LOVING AARON

''Come on peach, time to wake up'' I hear a soft voice say, belonging to my nanny Mrs Claudette. I let out a soft whimper of protest and burrow deeper into the comfort of my pillow, seeking solace in its softness. I hear a sigh, ‘‘Mr Andre made chocolate drizzled croissants, Oh well I guess I’ll just have enjoy them all by myself…again!’’ My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat. Chocolate drizzled croissants? Those are my absolute favourite! How could I possibly resist? I looked up at Nanny Claudette trying to play it cool, but I could feel my excitement betraying me. ‘’Uh, wait, what? Mr Andre’s making chocolate drizzled croissants?’’ I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Nanny Claudette just raised an eyebrow and smirked, ‘’Yeah, but I guess you’re not interested, huh?’’. I couldn’t help it; my face fell, and I let out a little pout. How could she even tease me like that?! I immediately scrambled out of bed and threw off my covers, my sleepy haze instantly replaced with a sugar crazing. I rushed to the kitchen, my stomach growling with anticipation. Mr Andre had already set out a tray of freshly baked croissants, and the chocolatey aroma filled the air. I dug in, savouring the flaky pastry and rich chocolate Bliss! Life’s better with Chocolate! After breakfast, I got to work prepping for the day at my café. I loved owning my own business, I hummed along to the music as I ground the coffee beans and set up the display case. Just as I was about to open the doors, my father appeared in the doorway with a serious look on his face. ‘’Elodie, can we talk?’’ He asked, his tone solemn. My heart sank, I knew this conversation was coming, but I wasn’t ready. ‘’Dad what’s this about?’’ I asked already knowing the answer. ‘’Your mother and I have been discussing your future………and marriage’’, he said with his voice sounding gentle but firm. ‘’We’ve been considering an arrangement with the Dumont family. Their son, Pierre, is a good and well established man and it would be a beneficial union for both families’’ I knew this day was bound to come, I had grown up with father who was a successful businessman, but not exactly passionate about his work. Adrien, my father owned a chain of cafes and bakeries across France, and I had always been fascinated by the art of baking and the business that came with it. So, when I turned 17, my father handed me the keys to one of his smaller cafes, telling me to play ‘Business owner’ for a while. At first, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to run my own shop at 17, even if it was just a small part of my father’s empire. But as time went on, I realized that I was determined to make it a success in my own right, not just because it was my father’s. I poured my heart and soul into the café, experimenting with new recipes, decorating space, and building a loyal customer base. Almost a year into my thriving business, I turned 18 a few months ago. My father is trying to reel me back in with the talk of an arranged marriage and taking over the family business. But I was determined to resist, knowing I had built something with my café, and I want ready to give it up. I wanted to prove to myself, and maybe even my father, that I was capable of achieving my dreams on my own terms. ‘’Dad, I can’t believe you’re seriously considering an arranged marriage for me’’ I said, trying to keep my voice steady. ‘‘You know I’ve always dreamed of attending Sorbonne, studying English lit or culinary arts. You even promised me you’d support my education!’’ My father waved his hand dismissively.’’Elodie that was just a phase. You’re a young woman now, and it’s time to focus on your future. The Dumont family is a good match, Pierre is a wealthy and successful man, he’ll take care of everything for you’’. I felt my anger rising. “Take care of everything? You mean like how he’ll take care of my café, my dreams, and my life? No, Dad, I won’t let you do this to me. I’ve worked damn too hard to let some stupid arranged marriage take everything away from me’’ My father sighed, his expression unyielding “Elodie, you’re being stubborn. This is a good opportunity for our family…..…and you of course, you’ll have a comfortable life, and you have to worry about a thing’’. I shook my head, my heart racing. “Comfortable life? You call that a life? I want to live my own life, make my own choices, and pursue my own dreams. Not be some rich man’s trophy wife!’’ My father’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. ‘’Enough, Elodie!’’ he growled, his voice low and menacing. ‘’You’ll do as I say, and that’s final. You’re part of this family, and you’ll respect our traditions and our name’’ He slammed his fists on the table, making me jump. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he leaned in, his face inches away from mine. ‘’You’re not going to Sorbonne, and you’re not pursuing your little baking dreams. You’re going to marry Pierre and make me proud. Do you understand?’’ I felt a lump in a throat as I nodded, trying to hold back my tears. His words cut so deep, suffocating me from the inside out. But I wasn’t going to let him see me cry, I took a deep breath and turned my back to him. “I need to get back to work’’ my voice barely above a whisper. My father nodded with a diabolical glint in his eyes, ‘’Good. Remember, Elodie, you have a responsibility to this family and our name. Don’t forget it’’ After that he simply walked away leaving me in a whirlwind of thoughts, I wiped down the counter trying to focus on the familiar rhythm of my café’s bustle. The sting of his words and the weight of his expectations, lingered like a shadow. My co-workers sensing my distress tried to cheer me up, with gentle teasing and warm smiles. Just as I was starting to regain my composure, the door swung open and Isabelle, my step-mother, glided in. Her perfectly coiffed hair and designer clothes always made me feel like a messy, unsophisticated child. I hadn’t accepted her as my mother, even after all these years, my father married her after my real mother passed when I was only eight years old. ‘’Elodie, darling’’, she cooed, her voice dripping with insincerity. ‘’I heard about your little tantrum with your father. How quaint’’. My anger flared, but I kept my tone icy. ‘’What do you want, Isabelle? Didn’t father send you to lecture me about my duty to the Delacroix empire?’’ She pouted, her lips pursued in a mocking expression. ‘‘Oh poor Elodie, so rebellious, so stubborn. You’re not thinking about the bigger picture, dear. This marriage will secure your future, our family’s legacy-’’ I cut her off, my voice venomous. ‘‘My future? You mean the future father has dictated for me? You mean the future you’re trying to steal from me? You’re not even my real mother, Isabelle. You’re just a gold-digging, social climbing parasite who married father for his wealth and status’’ The café fell silent, my co-workers and customers staring at the scene unfolding before them. Isabelle’s face turned red, but I didn’t care. ‘’You’ll never be my mother, Isabelle’’, I sneered. ‘’You’ll never have the power to control me, I’ll never let you’’ Isabelle’s eyes narrowed, her voice cold. ‘’You ungrateful child. You’ll do as you’re told, or face the consequences’’. Consequences, The words echoed in my mind like threat. ‘’Consequences?’’ I repeated, my voice dripping with disdain. ‘’You think I’m afraid of your empty threats, Isabelle? You think I’m some naïve little girl who’ll cower at the mention of ‘Consequence’ Please…….’’ Her face turned redder, her eyes flashing with anger. ‘’You’ll regret your defiance, Elodie. Your father will make sure of it’’ I laughed a harsh mocking sound. ‘’Oh I’m shaking in my boots. Father’s going to punish me? Please he’s already tried that. He’s taken away my freedom, my choices, and my life. What else could he possibly do to me?’’ ‘’You’ll find out soon Elodie, and don’t come crying to me’’ she sneered. I scoffed, rolling my eyes. ‘’I wouldn’t dare. You mean absolutely nothing to me Isabelle. You’re just a pale imitation, a weak substitute, I’d rather die than come to you. I’ll never accept you’’ ‘’Elodie-‘’ ‘’Get out now!’’ I roared, Isabelle eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. ‘’You’ll regret this’’ was all she said then she walked out, I started to hyperventilate. That was unlike me, I never just burst out like that. I’m sweet Elodie, not deceitful. To top it all the stares I was getting from my customers were disappointing, after that outburst they would never look at me the same. I’ve messed up! ‘’Hey maybe you should leave, I’ll close up’’ the voice of my co-worker/best friend Daniel brought me back to reality. I simply nodded and headed out, ignoring the stares and whispers. I had only one person in mind, Nanny Claudette. I made my way to her cosy little house on the outskirts of town, I spotted her on the porch reading one of the books we bought together. ‘’Peach?’’ she smiled as she took notice of me, ‘’what are you doing here?’’ ‘’Can we go inside’’ I whispered as my eyes turned glossy, we made our way into her warm, fragrant kitchen. She enveloped me in a gentle hug, ‘’Peach what’s wrong?’’ She’s the one always need, she the only one who’s ever truly understood me. She’s the only one who shared the pain I felt when mother died. I remember the day mother died like I was yesterday. And Nanny Claudette was there to comfort me when my world shattered. She’d been mother’s best friend since childhood, and she became my guardian, my confidante, my everything. She’d been taking care of me ever since, I still call her nanny to this day I burst into tears, finally releasing the emotions I’d been holding inside, ‘’Nanny I feel so lost’’ I whisper, tears streaming down my face. ‘’I hate father and Isabelle for trying to control me. I hate father for replacing mother, I hate them for not understanding me’’. Nanny Claudette strokes my hair, her touch so soothing. ‘’I reckon he’s mentioned the arranged marriage to you, Hey peach, you’re not alone. I’m always here for you, I promised your mother I’d take care of you. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing, I’ll never leave your side’’ I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. ’I know, I just wish…..I wish mother was here, I wish she could see me and tell she’s proud of me and that I can get through this’’ Nanny Claudette’s eyes mist over, and she pulls me closer. ‘’Oh peach, your mother would be so proud of you. You’re strong, and brave and beautiful, you’ve come this far and you would keep going’’ she pats my head lightly. I chuckle, ‘‘Thank you so much, I don’t know what I’ll ever do without you’’ She smiles, her eyes shining with pride. ‘’You’re welcome peach’’