For my own good

The bell above the door chimed softly as Samuel Hayes stepped into Diana’s bakery, a local bakery in Pineview. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods, cinnamon rolls, gingerbread cookies, and the rich scent of brewing coffee. It was early December, and the small space was adorned with festive decorations, sparkling lights and cheerful snowmen nestled among the pastries. He pushed the door close behind him and made a beeline towards the counter. He was there for a strong black coffee to warm him up and to take away his exhaustion. The bakery was bustling, filled with the sounds of laughter and clinking dishes. He scanned the room, noting the families gathered around tables and the children giggling as they decorated cookies at a nearby station. “Welcome to Diane’s bakery! What can I get for you today?” a cheerful voice broke through his thoughts. Samuel turned to see a young woman behind the counter, her eyes sparkling too bright with enthusiasm for this gloomy winter outside. She wore a brightly colored apron that matched the bright lights taking over the bakery. “Coffee,” he said tersely. “Black and no sugar.” “Coming right up!” She quickly turned to prepare his order, her movements swift and practiced. “Would you like to try one of our gingerbread cookies? They’re fresh out of the oven,” she came back practically bouncing on her toes. Samuel could not help but roll his eyes. “No, thank you.” He shook his head, his tone dismissive. There was no point in entertaining these kind of preppy people. “Alright! Just the coffee then,” she replied, undeterred by his curt response. She poured the steaming drink into a vintage designed cup and slid it across the counter. “Here you go! One black coffee, just for you!” “Thanks,” he muttered, grabbing the cup and taking a quick sip. The rich flavor was comforting, and he silently nodded in acknowledged of the flavour. As he turned to find a seat, Emma called out, “If you change your mind about that cookie, I’ll be right here!” He ignored her, making his way to a small table in the corner. Samuel pulled out his laptop. He had lots of pending tasks awaiting at his grandfather’s estate. As he continued to type away emails in his laptop, the bakery bustled around him. Families enjoyed their pastries, laughter filling the air. Samuel felt a sense of detachment from it all. He had little interest in the warmth and camaraderie that surrounded him; his focus was on the tasks ahead. After a moment of solitude, he took a last sip of his coffee, standing to leave. As he reached for the door, he caught a glimpse of Emma again. He read her name tag earlier. She was busy attending to other customers, a wide smile pasted on her face as as she served up pastries and chatted with the patrons. What a phony. He felt a flicker of annoyance at the noise, the chaos of the bakery serving as a reminder of the obligations he was trying to escape. He pushed the door open, the bell chiming as he stepped outside. The cold air hit him like a wave, sharp and invigorating. He walked to his car, the crunch of snow beneath his boots echoing in the stillness. Climbing inside, he took a moment to himself before starting the engine. As he drove through Pineview, the familiarity of the town washed over him, mixed with an undercurrent of bitterness. The memories of his childhood, family gatherings, and the warmth of his grandfather’s home clashed with the cold reality he now faced. He was back in Pineview to sort out the estate. Yeah he can leave this shabby town after taking care of what’s his. Now don’t get him wrong, he loved his grandfather, but we are talking about a 100 million USD worth of villa and surrounding properties over here. If he played his cards right, he can build a luxury resort over here. The road to his grandfather’s estate wound through a forest of tall pine trees, their branches heavy with snow. Samuel parked in front of the old house, its exterior looks slightly weary but still in good shape. He stepped out of the car, pulling his coat tighter against the cold, and walked up the steps, feeling the weight of memories press against him. Inside, the house was dim, illuminated only by the soft light filtering through tinted windows. The air held the musty scent of neglect, mixed with the faint aroma of wood and fading memories. He flipped on a few lights, illuminating the entryway, and took a moment to absorb the surroundings. The living room was cluttered with old furniture—each piece a remnant of his family’s history. He moved through the room, his fingers brushing against the surfaces as he tried to create a plan for what needed to be done. Samuel pulled out his digital tablet, jotting down a list of priorities. The roof needed repairs, the plumbing was outdated, and there was a mountain of paperwork he had to sift through. The estate was a labyrinth of forgotten memories and unresolved issues. He could already feel the hours ahead stretching into days, and he braced himself for the mountain of work. As he sorted through boxes, memories flooded back. He found old toys, faded photographs, and relics of his grandfather’s life, each item a reminder of what had been lost. He steered clear of nostalgia, focusing instead on the work that lay ahead. There would be no time for reminiscing; he already booked a real estate consultant and cleaning staff to turn this place upside down. The afternoon sun began to set, casting long shadows through the windows. Samuel continued to sift through the contents of the house, his movements methodical and purposeful. After all this will be the project which will show his father of his real worth in business. As Emma closed up Diana’s bakery for the day, she was beyond tired. As she wiped down the last of the counters, the only thought consuming her mind was her bed and pillows. “Hey, Emma! Ready to close up?” her coworker Jenna called from the back, pulling her from her thoughts. “Yeah, just finishing here!” Emma replied, stowing away the last of the baked goods and tidying up the display. She felt a sense of satisfaction as she surveyed the clean counters and organized shelves. After locking up the bakery, Emma stepped outside into the crisp winter air. The cold enveloped her, but the scent of fresh snow invigorated her. As she made her way home, she felt a sense of gratitude for her life in Pineview. The familiar streets were dotted with twinkling lights, and she couldn’t help but smile at the holiday spirit that filled the air. Home was just 15 minutes walk and since Emma was keen on increasing her step count, she chose to leave her car behind at the shop. Yeah she can walk back again in the morning. Also, gas is expensive. Yeah you can tell, the bakery was not doing as good as she imagined. As she passed down the main road, she saw the festive decorations adorning the market. Yeah people here are crazy for their festive traditions. Emma has planned to take up a booth in the festival market. SHe had already made a list of festive treats she would bring including, gingerbread cookies, holiday-themed cupcakes, and her famous peppermint brownies. Yeah, this will surely increase sales. Doing a mental high-five, she increased her pace to avoid getting frostbite in the freezing cold. After arriving home, Emma took a moment to unwind. She prepared a light dinner and sat at the kitchen table with a can of wine and her dinner plate. The house was way too empty. Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up to see a message from her best friend, Lily. “We are doing the booth this year right?” A small smile lit her up as she replies quickly, “Absolutely! I’m so excited. Let’s make it the best one ever!” After dinner, she cleaned up and headed to her small living room, decorated with holiday lights and old inherited ornaments that reflected her love for the season. She wrapped herself in a warm blanket, sipping hot cocoa as she turned on the television, her mind still racing with ideas. Meanwhile, Samuel was still immersed in his work at the estate. He had spent the last few hours sifting through old boxes filled with his grandfather’s belongings. It was exhausting, both physically and mentally. He pulled out a faded photo album, its cover worn from years of use. Flipping through the pages, he saw pictures of family gatherings. The faces of loved ones smiled back at him, and he felt a pang of nostalgia. His grandfather had always been a steady presence in his life, offering wisdom and guidance through the years. But now, the estate felt empty, its walls echoing with silence. Samuel closed the album, setting it aside, and went on to sort through his grandfather’s belongings. As the clock stricked 10 at night, he decided it’s time to take a break and leave the rest for tomorrow. As he stood in the kitchen, plating his food from the takeout, his eyes went to the kitchen’s window at the falling snow. Pineview looked picturesque under the moonlight, the snow blanketing the town in a serene stillness. For a moment, he allowed himself to breathe, taking in the beauty of the winter night. Finishing his first proper meal of the day, he left the plate on the counter before he moved to brush his teeth and called it a night.