➡➡➡⏺️LOVE AGAIN ⏺️⬅️⬅️⬅️
??????????
*??????EPISODE 02??????*
??????????
From U.S Bah ❤ ✌?
EVAN
“I specifically asked you to prepare the
presentation by 9. Where is it?” I asked the
accounting head of my company, Kevin.
He shifted in his seat uncomfortably and
cleared his throat. “I… I have yet to give some
final touches.” he said, not looking directly into
my eyes because he knew I knew he was
lying. He was nowhere close to finish the
presentation and it was obvious from his face
that was getting more pale with every p@$$ing
second.
“Why didn’t you do it yet? You had the whole
last night to work on it.” I asked him in the
calmest voice possible because apparently,
this generation is too fragile to be shouted at,
for their own incompetence.
“I was busy last night.” he said, correcting his
tie and wiping the sweat off his forehead.
“Busy? What’s more important than work?” I
picked up my mobile as he thought of the
answer and responded to the emails of some
clients.
“My… My wife’s birthday. We went for movies
and…”
“I didn’t go to home the whole night of my
birthday because I was too busy preparing for
a meeting. That is a very shitty excuse, Mr.
Shaw.” I glared and he muttered something
un-der his breath.
“For God’s sake Evan, leave the poor man
alone.” A feminine voice came from the
doorframe. I leaned back in my seat and
watched as my business pa-rtner and friend
Helena Grey entered my office. Her hands were
full with the shopping bags from which
different dresses and shoes were peeking out.
“Its already 9. The whole office is empty by
now.” she said as she plopped herself in the
seat in front of me.
“If I can stay till midnight, then so can my
employees.” I said and opened the file in front
of me.
“Evan, come on now. Drop the work and drive
me back to my house. My car isn’t working.”
she whined and I ru-bbed my temples in
annoyance.
“I’ll call you an Uber.” I said and ordered Kevin
to leave.
Once he left, Helena moved forwards and
snatched the file from my hand. “You look like
you haven’t slept in days. You can finish the
work tomorrow.” she said.
“Helena, give me the file back.” I said, using
my deadliest glare.
“No, not until you promise me that you’ll drive
me to my house.” she challenged back,
sm-irking and I let out an aggravated sigh.
“Fine.” I agreed at last because I knew she
won’t stop until she had her way. “But wait in
the conference room for half an hour. I just
have one more thing to do.” I said in a voice
that left no room for argument. Huffing, she
left my office to go wait in the conference
room.
For someone who ran a multinational
company, Helena was too laid back and
irresponsible, although it still didn’t stop her
from beings my no. 1 competitor. But that was
the difference between us; she was born with
instincts to be a great businessman while I
had to work my @$$ off day and night to take
my company where it was today. If I acted like
her, I am sure my company would still be
suffering with staggering numbers in this
collap-sing economy.
……….
As soon as I entered my house, George took
the files and suitcase off my hands to take to
my room. He told me that my mom was
waiting for me on the dining table so I made
my way towards the dining room first.
“Good evening,” I said, sitting in front of her.
“You didn’t tell me that you’d be visiting
today.”
At this, a frown appeared on her face and I
couldn’t un-derstand why. “Geena called me.
She said Cara was crying last night. The poor
girl was feeling lonely.” she said with a
blaming frown on her face.
“Oh, I will give Geena some money so she can
buy Cara a new doll.” I said and asked Kelly,
our cook to serve dinner.
“She doesn’t nee-d a doll, son. All she nee-ds is
some love from his very busy father. When is
the last time you spent an hour with her?”
Mom snarled at me and I ru-bbed my temples
which were already throbbing ha-rd.
“I don’t have time to pla-y with her and make
her br@ids. That’s why I hired Geena.” I
defended my position. Mom was about to
speak something but stopped when Kelly came
with the food balanced in her two hands.
After she left, Mom started again, “That’s the
problem, you never have time for your family.
For God’s sake Evan, it has been four years
since Eliza died. I thought drowning yourself to
work was just a coping mechanism but you
still haven’t recovered.”
At Eliza’s mention, my mood darkened
immediately and my appetite died. It had
already been four years, a long time since the
love of my life died during childbirth. The day
when one girl came into my life and the other
one left me for good.
“She nee-ds you, Evan.” Mom said and patted
my arm. With clenched teeth, I took a bite of
the grilled chicken placed in my plate. “Both of
you nee-d someone who can take care of you.
A girl of her age nee-ds a mother, even more
than a father.”
