Sweet like an ice cream
1135 Words
"Please cancel all scheduled meetings after lunch," Dante told Sonya.
"But, sir,"
"Just cancel them, don't argue."
"Alright, I am sorry," Sonya was a little astonished at the sudden change in her boss's attitude, which had become strange and more temperamental. But Sonya didn't dare to ask.
Dante left the office to the basement, where his car was parked. At the moment, he was not in his right mind. His thoughts were chaotic and haunted by feelings of guilt.
"What if she's pregnant? How do I make sure? And how can I find her?" Dante muttered to himself. He leaned his forehead against the steering wheel in a dramatic gesture.
After a while, Dante decided to go to the ice cream parlor he usually visited with Emily.
Yes, Emily Wales, his best friend and first love that he could never have as she now belonged to somebody else.
"Eating sweets can enhance your mood," Emily's words still tingle in Dante's ears.
***
Dante walked into the ice cream shop, memories flooding his mind. The smell of freshly made waffle cones and children's laughter filled the air, creating a sweet atmosphere. The shop was decorated with colorful decorations and pictures of couples enjoying their sweet treats, reminding Dante of the times he spent with Emily, hand in hand.
He approached the counter, studying the various flavors displayed behind the glass. The friendly middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted him with a warm smile, her bright eyes reflecting genuine kindness.
"How can I help you today, sir?" she asked, her voice warm and sincere.
Dante's mind was in turmoil, but he put aside his inner struggle and replied, "I'd like a scoop of chocolate chips in a waffle cone."
As the woman prepared his order, Dante's gaze wandered around the store, his eyes catching a young couple sitting at a corner table. They were enjoying a sundae, their smiles radiant and their affection evident. It was a sight that both warmed and broke Dante's heart.
With ice cream in hand, Dante walked to an empty booth by the window. Sunlight streamed in, casting a soft glow on his face as he sat down. The first bite of the soft chocolate chip cookie dough brought nostalgia, reminding him of the times when he and Emily enjoyed their favorite foods together.
But now, those times only belonged to the past. Emily had moved on and found happiness with someone else, and Dante couldn't help but feel regret and longing inside his chest.
***
"I told you I don't want to eat, Cassie," whined Mary as Cassie, her roommate, pulled her into a restaurant.
"You have to eat something, Mary. You haven't eaten anything in two days. If you starve, imagine what will happen to the baby in your stomach!"
"Don't you feel sorry for him?" Cassie scolded Mary because she hadn't eaten anything but potato chips for the past two days.
"I told you I don't want to, and I feel sick whenever I eat something."
"Why don't we have some ice cream first?" pleaded Mary when she saw the ice cream parlor before her eyes.
"Ice cream?" Cassie frowned.
"Looks good," Mary looked at the shop with sparkling eyes.
"Do you have cravings?" Cassie looked at her friend.
Without further ado, Mary walked into the ice cream shop. And she immediately ordered several flavors at once.
Cassie could only smile at her friend's enthusiasm. She understood that pregnancy made for unexplainable cravings and desires, and ice cream seemed now at the top of Mary's list. Sighing, Cassie joined Mary in line, ready to enjoy the sweet treat herself.
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile, greeted them as they approached the counter.
"Welcome, ladies! How can I help you today?"
Mary's eyes widened in excitement as she looked at the assortment of flavors before her.
"I'll have a scoop of chocolate fudge brownie, strawberry cheesecake, and mint chocolate chip, please!" Her voice was full of anticipation as if each flavor held the key to her happiness.
Cassie chuckled, her hesitation fading away.
"I'll order a scoop of vanilla and... surprise me with your favorite flavor," she said, with a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.
As the shopkeeper deftly scooped the ice cream onto the soft waffle cone, Cassie couldn't help but notice the change in Mary. Her friend's face lit up with childlike wonder, her worries momentarily forgotten as she looked forward to the marvelous ice cream.
With a cone, Mary led them to a cozy corner inside the store. The seating area was adorned with rustic wooden tables and chairs, bathed in the soft sunlight through the large windows. The laughter and conversation filled the air, creating a cozy atmosphere that enveloped the two friends.
As they settled into their seats, Mary hesitantly took a bite of her chocolate fudge brownie ice cream, her eyes widening in delight. A contented sigh escaped her lips, and a genuine smile graced her face, erasing the tiredness and worry that had plagued her earlier.
Cassie watched her friend with both relief and worry. She couldn't deny the joy that radiated from Mary then, but she also knew that a deeper problem was occurring.
With a gentle touch, Cassie reached across the table and placed her hand on Mary's, their eyes meeting in silent understanding.
"Mary, I know this is hard for you. But please remember, you and your baby's health comes first. Don't be like this again, okay?" Cassie said with concern.
"And don't you want to meet the baby's father?" Cassie asked, trying to convince her friend that there was no harm in telling the baby's biological father about her pregnancy.
Mary shook her head, "I guess no."
"I don't want to disturb that man's life."
She took another bite of her ice cream, savoring the sweet pleasure.
"But, Mary..."
"Cassie, didn't we discuss this before?" Mary gave her best friend a pleading look.
Cassie was disappointed with Mary's decision, but she couldn't do anything about it because Mary was old enough to make her own decisions.
The two of them sat there, again enjoying every mouthful of delicious cream. Suddenly, someone who had been watching them from a distance got up and walked toward their table.
"Uhm, hi, Miss. Have we ever met before?" the man asked.
The man was tall with broad shoulders, wearing jeans and a black shirt with the top few buttons left undone. His hair was messy, but it did not detract from his good looks and deadly charm.
His topaz-colored eyes were sharp and focused as he stared as if staring straight into the depths of Mary's soul.
Mary froze in place, her expression changing from surprise to worry.
He looked so, so familiar.
"This guy..." Mary muttered to herself.
- Writer
