Love At Last

That awkward day

The sun started setting, the evening breeze finding its way through the door and making the bell on the door jingle like someone just walked in. people started coming to get ready to go pastries after the long day they’ve had and they were received with the best smiles on our faces. It wasn’t as much as the rush that happened in the mornings but was still something close to it.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what went down earlier. What if he did something and it all went wrong and drives my customers away? Who did he think he was to come into my shop and order me around like I work for him? And tipping me? Is that supposed to impress me? I just tried to ignore and focus my mind on work for the rest of the day.

We closed the shop by 6pm. I was pretty exhausted. I took some leftovers to the house because I wasn’t in the mood to cook. I’ll just order pizza if that’s not enough.

“Good evening Nana” I said to grandma, who was watching TV with Jacek.

“Hey mama, grandma got me lollipop” he pointed to me as he came to give me a hug.

“That’s cool. And what did you say to grandma?”

“I said thank you with a big kiss!” he shouted

“That’s a good boy” I said with a smile that contained little or no excitement. Grandma noticed.

I walked into the room and slumped on the bed. The room was colored grey. I had pictures from my childhood, at least the bag I carried when dad kicked me out had most of it. They were photos of my first, second, eight, tenth, sixteenth and eighteenth birthday; in the order of their celebrations. My eigthenth birthday was the biggest of them all. Dad threw a very elaborate party, inviting all of his friends to see his perfect family, up until I spoilt it. You could say the party wasn’t necessarily about me.

Granda came in to check up on me.

“how was work?’ she sat on the bed, where my head was, raising it and putting it on her lap. Then she moved her hand gently down my hair and to my ears, calming my nerves down. “I noticed your mood wasn’t pleasant, so I came to know what’s going on in that head of yours.

“I’m fine Nana, work was exhausting but fine too…” I start to tell her everything that went down at the shop today.

“I’m sorry that happened, I promise it’ll only get better. Give him some time, be patient and everything would fall into place. Then and only then would you know what to do.” Nana always had her way with words. Im glad I have her around. She’s always there when I need someone to talk to. When I started staying her, I thought she’d be rude like how I read about people that end up like me in stories, but none of that happened. Shes been a really big help and emotional support.

We came out of the room to have dinner together as a family. After that, I tucked Jacek in, said goodnight to grandma and went to bed.

Got to work the next morning and started getting ready for deliveries. The bell jingled as the door opened and a manly figure followed. It was Cayden! He walked up to the counter and demanded that I serve him, again! The courage this man has is second to none.

He walks over to sit and presses his phone. Grandma walked in. she took over from me and decided to serve Cayden.

He seemed to have recognized who she was because he seemed to be acting nice towards her.

Myself and Jarod observe ehats happening from where we were. I was dumbstrcked.

“why is grandma acting so nice to him? I thought the plan was to get him to stop asking after Jacek?” Jarod asks me admist laughter

I looked at him sternly and he stops.

“I’m sorry” he said ” but what are you gonna do now?”

“I really don’t know Jarod” I bite my lip, lost in thoughts.

Ugh! My plans have been rendered futile! I thought this would help grandma to see him for who he truly was but unfortunately, grandma has been brainwashed.

“Where is Jacek?” grandma asked, walking towards me, all smiles.

“He’s in the room, why?” I said, curious

“Mr Cayden is asking of him. He seems like a really good man. Very charming and respectful. Im gonna take Jacek to him” she danced away as she spoke, taking my grandson to meet this man. I need to get her out of there, now.

“Nana, lets leave Mr Cayden alone, he needs to get back to his meal” I said to her, on reaching the table. But she wouldn’t bulge, instead she tries to start a new conversation.

“its good you came, you guys should get to know yourselves better. Mr Cayden seems like a fine man for you, aren’t you Mr Cayden? Noticed his mood changed

“No Ma’am, im just here for Jacek, I have no interest in Lily” he clears his throat and looks away.

“Ah, I see what youre doing; using the son to get to the mother. How lovestruck are you? She laughs, raising her eyebrows at him in a teasing manner.

“Actually, im being serious. I have no intentions of being with your granddaughter. I only come here to see Jacek and nothing else. I also in a committed relationship.”

I felt the need to want to defend myself.

“I’m in a relationship too, I have a fine man I’m currently dating and he’s, handsome, lovely, tall caring, lovi…”

“No you don’t!” nana chipped in.

“just the facts” I face palmed myself. Why did grandma have to embarrass me in front of him? After what he just did? No way hes getting away with that. Grandma better lose her likeness for him as soon as possible.