English Garden Park
A memorable autumn afternoon, with the glowing sunset captivating both pairs of unfamiliar eyes. One was blue while the other was a combination of dark brown to almost black.
They simultaneously took deep, sighing breaths and let the cool breeze washed over them.
None has spoken. Both were strangers from each other. Seated far apart but seated on the same bench on that prominent, family grandiose Park.
This calming sensation hovering over these two individuals made them both curious about each other's identities.
Something intertwined their paths perennially that day.
Something no one expected.
Something no one has predicted.
The return of something lost, forgotten then remembered and found would be their destiny.
A resurrection of an undying devotion.
A fulfilment of an everlasting promise.
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Five Years Later...
The Sweet Tooth Bakeshop
The bold written letters of bubble font sign flashed early in the morning today. It's the Saturday and during this day of the week, the bakeshop's workers and even its owners were busy scrambling through their way and walking around in order to cater their beloved customers' orders.
The business that started small, literally became an instant sensation overnight a year ago when an influencer-vlogger posted a video on TikTok and Instagram on how delectable each and every home-baked pastries being served there.
Although the proprietors of that wee store didn't want to be recognised and would rather stay anonymous, they had no control over their bakery being notorious.
"I wonder which of these would he prefer?", a beautiful brunette woman who was in her fifties asked her companion. She was pointing at two different types of cookies. One was filled with pecans and the other one was filled with mixed berries.
Two tourists who looked out of place because of their high-end and elegant attire, have never been in that part of the countryside. However, they came to visit the bakeshop everyone was talking about during their charitable event ball that was held last night at the High School gymnasium this small town could offer.
"Your lovey dovey will eat anything you'll buy for him, Nic. I'm buying these blueberry muffins for Tim and these chocolate chip muffins for my boys. They'll be visiting us the day after tomorrow."
"Lucky you, I don't get to see my children as much as I want to anymore. Do you think these can last for a week? I wonder if the expiration dates are accurate. I would like to send a dozen to Skye before she leaves for Milan."
"But won't that ruin her figure? She's walking for several designers at the Paris Fashion Show."
The other lady laughed.
"She's not going to lose her figure because of these, she has a strong metabolism. That girl never had any fat on her body after she turned fifteen." The woman chuckled. "I'm worried about her a lot. I think she doesn't eat right anymore at all."
"Oh, Nic, you and your worries again." Her companion rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Oh never mind me. Anyway, let's ask someone to assist us... Huh?!", the woman suddenly gasped out loud.
"Nic? What's the matter? Are you alright?", her friend frowned in puzzlement.
"T-that boy, look at him Mina." The woman named Nic pointed at a toddler aged young kid wearing a Marvel cartoon character costume. "Does he reminds you of someone? H-he looks exactly just like my... my—"
"Y-you're right. Oh, wow!"
Both women's eyes were wide in wonder.
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"Tyler, that's the fourth cookies you had this morning. You're going to ruin your appetite. Lunch time is just around the corner, buddy. Go outside now and stay at the counter with Zee." Edna reprimanded in a sweet manner but serious voice.
The little Tyke has been rummaging around the kitchen counter, sneaking out for cookies and was caught stealing the fifth cookie he wasn't supposed to eat.
"But Auntie Ed, these are my favourites."
The little blonde boy pouted and looked so comical with the crumbs of the cookies he snuck plastered on the side of his lips and cheeks as evidences. That cute face sulking made the people in that area laughed out loud.
"Come along now. You've been distracting us since you've arrived here."
"I just wanted to help!"
"Oh yeah? Your way of helping is by eating all the cookies. Go now, and stay with Zee. Your Mama's busy in her office so you better entertain some of the guests in front." Edna kneeled down and wiped his chubby face with a wet towel. "I promise I'll save some banana chocolate cookies for you for dessert."
Edna whispered and winked at her beloved god son.
"Promise?", his blue sky blue eyes widened in glee and anticipation.
"I promise. Now run along."
He puffed out his chest and grinned. The missing one front tooth made him look funny but that didn't dim his charm.
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"How can I help you, Ladies?", the handsome little tyrant arrogantly asked and approached the two older women who he spotted gawking at him as he was making his way to the cashier counter wherein Zee was engaged in receiving payments from the other customers. He spent his morning fulfilling his mission, that was disturbing the peace of his Aunt Edna and the kitchen staff with his presence.
"My name's Ty and this is my Mama and Aunt Ed's bakeshop. I share you my favourites and you buy them, okay?", Tyler gave them his big mischievous smile in order to charm them and that made the brunette haired woman gasping for air.
"Min, he really does resembles him."
"I can see that." The lady named Min responded.
The clueless little boy just smiled at them as the brunette lady bent over and spoke to him.
"Would it be possible for us to meet your Mama?", Nicolaa's heart kept pounding inside her chest. She kept wondering whose this little boy's parents were. A boy who has a very uncanny resemblance to her own son during his toddler years.
Could it be? Eric? No, no, no, never... He never cheated on me... But how about A.D.? Could my son have fathered this child or what? Or maybe, just maybe there are Morrison's in this city that they are related to without their knowledge.
"Mama's busy doing maths right now but I will tell her you want to meet her."
Nicolaa was shook from her reverie.
"I see, well hopefully she'll have time to talk to us."
It's impossible. A.D. has never been in this city before. Well, not that I knew everything my son ever did in his life but... Oh Nicolaa, stop jumping into conclusions already!
"I-I'm Nic and this is my friend Mina."
Nicolaa tried to compose herself and let her imagination stop ruling her mind.
"How do you do? Nice to meet you, Miss Nic, Miss Mina."
Tyler shook their extended hands in their baffling amusement. Both women couldn't stop themselves from chuckling. The boy was so courteous and polite that they were so impressed with his ability to make friends.
He's just like my A.D. when he was younger.
"We have these so you can sample them." The boy ushered them to a small table were various small slices of cookies, muffins and bread were laid out. They overlooked it before because of the crowd.
For a tiny but famous bakeshop, people were overcrowding the place. However, bumping into each other was worth it because they really do served some of the best tasting goodies in the country.
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The Mama in question was absorbed on calculating the current sales and purchases for their weekly baked goods ingredients when she noticed a commotion between the two sophisticated, older ladies and the little boy outside her backroom office. The large glass window was tinted from the outside that people couldn't look what she has been doing inside.
Although she couldn't hear what was their conversation all about, she knew those two women were impressed with her boy.
She smiled to herself.
He must be busy entertaining our clients once again.
As a single mother of a sly, overconfident, handsome small boy, she was deemed as one of the luckiest mother in the world.
Shaking her head for a bit in delight, she tucked some of her fallen hair behind her right ear. Then she reached out for a hair band that she previously placed inside her drawer and secured her short, wavy hair with it.
She stood up after placing her small office laptop on standby mode.
I think it's time for this Mama to handle the business and let him play instead.
Her smile still plastered on her face, she grabbed her red and gold uniform apron and donned it. Next, she pinned her name tag on her left upper chest.
The "Hello, I'm Cathy" glossy, metallic material label gleamed at the morning sun.