One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 70 — Seventy

"You don’t have to do this every morning," he said after a moment. "I don’t want you to feel obligated."

"I know," Serena replied softly. "I just wanted to. It feels... nice. It’s been a long time since I actually made a meal for myself or someone."

Alexander reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. "Then I’ll treasure it."

For a while, they ate in comfortable silence, exchanging small smiles and stolen glances.

It was peaceful with no enemies, no schemes and no grief screaming in the background.

It was just a simple breakfast.

And for Serena, that simple moment felt like the beginning of something she had almost forgotten she deserved which was... peace.

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After Alexander had left home, Serena didn’t sit idly as well. Alexander had already allocated a car and a driver to her even though she had decided against it. Alexander had insisted, and she had no other choice than to listen to him.

"Ma’am, where are you heading to? I’ll drive you." The driver was a polite middle-aged man. Serena was about to reject him, but she saw the stern expression, and only one thought crossed his mind; he could inform Alexander that she didn’t follow him.

To avoid arguments, she gave him the address, walked into the car, and the car zoomed off.

Serena’s heart raced as the car moved along the road. She couldn’t recall the last time she visited her late mom’s bakery. Ever since her mother passed away, her father kept her away from her mother’s mementos.

She had always thought he did it for her, and had her best interest at heart, but as she grew up, she found out that the reverse was the case.

She exhaled deeply while resting her head on the window. After a long while, the car suddenly pulled up into a deeply familiar yet unfamiliar building.

"Ma’am, we are here." The driver’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Serena looked out the window, and her eyes turned misty. A trace of nostalgia flashed through her eyes.

"Wait for me, I’ll be inside." Serena instructed softly, then stepped out of the car.

The moment Serena pushed the door open, the familiar jingle of the bell rang softly above her head.

She froze.

The warm scent of bread, sugar and yeast hit her first.

Butter that had soaked into the walls over the years. It was faint—much fainter than she remembered—but it was there, lingering like a ghost that refused to leave. Her chest tightened as memories rushed in uninvited.

Early mornings with flour dusting the air. Her mother laughed while scolding her for sneaking cream off a spoon.

The hum of ovens worked tirelessly, the comforting heat wrapped around her small body as she sat on a stool in the corner, while she watched the magic happen.

Now, the bakery felt tired and not... alive.

The display shelves were half-filled. The paint on the walls had dulled, and the lights were not as bright as they once were.

It was still running, yes, but it no longer thrived. It survived to which Serena was surprised by its survival.

Serena took slow steps forward, her fingers brushing against the counter instinctively, as though expecting to feel her mother there. Her throat tightened as her eyes welled up with tears.

"So you finally came."

The voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "I’ve been expecting you."

Serena looked up to see a woman in her late forties emerge from behind the counter. Her hair was tied back neatly, flour smudged lightly on her apron.

Serena’s eyes widened as a small smile tugged on her lips.

"Auntie Clara," she breathed.

The woman’s eyes softened instantly. She crossed the space between them and pulled Serena into a tight embrace. "You’ve grown so much," she murmured. "And you also look just like her."

That was all it took.

Serena swallowed hard, nodding as she pulled back. "You’re still here."

"Of course I am," Clara replied gently. "This place is your mother’s soul. I couldn’t let it die." Her tone was light, but the pride in her eyes couldn’t be diminished.

Serena looked around again, her gaze sharper this time, not just emotional, but this time, it was... analytical.

She noticed the outdated equipment, the lack of branding, the absence of customers despite the time of day.

"It’s still standing," Serena said slowly. "But it’s not what it should be. It previously thrived, now it’s barely surviving." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Clara smiled sadly. "Your mother had dreams for this place. Big ones. It’s a pity she passed away early. I am sure she would have made this bakery into the biggest one."

Serena straightened as resolve flashed in her eyes. "So do I."

She inhaled deeply, the scent of bread filling her lungs once more.

"This bakery won’t just survive," Serena said firmly. "It will become one of the best in the country. I promise."

And for the first time since her mother’s and Mama’s death, Serena felt something solid take root inside her. The resolve to transform the bakery into something bigger flew through her.

"You have the same courage as her." Clara commented with a smile. "I like it. It reminds me of her."

Serena smiled gently. A warm feeling flows through her heart whenever someone comments that she reminded them of her late mother.

Serena was about to speak when her phone rang, cutting through her speech.

She fished her phone from her purse and looked at the caller ID.

"Liam?" She muttered, uncertainty creeping into her tone.

Ever since they parted ways at the bar, they’ve not been in contact with each other. But now, he reached out to her.

For some reason, Serena felt a chill run through her spine. All her instincts screamed don’t pick, but curiosity got the best of her.

"Hello?"

"Serena," Liam’s warm voice flowed from the other end of the line. "I’ve missed you."

Serena felt her scalp tingle.

"Did you miss me?" His voice rang out again, and for some reason, Serena’s face turned pale.