CHAPTER 1
1003 Words
Adeline's POV
I stood there, staring at Theodore as he smirked, infuriatingly, The
noise of my bakery was drowned out by the pounding in my head
and heart, I can't believe I allowed him to stick around for so long,
but today I would end it I don't care how good he was in bed.
"I can't believe you're serious, Adeline" he started in his suddenly
annoying voice "This confrontation because of some stupid
invoices?"
"Stupid invoices?" I snapped taking a step closer to him "You
deliberately falsified them, Theo! You were trying to take money
from my business that I built from scratch!"
He didn't deny it at all he just leaned against the counter and
crossed his arms as though we were having a casual conversation
"Well, you can afford it, can't you? Business is booming, this place is
crawling with millionaires, billionaires everyone wants a taste of whatever little touch you add to your cakes, what's a little money
between lovers?"
"I was never your lover and you know that! We were friends with
benefit only and now I'm starting to see that as the biggest mistake
of my life!!" I hissed
Theodore merely shrugged "A mistake, huh? Really? Well at least
I'm not the one obsessed with finding a man who doesn't even know
she exists!"
That, hit a nerve, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment, He
knew all about my search for my father, about the diary and the
locket my mother left behind after she died, and how I had to
survive on my own. Theodore had never understood that part of my
life, never supported it to him it was a foolish, childish attempt, and
I didn't care what he thought but to me, it was everything
"I don't need your approval for anything Theo, and most
importantly I don't need you" I said steadily "Get out of the bakery"
He looked at me and then snapped "You know what your problem
is? You are a self-centered narcissistic, selfish person! Maybe if you
stopped being so obsessed with yourself and let people in, you wouldn't
be so damn lovely"
"Get out" I repeated, pointing to the back door of the bakery.
"You're making a mistake, Adeline, you are nothing without me
you'll instantly come crawling back" He said and I scoffed in
disbelief
Naria, the head of my kitchen and my closest friend had appeared in
the doorway "Maybe you should leave, Theo" she said visibly
annoyed
Theodore looked at her, then back at me "So you're letting Naria do
your work for you, she's the one you should be worried about not
me!"
I ignored him and shoved his shoulder pushing him toward the back
door "Out.Now."
"Fine, I can only ever be with a deranged person like you for so
long"
I ignored him again and reached for the door handle yanked it open,
and stepped aside for him to go. Theodore looked at me expecting
me to say something but when I didn't he walked out into the alley
then I slammed the door shut and turned the lock.
I stood there for a moment, trying to catch my breath. My bakery
The Silver Olive Cafe was my pride and joy. The place I had
poured my heart into ever since I got out of the foster system. No
one was going to threaten it
Naria came up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder "You okay?"
I nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine, I just..." I shook my head "I just need a
minute"
She gave me a small smile "Take all the time you need" I smiled a
little
"He's wrong you know" she says and I knot my brows in confusion
"What he said about your father, is not stupid, it gives you purpose
in my life and that's a good thing because many people like
Theodore just exist without a purpose in life"
Now I have her a full smile "Thanks" I said and squeezed her
shoulder
"I'll be in my office I just need a minute," I say already heading to
my office
The moment I was alone, I sank into my chair and buried my face in
my hands Theodore's words replaying in my head.
I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out the small leather-
bound diary that had belonged to my mother. It was worn, but I had
read it so many times that I could recite certain passages by heart.
My mother had written about the man she loved, the man I
suspected to be my father, but she had never mentioned his name,
only inexplicit details and clues that had led me nowhere
Alongside the diary was an old locket with a crest engraved at the
back and a faded photograph inside. My mother had always worn it,
but she had never told me who the man in the photograph was. I
had assumed it was my father, but the image was so blotchy and
faded it was impossible to make out specific features
Theodore's words replayed in my head again, and I returned the
diary and locket to the drawer in frustration.
What if he was right? What if my father didn't even know I existed?
What if I was chasing something that wasn't there?
I stood up and stopped in front of the window, I took a deep breath
and let it out slowly. I couldn't let Theodore's words get to me.
I had come too far to let someone like him tear me down. I wasn't
that scared, vulnerable girl anymore. I was Adeline Troy, the owner
of one of the most successful bakeries in the city. I had built this life
from nothing, and I wasn't about to let anyone take it away from
me.
Not even stupid Theodore, so I went back to my chair and sat in it
then turned on my laptop and started answering some work emails
and sorting out some orders
- Writer
