After telling Willy about her parents' bakery, a flood of happy memories from her childhood came rushing back to her, and with them came a wave of inspiration. Hazel decided to bake her father's famous strawberry pie and share it with her coworkers during break time. Mr. Ellis thought it was the most delicious pie he ever tasted.
"Hazel, why don't you pursue this as a living? As happy as you seem working here, you may enjoy running a bakery even more."
Hazel stopped to think. Mr. Ellis' words were true, she always dreamed of running her own bakery just like her parents. Willy would definitely enjoy that, and maybe the two would eventually partner up for collaborations. Bu that would also mean another thing, she would still have to deal with Seamus. He would surely try to frequent her bakery as he did the pub she once worked at. At least here in the library, she rarely ever had to see him as often as she did in the past. However, the good outweighed the bad.
"You know what, Mr. Ellis?" She began. "I may just consider it. I always wanted to follow in my parents' footsteps."
"As I'm always telling my kids, you have to do what you love." Mr. Ellis said. "Follow your heart."
"You should do it!" Shouted Robert, one of her coworkers. One by one, her other co-workers joined in with their support.
With everyone behind her, how could she say no?
"I'm going to do it!" Announced Hazel to the cheers of everyone in the lounge. "I'll stay here for a few more weeks until I get my permits and everything all ready, then you will all be invited to the grand opening once the date is set!"
After Hazel finished up her shift, she went out on the town, hunting for a good location for her bakery, and that's when she found it.
The original location of her parents' bakery.
It was vacant. Hardly any remnant of her parents' ownership of the property existed, all she found as she looked around were barren shelves and empty cabinets. It was hard to believe that, once upon a time, this place was anything but barren.
Hazel vividly remembered walking around the bakery during the weekends. People coming in to buy things, the baking staff hard at work, everything felt so alive. Not unlike Willy's shop, actually.
As she thought of that, she realized that may have been part of why she took interest in the Wonka candy shop in the first place; because it reminded her of the bakery. Thinking of Willy and the factory and shop made Hazel all the more frustrated over how she couldn't get her feelings for him out. Didn't matter, though, she had a lot to focus on. She had to focus on a name, decor, who to staff, and who she should and shouldn't do business with.
That last point made her remember something. Three days before her parents died in that fire, she saw them conversing with a fellow in a suit. The man was offering them money, and in return, his business would relieve them of the stress of running the bakery. In English, he wanted to buy their bakery from them. She recalled the looks on their faces, and how her father slammed his case shut on his fingers and told him to leave. But what stuck out most was the man's expression as he was walking out. He had a leer not dissimilar to Seamus' whenever he looked at Hazel, as if he knew what he wanted even though he was likely not going to get it.
The following day, someone else came in. He was dressed similarly to the first man, but his method was a bit more aggressive. Needless to say he was not turned away so easily as was the first person, but her parents still stood by their guns.
The day after gave the bakery its toughest contender yet. While he spoke quietly, it appeared that the nature of his words and the way he delivered them were enough to nearly strike fear into Hazel's parents. While they didn't respond to him after he concluded his harsh proposal, he knew they still wouldn't sell. He walked out, like all the others, but something was different about this one. He looked unfazed, as if he knew something nobody else didn't. And, unfortunately, what happened after was essentially history by now.
Hazel remembered all that, and made the decision that she would have to take the proper actions in order to prevent all that from happening to her and her business. It's like Willy would likely say: have all your bases covered.
Speaking of which, she had to see him again as soon as she could. Fortunately, tomorrow was her day off.
The following morning, Willy woke up with a pounding headache and a scratchy, raw throat. His nose was also blocked up and his eyes were watering. A knock was heard at the door.
"Who is it?" He called out as much as one with a cold could do.
"It's Charlie Bucket."
"Oh! -cough-cough- You can come in, but keep your distance."
Charlie entered with great caution, realizing immediately why Willy said to keep his distance. He took one look at him and further kept his distance.
"Boy! You weren't kidding! It's odd, though, you were in tip-top shape last night when you had dinner with us."
"That's the thing about -cough- colds. They strike at random and without warning. -cough-"
Willy pressed a few buttons on his WonkaPhone, and minutes later, three Oompa Loompa doctors came to look at him.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Charlie asked as he looked on.
"Your company is help enough" Willy responded as the Oompa Loompas examined him.
Just then, an Oompa Loompa butler walked into the room. He and Willy exchanged gestures, and Willy's eyes went wide.
"What's going on?" Charlie asked.
"Apparently Hazel is here for a visit."
Charlie giggled at first, but then stopped himself and said, "I'll go let her in." He rushed out and returned with her.
"Oh my goodness, Willy!" She exclaimed. "You look awful! I did hear there was a cold virus going around these days. I guess you caught it."
"Even so, it's nice of you to visit me when I need companionship most…"
Hazel couldn't help but notice how adorable he was in a vulnerable state. She wanted to laugh at the way he looked, but she realized it wouldn't be polite. Nevertheless, she did her best to stifle any giggle that came out of her mouth. Willy pretty much knew, though.
