Frost in December - My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 14: Texting

Vivian

As the day drew to a close, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of emotions. The bustling bakery had finally quieted down, its walls now echoing with the soft hum of the cooling ovens and the gentle rustle of closing shutters. The official hotel services were also preparing to close and the receptionist had switched shifts only half an hour ago.

With a sense of accomplishment, I began the familiar routine of tidying up, my mind still buzzing with the unexpected revelations that had come to light earlier in the day.

As I wiped down the countertops and stacked the freshly baked goods for tomorrow's customers, my thoughts kept drifting back to the conversation I had with Avery and Felix. The revelation that the bakery had originally been intended as a jewelry store had caught me completely off guard, sending ripples of surprise crashing through my reality.

I couldn't help but wonder about the chain of events that had led to such a drastic change in plans. What had prompted Kaden, with his seemingly impenetrable emotional barriers, to shift gears and pursue a completely different venture? One so unclassy for a five star hotel like his? And more importantly, did I play any role in that decision?

With a furrowed brow, I mulled over the possibilities, each scenario fueling my romantic feelings about him more than the last. Had Kaden been drawn to the idea of a bakery because of its association with warmth and comfort, two qualities that seemed to be in short supply in his world?

Or was there something more personal at play?

Lost in my thoughts, I almost didn't notice the soft chime of my phone, signaling an incoming message. With a start, I glanced down at the screen, my heart skipping a beat at the sight of familiar names.

"Hey girls! You won't believe what I found out today. Turns out, this bakery was originally supposed to be a jewelry store! Can you believe it?"

As I hit send, a rush of nervous energy surged through me, mingling with the excitement of anticipation. I could already picture the reactions of my friends, each one unique and brimming with personality.

Madelin, with her refined calmness and elegance, would likely respond with a mixture of delight and romanticism, envisioning the story as a modern-day fairytale.

Alessia, ever the quiet observer, would offer her steady support in her own gentle, understated way, her words a soothing balm to my restless mind but her positive mindset would never reside.

And then there was Amber, bold and unabashed in her enthusiasm, her message sure to be filled with excitement and encouragement, her infectious energy lifting my spirits even from afar.

According to my predictions, a flood of messages caused my phone to ring repeatedly. Most of them were from Amber and her stickers. "WHAT?" she yelled in all capital letters.

Alessia only replied with three surprised emojis, but knowing her, this meant a ton. Alessia was practically screaming inside.

"That's very surprising. Have you confronted Kaden about this yet?" Madelin responded.

"No. He came over randomly and was all flirty with me," I typed back and put my phone aside to dinish the dough for tomorrow. While I waited for the ingredients to finish mixing, I wiped the tables with a cloth.

As I continued with my tasks, my phone buzzed with incoming messages, each one a testament to the enduring strength of our friendship. With a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, I took a moment to savor the warmth of their words, grateful for their unwavering support in a world filled with uncertainty.

"And, did you know, he told every employee to stay away from me," I typed and couldn't hold back a huge grin.

Amber spammed the group chat with the perverted smirk emoji, followed by a lot of surprised yelling and a 2 minute voice message.

Alessia had left for a shower while I was cleaning up and Madelin replied surprised, although she was able to contain her emotions much better than Amber.

With the bakery finally closed for the night, I made my way home, the cool evening air stirring the leaves in the trees overhead. As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that lingered within me.

And as I drifted off to sleep that night, surrounded by the gentle embrace of hope and the comforting presence of my friends' supportive words, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected twists and turns that life had thrown my way. For in those moments of uncertainty, I could find strength in my friends.