E L L E

The blazing midday sun shone relentlessly through my glass door and into my bakery's wooden floor.

Even though I sat tucked away from the sun rays, I was still covered in sweat.

"It's so hot!" I complained to myself as I used my left hand as a hand fan to get relief from the burning heat.

As my eyes wandered around the empty bakery, I felt a stinging pain in my chest.

Suddenly the door opened causing the bell to jingle. I was already prepared to welcome whoever it was with a grin but I froze when I noticed it was my landlord.

"Slow business day innit?" The short pot bellied old man snarled in a British accent.

"Mr Jones!" I chanted with a smile as I got myself back. "Might I interest you in freshly baked cookies? Or would you rather try out loaf of bread?" I gestured to the show glass.

"My daughter loves your cookies." He said in a monotone.

"Oh? Then I'll give her extra." I smiled as I went down to pick a batch of cookies into a packaging bag.

"Why do you bother showing up everyday? You haven't even made proper sales in about six months!" He complained.

I frowned, "I know Mr Jones." I told him. "I want to keep trying." I handed him the pack.

"Thank you," He muttered in a thick English accent. "I stopped by to give you this," He brought out a white envelope which was in his pocket.

"What is that?" I questioned him as I took the envelope.

"It's a notice." He answered and I could feel my heart racing.

"What notice?" I feigned ignorance.

"I think I've being lenient enough. You owe me a years worth of rent and I can't keep loosing money by having you here." He sighed and placed his hands on his waist.

"You're kicking me out?!" I raised my voice.

Suddenly the burning heat wasn't my biggest problem anymore.

"I'm not kicking you out Rochelle, it's just a notice to pay up before next month otherwise I will have no other option but to kick you out." He explained with a serious expression.

"How am I supposed to arrange such a huge amount of money by next month? I barely make enough to eat." I explained to him, my eyes welling up.

"It's business Rochelle, no hard feelings." He frowned. "Thank you for the cookies and I'll see you next month." He waved as he exited my bakery.

How could he give me a notice when I give him free baked goods everyday?!

I went behind the counter and buried my face in my palms while trying to fight my tears but it all seemed so futile. I squeezed my eyes shut as tears ran down my cheeks.

What am I going to do? How am I supposed to help Hazel with her school and take care of the bills?

I heard the bell jingle once again and I raised up my head but due to my tears my vision had become quite blurry. After a few blinks I was was able to see clearly.

"Noah?" I called out with a cracked voice.

"Oh look you're crying," His deep masculine voice echoed throughout the bakery. "What happened?" He grabbed a chair and placed it in front of the counter.

"Mr Jones gave me a notice." I sniffled, raising the letter I kept on the counter.

"Oh I'm sorry," He sympathized with me. "I really wish I could help you but I'm really not in the situation to." His voice went low.

I looked at him carefully observed his appearance. His white shirt had turned brown and his blue overalls were stained with dirt suggesting that he had a busy day gardening.

"Cheer up!" He encouraged by placing his hand on my arm.

I smiled at him while he returned it with a half smile.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked to change the atmosphere.

"Elle, giving me your goods isn't-"

"Going to help my business, I know!" I completed his statement causing him to pause then laugh.

"How'd you know that's what I was going to say?" He asked me, a smile still resting in his face.

"You've said that to me countless times but yet you don't seem to remember." The corner of my lips turned up.

"Then why do yo-"

"Because if I don't give them to you, I'm going to end up taking them home and stocking them up in the fridge while Hazel eats it everyday." I explained.

"I'll take doughnuts and maybe a bottle of water." He told me.

"I'll get it right away." I beamed.

"It's so hot in here, what's wrong with your air conditioning?" He asked as I grabbed a plate.

"Well it's bad. I can't fix it yet because I can't afford it at the moment." I explained to him and he nodded.

"These are really so good, it's such a wonder why you don't get customers." He moaned as he munched all four pieces of doughnuts.

"I also think about that but don't worry, I'm sure it'll get better," I became optimistic. "Remember this bakery as it is right now because sometime in the future, it'll be an international brand." I boasted.

"Love how optimistic you are!" He gave me a thumbs up.

Later in the evening after packing up my leftover goodies, I headed home. A small one bedroom apartment located in the ghettos of New York.

"Hazel?" I called into the apartment as soon as I closed the door.

"Elle!" Hazel, my seventeen years old sister answered from our bedroom.

"How was school today?" I enquirer as I dropped the keys on the brown coffee table.

"Elle, I'm not twelve but school was great regardless." She smiled and followed me into the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes at her and opened the fridge where I dropped the leftovers.

"More pastries?!" She groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, more pastries." I mimicked her voice. "Make sure to give some to Claire and Evans tomorrow." I informed her.

"Did you hear that Mrs Evans was robbed?" Her eyes widened as she played with her strawberry blonde hair.

"What? No!" I yelled in surprise as our next door neighbor was robbed.

"Well I know that you do a lot for the both of us but it would be nice if we could live in the better parts of New York like the kids at my school." She trailed off.

"Those kids have parents that are loaded." I reminded her.

"Well I was just saying!" She shrugged.

Hazel never fails to remind me of my responsibilities. I need to work harder so she can live a better life. She's on a scholarship and that's why she was able to attend such a prestigious high school but I don't even have enough for her pocket money-

"Hey Elle!" Hazel shouted.

"Why are you yelling?!" I scolded her.

"I've been trying to get your attention but you were lost in thought."

"What is it?"

"So, there's this rich girl at my school, her name is Avery. I gave Avery one of the cakes you gave me and apparently her aunt who's getting married really loves it." She paused but a glimmer of hope erected in my heart.

"Go on...." I urged her.

"So she told me today that her aunt wants to have you work at her wedding-"

I jumped up and down in pure joy not letting Hazel finish what she was going to say.

"Did you give her my number?" I interrupted her.

"I did and Avery said her aunt will most definitely contact you." She smiled.

I went to where Hazel sat and pulled her into a tight hug.

"You're cutting off my blood flow, release!" She complained gasping for air.

I put her down but my smile remained. Hopefully things go right and she actually contacts me.

**