Chapter 3 The Second Encounter

"Wakey, wakey, it's bakery time Anastasia!"

Chloe's excited voice rang through Anastasia's small bedroom. Before Anastasia even had the chance to open her eyes her bed dipped, Chloe jumping and bouncing on it like a child.

The sunlight shone through the thin curtains, giving the walls a pleasant glow. The clock showing 7:30am.

Anastasia groaned pulling the blankets over her head. "It's still too early Chloe, and get down from my bed" she mumbled. She wasn't able to get a proper sleep because of last night. The slow and deliberate way that car had passed by her window, as though the person inside was watching her. she had tried convincing herself that it was nothing but the unease was still heavy in her heart

Craig knocked on her door and walked in with a grin. "Come on sis, we've got work to do. Freshen up and let's start our day"

Anastasia sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes "fine, I'm up you guys" she said forcing a little smile, although she still felt tired "let's begin our day"

They dressed quickly. Anastasia tied on her apron which was still wrinkled from yesterday while Craig wore his worn jacket and Chloe pulled her hair into a ponytail.

"Let's race, first to get to the bakery" Chloe shouted, already running towards the door

"Not fair, you tricky little sister of mine!" Craig laughed, chasing after her.

Anastasia smiled following them at a slower pace. The refreshing morning air brushing against her face, the street was still so quiet with only few shopkeepers sweeping their storefronts. She kept her thoughts on the day ahead hoping for only positive things to happen.

Immediately they got to the bakery Craig took out the keys from his pocket, the metal lock clicking loudly in the still air. They stepped inside, the faintest smell of yesterday's bread and pastries still lingered

"Let's start with the dough" Anastasia said, after they finish cleaning the bakery.

"Alright" Chloe said, clapping her hands together. She moved to the counter taking out bags of flour and sugar.

Craig lit the old oven they had been managing, thankfully the repairman was coming back tomorrow. The slow warmth of the oven began to fill the kitchen "Need help with the mixing?" he asked Anastasia

"Yes please, thank you" Anastasia said, handing a bowl to him. Soon the sound of spoons scraping metal and flour puffing into the air filled the kitchen of the bakery

"Be careful Craig" Anastasia shouted when he almost spilled the cookie dough on the floor.

"Oops, sorry" Craig replied with a guilty grin.

Chloe laughed as she rolled the dough. "You two are impossible"

"Let's make more pizza" said Chloe "you know Mr. James always likes your pizza and asks for extra whenever he comes sis"

"Yeah that's true I'll make more"

"Good morning children, are you guys open yet" Mrs. Justine elderly familiar voice called, she lived close to the bakery.

"Morning to you too ma'am, we aren't open yet for customers since we are still baking more pastries and cookies but come in" Anastasia replied unlocking the door.

"Okay that's fine, but I hope croissants are available right?" she asked with her usual kind and motherly smile.

"Yes ma'am it is" Anastasia said while she wrapped and packaged the croissants giving it to the elderly lady.

"Thank you child, by the way it smells so good in here" Mrs. Justine said while paying for the croissants and then leaving the bakery with a wave.

When Chloe went to check the pantry, her cheerful face dropped "Uh... Anastasia we are almost out of baking powder and baking soda"

"What?!" Anastasia frowned, walking over and she saw the nearly empty container and what is left wouldn't even carry them to make even as little as a single cookie. They had just little savings left for their upkeep. She sighed, "Alright let me run to the market and go get it, you two keep going"

"Hurry up" Chloe said, saluting playfully "we've got pizza to make"

Anastasia faintly smiled, grabbing her small bag and stepping into the street. The sun was brighter now and the market buzzing with the chatters of sellers and their customers.

She immediately headed to the store selling baking ingredients.

"Baking soda and baking powder" she murmured to herself finally spotting where the baking soda and baking powder are being kept. The prize made her wince "we will have to make this last" she thought, paying the vendor.

As she turned to leave she collided into someone, her bag slipping from her hand and the baking soda falling to the floor

"Gosh I'm so sorry" she quickly said, crouching down to pick it up.

