Chapter Sixty-Two

Chapter Sixty-Two
It was Friday morning, two days after the birthday party, and the day arrived with the kind of quiet that felt earned. 

The day before which was Thursday had been a blur of rest, reflection, and recovery. I spent most of it curled up in my bed with Haley nestled against me, strands of her hair tickling my chin as she watched cartoons and nibbled leftover snacks and cupcakes from her day. 

Before we left on the evening of Wednesday, we made sure to tidy up the environment of the garden even better than before. It was my little way of saying thank you to it for saving my face. 

I didn't want to think about how tragic the day would have turned out, had we not found a replacement venue. Also, I could not stop thanking my aunt for the quick suggestion, she truly saved the day. 

The joy from the day still lingered like good quality perfume so much that Hayley could not stop yapping about it. The party seemed like the greatest gift yet to her.

The party hadn’t drained me like I'd thought it would, instead, it filled me. The love, the laughter, the gifts, the sheer outpouring of kindness had reminded me why I started this business in the first place. And the mysterious envelope handed to me by the stranger at the end of the party, was the topping on the cake. I was super grateful. 

While we got home, I let her try on her presents from the party, some of which were boots, jeans, cute dresses, sophisticated toys of all sorts, a tablet, wristwatches, and some other fancy items and stuffs that I couldn't mention, aside from the monetary gifts which summed up to a large amount. 

Now it was time to get back to work and continue where we dropped off. 

I unlocked the door of the shop at exactly 8am and the familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon greeted me like an old friend. The shop was neat and spotless with no mess from the night before the party. All thanks to my staff, I was in fact going to tip them for the month for a job well done. 

I took my apron from the hook on the wall and tied its strap across my tiny waist. 

I opened the windows and put the ‘Open’ signpost outside to create awareness of our opening. 

After I'd done all the necessary things, I took a deep breath, ready to face the day and crush my goals. Back to the grind and the rhythm.

I thought about the guy with the envelope. There was something about him, he was tall, confident, and charming and his aura was breathtaking but he was unfamiliar. I was just so sad that he was gone before I could ask a single question and I wished that I'd see him again.

My employees arrived an hour later, which was their official resumption time and together we all got to work.

By mid-morning, I was elbow-deep in batter, humming to myself as I piped chocolate swirls onto a tray of cupcakes. We had gotten a little over thirty orders in the past two hours and we had an hour more before the time for placement would elapse.

My phone buzzed and I rushed to wipe my hands and pick it up, hoping that it was an order. I didn't have time to entertain any distractions in the form of discussions right now.

I picked it and it was an unknown number. 

I hesitated, then I answered.

“Hello, this is May speaking; May of May’s Pastry Shop.”

“Hi, I hope I’m not calling too early. I saw some lovely reviews about your shop online and wanted to place an order,” a smooth, low voice masculine responded. 

I smiled. “Too early? There's only one hour left before we stop taking orders for the day. What would you like?”

“Okay. I want a box of chocolate cupcakes with toppings, something decadent; also I want your signature banana bread, three loaves precisely. I heard they're very exceptional.”

“Hahaha! Just a bite will do the work,” I said scribbling down the order. 

“May I have your name?” 

“Nelson.”

I paused, the name tugging something in my memory. 

“Alright, Nelson. Would you like pickup or delivery?”

“Pickup, please. I'll be there around noon.”

“Perfect. I’ll have it ready.”

He thanked me and hung up.

I checked the payment notification a few minutes later and I saw a credit of £1,000.

I blinked, not believing what my eyes just saw. That couldn’t be right. I double-checked the order total which came to just £40. This was a huge mistake, I thought.

I stared at the screen, my heart beating faster against my chest. I’d had generous clients before, people who tipped £10, £20, sometimes even £50. But this? This was something else. It couldn't possibly be a tip, it was definitely a mistake. 

I opened the transaction details and I saw the name Nelson.

Could it be?

I walked to the back room, pulled open the drawer where I kept the envelope from Hayley’s party, and unfolded the note but there was no last name. Just the initial: N.

I sat down slowly, pondering the situation. It had to be him. Well, I would see him when he comes for a pickup and would definitely refund him. I couldn't afford to get away with such a large amount again.

By noon, the shop became a mini market. The scent of fresh banana bread which sat pretty on the shelves wafted through the air, mingling with the rich aroma of chocolate, cakes, and other pastries that we had on display. 

I let my employees box and label every order, while I had Nelson’s order, boxed and ready, tied with a satin ribbon and a handwritten thank-you note tucked inside, and then I separated it from the others so that I could monitor its pickup. 

The delivery man came and I handed him the orders from the clients that requested home delivery with the addresses written while the clients who came for pickup walked in to claim their items.

When the noise had died down, I sat to relax for a bit. There were a few minutes left till 4pm and my employees were packing up to leave. 

I felt someone step into the building and I looked up.

And there he was. The same guy who had handed me the envelope. I predicted correctly. The initial on the note and the name on the bank transaction receipt could not be a coincidence. 

He stood in the doorway, sunlight catching the edge of his jawline, his dark hair tousled just enough to look effortless. He wore a navy button-down shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and well-ironed trousers that hinted at quiet wealth. 

His hazel eyes, flecked with gold, met mine, and he smiled. I smiled back.

“Hi,” he said, walking toward the counter. “I’m here for the pickup.”

I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. “Of course. It’s ready.”

I handed him the box, our fingers brushing briefly. His touch was warm, deliberate.

“Thank you,” he said. “I’ve been meaning to stop by since the party.”

I tilted my head. “So it was you.”

He smiled. “Yes ma'am, I'm guilty as charged.”

“Why?” I asked, unable to stop myself. “Why the gift? That was a lot of money for someone you barely know. My daughter and I greatly appreciate it though.”

He looked down at the box, then back at me. “I've always admired the strength of an industrious woman. The fact that she never lets circumstances put her down. I saw something rare; a woman who built something beautiful. But also, I saw a little girl who radiated joy, your daughter, Hayley. And the party, it felt like love in its purest form.”

I rolled my eyes at him, confused at the combination of words from this dude. He said a lot of things that made sense but made me suspicious at the same time.

Was he watching us this whole time? How did he get to know about us? He'd never patronised the shop before either. I know this because I kept a track record of old, new, and returning customers.

“Even though I have no idea who you are or how you got to know about us. I appreciate the kind gesture and the encouraging words. You already made my day,” I said, cheerfully.

“I know you don't know me from Adam, but I did what I did to put a smile on your beautiful faces. You two looked so happy, I couldn't hold back from being a part of that happiness. 

There was a pause. The shop was quiet now, the other customers having filtered out. The air between us felt charged, like the moment before a storm—or a kiss.

“I thought the payment today was a mistake, so I monitored the order closely so that I could refund you.”

He chuckled. “It wasn’t. Consider it a tip or a thank you, or maybe just a way to see you again.”

“See me again?” I asked, an inquisitive look on my face. 

He leaned slightly on the counter. “I don’t usually do this, but I’d like to take you out, if you’re open to it.”

I stared at him, my heart racing.

Again, Hayley’s laughter echoed in my memory. The note. The envelope.

I smiled.

“I'll consider it.”