After how many years, I finally was able to update. I'm sorry if this chapter is quite short. I didn't have much time to write. :)
Anyway, thank you to those who reviewed last chapter. I hope you's enjoy this one. :D
Mrs. Lovett is whistling a happy tune while preparing the pies for the breakfast rush. She wakes up in a merry mood today, feeling energized and very much alive. While she is rolling the dough, a movement from outside catches her attention, causing her to whip hear head up and look out. Her cheerful face turns into a frown as she sees Lucy leaving the apartment upstairs, Ben in tow of her while he waves her good bye. She does not fail to notice Mrs. Barker's cold demeanor towards his husband.
A feeling of guilt washes over her, for she knows that she is partly the reason why they are in bad terms right now. But, not wanting to spoil her morning she brushes the feeling off. What's done is done, and there's nothing she can do to undo what happened- though if she has the chance, she probably will do again what she and Ben did. She may be guilty, but she does not feel an ounce of regret.
Continuing with her chores, she is startled when the door to her shop opens. Expecting that Ben is the one who enters, she is ready to scold him for scaring her, but she stops when she looks up and sees that it is not her neighbor. It is Mr. Harris; he is smiling up at her, making him look even more handsome than he already is. He has his hands behind his back, seeming like he's hiding something.
"Good morning, Mr. Harris. What brings you here this early?" she asks, pausing at what she is doing and brushing the flour off her dress, trying to make herself as presentable as possible.
David walks towards the baker, stopping just a few good inches away from her. He reveals to her what he is hiding and Mrs. Lovett gasps as he hands her a bouquet of flowers- daisies, to be exact. Blushing, she takes it, marveling at how beautiful the flowers are.
"Thank you, Mr. Harris. They are lovely." She gives the man a peck on the cheek, feeling a little daring today. She is delighted to see Mr. Harris's face looking red as a tomato. She slightly pats his cheek, and winks before she takes a step back to put distance between them.
"You're welcome, Madame." David bows and tips off his imaginary hat, making the baker giggle.
Mrs. Lovett grabs Mr. Harris by the elbow, dragging him along with her. She stops at one of the tables of her shop, the one nearest at the counter, and slightly pushes David to make him sit. She then goes back to the counter, winking at him. "You stay there for a while Mr. Harris. I just have to finish this."
From the counter, Mrs. Lovett eyes her visitor. He is currently finding the table interesting, focusing his attention on it. So she takes advantage of this moment to take a good look closer at him. She must admit that he is really handsome, even matching Ben's good looks and charm. In fact, he is very much like Mr. Barker, yet they are very different.
As she wonders on their differences, a sound of the bell ringing echoes throughout the shop. She looks up to see who the new incomer is, and sees the ever so cheerful face of Benjamin, but it quickly morphs into one of contempt when his gaze lands on David, who is equally looking back at him with a smirk on his face.
"What is he doing here?" Ben asks the baker, his voice is cold and his face is stern. He approaches Mrs. Lovett, stopping in front of her, with the counter being the only thing that's separating them. He crosses his arms and glares at her in question.
Mrs. Lovett's brows furrow in confusion. She cannot help but notice that Ben's good mood turns sour whenever he sees David. She does not know what the man has done to deserve such treatment form the barber. It is very unlikely for him to act this way, he has always been so friendly.
"Nothing love, he's just visiting me." The baker answers; grabbing the rolling pin; she sprinkles a pinch of flour on the dough and pounds it, causing the flour to fly everywhere like smoke. Ben takes a step back to avoid being covered with flour, scrunching his nose at the mess Mrs. Lovett made.
He just stands there for a while, just looking at his best friend making pies. Then, after a few seconds he notices a movement out of his peripheral vision. He turns to get a full look and sees Mr. Harris standing up from his seat and approaching the baker. He is about to stop him, but he prevents himself from doing so. Why would he stop him, anyway? It's not like Mr. Harris is not allowed to come near Nellie.