When she looked up she froze

He was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, if not the most handsome. she couldn't stop herself from checking him out

The man was tall wearing a black coat that fit perfectly over his broad shoulders with his jet black hair and sharp jaws. He had the face that could make heads turn, unfortunately his expression was as unwelcoming and cold as winter. The most beautiful features on his face was his eyes, it was as though he could look into someone's soul with those eyes and the color of his eyes was a beautiful ocean blue. Immediately something made her pause in her observation

'Wait, this eyes look familiar, where have I seen them' she thought while still staring at his face, and that's when it clicked. She widened her eyes when she remembered he was the same guy she bumped into the other day. She couldn't recognize him immediately because it was late in the night that day and she was also nervous, so she didn't get the time to really study his looks that night.

The man frowned at her "Do you always stare at all strangers like that or are you just some kind of pervert" the voice deep and edged with mockery just like that day.

His words stunned her. Anastasia wasn't someone who was quick to anger, she was known and liked for her peaceful nature but today for the first time and for some reason someone was riling her up and it was a stranger.

"Hey!" she said, standing upright while balancing her bag on her shoulder and also holding the packaged baking powder and soda tightly. "I said sorry you don't have to be so rude sir"

He arched one side of his eyebrow "I am rude? you're the one gawking. Maybe try learning how to control yourself" he took a step closer, his gaze unflinching "or at least learn how to walk without bumping into people"

Her cheeks burned in embarrassment "It was an accident okay? so stop acting like such a jerk!" she snapped, and without waiting for a reply she turned sharply and walked away, her steps quick and heavy. The man still stood there staring at the back of Anastasia as she walked away.

By the time Anastasia got back to the bakery she was still fuming, she set the baking powder and soda down harder than necessary.

"Whoa" Chloe jumped back "why the face sis, what happened?"

Craig glanced up from his phone "yeah, you look ready to explode, what's the matter?"

Anastasia took a deep breath "I bumped into that cold and arrogant guy again, the one from the other night, and this time not only was his expression so unwelcoming but he also called me a pervert and that I'm someone who can't control myself just because I stared at him"

Chloe's mouth hung open "No way, that's twice now someone and same person has gotten under your skin in just one week. You rarely get mad at people no matter what they do to you but look at how you're getting mad at a stranger" she laughed, "but why is the guy so rude though?"

Craig smirked "I guess he's got a special talent for getting under her skin"

"Not funny Craig and did you guys even listened to anything I said? I said he call me a pervert" Anastasia said, although the corners of her lips betrayed a small smile. She sighed when they still said nothing but instead were giving a mischievous smile. "Let's just forget that" and immediately she said that, they both laughed.

The tension slowly lifted as they worked and the atmosphere was lively again, filling the bakery with the delicious smell of pizza, croissants and bread.

The bell above the door jingled and Crystal walked in, her bright red pants a lovely contrast to the white tiled walls.

"Good morning everyone" she said giving Anastasia a hug

"Good morning to you too bestie, I'm surprised to see you coming to my bakery so early this morning" Anastasia said with a grin.

"Thought I could help you guys out with some stuffs here at the bakery" Crystal replied "hi there Chloe, hi there Craig" she greeted

"Hello Crystal, good morning" Chloe greeted back, then she pointed to the dough, "here, would you come join and role this with me?"

"Sure" Crystal tied on an apron, chatting easily as she worked.

On the other hand Tom kept sneaking glances at her, though he quickly looks away whenever their eyes meet. Anastasia noticed it but just smiled and didn't see anything.

before long everything was ready.

"They smell amazing" Crystal said excitedly, reaching out for one

"It's still too hot" Anastasia said, laughing at Crystal 's pouts as she pulled the tray away.

By the time the customers arrived, the shelves were full and the bakery was lively with warmth.

Outside the bakery at a secluded area parked far enough not to draw attention was a black car, its windows tinted and its engine silent. From the inside a shadowed figure watched them through the glass. The car was there till night time, and when the bakery finally closed the car rolled away slowly leaving behind an uneasy feeling that it won't be peaceful for long.