*Chapter 2*
Sunday has gone, and here comes another busy Monday. As usual, Matthew was the first employee that arrived at Fleur d'Amour, Francis bakery. He went inside the bakery through the back door and could smell the sweet scent of cinnamon rolls being baked.
"Smell tasty.. Francis must be inside already.." inhaled the sweet scent, Matthew turned the door knob and went inside. And his guess was right. Just before the oven, stood the familiar Frenchman, humming while setting his artwork inside the oven.
"I'm here~" the Canadian tried to make Francis realized his arrival, but to no avail. Once Francis cook, he had his own world. And with that, Matthew just smile and went to the locker to put down his bag.
It was still 2 hours before the bakery was open, and Matthew sure did get there way much earlier than usual. And he just realized it when he look at the antique wall clock hanging on the wall behind the cashier.
"Hmm.. Still 6? I wonder what time did Francis get here and manage to bake all those tasty treats by himself.." Matthew then took the broom and intended to clean the parlor when suddenly a painting of a girl with curly, blonde hair caught his attention.
"I wonder who she is.. She seems exist in each of the paintings here.. Francis must like her so much.." Matthew's mind teared away from reality as he gaze at the beauty. A small sound of cracking could be heard from his heart when he realized the last sentence he thought.
"Mattieu? You're here already? I didn't hear you coming.." Francis went from insed the kitchen and brought his cinnamon rolls to the showcase. His sudden question made Matthew dropped the broom he held.
"A-ah.. Um.. I already call you earlier but I guess you're busy making the treats so you might not notice me.." Matthew tried to smile as he took the fallen broom and start sweeping the floor.
"It is unsual for you to come this very early, Mon Cher.. Although you always be my first employee who come~" if only Francis did not busy arranging the cakes on the showcase, he might saw how red Matthew's face turned when Francis called him "mon cher" which in France literally mean, my dear.
"W-we-well.. I already finish my chores at home.. S-so I just thought that maybe I could come early to.. T-to help you with the bakings..?" Matthew stuttered, tried to focus his mind on sweeping the floor.
"C'est mignon~ Merci, mon cher~" Francis sat up from the showcase and smile at Matthew, made the Canadian gripped the broom tighter and nervously adjusted his glasses.
"So, will you help me at the kitchen, then?" still with his smile, Francis strecthed out his hand to Matthew. The blonde boy blinked, then smile warmly and reached the hand.
"Let me clean my hands first and put the broom at the janitor~" Matthew let go of Francis' warm hand and went to put back the broom and clean himself before went to the kitchen.
"The first and most important ingredient used in baking and cooking, is our feeling~ If we put our love while we do it, we can share our feeling through the cake we bake, to our customers.. And our customer will feel a different taste of the cake, eventhough the recipe iz never change~" Francis explained when he whisk the egg.
Matthew stood next to him and nodded, awed at Francis' skillful hand. For the last hour, Matthew followed Francis wherever he go, walked around the kitchen while listening to Francis explanation about cakes and the world around it. He was so happy to be able to be this close with Francis. As if Francis let him get inside his own world.
"Do you want to try adding the finale?" Francis said as he put down four pieces of Strawberry Fraisier without the strawberries and the white cream yet. He then took the cream bag with a spuit* at the edge of it and offer it to Matthew. Matthew blinked.
"B-but I'll ruin the cakes.. I-I can't do it.." Matthew tried to decline, but Francis only smile at him and put the cream bag on his hands. Matthew gulped, he didn't want to ruin the cake perfectly made by the frenchman.
"Here, let me help you~" Francis stood behind him and encircle Matthew with his arms. His hands held the blonde's sure but not tight. He helped Matthew covering the top of the cakes with the white mily cream. Oh if only Francis could heard the beat of Matthew's heart. He was too busy decorating the cake. Or at least that's what Matthew's thought. The truth? Francis couldn't heard Matthew's heart cause his own heartbeat banging like an elephant gangbang. But he tried to stay cool or he'll be the one ruined the cake. He just didn't want this moment to end.
