E L L E
Before heading out to the bakery, I picked up a mail which was left in our mailbox.
After I settled into the bakery, I sat behind the counter and I opened the mail.
Good day Miss Adams, it has come to our notice that your sister; Hazel Adams has not been attending the extra classes which the school organized for the university preparatory program. It is mandatory that she attends it and you need to pay the fees upfront because the scholarship doesn't cover it. It's all to prepare her for college, so please do well to pay. You'll find the attached document for the payment in the envelope. Thank you for your cooperation. The Admission Office.
I shook my head as I counted how many zeros were on the fees printout. I sighed and lowered my head, I didn't know about this and how am I supposed to afford that?
My house rent is due, my shop's rent is due, I have bills pay and now I have to think about this too.
What's the college preparatory program though? These rich people schools.
The bell chimed and I looked up at the door. It was an unfamiliar woman who had dark hair straightened in a bob.
Her eyes scanned the whole place before it landed on a smiling me.
Is she the one who had enquired about me?
"Welcome to Elle's!" I greeted in a cheerful tone.
"Hello," Her voice soft and angelic.
Must be the rich one, she definitely sounds like it.
"Um, my niece tells me she got cakes from here?" She tilted her head side ways while eyeing me suspiciously.
"Yes, my sister had informed me." I immediately nodded.
"In that case," She took off her glasses and her thin lips turned upwards. "I really loved them! Can I get like a dozen?" Her whole face lit up.
"Sure! I'll pack it right away." I smiled.
"But how come it's so hot in here?" She looked around.
"That's because the air conditioning doesn't work, I'm sorry. But I can get you a fan if you just hold on." I looked down to my feet.
"It's alright don't bother." She played with the table.
"Here." I handed over the pack.
"Oh thank you!" She took them from me but her eyes darted towards the show glass then she bit her lips. "Can you also give me a dozen of chocolate chip cookies? I'm sure my brother would love them." She then turned to me.
"Oh sure!" I happily skipped to the show glass where I packed the cookies and placed them in a bag.
"I'll pay with my card." She announced as she walked towards the counter.
After she payed, I could only watch her exit the shop while the sweet fragrance of her perfume lingered in the shop.
She wanted me to work for her wedding, how come she didn't talk about that? I was really looking forward to it.
But at least she bought a lot things today, it's the most I've sold in a really long time.
Hours later, the summer heat creeped its way back in. It's mid September and yet it's still this hot.
But at least due to the heat, I can't fall asleep and I'm always active. I resolved to using a magazine to fan myself.
The doorbell chimed again but this time it was younger lady with full curls that worked in.
"Good afternoon!" She greeted in a monotone.
"Welcome to Elle's!" I answered her.
"I want to make an enquiry." She voiced out.
"Sure, go ahead." I smiled and she made her way to the counter.
"Well the thing is that I'm getting married really soon and I've been trying to find a nice baker to make my cake as well serve pastries at the party but none really appealed to me." She paused while I continued to gaze at her.
"A few days ago, Avery, my niece offered me a slice of cake which she claims to be made by you. It tasted exactly like what I wanted. I had asked my best friend to buy a couple of things here to be sure it was you and I'm so glad that it is." Her full lips curved into a smile. "So I was wondering if you would be able to take care of the wedding cake and pastries I want to serve?" She sealed her eyes shut waiting for my response.
"I'd love to!" I squealed.
"Seriously?"
"Yes, I think it's good for my brand because as you can see, I really don't get much customers at this side of town, so I do this, I might be able to get more exposure." I explained to her.
Her eyebrows relaxed, "It's weird you're not always packed. That one slice of cake was really so good and so were the cookies." She complimented.
"Thank you! So do you have a design of cake in mind and also when's the wedding?" I questioned.
"I don't really have anything in mind, I want it to be simple and delicious but it should have about four layers or more, do whatever you want." She encouraged. "That's the thing," She chuckled nervously. "It's tomorrow." She her glossed lips turn into a smile.
"What? Tomorrow? That's-"
"Wait before you reject my proposal, I'll pay you double your usual amount." She lifted two of her fingers in the air. "No wait, triple!" She added the third finger to it.
She'll pay triple.
"But you don't even know how much I charge." I joked.
"I don't care, I just want you to my baker." She begged.
If only she knew how desperate I was for this job.
"It's going to be difficult but I assure you that I will do it." I assured her.
"Great, the reception is by 11 tomorrow. I can send you part payment now and then the rest of it later today?" She fiddled with her iPhone.
"Sounds great." I agreed.
"Give me your bank details now." She commanded and I obeyed.
How nice must it be to not care about money.
"It's six thousand." I mentioned.
She paused for a second and looked around before mouthing something then she went ahead to send the money.
"I sent nine thousand so I'll send the other nine later alright?" She informed me.
I gasped; "The total wa-"
"I promised to pay triple for whatever you charged right?"
"Thank you so much ma'am!" I sang loudly with my hand clapped together.
"You're welcome, I'll keep in touch." She picked up her purse and elegantly walked away.
Immediately she left, my phone chimed with a notification of the money entering my account. I jumped up and down while sweat continued to gather on my forehead.
Elle! You need to go shopping. I must make sure this cake is the best cake I've made my whole life.
I think I would at least to make part payment of Hazel's program tuition.
**