"It's okay. You can *cough* laugh a bit. Laughter is good medicine, after all -cough-cough-."
"I can see you still haven't lost your sense of humor!" Relieved, Hazel laughed all she felt like. Willy smiled, knowing that even during times of illness, there was always a place for laughter and joy.
"Chances are, you may have caught the small bug that's been circulating a bit through town the past two weeks. I've seen a few library patrons who had it."
Willy nodded. "That should explain it."
"Still, you'll likely be better in a few days."
"And in the meantime…?"
"In the meantime, I wouldn't mind keeping you company."
"I…" he began. If it were anybody else, he would request that such company were to be limited to just a few minutes so both he could have rest and that his guest would not catch his germs, but for Hazel… "I would like that, thank you."
"I'm glad you don't mind. Especially since I have incredible news."
Willy couldn't help but gasp at this. Could it be that she had found someone and is getting married? Or was it something else? The next few seconds could change everything. What was it? What was her incredible news?
"I'm going to be opening up my own bakery!"
This was a surprise. Willy knew she must have had some culinary experience since she did so much good at his factory, but now she was acting upon her passion? Indeed this was happy news to say the least.
"-cough- Hazel, my dear! You weren't kidding, I'm -cough- excited for you myself!"
"Yes, and can I ASK YOU A favor?"
"Anything."
"Could you help me get started? I'm in need of a good investor, and someone who has experience with running his own shop before he became the major success he is today."
The very idea that Hazel trusted him so much that she wanted him to help her with her budding bakery filled him up with such joy.
"I would be more than happy to, anything for a friend like you."
Hazel lit up like firecrackers upon that response. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, Willy!"
Suddenly, sh did something aefter that took them both by shock. It is unsure if it was intentional, or a heat-of-the-moment action, but she did it anyway. She kissed him, on the lips. Hazel turned bright red and her heart started to race. Willy gasped and jumped.
A thousand thoughts were racing through the chocolatier's mind. Did this mean she had feelings for him too and he didn't need to hide it anymore? Or was she just being nice to a dear friend? Either way, she would likely catch what he had since she, unlike Charlie, didn't keep her distance when she gave him that kiss. That didn't matter much, though, because at least a kiss from her would suffice for now, and he was happy. He smiled.
Charlie was trying to contain the big grin on his face as he watched them from afar. Maybe this was the turning point he was looking for. Would this be where Willy confesses his love for her? Sure it may be raspy or phlegmatic, but at least he'd be able to get it out. This was the moment of truth…
After what felt like a lifetime, one of them spoke up.
"Well, I gotta get going" said Hazel. "See you! And thank you once more! SOOO much!" And with that, she was out the door.
Willy sheepishly waved back and laid back down again as he got comfortable in bed after a rather bizarre visit. Charlie came back in and still kept his distance, but he looked surprised.
"Why so shocked, Charlie?" Asked Willy. "Hazel's news surprised you too?"
"It did" Charlie agreed, "it's just that she kissed you. Don't you like her too?"
"Of course I do, I'm…just too sick to do anything is all." That was just a lie. He wanted to do something in return, but he didn't have the courage to do so, not the strength.
Charlie decided to give Willy his space to get better and said his goodbyes for the day.
Over the next few days, Willy and Hazel had a lot of work to do together. They discussed things like budget, hazard prevention, the essentials and other crucial steps. And once Hazel cemented her vision, she and Willy spoke to the building owner. The contract was signed, and construction on the place began immediately. What was once a dreary, bleak, run-down space slowly turned into a picture of the past. Meanwhile, Hazel was hard at work perfecting her parents' recipes in Willy's factory, making sure they were just right before opening day. Hazel got more and more excited every day as the ovens, coffee machines, mixers, and everything else got delivered. At the library, the bakery was all she and her coworkers ever talked about. Mr. Ellis even joked that he might need to double his jogging routes once the bakery opened! They all agreed to help spread the word about her bakery so she could get her some workers in the place. In no time flat, the new Blackwoods Bakery was nearly finished and was ready to open. Hazel hoped nothing could go wrong now. Not after all she went through before all this.
One evening, after another long day, Seamus returned to Dennis' place. However, Dennis looked rather pleased.
"And what do YOU have to be so happy about?" Seamus scowled.
"Oh, nothing for me, really" Dennis hinted, "but you yourself would love to hear this. Turns out Hazel is going to be opening up a bakery. And from what I heard, it's going to be in the same location her parents' bakery used to stand."
Seamus paused and rubbed his chin. "So, Hazel wants to be just like her folks, eh?"
"You want me to ask father if he could burn her down, too?"
"Absolutely not! Although, I do think she may need a little 'help' running it, if you know what I mean…"
"Like, from a friend?"
"From a husband! Get your old man on the phone, I have a few ideas that may convince my dear Hazel to Marry me once and for all…"