Damaged Before Christmas

Chapter Three

I was on my way to Treasured Treats as my father had called me to talk about when I will be taking over the other family business. I knew for the past couple of months my parents have been dropping hints about me taking the reigns but I have been putting them off as I could not see myself go into that particular.

When I walked into my families bakery I saw my mother give a woman the key for the flat that my parents owned above the bakery. I hadn't been able to enter the shop without been spotted by my mum as she always knew when either my sister or I was near. I didn't approach as the woman turned my way and took in my appearance. I couldn't help with watching her as she tried to hide the fact that she was checking me out.

I was still watching the mysterious woman when my mum came over and got me bent so I was her level to wrap her arms around me for a hug. I saw the woman out the corner of my eye begin fidgeting with embarrassment before she excused herself and left the bakery.

"Antonio, you could have said hello to the young lady," my Mum said letting my neck go and nudging me in the arm.

"Are you sure you want her to move into the flat?" I asked worried that my parents were going to be taken advantage of. "I mean you hardly know her."

"Honey, she has fallen on hard times and needed a place and work. She needed help and I provided it," My mother said leading me into the back of the store to where my father's office was. "Plus, you know that people only find this town if they need their spirit lifted with the magic the town has. Don't worry I have a good feeling she will good for our family." My mother smiled at me before opening the office door before pushing me into the office.

I still didn't like the fact that a stranger had come in with some sob story to get my mother's sympathy and not only that but got a flat and a job out of it. I didn't like it one bit and I needed to get this person away from my family before she discovers my families secret. I couldn't help but notice that she was extremely good looking with her shoulder-length light brown hair and hazel eyes. Her skin looked flawless and had curves in the right places that I guessed as her body was hidden by the puffy jacket she was wearing.

I shook my head trying to get her image out of my head as I walked further into my father's office. I looked around and saw all the toys that lined the walls on shelves. The walls were the same as the bakery with the candy cane patterns. the floor had splatters of paint in every colour imaginable. I walked over to the desk that would one day be mine if I took over the family business. I ran my hand over the edge of the desk that my father made himself in the shape of a sleigh with a detachable flat piece of wood that sat over the top. This piece of furniture took up most of the space in the office as it was the size of an actual sleigh. I ran my hand over the toys that were engraved in the sleigh's wood.

I closed my eyes as I pinched the bridge across my nose before sinking into one of the chairs. I must have been deep in thought as I didn't hear my father come into the room.

"You look good sitting in that seat, son," my father said when he saw me sitting at the desk. "How are you, my boy?"

I opened my eyes and realised I was sitting in his seat on the sleigh. "Sorry, I was somewhere else," I muttered as I quickly stood and walked around the desk so my father got his seat. I sat in one of the seats that sat in front of the desk. The chair was comfy but looked like it was made for someone smaller than my 6ft frame.

"I hope you have thought of the idea of taking over from me as you are 30 now and it's time for you to take over the business," my father said as he went and sat down in the sleigh. "I always hoped that you would be happy to take my place."

I moved slightly in the chair more uncomfortable with not just the chair but the conversation as well. "Dad, I know you want me to take over but I want to make my way in life and I have a good thing going with other avenues I'm looking into," I said looking at my father.

I saw something cross my father's eyes that looked like grief before he shook his head and looked at me blankly. "Son, neither of us are getting any younger and because of that I need to know that the business will be in good hands."

I looked at the man looking back at me and saw that he was paler than usual. He was my height and had white hair that was cut short with a long white beard. He wasn't as muscly as me as he had a round belly that wobbled when he laughed. His eyes were blue that glittered when he was happy but recently they have lost some of that sparkle. His once rosy cheeks were less rosy as well.

"It will be in good hands when you decide to retire," I said which made his lips curl into a smile. "Have you spoke to Holly about taking over the family business? Or are you hoping that I have a change of heart?" I asked wondering if my sister would jump at the chance.

My father looked at me over the small spectacles that he wore with a look that I should know better. "You know it is the males in the family that takes over this business. It has always that way since I can remember."

I had to agree but I was dreading the next part of the conversation and shifted in my seat trying to not run. I tried to look anywhere but where my father sat in his sleigh. He cleared his throat before carrying on "Antonio, my boy, when the comes that I need to hand you the reigns for the work to continue then you need to start looking for that special someone that will be your support in transitioning that you will go through."

I groaned and slid halfway off the chair as I knew where he was going with what he said. I suddenly remembered the way my mum was around the strange woman that I now knew lived above our heads in the flat. The words of my mother rang in my head before I groaned again now understanding what she was hinting at.

I pushed myself back into the chair before tilting my head and looking at my father. I cleared my throat before asking my father about what my mother had done in regards to the occupant that now lived upstairs. "Dad, quick question to change the topic quickly as you know my stance on the current topic," I saw my dad tilt his head, making me think that he didn't know. "Well, mum might be planning on matchmaking me with your new lodger that now occupies the flat upstairs and also now works in the bakery."

I saw my father's face get most of the redness back into his cheeks as he tried to process what I had just stated. He suddenly smiled making me squirm in my seat as I knew that he was going to agree with my mother. "Has she now?" I saw the massive smile that my father sported now. I saw the agreement straight away which made me groan yet again. "Why do you look like your mother has given you a sour grape?" my father asked me.

"I don't know except that she doesn't know anything about this woman and she suddenly hands this person a place to live and a job within a couple of hours." I breathed feeling like I had had something stolen from me.

My father looked at me thoughtfully before leaning forward and resting his arms on the desk. "Interesting," he mused looking at me.

"What is interesting?" I asked suddenly wanting to leave the office before I found out something I didn't want to hear.

"I think your mother made a good call," my father replied sitting back. I knew he wasn't going to elaborate on what he found interesting.

I stood from the chair and stretched as my muscles were cramped from sitting in the tiny chair. "Well, I think I should be leaving as I think we have covered everything. I'll be in later on this week to check on you and mum," I said walking over to my dad and kissing the top of his head.

"Definitely, son," my father said still musing over what he had found interesting.

I left him to his thoughts as I walked out of the office and headed back to say goodbye to my mother. I found her serving our regular customers who were practically the whole town. I caught her eye as I walked to the front door of the bakery and waved to her. She smiled that usual smile she always had as she waved back.

I grinned before ducking out of the door but not before I saw my sister taking an order over to one of the tables. I didn't want to deal with the stuff she would start so I ducked out of the door before she saw me.

As I left the bakery I turned to head towards my home when I saw the strange woman that now lived in my parent's flat that I recently moved out of, mind you, walk down the other side of the street looking confused but determined to get to where she was trying to get to. I chuckled to myself as I left her to it as I headed home.