The Collins Curse | ✓

03 | "you think my voice is sexy?"

|| Kenzie || || Mama Dolce || || Papa Leo ||
|| Boy ||

Kenzie walked through the familiar uphill route to her favorite bakery, Dolce Delicacies; embracing the bittersweet mixture of powdered sugar and coffee that mingled with the cool September breeze. She adored the beautiful lake that glistened underneath the sun's rays as the water rippled under the wind's command. Kenzie was captivated by how a gentle push of the wind could free the seeds of the last standing dandelion that swirled around her. Marking the end of summer.

"Get in here before you get sick, mio amore."

Kenzie smiled wholeheartedly still facing the charming lake knowing exactly who it was. She could stand there all day taking in the breathtaking sight if it weren't for the Italian owner, Mama Dolce to drag her inside and feed her every decedent pastry displayed and more.

"What difference will it make when I'm already sick." Kenzie couldn't help but exaggerate a sniffle.

"Oh mio! You are as dramatic as Leo."

"Oh amore! I am not dramatic!" Papa Leo huffed as he put his hands on his hips and popped them out.

Kenzie couldn't help but giggle as she turned around making her way towards the bantering couple, squeezing herself inside not before receiving a sweet kiss on her forehead from the caring pair.

Mama Dolce and her husband Papa Leo had become the grandparents she never had when she accidentally discovered the bakery with Wesley, years ago. Since then, Kenzie has made it an effort to see the duo that had managed to make their way into her heart every Wednesday.

And, just like every Wednesday, she was delighted to indulge in the Tiramisu cake that Papa Leo handed her alongside the cappuccino that filled her heart with goodness. Sitting in her favorite spot, the corner booth with the view of the entire lake.

As Kenzie listened to the playful teasing of the loving couple in front of her, she pushed her half-eaten cake aside, only for silence to hit her ears. Kenzie looked up to see both Mama Dolce and Papa Leo looking at her in disbelief. She stared back in confusion only for her to realize that it was because she had never committed such a sin of leaving a half-eaten cake before, and that of her most favorite.

Kenzie looked backed up with an apologetic smile that didn't meet her eyes, and when Mama Dolce went over to give Kenzie one of her grandmotherly hugs she couldn't hold back the waterworks. Mama Dolce didn't have to ask Kenzie what was wrong. No, the tears that were streaming down her cheeks told the untold reason for her loss of appetite.

Aside from her older siblings, Mama Dolce and Papa Leo were the only ones who knew about the unfortunate curse she withheld.

After a good fifteen minutes of calming her self and another ten minutes of arguing to finish her half-eaten cake. Kenzie left the bakery with her heart almost full. There still seemed to be a hole right in the middle that remained empty. It wasn't until her phone started to ring from a familiar unknown number that her heart was starting to close up the piece. When she answered the phone to hear the voice of the mystery boy on the other end, Kenzie didn't know her heart was whole again.

"You know what I just realized?"

"Hey, how are you?"

"So... you're going to be all formal here and not going to ask me about my realization?"

Kenzie couldn't help but laugh at the mystery boy's sarcasm.

"I'm serious! This realization is a life or death matter!"