"There you go~ Not so bad, mon cher~" Francis said as he slowly let go of Matthew's hand. It seems like the Canadian has not regained his conciousness and tried to find a calmer pace for his heart.
"O-oh, great! I can't believe I really can do it!" Matthew look so bright and warm, Francis wish he could took a picture of this adorable look on Matthew's face when he look at the cakes.
"And now for the berries~ Please~" Francis then put a bowl of cut-to-half strawberries next to Matthew. Matthew then took one by one of the strawberries and arranged them on top of the cakes.
"Done!" Matthew look up at Francis and smile warmly. Francis could feel his heart skipped a beat at the sight before him. Francis smiled involuntarily and ruffle the Canadian's blonde lock.
"Well done, mon cher! Let's put your artwork at the showcase now, shall we?" Matthew nodded and put the cakes on a tray and followed Francis to the parlor. Francis then arranged the cakes on the showcase and Matthew only look at his activity in excitement.
"I hope someone will buy my cakes.." Matthew smile sadly, looking at his messy cakes comparing to what Francis' made. Francis then pat the boy's shoulder lightly.
"Someone will, don't worry, mon cher~ Let's clean the parlor now. The table has to be cleaned for our dear customers~" Francis winked once before went back to the kitchen. While Matthew slumped on the nearest chair he could find at the moment.
"My heart can't take it anymore.. Oh God.." Matthew covered his blushing face. He will cherish today, for sure. And he forever will. Another hour has rolled and now the bakery was on bussiness. Busy as usual, the day passed by with a large amount of customers and one unusual guest.
"Well, well.. It's not usual for you to be here today, Arthur.. What can I get you?" Francis smiled at the green eyed man. Arthur furrowed his eyebrows and sighing.
"I would like to have a small opera cake.. It's still available, right?" though he tried to keep it cool, Arthur's tone showed worried. Afraid he might wont get what he desired.
"Of course it is! It's always exist for your order~ Just wait a moment while I wrapped it for you~" Francis then went to take the cake and wrapped it on a golden box, tied up in a silver ribbon.
"So how long has it been~?" Francis said as he gave his favorite customer his package. Arthur blushed, knowing what he meant by 'how long'. Hesitant to answer, finally Arthur speak up.
"Almost half a year.. It's the fifth month.." Arthur gave Francis the money and got a 'merci' as a reply. While he waited for the change, Arthur took his gaze up to the paintings around Francis bakery. A sudden realization shocked him.
"FRANCIS! THAT GIRL ON THE PAINT—MMPH!" Francis covered his mouth with his hand. Motioning Arthur to keep his voice down and just whisper. Arthur glared at the older male and tried to pry his hand away from his mouth.
"Hush! Keep it low if you know! I begged you, Arthur. Please. You know I never begged to anyone. But for this time, please.." Francis look purely panic and sincerely begged Arthur not to spill this one out.
"Fine. But tell me why." Arthur put the box on the counter and folded his arms in front of his chest. Francis eyes wide open in disbelief. Did he has to point out what's already obvious? Bad luck he couldn't lower his voice.
"Sacrebleu.. OF COURSE BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE, ARTHUR! ISN'T THAT QUITE OBV—PPH!" now Arthur's turn to closed the Frenchman's mouth with his hand.
"Lay. LOW." Arthur glared back at the older male. Francis blinked and slumped on his chair. Scratching his not itchy head, Francis then stood up and faced Arthur once more.
"I wanted to tell him later, by myself.. So please let me win my own battle, okay?" Francis said, his tone dead serious. Arthur himself got a goseebumps from the man's words.
"Fine.. Good luck then.." Arthur brought his box with him and made a small curves on his lips when he walked out. He couldn't wait to hear the stories from Francis and Matthew later on.
Done! Can't believe I could finish the second chapter and it's been a very long one too. O_o I couldn't believe myself. Again, I'm very sorry for the OCC-ness I may made on this fic.. Please read the next chapter also! Thanks for reading, folks!
Love, Felix
P.S :
Mon dieu = My God | Mon cher = my dear
Sacrebleu = damm | C'est mignon = How cute