I was in the kitchen making a batch of cookies. Charlotte had almost immediately responded to my text when I told her I was available to take her orders.
She ordered a bunch of stuff. From cookies to cupcakes and an apple pie. I almost asked if she was having a party but then I assumed it was because she had missed my pastries. She was a loyal customer after all.
I had a little bit of help from the staff in the kitchen. Scratch that, they wanted to help me do everything. I had to insist on doing most of the stuff because I was used to handling everything myself back in my little bakery.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my palm. I was quite tired because it had been a long time since I did any of this. Thankfully this was the last batch of cookies I had to pack for the day. But I was so overjoyed over the fact that I was doing what I loved again.
I put the cookies down waiting for them to cool. While I mixed the frosting for the cupcakes.
I was busy piping up the icing on a cupcake when one of the helps came to me.
"Ma'am, Don is asking for you." She said.
I paused and checked the time on the digital clock hung high up on the kitchen wall. It was a few hours past noon. What was he doing back so early?
I dropped the piping bag, washed my hands and was about to leave the kitchen when he walked in.
He was wearing gray slacks that matched the color of his eyes paired with a white shirt that was folded at the sleeves. My eyes met his.
Oh my goodness he caught me checking him out. I blushed and looked away.
"Hi." I squeaked. "You're back early."
His eyes roamed the kitchen with a bored expression.
"What are you doing here?"
"I uh-"
I swallowed. How was I supposed to tell him I was taking baking orders?
Knowing someone would tell him sooner or later what I was doing especially if I started getting frequent orders, I decided to come clean.
"I'm making a client's order." I answered.
"You're taking baking orders?" He asked with an arched brow.
I exhaled. "Yes I am. I can't just sit indoors all day and not do anything."
"Hmm." he nodded. "How do you plan on making deliveries?"
"I was hoping one of your drivers would drop me off?"
"Finish up. We need to talk."
I watched him walk away and as soon as he left, I sighed in relief.
When I was done packaging everything. I rushed upstairs to take shower and dress up to go deliver Charlotte's order.
"You're not going anywhere."
I paused.
"Jace please. I need to go deliver this."
I didn't mind going on my knees at this point.
"Hand the delivery details to one of the staff and let them handle it." He stated without batting a lid.
"I'm not running away. You can have as many guards as you want following me. I just need to deliver this in person." I pleaded.
"My answer is no."
"But you said I have to be more active on social media. This great content and it'll be good for my brand." I tried that route, hoping it would get him to agree.
He hummed and I thought he was pondering on it.
"Great point. But no means no." He finally said.
"Why are you so evil? What do you gain from snatching my happiness?!" I found myself screaming, unable to hold back anymore.
"I'm simply trying to protect you." He answered so calmly, it grated on my nerves.
He had the freedom to go wherever he liked while I was stuck here being moved around like a piece of cargo. I was absolutely sick of it.
"No you're not! You're controlling my life and I hate you for it." I cried out.
My phone rang just then and it was Charlotte. I wiped my eyes and tried to fix my shaky voice as I picked up.
"Hi Charlotte. Your package would soon be on its way to you." I said calmly even though my insides were screaming.
"You're not delivering it yourself?" She asked sounding surprised.
"No I'm not."
"Oh. I was really hoping we could catch up."
I glared at Jace. This was all his fault!
"I was hoping so too. But something came up so maybe some other time." I said, trying to stop my voice from breaking.
The call ended shortly after that.
"That wasn't so hard was it?" He spoke up as I put my phone back in my purse.
"Don't speak to me." I warned him with a wag of my index finger as I walked away.
I went downstairs and found someone to help me deliver the boxes of pastries. I had to remind the driver to not overspeed no matter what while I handed him a smaller pack of leftover cookies as an incentive so he would handle them with care.
He nodded and I stood an watched him drive off, feeling my heart break at the realization that my road to a bit of freedom had been blocked by none other than that evil husband of mine.
I almost kicked the curb on the driveway out of annoyance but I would only hurt myself in the process.
I stormed back inside. I did not want to see his face so I decided against going back in.
I went to the backyard and sat by the pool. Taking off my shoes, I dipped my legs in the water and just sat there staring into space.
Jace's call came in. Maybe he assumed that I had stubbornly gone out against his will. I wish I did that. I wanted to rile him up as much as he did to me but I was too scared.
I didn't know how long I sat there for. But my phone rang a couple of times and I did not pick it up.
Soon, I heard footsteps.
"These taste nice." I heard him hum behind me.
I shut my eyes, feeling my frustration build up. Why couldn't he just let me be?
"Mira."
"Hmm?" I hummed a response after a long moment of silence from me.
"I'm only looking out for you."
"You're not my dad."
"But you call me daddy."
I gasped, feeling my cheeks burn in embarrassment. He had men around the pool. I was sure they heard that.
I heard him chuckle in amusement for the first time and it made me feel some type of way.
"You're a good baker, you know?" He said after a while.
I fought back a smile as I said, "Thanks."
He pulled me up and put a chocolate chip cookie in my mouth.
I chewed on it, covering my mouth as the cookie filled it while I chewed. He pressed a kiss to my forehead.
I felt so much warmth envelope me as I went into his arms for a hug.
Okay this actually felt nice.
We went back inside and even though there were no words said, I didn't feel mad anymore.