A Fresh Start

Chapter 4

Even though Amelia went off to sleep late last night after the party, she was wide awake by 6:30 am the next morning. Realising that she won't be able to go back to sleep, she got out of bed. She wore a pair of running shorts, a loose t-shirt and trainers so that she could go out for a run to clear up her mind. She had a lot of things going on in her mind and a lot of information that she got to know yesterday.

She went down to see the ground floor empty and that her parents and her brother were still asleep. She headed to the kitchen to drink some water before she headed out for a run. While she was out for a run in the neighbourhood, she noticed all the changes that happened while she was away all these years. There were a few new houses, a little more traffic and well the view of the sea was as is with people surfing, taking a walk on the sand and doing other activities. Though she hadn't been to this place in all these years, it still felt like home. Why wouldn't it be? She had her family here, her friends and just being in the city was enough.

On her way back home, she turned around a familiar corner to spot her favourite bakery, Sofie's. Ah! How much she had missed the sweets from this place. Amelia wondered if Sofie was still as energetic as she was all those years back. Pushing the door of the shop, she heard the familiar ring of the bell and looked around to see whether any changes had been made. It was the same as she had last seen it. She glanced behind the counter to spot Sofie but got disappointed when she couldn't. Maybe calling out to her might help, she thought, but right at that moment, Sofie came out to see who had come in. Sofie just stood there surprised to see Amelia after 5 years. Both of them ran to each other, giving the tightest hug in the history of hugs! Amelia held Sofie at arm's length and looked at her.

Sofie was a 52-year-old woman who opened this bakery with her husband, Robert when she was around 10 years old. Though Robert passed away when she was 18, the bakery was her child. Amelia even helped around when Sofie needed a break. She was basically like a mother to her, and Robert was a sweetheart. Amelia noticed some new wrinkles on her face, but the smile on Sofie's face was just the same, even brighter than before. Sofie couldn't believe her eyes. Though she and her husband never had kids, Amelia was the closest to a child she had. She was heartbroken when Amelia told her that she would be leaving and probably never coming back.

"Amelia, my child! You are back. How are you? When did you get back? Is everything all right?" Sofie shot her questions at her. Amelia laughed. "Sofie, too many questions! Why don't we sit down with a cup of coffee and I will answer everything?" Sofie nodded her head and moved to the back of the counter to brew two cups of coffee. Once it was ready, they both sat in a booth to catch up. Sofie wanted to know everything, what she had been up to, how her parents were, how her university life was, and whether she had any boyfriends or girlfriends! Everything. Amelia answered all her questions patiently, and even before they realised, almost two hours had passed by. Saying goodbye to Sofie and promising her to come by again, she made her way back to the house.

She was thrilled to be back, but she might leave again. But did Amelia want to leave, again? She didn't know what to say to her parents. They would probably be devastated this time because she'd be moving much farther away from the last one.

Entering her house, she noticed it was still quiet. After grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, she made her way back to her room to get ready for the day. By the time she got dressed and entered the kitchen, Marla was making breakfast for everyone. Marla hugged her and welcomed her back.

"Amelia, I've made all your favourites for breakfast today. This is your first official day back home so, a breakfast celebration should happen."

Marla was a 60-year-old Spanish woman who had been working in the Wiliams' household ever since her father built this house, which was even before Aaron was born. She was an interesting woman. Even Amelia's mother wasn't as strict as her, but she was a darling.

Amelia waited at the kitchen table and within the next 5 minutes, her parents and her brother were seated next to her waiting for Marla to serve breakfast. Thankfully it was Sunday for everyone to relax and get energized after last night's party.

The four of them moved to the den after breakfast, watched a few movies, ate some unhealthy food and reminisced about her and Aaron's childhood. For a Sunday, it was a laid-back one with her family at her home after a long, long time.