the art of falling for you (bxb)

eighteen - emery

the art of emery (we don't like him)

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"I need this cake to be baked on the morning of my Wedding. Not the day before, not the week before; on the day. It needs to be fresh. I'm not paying you for stale crust."

"I can assure you," I started off, taking a calm breath in through my nose. My customer-regulated smile didn't falter, despite my sudden urge to throw my pen at her. "I cook all of my products on the day of sale. Your cake will be baked on the day you give me for your wedding, and be available to pick up at your requested time.'' Gripping my pen, I pulled my notebook closer to me on the table and gestured towards the half-eaten cake samples. "Have you decided which type of cake you'd prefer for each layer?"

As usual, for any Wedding briefing, I'd prepared around ten different samples with the information that had been given to me regarding dietary requirements and preference. I'd also constructed a variety of frostings, the colorful smears stark against the scattered cake crumbs on the white plate.

"I think we'll go with the salted caramel for later one, chocolate and raspberry for layer two, and then red velvet for my top."

I nodded, ticking off the relevant boxes on my page. "That's completely fine. Do you have a frosting preference and are there any other dietary or allergy requirements that I need to be aware of?"

"My fiancé's diet is strictly halal, so we won't be able to have any gelatin based products in our purchases. My sister also has celiac disease so everything needs to be gluten free."

"Gluten free isn't an issue." I said, swallowing. I was more than happy to accommodate any dietary requirements but her condescending tone was stressful. "In terms of gelatin, I don't tend to use any gelatin based products. In the case that I may need too, however, will vegan gelatin be sufficient? I am aware that it is halal."

"Vegan?" She spat out the word as if it physically harmed her. "We are not vegans."

Deep breathes. My smile twitched to remain on my face. "The gelatin is made from vegetable produce, rather than pork or meat based ingredients. If you'd prefer, I could use gelatin that is produced from either cattle or fish."

"Cattle then," Her chest huffed up and down, "And cream cheese frosting seems to be the only suitable option."

Thank God Hendrix isn't here.

I bit down a comment about how the bride had chosen three very different options for her cake, which all had different complementary frostings.

"No problem. Is there anything else?" I smiled and replied calmly. "One of my employees will help you out front with the deposit and I will be in contact within the next two weeks with sketches for you to choose from."

"Dusty pink roses on the top layer, followed by cake toppers that I've already given you. I assume these will be present in the sketches?"

"Of course," Please leave. "I'll have them for you as soon as possible."

Guiding them out from the back conference room, I brought them over to the counter where the silent groom-to-be spoke to Bodhi about the payment.

"Why on God's earth do you have green walls?" A laugh of disbelief puffed out of the bride's lips as she stared at the pastel incredulously. Just as she started rambling about recommending an interior decorator, I watched Hendrix emerge from the kitchen.

She didn't even hesitate before storming over, "I'll have you kno-"

The woman blanched when she saw Hendrix's very purple hair, and instantly shut her mouth.