The doorbell rang and Chloe knew that the first customer for the day had entered putting on her apron and torque she smiled at the seven-year-old boy kneading the dough on the clean slab. "I'll be right back, when you're done creaming the butter and sugar, take everything to the storage"
"Do I get to go fast?" the boy pleaded with puppy eyes that made Chloe chuckle before cleaning her hands and walking out of the kitchen to greet the first customer and take her order.
Chloe offered a sweet smile to Lady Malhauk and offered a slight bow. "Good morning Lady Malhauk"
"Morning Miss Garvin" said Lady Malhuk as eyes wandered around the store that wasn't very large and nicely furnished and even nobles wouldn't scorn to sit on such chairs. "You have a lovely place and I hear your cakes are divine"
"You flatter me" said Chloe with a humble smile before she lead the Lady to sit at a special table she wouldn't find offensive to her status.
"It seems I came in too early" the Lady chuckle as she glanced at the glass cupboard sitting on the counter.
Chloe became red in embarrassment. The Night before was the blood moon and she had needed to give more blood which left her tired and she took the liberty to sleep in the next morning. "Forgive me for that"
The Lady smiled and said nothing. The inner of the shop was as foreign and cool as she had heard, the front walls were made of glass as clear as rain that had yet to reach the ground.
She placed down her and picked up the card lying on the table. They call this one menu, Lady Malhauk thought as she opened the book that was as beautiful as an invitation card.
"Will it be okay to order something now?" said the Lady as her finger roamed around the edges of the card, curious about the printer who made such an exquisite work but it was beneath her to ask and she didn't.
Chloe waited for Lady Malhauk to place her order so she could use the opportunity to check on Alex who should be done by now.
Lady Malhauk glanced through the menu and saw many names she couldn't recognize and tell what they were. As much as she was curious, her status was still much higher than that of the girl standing and so pride wouldn't let her.
Chloe continued staring at Lady Malhauk and did not notice the indecisive look on her face. "I'll just have some tea" she heard the Lady finally say after much suspense.
"Ah...do you not find them to your liking? " otherwise why would she ask for some tea while holding a menu, Chloe thought.
Lady Malhauk then offered her a smile before gesturing her to sit. "Actually I am here to consult your expertise..." she started and checked Chloe's expression which was just a bit surprised without much elation.
"My husband's birthday is in three days and with your little shop growing increasingly popular I want your dishes present"
It certainly didn't look like she wanted Chole to have a choice and instead seemed to be informing her.
"I would love that Lady Malhuak but as you can see I am short on staff with just me and my son working in the shop" Chloe explained. "The best I can do is make his special cake which I can only begin to decorate when I reach"
Lady Malhauk frowned. "You don't have to worry about helpers"
"I bake for the love of it and like to keep it simple and minimum. It is a kind gesture Milady but I simply cannot" Chloe shook her head with an apologetic smile.
Lady Malhuak did not let her thoughts show on her face but she was displeased at being rejected not once but twice and she only took it because the girl's background until now is strange. "Should I take it as you don't like to earn?"
A smile settled on Chloe's lips at her words. "I love the simple life I live with my son"
"You did say you have a son" Lady Malhauk said somewhat interested since she had heard it too. The girl spoke of her son proudly and no one knew who the father of the child is. "He isn't here with you?"
"He is in the Kitchen" Chloe nodded and then stood up and with unhurried steps walked to the Kitchen. Alex was now using a rolling pin to flatten the dough and stopped when he noticed his mother walk in.
"What does the customer want, you took long to come back" Alex said as his dark red eyes stared at her as she moved to one of the cupboards.
"Shouldn't you be in there by now?" Chole asked not looking at him. "Bring back some cookies before I finish brewing the tea"
"I am going now, be back in a jiff" Alex said and disappeared with the batter.
Chloe smiled. "I hope he doesn't get distracted again" she found the tea leaves kept away in a clean container and kept it on the stone slab. The hot water was already boiling and taking some from the large pot sitting on the coal stove was always a hassle.
She then poured the hot water into the teapot and paused to dab off the sweats that had formed on her forehead with her kerchief. Putting some tea leaves she covered the pot and left it for some time before pouring out some team for the lady.
As she was done, Alex appeared with a bowl filled with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Chole stared at the boy and the bowl and couldn't resist smiling a bit, still a sigh escaped her lips. "She is a noble lady...most of them don't like things that are too... new, especially if it's presented by those from the lower class"
"You are speaking to Mrs Albrecht?" Alex frowned and kept the bowl down. "She's not even a noblewoman"
"But she is rich" Chloe lightly shrugged before placing some cookies on a plate. "Hopefully she doesn't complain too much. Help me with a serving tray quick, I've already made her wait too long and Lady Malhauk is calmer than the rest"