Pastry Mystery: Cheesecake Mistake

Chapter Twenty

“I just don’t trust her. I’m sorry, but I just can’t help it,” stated Libby repetitively. She had yet to make a decision whether to let Nadine to work at Pastry Mystery or not. Toby thought it was a good idea after doing a background check on the internet. Nadine Adduci was also a pastry chef back in Naples, Italy and she had quite a name back in her hometown. Since Toby couldn’t do much with his arms and sometimes he still felt a sharp pain in his ribs, Nadine would really be a good help for them. The Italian woman also claimed to have an extensive knowledge of marketing, which Libby and Toby didn’t have.

“She disliked Cake At Break and she also came from Naples. It looks like she’s just part of Russell’s plan to demolish my bakery,” added Libby, though she wasn’t entirely wrong. Apart from the fact about Nadine that they found on the internet, they didn’t know anything else about her. She moved to Amaranth Creek because she knew a friend who lived here—which Libby believed to be Russell. Moreover, instead of renting an apartment, Nadine stayed in a motel just across Cake At Break.

“What if she is the killer?!” assumed Libby.

“Now you’re just being ridiculous. Why would the killer want to work with us?” questioned Toby.

“You know, there’s a saying… keep your friends close but your enemy closer.”

After continuous calamities that she and Toby had been through, she began to lose her confidence to revive her father’s only legacy. Toby had sold all the jewelry that he inherited from his parents and she also had used up all the savings that her father kept for her. If she took this chance for granted again, it would really be a game over for Pastry Mystery. Toby was somehow contented that Libby didn’t just trust people easily now. But he suggested Libby think about it again overnight. They would be just fine if they were careful, he believed.

*

Libby didn’t take her eyes off of Nadine who in front of her in her office. Her guest began to feel uncomfortable to see her prying eyes. Libby had made up her mind but she wanted to observe her new pastry chef candidate.

“Is there something wrong?” asked Nadine breaking the awkward silence that filled the air.

“Did Russell send you here? You can be honest,” grilled Libby. Toby who was in the kitchen couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the silly question. Even if Nadine turned out to be one of Russell’s plan, she wouldn’t just give in easily like that.

“Wha- what? What are you talking about?” asked Nadine confusedly.

“My question was clear and I think you understand that, Nadine,” said Libby firmly, but Nadine appeared not to comprehend her question at all.

“Why would Russell send me here?”

“So, are you saying you really want to work in Pastry Mystery?” confirmed Libby one more time.

“Yeah, I do really want to work in Pastry Mystery.”

“Why? Why don’t you want to work at Cake At Break?”

“Because I think Pastry Mystery is better than Russell’s shop. Look, I’m a professional pastry chef back in Naples and believe me, I’m going to be a great advantage for you if you want to win the competition,” assured Nadine.

“But I don’t have enough money yet to pay your salary,” Libby continued.

“It really doesn’t matter. As long as you can give me a working contract so that I can stay in the States, I really don’t mind. I just- I just want to start over here. I left my old life in Naples because I want to find my true happiness here.”

“Why- why did you leave your old life?” asked Libby carefully. Crap! She isn’t a most wanted criminal in Europe, is she? Nah, I don’t think so. Gosh, I should cut down watching movies too much.

“The love of my life left me. It’s too painful for me to stay there,” replied Nadine. Her answer was completely different from what Libby expected. “I want to move away and begin a new chapter in my life.”

“Okay,” Libby halted to take a deep breath. “Nadine, you can work here starting from tomorrow.”

“Really?” Nadine was happily surprised to hear Libby’s decision. She almost gave up convincing her new boss her true and sincere intention to get Pastry Mystery back in the game. But she didn’t blame Libby as she really was a complete stranger who came from Italy and suddenly moved to a North Californian small town. “Can I start to work today?”

Libby scoffed, “Well, there’s not much you can do today, actually. What do you want to do then?”

“If you give me permission to make an account on Scrapalbum for Pastry Mystery, that would be great!”

“Okay. Permission granted,” allowed Libby. She didn’t see any problem with her new chef proposal at all.

“Thanks, Libby! I promise you won’t regret it,” vowed Nadine confidently. She seemed to be excited to finally have something to do in a place where it was still new for her. She excused herself to take pictures of some Pastry Mystery’s delicacies and get back to her motel afterward. She couldn’t wait to work on her new project with Libby.

“I didn’t make a wrong decision, did I?” asked Libby when Toby came to the office.

He shook his head and smiled, “I don’t think so, but we’ll see. We’re going to be just fine. Don’t worry.”

*

Having Nadine around didn’t seem to be a mistake for at all. On her third working day, she successfully brought a couple of old customers of Pastry Mystery. She did her best to create a website and a Scrapalbum account. She also adjusted some of the menu and offers. At first, Libby strongly opposed her idea because she wouldn’t get any profit at all if she gave off half of the price. Nadine yet ensured her not to worry about her salary since she wouldn’t mind working for free for the first few days. It was also her strategy to gain trust from Libby and Toby.

