Chapter 5: The Deal
1397 Words
Carmella’s POV
“That damn Jayden!” I angrily kneaded the dough as I remembered what happened yesterday. We finally saw each other again, and I even lost money because I didn’t get his 5k. What a waste, right? Meanwhile, Natasha looks like she’s enjoying my suffering. Good for her, she got 2k! While I didn’t get a single cent, even though I was the one inconvenienced yesterday.
“By the way, Carms, what happened yesterday?” Natasha asked with a grin while loading the finished dough into the oven. Good thing she woke up at 3 AM or I would’ve pinched her thigh. Kidding!
“Remember my high school rival I told you about? Guess what? Big daddy— I mean, he’s now the CEO of a huge company! Lucky rich kid!”
“Big daddy? That’s what you call him now?” she teased, so I glared at her.
“If you don’t want a 10% salary deduction, shut up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Because of what happened yesterday, Michael the Animal offered to drive me to my bakery. He was surprised to find out I owned a bakery and even ordered one of my specialties. So even if he’s a pest, at least he’s useful with his bulk orders. He even said he’d pick it up today, but with that wink yesterday, I know he’s up to no good. I’ll let it slide though.
They say the customer is always right. If he shares this with others, my bakery will boom and get swarmed with people. Or, if I get close to him, I could totally make him stand in front all day to attract customers. Natasha would love that.
That woman wasn’t acting normal yesterday while I was talking to that pest Michael. Joke! I’m being too evil, my business might fail.
Kidding aside, I shook off everything that happened yesterday and gave my full attention to the bakery. My pastries might turn ugly if I keep thinking about them. I don’t know if rich people like them even care about provincial-style baked goods. I hope they’re not picky or I’ll slap them all. Joke!
“Carms? Watch the shop, I need to poop.”
“You’re gross. Wash your hands.”
I finished loading the dough into the oven and started mixing fillings for my delicious breads. After that, I checked if we had enough ingredients for tomorrow, then Natasha and I ate breakfast because it was almost sunrise. It’s our habit from the province — eat early, especially since she’s my neighbor and we used to feed the pigs together in the backyard. Besides, we’ve been close since I've moved to Poblacion because she was my drinking buddy whenever guys messed with her in college.
And I believe that if you don’t eat while working, your brain goes blank. That was our head chef’s strict reminder during my OJT. It’s nice to look back on those memories.
“How was that post on Facenotebook? Did it get lots of likes and comments?” I asked Natasha while sipping coffee. She grinned.
“As if. You may have more followers than me, but my caption slaps, so it got tons of likes.” She bragged and showed me the post on our Carmella’s Bakery Shop page. We laughed at it. It was a picture of the newly opened bakery and the first batch we baked yesterday for free taste. Her caption: ‘Come to Carmella’s Bakery Shop. We sell hot bread, but the bakers are hotter!’
We high-fived. We really do share braincells. Hers are just more unhinged than mine.
“Can I be the one to give Sir Michael his order later?” she said, making puppy eyes. I just rolled my eyes and nodded. This woman is such a flirt.
Finally, sunlight hit our glass walls, so we opened the store after displaying the freshly baked bread on the counter. Good thing my bakery setup looks like a restaurant — there are tables and chairs for my beloved dine-in customers. It’s not huge, just enough for a few people who want to kill time.
If someone connects to the wifi while I’m gaming, I’ll block them. Kidding.
Of course, because of my beauty, sales were strong from morning till noon. Using my persuasive skills and charming… charms, I sold like crazy and even gathered gossip from customers. Natasha was in-game too, joking around with me. I’m happy she’s enjoying what she’s doing.
Night came and we sold out, which made me happy. Good thing we sold a lot today. While Natasha was busy with inventory and cash, I volunteered to clean up. Right, Michael hadn’t come to get his order yet, huh? Maybe he’s busy and will come tomorrow.
And I wasn’t expecting our last customer for the day. The moment the sliding door opened, I was hit by his musky perfume that could make anyone fall in love— Joke, it annoyed me. It was none other than the handsome Jayden. He coldly scanned the restaurant until his eyes landed on me. I heard a pen drop, so I’m sure that was Natasha, shocked and drooling again.
Now Jayden was just in casual wear, but I bet that white tee and denim shorts are expensive. He looks fresh without business attire, huh? This jerk is really handsome.
“Sir Jayden! What a pleasure! Welcome to my humble store!” I put on my business smile. Maybe I’ll hit jackpot today.
He glared at me. “One… with that ube fillings and coffee. Hot. Faster."
So rude, this man. I forced a smile and served him. Your day will come!
After preparing everything, I found him sitting comfortably. I approached to set down his order.
“Can we talk?”
I was surprised by his sincere request, so I guess I nodded. I do have a heart, okay! He gestured for me to sit across from him, so I did.
“I know you’ll find my behavior strange, so I’ll explain slowly.” He started explaining. And I was shocked by each word he said.
When he finished, I felt like my head would fly off. “Wait, so you want me to be your pretend girlfriend so your parents would stop setting you up with other women? Because you don’t like them?”
He nodded and sipped his coffee. “If you don’t want to, I understa—”
“But why me?” Why me of all people did he think of for this? There are plenty of others, but he came to me about it.
“Like I said, I don’t want a woman who’s only after my credit card. And I know there’s no other woman who knows me like you do.” He said it softly. “Even if we’re enemies, I can set aside our issues. But if you won’t agree, I understand.”
“Do you understand that if I agree, it puts me in huge danger? From the people around you, your enemies, your family, even the women they set you up with. The moment we become ‘us’, we’ll be the stars of every news, considering how popular you are. And at that moment, my life, the people close to me, and my bakery will be in danger.” I said seriously while watching him. He seemed to think deeper after I voiced my concerns.
I just sighed and looked at him lazily. “Here’s the deal — what are my benefits if I agree to what you want?”
I’m probably his only choice because, no offense, he doesn’t seem friendly except to his four friends.
He looked at me seriously. Then he pulled out a document from an envelope he’d been carrying and handed it to me. I read it. It was so long! But my eyes widened at what I read. 100k per month? Access to all of X Corporation? 5 million when the contract ends?!
“Since you added concerns, I’ll have my General Counsel handle it — your safety, the people close to you, even this bakery—”
I think I’ve heard and read enough. “Deal.”
He blinked, clearly not expecting me to agree. “Huh? Pardon?”
“I don’t repeat myself. Unless you want me to take it back?”
- Writer
