Chapter four: Realization
1175 Words
Sunlight streamed softly through the curtains as Amanda slowly opened her eyes.
Her head rested against the couch arm while the television played the end credits of the movie they had been watching.
For a moment she looked around in confusion.
Then she remembered.
Movie night.
Wine.
Popcorn.
And Kathryn.
Amanda turned her head and saw Kathryn sleeping on the other side of the couch, curled up in a blanket with an empty popcorn bowl balanced on her stomach.
Amanda chuckled softly.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” she murmured.
Kathryn groaned.
“If this is morning, please close the curtains and send it away.”
Amanda stretched and walked to the kitchen.
“You’re the one who insisted we finish the second bottle of wine.”
“That wine attacked me,” Kathryn mumbled.
A few minutes later the smell of fresh coffee filled the apartment.
Kathryn dragged herself into the kitchen.
“You know,” she said while accepting the mug Amanda handed her, “I still can’t believe my boss likes pancakes with strawberry jam.”
Amanda leaned against the counter.
“Well lucky for him, the best bakery in the city is making them.”
Kathryn smiled proudly.
“You’re delivering them on Monday, right?”
“Yes. Your royal boss will get the full treatment,” Amanda joked.
The rest of the weekend passed quietly.
Amanda stopped by the bakery on Saturday afternoon to prepare a few recipes for the coming week while Kathryn stayed home watching movies and complaining about work emails.
On Sunday evening they ordered takeout, talked about random things, and tried to enjoy the peaceful quiet before the busy week ahead.
Amanda felt lighter than she had in days.
For the first time since her fight with Ken, she allowed herself to relax.
But deep down, she had a strange feeling.
As if something unexpected was quietly waiting for her.
And Monday arrived faster than she expected.
⸻
Monday morning, before leaving for work, Kathryn reminded her again.
“Mandy, don’t forget the pancakes for my boss.”
Amanda smiled.
“I won’t.”
When she arrived at the bakery she felt strangely hopeful, like the day would turn out to be a good one.
She tied her apron and began preparing the pancakes.
But this time she added a twist.
Cinnamon-flavored pancakes with strawberry jam.
The smell filled the kitchen.
“Nadia, come taste this,” Amanda called.
Nadia hurried over and took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
“Miss Amanda… this tastes like something made for a baking competition.”
Amanda laughed.
“That good?”
“It’s amazing. Not basic. Not regular.”
Amanda packed the order carefully at exactly 10 a.m.
She even added extra pancakes for Kathryn.
Then she sent the delivery driver to Wellington’s Corp, giving him Kathryn’s number before returning to her work.
She spent the next few hours handling orders and experimenting with new recipes.
Then her phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Ken.
Her heart jumped.
She opened the message.
Amanda, could you deliver some apple pies and warm matcha to my office? You’ve been looking for a way to make it up to me, right? Here’s your chance.
Amanda stared at the message.
Her emotions tangled inside her.
But she pushed the negative thoughts aside.
Maybe this was a chance to fix things.
She prepared the apple pies and warm matcha.
This time she decided to deliver it herself.
Ken worked at his father’s company — Rossi Jewelry Designs, one of the biggest jewelry design companies in the city.
When Amanda arrived she walked straight to the front desk.
“I have a delivery for Ken Rossi,” she said politely.
The receptionist picked up the phone.
“Hello ma’am, there’s a delivery for your fiancé.”
Amanda froze.
Fiancé?
Before she could process it, the elevator doors opened.
Kendra stepped out with two other women.
“Oh I told Ken I missed my favorite apple pie and matcha,” Kendra said happily.
“And he ordered it right away.”
“Aww your fiancé is the sweetest,” one of the women said.
“Well a soon-to-be Mrs. Rossi deserves it all,” the other added.
Amanda felt like the world had stopped.
But she held the package tightly.
“I need to give this directly to Ken Rossi.”
Kendra’s smile disappeared.
“How dare you,” she snapped. “A common delivery girl challenging me?”
The other women stepped forward.
“Who do you think you are? Kendra is the future daughter-in-law of the Rossi family.”
Amanda kept her voice calm.
“Ken asked me to deliver this myself. If he isn’t getting it then I’ll leave.”
She turned to walk away.
“Grab her,” Kendra suddenly shouted.
The two women held Amanda while Kendra snatched the package.
She opened the matcha slowly.
Then poured it all over Amanda.
Laughter filled the lobby.
Amanda stood there humiliated.
Just then the elevator doors opened again.
Ken stepped out.
“What’s going on here?” he shouted.
“Sir,” one of the women said quickly, “the delivery girl was disrespecting Kendra so we taught her a lesson.”
Ken frowned.
“And who gave you permission to bully people in this office? Apologize and leave.”
They muttered apologies and walked away.
Ken turned to Amanda.
But instead of concern, anger filled his face.
“Is this how you plan to make up for your mistakes?” he said harshly.
“By causing a scene at my office? You provoked Kendra out of jealousy.”
The words cut deep.
Amanda slapped him.
The sound echoed loudly.
“Three years together,” she said through tears.
“Three years of loving you while you made me feel like I was never enough.”
Her voice trembled.
“And all this time she was your fiancée.”
She stepped back.
“I was the third wheel.”
Her tears fell harder.
“We’re done Ken. I never want to see you again.”
Amanda stormed out of the building.
By the time she reached her car she was crying uncontrollably.
Later that evening Kathryn returned home to find her friend asleep on the couch beside an empty wine bottle.
“Mandy… what happened to you?”
Amanda slowly told her everything.
Kathryn was furious.
“I swear I’ll smash that guy’s head with a bat!”
Amanda shook her head.
“They’re not worth your energy.”
Kathryn hugged her tightly.
“You deserve better.”
Then she suddenly smiled.
“Oh, and good news. My boss loved your pancakes. He wants them delivered every day.”
Amanda laughed weakly.
“Well… at least I gained a loyal customer.”
They both laughed softly.
But that night, as Amanda lay in bed staring at the ceiling, she realized something important.
Her relationship with Ken was finally over.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
Her life was about to change in ways she never imagined.
- Writer