Mr. Harris peers over at Mrs. Lovett from across the counter, making her cease what she is doing. He smiles at her and says his good bye. "Madam, I'll be leaving now. As much as I want to stay, I have business to do. I will be back later for lunch, I shall eat here."
"Why so sudden, Mr. Harris? I'm sure you could wait for this batch of pies to be cooked- this is for breakfast." Mrs. Lovett stops the man from leaving. She walks towards him, grabbing him by the crook of his elbow and drags him to the table where he is seated before, and pushes him lightly so he stumbles to the chair. Mr. Harris looks like he's going to protest, but just one charming smile and a pat on the cheek from the baker, he already forgets what other things he will do.
Ben, who is just standing there, watching them innocently- well not really- is now also being forced by Mrs. Lovett to take a seat across Mr. Harris. He is also going to protest, but a glare from the fierce baker shuts him up.
"There now, why don't you two talk while I take these pies to cook down the bake house, hmm? This won't take long, I promise. Be back in a jiffy" With that, Mrs. Lovett- carrying a tray full of pies, leaves the two men alone to entertain one another.
The two sits in silence, they are both engaging in a game of glaring contest. So far, no one's winning. They both wait for the other to give up and lose, but they are really stubborn and will not let the other win. After what seems like an hour- but it's only been a couple of minutes, in fact. Mr. Harris breaks the silence.
"Why do you hate me so?" The question puts the barber in shock- his face morphing from anger to look of confusion. He opens and closes his mouth but no words are coming out. It seems that his voice has left him.
"Don't look so confused, Mr. Barker. The first time we met, I got a broken nose as a welcome." David then points his finger on the bruises on his face, making his point clear. He squares his shoulder, and intertwines his hands that are placed on the table. This gesture tells that he is being serious- as if he is not a while ago.
Ben copies Mr. Harris's body language equally, but instead he crosses his arms to his chest. "Well, if you must know, I believe that you are taking advantage of my-" He stresses the use of 'my' as if Mrs. Lovett belongs to him. "-friend, Nellie. "
Mr. Harris stares open mouthed at Ben. He looks appalled at the barber's snide comment. "I'll tell you this, Mr. Barker. I do not have any ill intentions towards Nellie. As a matter of fact, I do like her. What makes you say I'm taking advantage of her?"
"That night, you two were… and she was drunk! Now explain to me if that's what you call 'no ill intentions'" says Ben, slamming his fist on the table, making David back away a little.
Mr. Harris composes himself from the outburst he just witnessed. He clears his throat, and looks at Ben like of a father scolding his son. "Look here, Mr. Barker. You do not know what happened that night. Nellie wants it too- yes, she does! She told me about how she would like to forget- I don't know what. So, before you accuse me, I suggest you know first the whole story- or better yet, mind your own business."
Ben is grabbing the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles are turning white. He is really trying his best to control his temper, but Mr. Harris is really challenging him. Instead of just admitting what he has done, that man has seen it fit to make excuses. Mrs. Lovett may want it, but she is not in the right mind to really think about what she's doing. This bastard only wants to use his best friend for his manly needs, and he's not going to allow that.
"I do not need to know because I already know! I'm telling you this Mr. Harris: you leave Nellie alone. Or else…" Ben threatens the man, pointing a finger at Mr. Harris's face. He hopes that this time, the man will heed his warning.
Mr. Harris is also fuming now. He stands up a bit from where he is seated, just to get face to face with the barker. He is hoping that he will intimidate Ben so that he will leave him alone. "Or else what, Mr. Barker? You're going to beat me again? Do what you want, but I will not leave her. I like her and I will pursue her. There is nothing that you can do that will stop me."
"We'll see about that." With that, Ben pushes his stool back and stands up. He gives one last pointed look at Mr. Harris then leaves the premises of the bake shop, leaving a bewildered David from his vague reply.
It seems that a war has been created between the two men. But who will win: the barber or the gentleman?
This means war. XD
I realy have nothing to say... maybe i'll just request for a review.
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