Happy Monday! I hope you have a great week!
Chapter Four
My store was coming together nicely. I painted the bathroom and the blue actually looked very nice with the white tile. I was happy with how good it looked. And I ended up scrubbing the floors in the main room until they shined. It took about three hours, but when I was finished, they looked brand new.
I also had to take out the cabinets in the main room because they somehow fell apart. That was fine, Billy and Jake helped me with that. I had ordered new cabinets and they should be here by tomorrow night. Billy said he'd put them in for me.
I found an open/closed sign in the consignment store. It was a wooden one that just needed a little update on the paint. I had grabbed a small little pint from Billy's store and refreshed it. I couldn't wait to put it up, it looked brand new.
My oven was coming today, which I was excited about. I couldn't wait to test it out. I needed to start building a portfolio of cakes. I knew it was important to have a decorated cake book that the clients could view. Of course, I also needed a camera, a printer, and a book.
A woman walked through my door as I had been sweeping the mess from taking out the cabinets.
"Hello, I'm not open yet I'm sorry," I said.
"I'm Lucy, Jenks' daughter," She said.
"Oh hi!" I quickly put the broom against the wall and wiped my hands off on my jeans, "Sorry it's such a mess, I just had to take the cabinets out."
"No problem," She said, "So, you need a sign? And some advertisement huh?"
"Yeah, that'd be great," I said as I walked closer to her, "Your dad told me you worked as an advertisement specialist."
"I do. I get all sorts of discounts and what not," She said, "So, what have you decided to call your business, we should start there."
"Um, I think I decided to call it Swan's Bakery. Bella's Bakery just doesn't sound as good."
She nodded, "Swan's Bakery sounds cute. It'll make a nice sign," She said as she got onto her phone, "I work with a company that makes signs, you can see what your sign will look like before you order them."
She typed something into her phone, "Here, take a look at this."
She held her phone up to me and showed me a sign that read 'Swan's Bakery.' It looked great.
"I like this, it looks cute." I said.
"I was looking at the front of your building, it's not very big so you don't need a huge sign. I can get you one for a hundred and ninety."
I nodded, "That sounds great. Do I just need to grab my card."
"Okay, I'll go ahead and get the order in. It'll be delivered sometime next week."
"How do you put the sign up?"
"There's two holes on either side of the wood. I saw that you already have brackets in place, you just need to buy hooks, and someone can easily hang it."
I nodded, "Okay, that sounds good."
"You need a bit more advertisement than just a sign though. Did anyone tell you about the Bloor website?" She asked.
"No, I didn't even know there was a website for this street," I said, "Why is there a website for this street?"
"Well, Bloor is kind of a hidden gem, not very many people know about it. I started a website for the page a few years back, just to bring in more revenue. It worked, but no one around here ever keeps up with their page, so I run it for them."
"Wow, that's very nice of you," I said, "Why are you so investing in the businesses around here?" I asked.
"Well, I grew up on this street. Plus, my dad owns the diner. I want to make sure he's bringing in business, so he doesn't have to worry. I don't mind it, I do it in my spare time."
"I would really love a page," I said, "The only thing is I don't have a computer or a smartphone. So, that's another page you'd be managing. Are you okay with that? If it's too much, then don't worry about it."
"Oh you're fine. One more page isn't going to hurt." She said, "But, you don't have a cellphone? Just a wall phone?"
"I have a crappy little flip phone that drops calls and sucks," I laughed.
She wasn't laughing. In fact, she looked a little worried.
"I highly recommend you purchase a cellphone. And keep it with you." She said.
I shifted uncomfortably on my foot, "Um, you know, yesterday Liam asked me if I had a gun, then suggested I keep it on me at all times. He said, that sometimes bad people come through here. What's happened to make everyone so worried."
She took a deep breath, "It might sound a little sexist, but you're a young, attractive female living by yourself. It would be easy for someone to hurt you. And no one wants that," She placed her hand on my shoulder, "Just keep yourself safe, okay?"
I nodded, "Okay. I will."
She smiled tightly at me, "I need to get going now. But your sign will be here soon, and I'll get to work on your page. Once you get the sign up, I'll take some pictures. You should also get some pictures of everything you're going to make too. That way we can showcase it. And your prices, people love to see prices on things."
I nodded, "Of course. I'll get right on that."
She smiled at me then left, walking down the street. I shuddered, thinking about the potential danger. I wondered what had happened to make everyone so afraid. Was I in danger?
