alice released the hug, then looked back at the teenage girl.
"Elisa, call Aunt Berta from the kitchen. Tell that Alexandra Diaz is here looking for her."
"Oui, Alice-soeur. Un moment."
"She's French?" asked Alexandra looking at the teenage girl that disappeared behind the door.
"Yes, she's an exchange student from Paris. Elisa likes Aunt Berta's bread. Her family owns a bakeshop in Paris so when we were looking for a cashier she immediately took Elisa for the position. She also helps make bread after her shift. It's beneficial to us both," explained Alice.
"By the way, how can I help you?" asked Alice hiding her hands inside the pockets of her apron.
"Daniel and I got engaged and we would like to seek your service for our engagement party on Friday."
"Wow, that's great news. Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you."
Alexandra beamed.
"Thanks."
Daniel replied and he looked at Alexandra with a knowing smile.
"Alrighty, let's sit by the corner and discussed what you'd like to have on Friday," said Alice brightly.
Alice ushered them into a cozy corner where four sofas in white and red colors were placed across each other in contrast centered by a low round wooden table covered with glass on top where a simple slender black vase is filled with a single string of newly bloomed small white orchids and a single stem small white lily. Auntie Berta, a plump blond woman came in after ten minutes and the couple stayed in the shop for thirty minutes to discuss their menu.
Once they were out at Berta's, they drove next to look for a flower shop.
"Know any flower shop here, Alexandra?" asked Daniel while driving.
Alex thought for a second.
"The one mom buys flowers from is Daisy's Sunshine Blooms Shop close to the Cove Garden."
"Let's go there."
"It's before the city hall."
They were silent while Daniel drove in the direction. They passed along the street where flowers were sold and stopped by Daisy's Sunshine Blooms Shop. Unfortunately, it was closed.
"Why must it be close today of all days?" muttered Alex. "We have to find a new one."
She looked at him. Daniel was looking at a flower shop across the street. Colorful mums, roses, lilies, and other sorts of flowers were brightly displayed outside the shop.
"Let's go to that place," said Alex.
"Huh?"
Daniel asked absentmindedly.
Alexandra rolled her eyes and tugged at his sleeves and dragged it while they crossed the street. When they stopped in front of the shop, a rectangular wooden board carved in embossed glossy green and gold letters tangled in flowering vines read Kale's Bright and Sunny Flowers.