Clara and her first daughter, Tanisha, worked closely together, their hands moving with purpose as they kneaded and baked different types of pastries for the day’s sales in the bakery shop.
Just like other days, the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries spread through the air, enticing the neighbors, causing spreads of customers to flow through the door. However, the shop might be bustling with activity, but the bakers’ minds were unsettled because of Vanessa’s weird behavior.
The sound coming from the bustling customers might be loud, but it was not enough to overshadow their worries about Vanessa.
“Vanessa should be here already,” Tanisha uttered, voicing out her worries. “How can she waste so much time on the field, forgetting about the bakery shop?”
Clara, who had an apron wrapped around her waist, slid a tray of perfectly piped cupcakes into the display case. Concentrating on her work, she ignored Tanisha’s complaint.
She had noticed that Vanessa had been ignoring her since she had the conversation with her the previous time. Vanessa prefers to spend her entire day on the field because she doesn’t want to be her.
Lyla, the sales representative, had joined Clara and Tanisha, but she took a position behind the counter, attending to customer’s orders.
“Lyla is here now, we can handle the shop without Vanessa.” Clara said, knowing that Lyla was like the extra pair of hands who was there to keep up with the demanding pace.
“Like I already predicted, you would never scold Vanessa for her wrongs. Because you have refused to talk, it will encourage her to continue her childish act.” Tanisha countered while she continued her work on crafting designs for cupcakes.
“What exactly do you want me to do, Tanisha? Should I throw her out of the house? Should I send her back to the city?” Clara asked, sarcasm laced in her voice.
“I never said any of that, and I will never ask you to throw my sister out of the house. I’m only concerned about her strange attitude, which started only recently. Haven’t you noticed how quiet she has been? Tanisha retorted, sounding calmer than before.
Despite their intense conversation, both Clara and her daughter worked together seamlessly. Their communication didn’t affect the efficiency of their work.
“It would be a lie if I say I didn’t notice Vanessa’s change in attitude. I’ve tried my best to talk to her like I should but she is not saying anything. What else can I do to make her share her worries with me.” Clara voiced out her worries, standing still in front of the display glass, after arranging the cupcakes.
“Lyla!” Tanisha called for Lyla’s attention. “Have you noticed anything weird in my mother?” She asked, sounding playful.
Lyla and Clara exchanged glances before staring at Tanisha in confusion. “I can’t say,” Lyla replied, flashing her a smile before going back to attending customers orders.
“I’m surprised that Vanessa isn’t the only one acting weird in the family. Can you let me know what you have noticed about me?” Clara said with a serious tone.
“Here it is,” Tanisha nodded as she fixed her gaze on her mother. “You are the strict type, but now, you are not even close to being strict. Before, you had a way of making Vanessa and I spill our guts, but now, you can’t even persuade Vanessa to talk.” She explained.
A smile played on Clara’s face as she listened to her daughter’s claim. Back then, both of her kids were younger, unlike now, therefore it would be wrong to impose herself on them.
Most importantly, she had made a mistake with Vanessa. She had pressured Vanessa to get married, and her pressure had gotten Vanessa into a big mess. Even now, Clara still felt guilty about Vanessa’s situation, and she was ready to do anything to make amends.
After giving so much thought, Clara flashes Tanisha a smile, masking her initial thoughts. “People change. You changed and I changed. Even Lyla changed. So I don’t see anything weird in the changes because it is similar to growth,” she said.
Upon hearing her name, Lyla smiled, but she didn’t get herself involved in their conversation. As she focused on attending to customers, she sighted two unfamiliar people entering the shop. She looked at them intently like she could get some answers from their appearance.
Lyla walked up to them as they settled at the vacant table in the corner of the shop. “Welcome to Clara’s, what would you like to get?” She sounded polite, handing them the menu.
“Excuse me, miss…” Tania said, waiting for Lyla to tell her the name.
“Lyla,” Lyla answered, her curiosity piqued.
“Miss Lyla, is Vanessa here?” Tania inquired, her eyes searching Lyla’s eyes.
“Pardon,” Lyla said as her curiosity morphed into confusion. Why are these strangers seeking Vanessa? She pondered as her gaze lingered on Tania.
“Pardon her manners, Lyla. I will have a cup of coffee for now.” Emmy interjected, trying to avoid raising attention to them. “What would you have?” He asked, flashing Tania a look.
Immediately, Tania understood Emmy’s gesture and decided to compose herself. “A plain coffee,” She answered.
Glancing from Tania to Emmy, Lyla’s curiosity grew, raising the suspension in her. Without giving them a sign, she wrote down their orders before leaving their table.
As Lyla walked back to the counter, she wondered why those two were seeking Vanessa. Shaking off her curiosity, she decided to tell Clara about their presence and leave her to deal with the situation.
“What took you so long?” Clara inquired as Lyla got to the counter.
“The woman sitting at the table at four o’clock is seeking for Vanessa. I think you should know.” Lyla said as she prepared their orders.
Clara’s eyes traveled to the table in the corner, she saw the woman’s face, but she didn’t. see the face of the man sitting with her. Who is she and what does she want? She wondered.
Seeing that Lyla had already got the order ready, she took it from her. “I will handle it,” she said.
Curiosity settled on her as she took the order to the table, her mind racing with different possibilities.
Placing the cups on the table, “here is your order.” She said, calling their attention to her. Tania and Emmy raised their heads from their phones, fixing it on Clara.
“Clara?” Emmy said, getting out of the chair.
“Emerald?” Clara said, as she couldn’t believe her eyes. “What the hell are you doing here?” She spat as her curiosity morphed into fury.
“I…. I came here to see Vanessa.” Emmy replied.
Influenced by rage, Clara’s palm connected with Emmy’s face as he mentioned Vanessa’s name. “Don’t ever say her name with your filthy mouth.” She spat.