This was not the first time my mother had said
these words. But seems like blatantly rejection
her proposal wasn’t stopping her from
suggesting this again and again so I took a
more diplomatic approach this time.
“Mother, if you can find a woman who is
willing to look after my daughter without
expecting a husband’s love in return, go on.
You have my blessings.” I said sarcastically
and continued eating the dinner.
“I am talking about a wife, not a babysitter. No
girl would want to marry a guy who wants her
just as a mother to his daughter and not as a
wife.” she retorted, looking slightly angry.
“Exactly, that’s my point.” I shrugged.
“Evan—”
“Mom, please. Let me eat in peace. Its my
first proper meal of the day.” I requested and
her nose scrunched at this.
“Fine, whatever. Don’t eat or sleep and turn into
a zombie.” she grumbled un-der her breath.
After finishing my plate in full silence, I was
about to leave the table when my eyes fell on
some leftover pie.
It looked delicious so on instinct, I cut a small
slice and put it in my plate. Digging my fork in
it, I took a bite and when it reached my
tastebuds, the unfamiliar yet heavenly taste
exploded in my mouth.
“Who… Who made this?” I asked Kelly
because she never made anything sweet for
me before. I didn’t pa-rticularly had a sweet
tooth and neither did I like eating such
unhealthy food.
“Cara bought this from a bakery.” Mom replied
instead of her.
“Oh,” I said and after finishing the slice, cut
another small piece of it. “It’s good.”
“Did you actually praised someone’s work?”
Mom asked and behind us, Kelly chuckled. But
her giggling stopped the minute I turned my
face towards her.
“I always appreciate someone if their creation
is good. Too bad, people mostly just
disappoint these days.” I commented dryly and
then excused myself so that I could take a
quick bath and do the rest of my work.
_______________________
➡➡➡⏺️LOVE AGAIN ⏺️⬅️⬅️⬅️
??????????
*??????EPISODE 03??????*
??????????
From U.S Bah ❤ ✌?
SCARLET
It was Saturday today, a whole week had
p@$$ed and I couldn’t arrange the money. Tank
would be here anytime and knowing him, he
won’t hesitate before throwing me out of this
place that owned my heart and soul.
“Please don’t cry, Scarlet. You know I can’t see
you crying.” Liam said beside me but I couldn’t
help it. I have never felt this weak and helpless
before.
“I lost it. What will I tell my mama? I opened
this bakery for her but I lost it.” I mumbled in
between my hiccu-ps.
“I know you are hurt but the customers were
asking for you, their ball of sunshine. You can’t
just hide in there.” he said and a feeble smile
appeared on my li-ps on hearing about my loyal
customers.
But then the smile changed into a frown.
“What’s the point? The bakery is closing
anyway.” I said.
“Oh Scar,” he said and pulled me into a hu-g. I
rested my face on his shoulder and let the
tears fall from my eyes.
We were sitting there when we heard a
pa-rticular voice that belonged to Cara. I didn’t
want her to get disappointed so I stood up
and ru-bbed my cheeks to wipe my tears off. I
knew my cheeks would be looking puffy and
my nose would be red by now.
Hoping that she won’t notice it, I made my way
out of the kitchen with her banana bread
packed neatly. There she was, grinning wide,
her long blonde hair tied into pigtails.
“Good afternoon, Scarlet.” she said once she
noticed me.
“Good afternoon, Cara.” I lowered myself to her
level and said. Then I shifted my gaze to her
grandmother who was @$$essing me with
calculative eyes. “Good afternoon, Catheryn.”
“Did you make banana bread for me?” Cara
asked, her eyes fixated on the box.
“Yes, I did. But first tell me, did you eat any
chewy candy today?” I asked.
“No, I promise.” she said, raising her pinky
finger.
“Good girl.” I pinched her cheeks gently and
gave the box to her.
“What will you make for me tomorrow?” she
asked and my whole mood soured. How will I
tell this little girl that I won’t be here
tomorrow?
My eyes switched to Liam and he had the
same expressions as me. “I… Um… Actually, I
am closing the bakery for few days.” I changed
the truth a little because I hoped she would
forget about me in few days.
“But why?” The corners of her li-ps turned
downwards and she pouted.
“Sweetheart, actually…” My eyes moved to her
grandmother for any help because I didn’t
know how to tell her.
un-derstanding my hesitation, she spoke, “Cara,
baby. Wait in the car. I’ll pay for it.” Cara
immediately nodded and then waving her hand
at me, made her way to the car standing just
outside my bakery.
“Is everything alright?” Catheryn asked and I
shifted in my position uncomfortably.
“Actually, I am closing this bakery.” I told her.
