FOR RICHER, FOR POOR

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Singing during the opening gave me such a rush, to my surprise, the crowd seemed to like it. I spent the whole night entertaining the crowd it was fun making me forget that Lorenzo let me down, but at least Gordon showed up. I didn't get to talk to him much but I was glad he showed up as promised, bringing some of his friends with him, army guys, I assumed based on their haircuts. He kept sneaking glances at me, then smiling it was kind of cute. I thought the night was successful, lovely, and fun. Gordon offered to walk me home, we talked and laughed.

"Kathleen, I enjoyed spending time with you. At least the little time you offered me," Gordon said chuckling as we were standing at the door to my apartment building. I giggled, "Well you should be grateful I'm a successful business lady now," I replied playfully pretending to flip my hair, making him smile. "So, I'll see you around?" he asked backing away from me, "Yeah you will," I responded. He blew me a kiss, "Have a good night." He said. "You too," I said smiling. I looked at his retreating figure and then decided to go to the apartment. No one was home Nadia and Olivia together with their friends had gone to "have fun". Didn't know what that meant and I didn't want to know. I was so exhausted from running around like a headless chicken that I wasn't ready for another hectic night. I wanted to take a shower and go straight to bed. I checked my phone, but still no word from Lorenzo. I sighed, switched off the light, and went to bed.

The next morning, I woke up early, Olivia was passed out on her bed. I must have been really tired I don't even recall hearing her coming back. I went to the bathroom and got ready. It was still five in the morning, tried to be quiet. It's a busy city that never sleeps and people do need their morning coffee. I was out of the house within 30 minutes and off to work. I got to baking as I waited for people to arrive. The café was fairly new so I didn't get as much traffic as I expected. But I was grateful for the few that came in. Trisha and Myra, the ladies who work at my café, also seemed to notice how slow it was. I hope things change with time.

"Kathleen, can I say something?" Trisha asked. I nodded in response.

"I think the reason why the café is slow is because we offer basic things that are available in every café and coffee shop around." She said, and Myra nodded in agreement.

"I hear what you're saying Trish but striking a balance between simplicity and variety in a new café can be very difficult. Plus, I was working off a limited capital," I said with a sigh.

"I know but the reason I accepted this job was because you seemed ambitious and I knew you'd get far with that kind of ambition. But all we offer now is expressos, lattes, coffee cakes, and all other basic stuff." Trish said. She moved from the other side of the counter and came to stand next to me, "I have a friend of mine who just finished culinary school. She is very innovative and it would help her to have at least a little bit of work experience." Trish suggested.

"I don't think I will be able to hire another person with how slow the café is," I said defenselessly.

"I'll explain to her that but I don't think she cares much about the money the experience is her main goal." She said trying to convince me.

"I know someone who works at a bakery. I could get some baked goods from him and your friend can prepare a few other things here and there," I said after thinking about it.

"Does that mean you accept my suggestion of letting her work here?" Trish asked expectantly.

"Yes, I am," I said making her squeal startling me and some of the customers.

I held her arms, "I understand you're excited but calm down don't chase the few customers I have." I said.

She covered her mouth and looked around at the eyes that were on her. She apologized and said she was going to give her friend the good news. I hope this idea works, if it doesn't I'll be broke with no job, no money and I don't think Olivia will be able to cover the rent of that shitty apartment all by herself. We need to move into a nicer apartment. I needed to talk to Gordon to see if he'd accept my offer to work together. I got out my phone to call him when my phone rang, it was Lorenzo. I wasn't ready to talk to him just yet, I let it go to voicemail. I called Gordon who was on his way to the café, I decided to talk to him when he got there.

The bell above the door dinged signaling someone just walked in. "Hey Kathleen," Gordon said making me turn my attention towards him.

"Hey Gordon," I responded and walked towards him. "Can I get you something?" I asked once I reached him.

"Two of your cupcakes please successful businesswoman," he teased. I laughed.

"Hey Myra, could you please bring two cupcakes here please," I said.

"Sure thing Kat," Myra said. I thanked her.

"So, what brings you here at this time of day sir?" I joked.

"I was around the neighborhood doing some deliveries and thought to pass by and say hi," he said as Myra brought the cupcakes, "Thank you," he said to Myra.

"That's so nice of you. Thank you," I said flattering my eyelashes, warranting a laugh from him, I continued, "Now that you're here I was wondering if I could interest you in a business proposition?"

"Sure." He said taking a bite of the cupcake. "I was thinking maybe Maar Bakery and Sunnyside Café could form a business bond," I said.

"Mm-hmm. What did you have in mind?" he asked.

"Since I run a café and you a bakery I was thinking if maybe you'd deliver a few of your baked goods to my café. It would help boost my market." I explained.

"Sure, why not? I do some deliveries to some restaurants around. You'll just give me a list of the things you want and when you want them and I'll deliver them." He said casually.

"Wait?" I asked unsure. He just nodded. "That would be great. I'll form a list and I'll text it to you, is that okay with you?" I asked excitedly.

"Yes, that's fine by me. Kathleen these cupcakes are sweet." Gordon said.

"Thank you. It was one of my mother's recipes." I said, "I'd like to stay and chat but I still have a lot of things I need to get done," I said, as if on cue my phone chimed. I looked at it, Lorenzo. My expression changed, "Is everything okay?" Gordon asked. I put my phone away, "Yes everything is fine. I'll send you the list by the end of the day. Talk later?" I said standing up from the table.

"Yeah, later," Gordon said hesitantly and I walked over to the counter.

Trisha talked to her friend, Amanda was her name, and she agreed to start working tomorrow. But she'll drop by later to check the place out. We all came up with a list of the things we'd take from Maar Bakery. Cinnamon rolls, Muffins, Biscotti, Cheesecakes, Sweet rolls, Donuts and Bagels. Other things would be prepared by Amanda and she'll make more things from her little to-do list.

The day trailed along pretty slowly with nothing much happening. Except for a few customers, Amanda who came to see the place, was friendly. She loved the place and said that she would come with some of her equipment tomorrow. Lorenzo kept calling and texting me persistently but I ignored the calls and text. He doesn't just get off with disappointing me on the biggest day ever after promising he'll be there. But I miss seeing his handsome face, but he gets to suffer a few more days. It was closing time, Gordon came a few minutes ago, saying a pretty lady like me shouldn't be walking alone in these streets at night. I closed up, and Gordon walked me home. We were once again standing at the foot of the building.

"Kathleen," he started hesitantly, for a guy in the army seemed to be afraid of me, "I like you and I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a date with me?" he finally asked.

I laughed unintentionally, "That's what's making you seem afraid of me?" I asked.

"No, I'm not afraid of you," he said defensively, "Yeah, you aren't," I said holding back a smile.

"But yes, I'd love to go on a date with you," I said making his face light up.

"Thank you. I'll text you with the details. Goodnight beautiful." He said with a smile and off he went.

I got into the building, and my phone rang, Nadia. It's like this girl can sense when something major has happened in my life. With a shake of my head, I picked up the call.