Chapter Fifty-Nine

Chapter Fifty-Nine
The scent of cinnamon and caramel clung to my clothes like a second skin. The pastry shop has been a whirlwind lately, with orders flying in faster than I could frost cupcakes. 

At this point, I needed an extra employee or two for the job because we could barely keep up with our customers' orders. Each day, we had to put up a notice when it was past noon, stating that we would take on the extra orders the following day and when the next day came, we would rinse and repeat. 

Business was booming and we were making massive sales. Our best-selling banana loaves hardly stayed on the shelves because they got sold out faster than we expected.

Our signature cupcakes and whipped cream cakes were also a hot take, and they kept each visiting client coming back for more.

Other pastries such as croissants, Eclairs, Cannoli, Churros, and Pain au Chocolat were made in large quantities, and they were greatly patronized too.

I loved the chaos, the sweet hum of ovens, and the chatter of satisfied customers, even though it left me breathless. 

I could afford to pay my two newly hired workers well, take good care of my daughter and myself with more than enough to spare, and also save up for any future expenses and purchases. 

Each day after work was super fulfilling and I always went home with a smile on my beautiful face, despite the fatigue I got from working tirelessly all through the day. It was all completely worth it.

My two-bedroom apartment was well furnished, and had gone from being a space with barely any furniture and properties to being a home where I could raise my little family. 

But just last week, I had to make a hard decision- Enrolling my little sunshine, Hayley in daycare. It was a bittersweet one that left me sulking a few days after she got enrolled but it was super necessary for this new phase of growth that my business had undertaken.

I needed both hands free to knead dough and chase dreams. I also needed to build a legacy for her, she was my everything, my life, and the reason why I never gave up. Everything I did, I did for her. 

But still, I missed her terribly during those hours. The atmosphere felt empty without her little giggles and tantrums, but today was different; It was special. 

Her second birthday was a month away! 

After the other day at the restaurant when we got a kind stranger to clear our bill, I decided that I'd do as the individual had suggested which was to do such beautiful dates and outings more often, so this time around, I planned to host a party to commemorate her second birthday. 

For this event, I wanted something grand and magical. One that would make her eyes sparkle like the sugar crystals on lemon tarts and I was determined to work towards pulling it off. 

“Well done, Becky,” I said to my employee who was lowering the last batch of banana loaves from the oven. They’d all been paid for and were getting set for pick up and delivery. 

“Thank you, madam,” she replied calmly, her eyes focused on the flat pan that conveyed the loaves.

I glanced at the clock which was hung on the wall opposite the counter and I sprang from my seat to prepare for my leave.

11:58 a.m. I wiped my hands on my apron, tossed it onto the counter, and grabbed my keys. 

It was time to pick up my girl, after which we’d make our way to the shopping mall. 

I didn't like the activities done during rush hour and so I had to start preparations now. 

I knew Hayley would be so excited to see me, and even more excited to pick out a dress for her birthday. She loved cute little dresses. 

“I'm off to pick up Hayley from daycare, after which we’ll go shopping for some items for her birthday. If I'm done in time, I'll return, but if I spend more time than expected, we’ll have to see again tomorrow.”

Becky and Chloe looked up at me, nodding their heads in attention. 

“Have a great time shopping!” Becky said as I made my way to the door. 

“Bye, May! And extend my greetings to little Hayley,” Chloe added. 

“Thank you, sweethearts,” I screamed, already at the doorpost.

By 12:15, I got to the daycare centre where I enrolled her and I was the only parent who'd come to pick up their child/ward. The closing time was usually in the late afternoons, but today I was quite early.

“As I stepped through the door into the playroom where she was, I tried to tiptoe to the spot where she sat and was playing with some numbered toys but she caught me faster than I thought.

“Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” she cried out, running towards me. 

Poor girl, she missed me. 

I opened my arms wide, ready to receive her and she jumped into them excitedly, giggling as I picked her up. 

She was the happiest toddler alive. 

My baby,” I said, pressing her tightly but gently against my chest.  

“Mama missed you. Did you miss me?” 

“Yes Mama, are we going home?” she asked, staring innocently at me. She knew I wasn't supposed to pick her up that early. 

“Yes. I have a surprise for you!” I whispered into her ear.

I exchanged pleasantries with the guardian on duty and together we left for the shopping mall.

