CHAPTER TEN:
"Anastasia... Anastasia." I heard my name being called. The voice was a familiar one. I placed my feet down on the cold floor and gazed around. It was her... it could only be her. She was the only one to call me Anastasia.
I rushed behind the voice, but the closer I got to it, the weaker it got. My heart was beating fast. Then I saw her. She was wearing a long white silky nightgown. The one she loved so much.
"Mother?" I said hoping she would stop moving and let me near her, but she didn't.
"Ana," I jumped awake at the simple touch of my aunts hand. She looked confused and I tried to ground myself. "Why are you not at the cafe?."
I checked the clock on the table beside me and saw that it was just after six a.m. "Oh no, the alarm didn't go off." I rushed off the bed knowing I would be short in time to bake this morning. "I'll be down in five minutes." I told her and headed to the bathroom. I put on the first thing I found and pulled my hair back into a ponytail.
I ran down the stairs and out the door within five minutes. My anxiety was starting to peek as I felt overwhelmed. I needed to get everything ready for opening and now I'd be running around like a chicken without its head. Of course I'll have to do it all on my own as my aunt never set a foot in the kitchen. I rolled my eyes hoping she hadn't just seen me do it.
My aunt was already behind the wheel and honking at me. I opened the door to her black honda civic and sat down. "Thanks for waiting for me."
"I really didn't have much choice did I?" she sneer. "I can't come wake you every time you sleep in. I was already at the cafe and was confused as to why you weren't there."
"I'm sorry my alarm didn't go off." I told her once more, but I knew she wouldn't accept my apology this easy.
"You have to be more responsible Ana," she took a deep breath, "If you want to take over the business I need to be able to trust that you won't run it to the ground."
I hated that she had little to no faith in me. This had been the first time I'd ever been late. "I'll try harder." I told her what she wanted to hear.
She smiled happy at my response, "I know you will." she touched my shoulder and then turn up the radio. We drove in silence the rest of the way and I was thankful for it.
~•~•~
"Morning sleepy head." Ethan teased, he was sweeping as I enter the restaurant. I gave him a frown as I walked by him and into the kitchen.
I grabbed my recipe book and pulled my Friday menu plan. I was thankful for it this morning as knowing exactly what I needed to make made everything easier.
I read over it quickly. Red velvet cookies, strawberry cheesecake and croissants were on the menu. I had exactly two hours until opening.
"Ana love." my aunt came into the kitchen and I was not ready nor did I have time to hear more about me being late this morning.
"Yes?" I asked as I moved through the kitchen gathering the things I needed.
"I forgot to tell you that I'll be going out of town this weekend." she told me as I started to mix the ingredients for red velvet cookies. "I'm going to need you to keep an eye on the restaurant."
I was surprised at her words, "really?"
"Yes, but promise me you won't be coming in late?" she said as she rearrange my cabinet of spices.
"I won't I promise, I was just off my game today I guess." I told her and she didn't push more about the subject, which I was thankful for.
"Great, I'll be back Sunday night." She told me and I wanted to know where she was going, but if time had thought me anything was that she didn't like questions. "I'll let you get back to your baking now." she smiled and I was glad when she was gone.
I took another bite of my sandwich as Ethan approche me. "What got you so happy?" I asked.
He took a seat next to me on the patio table and stole the other half of my turkey sandwich, "Philip called me last night."
"Oh, details?" I said needing to get my daily dose of gossip.
"He totally misses me." he added and we both giggle, "He wants me to fly to Seattle to see him in a few weeks and I'm considering it."
"That's great news Ethan, I always liked Philip. I think you two make the cutest couple"
"We totally do right?" he smiled and I could tell he still wanted to be with him.
"You should go see his life there, maybe you will like it and give it a chance." I told him trying not to sound sad. I would hate for him to move and leave me, but I also wanted him to be happy.
He shook his head, "that's the problem... that's his life not mine. Plus I could never leave you sweetheart, you would miss me too much."
I touched his hand, "All jokes aside, I want what's best for you. If that is Philip then you follow your heart. I promise I will be fine."
He hugged me, "Well nothing is set in stone yet, so we will see."
I nodded my head, "I can see you liking Seattle."
"You think?" he asked me.
"Totally, you would fit there too." I added and that made him happy.
"I love you Ana." he kissed my cheek, "You always know what to say."
"I love you too. Now let's get back to work before we get fired."