I walked to my front door and locked it. Of course, if someone really wanted to come in, they could throw a breakthrough one of the huge windows in front. The thought of that made my stomach curdle.
I grabbed the broom and continued cleaning the room. I threw myself into the cleaning, that way I wouldn't think about the potential danger.
Five Days Later
Billy had come back over to install my cabinets and put up my sign. Both had come and he figured he'd just get it done while he was there. I was really appreciative of him helping me put my store together. It still needed a few more things, but it was really coming together.
While Billy and Jake were putting everything together, I was busy baking a cake. Most of the appliances for the kitchen had come and I had already plugged everything up. I decided to make a simple triple fudge cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.
As I was frosting the cake, Jake walked into the kitchen.
"Can I get something to drink? My grandpa's thirsty too." He said.
"Of course," I pointed to the fridge, "There's all sorts of drinks in there. Go ahead and grab whatever."
He walked to the fridge and pulled out a water and a Dr. Pepper.
"What are you making?" He asked.
"A triple fudge cake with chocolate buttercream frosting." I said.
"Wow, it looks delicious."
"Well, when I'm finished I need to cut it open to show the inside. You and your grandpa can come back in here and grab a slice."
Jake smiled widely and ran out of the kitchen. I was glad to share the cake with him and Billy. I certainly wouldn't be eating it all myself.
Once I finished decorating it, I wiped the plate off around it, to make it cleaner, then set it in a more pleasing spot in the kitchen. I took a couple pictures of it, trying to find the picture that did the cake justice. It took about seven times, but finally I found the perfect one.
"Perfect," I said to myself.
I grabbed my knife and an extra plate and cut into it. It looked just as beautiful on the inside. The chocolate was layered perfectly and evenly. I was actually very proud of myself.
Jake burst into the room then, his eyes immediately spotted the cake. I laughed and grabbed a spoon.
"Here, you can be my taste tester." I said as I slide the cake to him.
He didn't hesitate, his spoon never left the plate as he rushed to eat it. I laughed.
"Is it good?" I asked.
"It's delicious," He said through a mouthful of cake.
I took a picture of the cake cut open. Now that I had found the perfect lighting, it only took a couple times to get the perfect shot. I looked at the pictures on my camera and nodded.
Billy walked into the kitchen, sweaty and looking wiped.
"Billy sit down," I said as he washed his hands, "You want some water?"
"Sure," He said as he sat down in the chair.
"Grandpa you have to try this cake. It's amazing," Jake said, as he finished his last bite.
"I'll take a piece, if you don't mind Bella." He said.
"Absolutely. You guys can take it home in fact." I said.
I cut him a generous piece then cut myself one. I took a bite of the cake and congratulated myself on doing a good job.
"It's very good Bella." He said.
"Can I have another piece?" Jake asked.
"No Jake, you'll spoil your dinner," Billy said. Jake whined, staring at the cake longingly.
"Don't worry, I'm sending it home with you." I said, "Maybe you can have some later."
Billy finished with his cake and looked around the kitchen.
"Just set it down, I'll get it." I said, "Let me wrap this up for you, and give you the money."
I placed the cake in one of my Tupperware bowls, careful not to smudge the frosting too badly. Then I took out my wallet and gave Billy his money for today.
"Thank you very much Bella," He said, "Call me if you need anything."
"I will. Thank you for putting everything up today. I appreciate it."
As soon as they left, I started cleaning everything. There wasn't much to clean, just a few dishes and silverware. It took me about thirty minutes to clean it all. Once I was done, I took my apron off and hung it on the hook.
It was dark now, and close to dinner time. I wasn't too hungry, but I knew I needed to feed Cinnamon.
I unlocked my apartment door and was met with a furious meowing.
"Hello," I said as he danced around my legs, "Don't worry, I'm getting your food."
I grabbed his bowl and filled it with food. He was such a greedy little kitten. He expected to be fed in the morning and at night. And he expected half of whatever I was eating.
"There you go, chubs," I laughed as I sat his bowl down.
I walked to the fridge and opened the door. I hadn't laid any meat out, so I just fixed myself a sandwich.
After eating I stepped into my bathtub and sunk down into the hot water. I could help but think of everything going so right. I was so excited for everything. It seemed like it was all falling into place so perfectly.
I couldn't wait to open. I prayed that it would be a success. I didn't want to fail at this, not after everything I've put into it. It had to go well.