I held her in my arms, her tiny fingers tangled in my hair as she babbled about finger painting and snack time. Her cheeks were smudged with something suspiciously chocolatey, and her curls were a riot of soft chaos.

We got on the bus that conveyed us to our location which was quite far from the daycare where we'd left off. 

When we got off the bus, Hayley kept tugging at my sleeves for the surprise reveal and I knew that I just couldn't hold it in anymore.

“Fine Hayley! I'll tell you. We’re going shopping for your birthday.”

“Wow! Mommy, I love it!” she exclaimed, dancing joyfully.

“I know, baby. So are you ready to shop, birthday queen?” I asked, tickling her cheeks.

“Yes!” She screamed, almost drawing the attention of passersby. She was too excited. She clapped her hands all along our walk till we arrived at the spot, shouting “Dresses!” and confidently hopping in front of me.

I was choking on my laughter, uncontrollably but I had to hold her hands so that she would not trip and fall. 

Aurora Galleria, the most flamboyant mall in the city was the spot. 

It was a cathedral of consumerism; glass ceilings that caught the sun like a prism, cascading waterfalls in the atrium, and marble floors polished to a mirror shine.

Every corner sparkled with luxury, from designer boutiques to gourmet candy shops. It was excessive, yes, but today was about celebration. 

My account was about to be shaken but I could trade a full bank account for my baby’s happiness. 

I lived for the smile and satisfaction that would play on her face after this shopping spree.

Hayley’s eyes widened as we stepped inside. She pointed at a carousel near the food court, its golden horses frozen mid-gallop.

“Later,” I promised. “First, we will find your party dress.”

We wandered into Little Royals, a boutique that looked like it had been plucked from a fairytale. Tulle and satin spilled from racks like clouds. I held up a blush pink gown with embroidered daisies.

“What do you think Hayley?” I asked, putting out the dress in full display so that she could comment on it.

Hayley twirled in place, her curls bouncing. “Pretty!”

I smiled, my heart swelling. I wanted to make sure she loved whatever it was that I was paying for. It was her occasion after all. 

We picked out two dresses, one for the party and the other for the photoshoot and then we moved on to shoes. 

After we’d picked out her dresses, we wandered into the children’s shoe section of Little Royals.

The walls were lined with pastel shelves shaped like clouds, each one displaying rows of tiny shoes. Some glittering ballet flats and others miniature boots, satin slippers, and sneakers with blinking lights.

Hayley’s eyes widened as she took it all in. She pointed at a pair of gold sandals with butterfly wings stitched onto the back.

“Fly!” she squealed.

I laughed. “You want to fly on your birthday?”

She nodded enthusiastically, bouncing on her toes.

I knelt beside her and lifted the sandals from the shelf. They were soft, with velcro straps and a cushioned sole. I slipped them onto her feet, adjusting the straps gently.

“Walk for me,” I said.

She took a few wobbly steps, then turned and grinned. “Comfy!”

I smiled, but I wasn’t done. I wanted something that would scream royalty. I scanned the shelves again and spotted a pair of blush pink ballet flats with tiny rhinestones across the toe and a satin bow at the heel.

“Oh,” I whispered, reaching for them. “These are perfect.”

Hayley sat on the plush bench shaped like a mushroom, swinging her legs as I swapped out the butterfly sandals for the ballet flats. Her toes curled inside them, and she giggled as the rhinestones caught the light.

“These are princess shoes, mommy,” she said.

“Exactly,” I replied.

She stood up, twirled once, then clapped her hands. “I like them!”

“Then we’ll take them,” I said with a final air of authority as the sponsor that I was. 

As I carried the shoes to the counter, I glanced back at her. She was still twirling and smiling and in that moment, I felt a swell of emotion rise in my chest. 

This right here wasn’t just about shoes. It was about giving her joy, giving her magic, giving her a day where everything felt beautiful. 

The next thing on the list was decor items. I had listed out a couple of items- Pastel balloons, a unicorn piñata, glittery tablecloths, and a few other items that’d make the day pop. 

I let Hayley sit on a bench while I picked out the items. Halfway through selecting streamers, I heard a voice that I hadn't heard in two years. 

“The pastry princess herself.”

I froze. My fingers tightened around a spool of lavender ribbon. I turned slowly and there I saw her.

Sheena.