A Friend
ZOE walked towards the counter. “Hi,” she greeted the cashier.
The cashier smiled brightly as if she was already expecting her visit.
“You must be Zoe, right?”
Zoe pressed her lips together and smiled as she nodded.
“I’m Cindy,” the girl said and extended her hand.
Zoe then reached for it and shook her hands. “Aunt Millie told me that I can—”
“Yes, yes. She reminded us. Anyway, it would be best if you met our baker,” she said and gestured
for her to follow.
She then walked around and stepped in front, following the lead of Cindy.
Cindy opened the door, and the aroma boosted soon as they got inside.
“Mr. Reynolds…” Cindy called the baker, who was currently mashing a huge dough on the left side
of the baking room.
“Over here, Cindy,” he said.
Zoe’s forehead knitted when she heard that deep voice.
Cindy turned to her. “Come on. You need to meet that awesome old man,” she said andughed.
“I heard you, Cindy!” It was Mr. Reynolds.
Cindy snickered and covered her mouth.
Zoe couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
‘These people are amazing and funny,’ she thought.
They took a few more steps, and they finally saw the baker.
“Hi, Zoe,” the man said, making Zoe smile.
She didn’t expect Mr. Reynolds is that good-looking.
“Amazed?” Cindy asked as she nudged her arm.
Zoe looked at her and nodded.
“So, you’re….”
“I’m Zoe Levine, Mr. Reynolds,” Zoe said and was hesitant to extend her hand since the man was
busy mashing some dough.
“Feel free to ask anything us and Millie already instructed us.”
Zoe let out a soft chuckle. “Thank you so much. Hmm… perhaps I can start now. May I know when
will the café be closed?”
Cindy pulled her and dragged her out gently. “We’ll get back to youter, Mr. Reynolds,” she said
and waved her hand.
Zoe nced at Mr. Reynolds and saw him smiling.
“So…” Cindy started as they stopped at the counter.
Good thing there aren’t many customers today. Cindy can teach Zoe the basics.
“Actually, we open at four in the morning and close at eight in the evening. But when we got a lot of
customers—especially orders from different people orpanies, we stayed up 24 hours. Since we
only had one baker,” she exined.
Zoe nodded and listened thoroughly to Cindy.
“We have a big client every month.”
“Big client?”
“Yes. However, only Aunt Millie knows his identity.”
“Oh. How did he be a big client?”
Cindy smiled. “He sometimes ordered different bread, cakes, and even coffee. I don’t know what is
his events every month. We won’t open the café in public at those times, and we’ll focus on making
his orders.”
Zoe couldn’t help but get amazed. Guess that man is really awesome rich. And there’s only one
thing that came to her mind why the man droppedrge orders.
“Maybe he donated to an orphanage. You know those kids who are in need, and as for the cakes,
they are for those children who have birthdays in that month,” she said, making Cindy baffled.
She arched her brow and smiled after. “Clever thinking. Maybe.”
“Anyway, how do you manage baking those orders? You only have one baker—”
“Your aunt Millie is good at baking too. She’s even getting better the past few days because of the
help of Mr. Reynolds,” Cindy said.
At that point, Zoe couldn’t help but think that maybe, her aunt Millie would finally find her only one.
Her mother really senses those things.
“How about you? Didn’t you want to learn to bake or at least for putting the icing and such?”
Cindy smiled. “Of course, I know. Mr. Reynolds taught me. I’m good in packing and putting names
and icing but sucks in baking, girl.”
“Still, that’s quite helpful.”
“How about you? Do you know how to bake?”
Zoe smiled. “I baked cookies but for bread…” she shook her head, “—no.”
Cindy snapped her fingers. “Then you can ask Mr. Reynolds to teach you.”
Zoe waved her hand. “I can take orders, but for baking, maybe next time.”
“I understand. Besides, you’re a great help to me. You can stay here at the counter if you want to,
and I will help Mr. Reynolds. Your aunt Millie is working at a fancy restaurant—and you know what?”
Cindy pulled her closer. “I have a hunch that our big client is her boss.”
Zoe frowned. “The owner of
the restaurant?”
Cindy nodded. “Yes, look at the bigger picture. Don’t you think?”
“You have a point, but we can’t just pinpoint who’s who, right?”
“Indeed. But I really got a strong hunch about it.”
Zoe shook her head and smiled. “If you say so.”
Cindy smiled widely. “Anyway,” she moved closer to her, “—do you want extra work?” she asked.
“Hmm? Tell me about it,” she said.
Cindy walked closer to her and whispered in her ear. “Why don’t you apany me and let’s find
out about it,” she suggested, making Zoe arch her brow.
“What?” she mumbled.
“Come on. We can do it after work—”
“You dream of being an agent or a spy?” she asked and chuckled.
Cindy pouted her lips and pinched her in the waist, making Zoe turn to the side and shoot a re.
“Oopsie,” Cindy muttered and raised her hand, “Sorry. So… are you in?”
Zoe couldn’t believe that she got along with Cindy in just a short period. A sweet and full of positive
vibe like Cindy is not hard to be friends with.
She heaved a deep sigh. “How can we follow her?”
Cindy’s eyes widened. “So, you’re in?”
“Shh…” Zoe put her index finger on the middle of her lips. Cindy’s voice is pretty much loud at the
moment. Good thing the music that came from the speaker at the corner tampered it in.
“So…” Cindy whispered.
Zoe sighed, and seeing Cindy with her puppy eyes and pouty lips, she couldn’t resist it. In the end,
she nods her head.
“All right.”This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.