When Nadine got to her new workplace, Libby and Toby had prepared the pastry dough and all Nadine had to do was to roll and bake them. They still didn’t want to share the secret recipe with their new baker. Nadine’s enthusiasm, however, slightly changed their assumption about her. Libby still yet asked Toby to keep an eye on her while she was away to do the groceries.

“There was another customer when you were away, Libby. She bought five Danish pastries and two cheese croissants,” informed Nadine cheerfully.

“It was Marilyn from the beauty salon,” added Toby.

“Really?” Libby couldn’t believe what she just heard. After a long time, customers started to come to one by one again.

“Yes! Soon there will be a long line in front of Pastry Mystery again,” told Nadine confidently.

“That’s great! But maybe we can make it sooner than we think. I met Stern at the supermarket and he handed me this.” Libby took out a flyer that she obtained from Stern out of the grocery bag.

“This Sunday is the 100-year anniversary of Amaranth Creek and the municipality office organizes a baking competition. Stern is in charge to deal with the registration. The judges will be the people who come to see,” she added.

“And do you want to join this one?” asked Toby. Libby nodded firmly.

“That’s great! I’ll announce our participation on our website and Scrapalbum tonight,” suggested Nadine.

“Well, don’t,” stopped Libby.

“Why not? People would anticipate it more if they know that we’re joining.”

“The last time we joined a culinary market, just a few hours before it started, a burglar broke into our shop and stole many things. Even the big machinery like oven and mixer” told Toby. “We still don’t know who the culprit is but I think it’s better if we keep it down. Who knows someone who doesn’t like us will do the same thing again. If it happens one more time, we have no choice but to shut down Pastry Mystery.”

“Long story short, there’s this killer in Amaranth Creek who had taken four lives in total and we believe he or she has something to do with the theft that happened here. The killer framed me and Toby long ago as well,” said Libby further.

“Killer? Burglar? You’re kidding, aren’t you?” chuckled Nadine nervously. She didn’t expect that such a crime would happen in a small town like Amaranth Creek where almost everybody knew each other. But Libby and Toby put on a serious face as they shook their head harmoniously. “Oh my god, you guys are serious about this story.”

“Don’t worry, Nadine. You’re going to be fine,” assured Libby. “Next time I’ll tell you the whole story. But now, we have to decide what we’re going to make for the competition. Stern is waiting for my call.”

“What about just the Danish pastry? That’s what’s the most popular from our deli, right?” proposed Toby. His idea was a good one, however, each contestant had to make two kinds of dishes.

“It looks like we’re all good in making all kinds of pastry. Shall we go for baklava or éclair? I’m good at making them,” suggested Nadine.

Apparently, however, Libby had decided what to make besides their classic and legendary Danish pastry.

“We’re going to make Japanese cotton cheesecake,” she announced.

“What? Are you serious? But you don’t sell Japanese cotton cheesecake here. Can you even make it? It’s a difficult cake to make,” answered Nadine.

“Yeah. Are you sure about this? Because only two people can be on one team and I can’t help you there,” warned Toby.

“This is the only way to clear my name and also Pastry Mystery. I’ll have to prove them that my cotton cheesecake is edible and safe,” insisted Libby. “Nadine, did you ever make Japanese cotton cheesecake?”

Unfortunately, Nadine shook her head. It was only two days left before the competition and Toby now had to teach them to make a proper cotton cheesecake without him. He wasn’t yet if they would make it but once Libby wanted to do something, nobody could make her change her mind.

*

The locals of Amaranth Creek had gathered in front of the town hall to watch the baking competition to celebrate the town’s 100th anniversary. There were nearly twenty teams in total that participated the culinary contest. Two chefs from Cake At Break were also one of them. Russell somehow stayed there to monitor his bakery shop’s representatives work. He was pretty sure that he would be the winner since neither Libby’s name nor Pastry Mystery wasn’t registered in the competition. Besides, with Toby broke his arms and ribs, he wouldn’t be able to help her at all.

After the incredibly long speech that was delivered by the mayor, the baking battle was officially started. The MC began to introduce each team to the audiences who filled the town hall's front garden.

“You can do it Jay and Lisa!” cheered Russell supporting his chefs. They were one of the few professionals who competed today. Most of the contestants were just the ordinary residents of Amaranth Creek.

“Hey, Russell,” greeted Toby who suddenly stood up next to him.

“Oh. Hi, Toby. What are you doing here?” asked Russell. He didn’t expect to see his nemesis at all.

“Watching the competition and supporting my friends. Just like you.”

“Your friends? Which one? Libby isn’t here.”

“Are you sure about it? Anyway, I’ll see you later,” smirked Toby leaving Russell in confusion.

“And for the last team, we have two beautiful ladies here. Libby Vanderbilt from Pastry Mystery and her new friend Nadine Adduci from team Nadine!” announced the MC.

“No- no way! That’s impossible!” Russell’s face turned pale as soon as he saw Libby’s teammate.