Chapter 4: Bakery
553 Words
A few days after Larissa visited our house, Mother suddenly said something unexpected while preparing lunch.
“Dari, why don’t you visit Larissa’s bakery today?”
I blinked.
“She owns a bakery?”
I thought she was only helping that old baker.
Mother looked at me like I had just asked the most obvious question in the world.
For those who were wondering what I have been doing these days I was here in the house relaxing.
What can I say being at home is the best.
Setting that aside mom look at me with exasperation.
“Of course she does. Didn’t she tell you?”
No.
She didn’t.
I mean why would she?
Mother handed me a small basket.
“Go buy some bread. The twins should be helping her around this time.”
“…Twins?”
Mother paused.
“You didn’t know?”
Before I could ask anything else, she pushed the basket into my hands.
“Go already.”
So I went.
Finally leaving the house my eyes landed at the village.
"Man its hot"
I grunt but still went on to do what mom said.
Larissa’s bakery stood near the center of the village road, not far from the well where children usually gathered. I had passed it many times before the war—but I never imagined it now belonged to her.
The smell reached me before the building did.
Fresh bread.
Warm.
Sweet.
Very comforting for my taste buds.
I pushed the wooden door open.
A small bell rang above my head.
“Welcome!”
Two voices answered at the same time.
I froze.
Behind the counter stood two boys.
They looked almost identical.
Same white hair.
Same ruby-colored eyes.
Same curious expressions.
They stared at me like I was some kind of rare animal.
“…Hello?” I said carefully.
One of them leaned forward.
“Are you Uncle Darius?”
Uncle?
I nearly choked.
Before I could respond, the second boy nodded seriously.
“Mother said you showed her the stars.”
I blinked again.
“She… said that?”
The boys nodded proudly.
“Yes!”
“We want to see stars too!”
Suddenly laughter came from behind the counter.
Larissa stepped out from the kitchen carrying a tray of freshly baked bread.
“I told you not to overwhelm our guest.”
The twins immediately stood straight.
“Yes, Mother!”
I looked between them and Larissa.
Then back at them again.
“…They’re yours?”
Larissa smiled gently.
“Yes.”
“I’m Lucas,” said the first boy.
“I’m Leon,” said the second.
They bowed at the exact same time.
I couldn’t help it.
I laughed.
“Well… I’m Darius.”
Lucas leaned closer.
“We know.”
Leon nodded again.
“Mother talks about you.”
Larissa froze.
For half a second, she didn't look at me.
“…Leon.”
Too late little lady.
Both boys were already smiling mischievously.
The little lady in front of me looked helpless.
I couldn’t help the small chuckle that slipped out.
At the sound, Larissa met my eyes briefly.
Then she looked away first.
The twins grinned like they had just won something.
I couldn’t see her expression, but the way she retreated stirred something unfamiliar in my chest.
- Writer
