Love At Last

Overachiever

Lily

I opened my eyes the next morning, feeling a throbbing pain in my head and my eyeballs felt like they were moving spirally; God, I hate hangovers!

“Hey darling, how are you feeling?” Nana was at the door, she held a brown ceramic cup in her hand and started walking towards me when she realized I was awake

“My head hurts” I took the blanket on the bed which was currently covering my legs to my waist, dragged it up and covered my head

“Come on, take this and drink, you’ll feel better” she sat on the bed and gave me to drink. The cup was hot.

“Thanks, Nana” She watched me drink it but there was a worried look on her face

“What happened last night that made you so drunk, leading Cayden to drop off a barely conscious you?”

“I umm.. we just.. we stepped out for a few drinks and…” I stammered uncontrollably.

“You know what? Save it, I don’t want to hear it. Just know I’m extremely worried about you and I have a right to be your only guardian. Just be careful”

“Yes Nana, I promise” I gave her a hug for the tea and gave her back the cup.

“I need to get ready for work, I’ll see you then”

I quickly got up to have my bath and dressed up. I wasn’t really into the whole dressing-up mood, so I just put on a big polo and shorts on a pretty palm slipper; at least, something looked pretty. I went to Jacek’s room and gave him a forehead kiss, he was still asleep. I quickly went to the baking room and started. Snacks and pastries were already being baked, thanks to my employees. I just supervised. Maybe today will be good after all. Immediately I went into the bakery, people started coming in, in troops. I was so confused, they were more than the rush usually was. I tried to handle everything but it was so hard and I realized I needed serious help. Not just from anyone but from Jarod. I picked up my phone and dialled his number but he didn’t pick up. Why is ignoring now of all times to do so??? I kept on trying his number but no response. I guess his stubbornness is way past my pride. I picked up my bag, left my employees to handle the shop and went over to Jarod’s house, where he won’t be able to ignore me.

“Jarod!!!” I shouted his name so loud, the person at the end of the street could hear me.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Lily, come open the door” He walked up to the door and stare at me

“Yes? How can I help you?”

“Come on Jarod, stop playing games and just open the door ” he looked at me and sighed

“Fine, come in,” he said opening the door and moving backwards.

“Thanks” I move in and find a chair to sit on.

“I’m sorry about the last time we spoke, I was really mad”

“Are you?”

“Of course I am! I shouldn’t have driven you away, that was totally on me”

He was quiet

“Come on Jarod, I need you and can’t run that business without you, I need your help” I puppy-eyed him

“Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee?”

“Alright, fine!”

“Yayyyy!!! Thanks, J, you should get dressed now” he turned to me

“Wait, you meant like today?”

“Of course, there’s a lot of people at the shop that needs attending to right now. So hurry up and let’s start going back. I wonder how they’re faring without any of us at the shop”

“True that!” He said, laughing.

On our way back, we stopped to get some milkshakes and we saw someone familiarCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Jarod, does that face look familiar to you as it does to me?” I asked, slightly pointing in her direction.

“Oh yeah, I remember her”

“Really? Where?”

“She’s the famous Baker who took the title twice in the competition that you newly registered in”

“I knew I recognized the face!” My voice seemed to have come out a little more high-pitched than I expected because she turned back and looked at me. She was very pretty. She was putting on an aqua green sweatshirt and black trousers on a pair of Air Jordan. She started walking towards my direction.

“Do I know you?” She asked on reaching me

“Umm, I don’t know?” I looked from her to Jarod. He was containing his laughter. I did just answer her in a question form

“I think I’ve seen you around, yea. You own that little restaurant down the street. That’s you, yea?” Did she just call my restaurant little? The audacity!

She continued, “and I guess like every other hopeful baker that gets their hopes of winning the competition by me, you’re going for the competition?”

I nodded

“Well, I won’t bet on it if I were you… What am I saying? I can never be you because I’m better and I’ll take the crown again, just so you know..”

“Slow your role there lady. I’ve been standing here watching you talk to my friend but I won’t let you speak to her in that manner! She’s the best around here and deserves a lot of accolades for what she does. She doesn’t need any backlashing from rude and undeserving overachievers like you, so back off!” Jarod’s hands were almost in her eyes. “You can come for the competition and face us as real adults do, not bullying people and bossing them around and lastly, I don’t wish for anyone to be like you!”

She scoffed loudly, obviously ashamed of the defeat.

“Thanks, Jarod”

“You don’t need to thank me, you know I can’t stand by and watch someone talk to you anyhow and not do anything… What are friends for?”

I squeezed his hand in appreciation. I didn’t feel better anyway, I was still in shock from the drama that just went down but had to get it together anyway.