Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
A.N. Thanks to the amazing TrippingOverYou, I couldn't have done it without him! :)
Based on the story Last Bite by Nancy Verde Barr ~ just twilightfied!
Just Bite The Cupcake!
Prologue:
Fish Cupcakes
"Anybody can make you enjoy the first bite of a dish, but only a real chef can make you enjoy the last." - François Minot, editor of Guide Michelin.
Here's my spin-off motto:
"Anybody would lick the icing of a cupcake, but only a real pastry chef can make you finish the crumbs." – Bella Swan, proud owner of Just Bite the Cupcake!
"Miss Swan, thank you for your inspirational quote, I'm sure no one will ever be able to resist just taking one bite of your cupcakes, they'll devour it, including the paper if they can!" my reporter complimented. "So tell me, what led to all this success?" She gestured to my cupcake boutique located on Wall Street as she spoke.
"I would have to thank my mother, Renee, for her eccentric personality, she always wanted to try new novelties and exotic tastes in her cooking" I responded.
"Ah, I see..." my reporter answered "We must all thank Ms. Renee Swan for her colourful influence." She was looking at the glass display cases filled with vibrantly decorated cupcakes.
"Can you explain more about how your bakery operates?" she continued.
"Well, I personally make the baked goods from scratch alongside my hand-picked team that is fully qualified to handle the high demands." I answered.
"Oh, so it isn't just the products in display?" the reporter asked in surprise eyeing the variety of cupcakes already on offer.
"No, we also offer catering for special events such as banquets and weddings, as long as we have an adequate amount of time to prepare." I explained.
"How many flavours are offered?"
"Good question, but it is better if you see for yourself." I brought out the thick catalogue illustrating creations I gathered over these short years.
"We offer a variety of flavours and even specialize to a customer's requirements if they have a particularly taste they would like from us, so the possibilities are infinite." I replied as the reporter flipped through the pages.
Her eyes grew wide at the overwhelming sight of from the Classic Vanilla to the Asian themed Thai Tea to the package deal of a tower filled with 30 cupcakes of your choice.
"Wow..." escaped her mouth before she regained her composure, "Approximately, how many flavours are listed not including a customer's request?"
I take a minute to calculate "My best estimate would be over 100..." I finally answered.
She nods her head slowly and stares at me in disbelief at how casually I answered her question.
"What was the most unique order you've made?"
"Fish cupcakes!" I answer immediately.
"As in an undersea theme?" she asked, clearly confused at such a simple concept.
"No, I mean actual fish from the lake. My father, Charlie, loves fishing during the week-end and my first order was from him after a highly successful trip. We already had fried fish, dried fish, salted fish, baked fish, and barbecued fish, so he proposed a challenge of a cupcake."
"How did that turn out?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
"As well as could be expected..." I sighed "with grinded fish to form a paste that could be easily mixed in with the batter and teriyaki glaze. He and his friends loved it, but let's just it's not my kind of cake. Nor any normal persons…"
We both burst out laughing at the ridiculous concoction of a cupcake.
"Okay..." the reporter trails off fighting her giggles. Once her laughing fit subsided she was firing away with the questions again. "So what made you pursue your own business? From what I heard your skills in the kitchen can easily land you a job as a gourmet chef at Adour owned by the famous Alain Ducasse."
"Did you interview my father and his friends? They are very unreliable critics because they have the strangest appetites!" I joked.
"Don't be so modest, I've done my research. You graduated top of the class from the Culinary Institute of America and worked with some of the most prominent pastry chefs, - including a descendent of Antonin Careme and famous Mr. Chocolate, Jacque Torres – just naming a few.
I blushed at the compliments being listed and tried to redirect the attention answering her original question.
"Okay well, when I first started I wanted something relaxed and at my own pace, but working in such a high class restaurant puts a lot of pressure on the chefs. Also each set dish on the menu has to meet a certain standard but being my own boss means I can make my own standards and let my imagination run loose creating my own menu."
"I see your point, but you could have opened any restaurant, why cupcakes?"
"I just always had an interest in desserts, I have a bad habit of associating cooked meals to dinner - a necessity in life - but baking was more of a hobby. I make cupcakes no matter what mood I'm in; it cheers me up when I'm sad, it releases my frustration when I'm mad, and it's just fun when I'm happy. I enjoy sharing that delight with others, I love the way a child eyes light up when they receive a cupcake and their toothy grin." I explain with passion.
"I think, I understand where you are coming from." the reporter empathized.
"It's not just children; it's the kid in everyone." I explained further and produce a little package containing a vanilla cupcake decorated with a petite edible camera to prove my point.
The reporter's face brightened at the small treat, I could tell from her eyes she appreciated how I personalized the plain cupcake to match her interest in photography.
She swiftly untied the ribbons on the box and broke off a piece to try. Her eyes rolled back in pleasure as she described her experience "Mmmhm... it's so light and smooth, instantly melting on my tongue, this is amazing with a capital A!"
"Thank you," I reply honestly.
Suddenly a bell went off in the background. "Well I guess that's a wrap. Thank you for your time, Miss Swan; it's been a pleasure to work with you." The reporter concluded.
"Same goes for you." I reply shaking her hand.
"Yo, it's time for you to interview the baseball star!" a cocky voice yelled.
We both sigh in annoyance as Mike Newton, includes himself at our table at the small bakery at Forks.
"Hi Mike," I greet politely as he sits down.
"Hey Bella, why did you skip gym today?" he asked.
"Bella did not skip, she had a legit reason; I got her permission from the office for her to aid me in the newspaper article." Angela defended.
"Do you need any more help?" Mike asked "I would gladly offer my assistance." He announced proudly striking a superior pose with his hand across his chest.
"No need, we just finished our last take, right Bella?" Angela asked slightly disturbed by Mike.
"Yea, we just finished the fantasy interview of me being a pastry chef."
"Did Angela ask how you manage to stay so fit without going to gym?" a voice joked, as the person slid in the booth beside Angela.
"Ben! Not everyone is like you always riding their bike to school." Angela said in disapproval playfully elbowing him in the ribs.
"Touché" her boyfriend said.
"Bella's too clumsy with sports; I don't think much exercise will be accomplished by her, but she does give others quite a work out." Mike laughed.
I blush remembering the countless times he had to dodge my volleyball attempts despite being on the same team.
"Girlfriend, do share your secrets, the gym is getting rather boring..." quipped Jessica as she cozied up next to Mike.
"High metabolism?" I answered though it sounded more like a question.
"Baby, I know a more effective exercise." Mike suggested as he eyed Jessica's rack.
With that said Jessica and Mike quickly departed giving quick good-byes as they ran off to do their exercise.
"Pssh... exercise my ass, it's more like sexercise" Tyler scoffed as he replaced the spot the love birds just occupied.
We all broke off laughing.
It seemed like just yesterday, when I was joking with my friends during our senior year at Forks High School and had my pretend interview, but that was five years ago.