Her perfectly trimmed eyebrows dipped on
hearing this. “Any pa-rticular reason?” she
asked, curiosity dripping from her eyes
“Well, I had some financial issues so I couldn’t
pay the rent.” I told her. “But don’t worry, I’ll
tell you the names of some other bakers that I
hope Cara will love.”
“Do you think she comes here for the
desserts? Scarlet, my granddaughter loves
you.” she said and I felt heat crawling up my
ne-ck at her words. I was never good with
accepting any compliments or things like that
so I just stood there silently, with a stupid
smile on my face. “How much money do you
nee-d?”
“What?” I asked in confusion.
“I asked how much money do you nee-d?” she
repeated and I stared at her as if I had grown
two heads.
“I… Um… Well… Five thousand dollars.” I
stuttered, not knowing whether to tell her or
not. “But it doesn’t matter now. This bakery
would never work in the presence of this new
fancy cafe with their new fancy menu.”
At this, she smiled and I felt slightly afraid of
looking into her big, blue eyes. “I have a
proposition for you.”
“What kind of proposition?” I asked and even
Liam looked really interested in whatever she
has to say.
“You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?” she
interrogated. Gulping, I shook my head in no.
“Good. I’ll give you as much money as you
nee-d to buy this place from the owner and
completely refurnish it so you can compete
with the bigger names out there.” she said and
my eyes wide-ned like a saucers at her offer.
“But in return, I want you to be Cara’s mother.”
“What?” I choked on the air on hearing this.
……….
I was pacing front to back in the bakery,
pla-ying with the hem of my shirt nervously.
The sign on the door of the bakery had been
changed from ‘Open’ to ‘Close’ because I was
not in my best state to deal with any customer
today, after a bomb that had been dropped on
my head.
Liam had been sitting on the empty counter,
watching me pace anxiously with a frown on
his face. “What does that woman think of
herself? Did she really think she would offer
you a marriage and you’ll agree? Bullshit.” he
said in an irritated voice.
“But would it be that bad?” I asked and his
frown dee-pened. It was 6 in the evening and
Tank would be here soon to throw us out. After
Catheryn told me how Cara nee-ds a mother
and how this marriage can help me save my
bakery, I couldn’t help but consider the pros
and cons of her offer.
“Are you seriously saying this?” Liam stood up
and walked towards me, stopping me in my
tracks.
“I mean, she can help me save this bakery.
And in return, she just wants me to take care
of that girl as her mother.” I said and my
stomach churned in anxiety at the thought of
actually marring someone without love.
“Scarlet, she wants you to marry a man and
take care of his daughter, without expecting
any love in return. It is that bad.” he said and
ran his fingers throu-ghhis hair in frustration.
“You always wanted a love marriage. Didn’t
you?”
“But I’m 25 and never been in love.” I said and
sat down on a chair, resting my face in my
palms. My mind was a mess right now and I
had no idea what to do. “I can’t lose my
bakery on mere hope that I’d find love
someday.”
Liam kneeled in front of me and cu-pp-ed my
chin. “Scarlet, you can’t do this. You said world
nee-ds optimist like you just a week ago. You
can’t talk like that.”
“I am being an optimist, Liam. By agreeing to
her proposal, I can save my bakery that was
my mother’s dream and take care of a little
girl who doesn’t know the meaning of motherly
love. Isn’t that being positive?” I said, despite
the thumping of my heart.
Liam looked like he wanted to sma-ck some
sense into my head but he chose not to. He
knew this place was very important for me and
losing it would take a toll on me. He also
knew that if I wanted to, I can be very stubborn
and persuading.
“But what if Cara’s father is an ugly, bald man
or worse, a manwho-re?” he asked, looking
slightly horrified.
“Liam, didn’t I tell you there is no such thing
as ugly? And for your latter worry, God I hope
not.” I said, ignoring the weird feeling in my
stomach. I knew I was being irrational but I
didn’t have time. Tank would be here any
minute now and I nee-ded to find a solution of
this problem.
“Scar, I seriously think you should refuse. I
don’t feel good about sacrificing yourself to
save a bakery.” he said, looking actually
worried. This was the side of Liam I didn’t
saw often. He was most of the times cheerful
and carefree.
“It’s not just a bakery Liam, and you know it.” I
said and pity swirled inside his brown eyes.
Liam and I had the same hair color and eye
color which often made people believe that we
were somehow related.
P@$$ing him a brief smile, I picked up my
phone to call Catheryn and tell her that I was
willing to meet her son.
__________________________
*TO BE CONTINUED