Adrian
Arriving at Celeste Patisserie, the finest cake shop in the city.
I couldn’t spot Isabelle anywhere.
There was a handsome male receptionist by the counter and I quickly approached.
I knocked on the counter and had a half smile on my face,
“I’m here for Isabelle Mancini.
We made a reservation.”
“Please give me a minute.” He looked at the computer, and after a moment, he asked-
“What’s your name?”
“Adrian Moretti.”
He looked at me instantly as though he had seen a ghost.
His intense gaze made me squint, and I asked-
“Is everything alright?”
“Sure, you are Adrian Moretti?” He asked again as though he was finding it difficult to grasp.
“Yes I am.” Raising a brow I stared intently into his eyes but he quickly looked away.
After a while, he grabbed a file and then said, “Follow me sir.”
He led me to Isabel who was into the exclusive VIP room.
“Here is the ‘La Maison Privée’ sir.”
When I got in, I saw Isabel with a female employee.
There were various kinds of cake on the table.
Each cut into pieces.
“Adrian, you are here.” Her smile was quite bright for someone who wasn’t getting married because they are in love.
I sat beside her and she cut a piece of the fruit cake and fed it to me.
“I love that flavor.
How is it?”
“It’s just the right amount of fruit.
Are we going with this?”
“Of course not Adrian, you haven’t tasted the others.” She fed me three more flavors and then went on to explain.
“I was thinking of the strawberry, fruit and then vanilla, but I also want the coconut cake, and the velvet.” She gasped.
Every bite of cake tasted the same—like nothing.
Like emptiness.
Cakes are not my thing.
This whole wedding was not of interest to me.
If it wasn’t the murder attempt on my life, I would not be sitting on this couch, and tasting various cakes.
I wouldn’t have to get married, and even if I had to, it wouldn’t be with a woman.
It will clearly be with someone of my choice, someone I desired… This story is hosted at g.com.
I pulsed my lips as a name seemed to have popped on my head.
Why would I even think of him?
A groan escaped my lips and I frowned, and just then, the receptionist walked to the female employee and whispered into her ears.
The next minute she was walking away, leaving the receptionist behind.
“I’m Franklyn, I will be attending to you both.
Bianca had an emergency.” He smiled brightly.
“There are other flavors available, if you can’t make your choice now.”
Isabel wasted no time asking him to bring the flavors.
While attending to Isabelle, I caught him stealing glances at me whenever he could
There was a bit of attraction I could sense from him.
‘Was he gay?’
I had no idea why he kept locking eyes with me until he grabbed the coffee cups on the table and slightly swept his hand against mine.
He returned with another cup of coffee and asked, ‘Have you made your choice?”
“Adrian, you still don’t have a favorite?”
“If you are going to make me choose, then I’d have to ask…” I turned to Franklyn.
“Is there a way she can get all flavors on the cake?
If one is too small, then make it three.”
I turned to Isabel and she nodded like a cute child who just got a perfect gift from Santa.
“I love it.” Isabelle smiled so much that her eyes began to glow.
“Great.
Then can I make the payment?”
“This way sir.”
I followed behind back to the counter and made the payment.
He didn’t stare at me now, all he did was focus on his work and when his eyes finally met with mine, I held it for a moment.
His eyes were beautiful.
They were green, and his blonde hair was curly as though he was a mix of white and Latino.
“Thank you.
We will do a great job.”
I took the receipt and turned towards the vip room, but he quickly stopped me.
“Since the payment has been made, you can wait here while I get your bride.”
He led me to a table in the lounge area.
“I will bring you wine, courtesy of us.
Do you have a specific one?”
“Certainly sir.”
It didn’t take a while when Isabelle walked out and joined me.
“We have to go for the dress fitting today.
This whole wedding is overwhelming.”
I could see how tense she looked, but I didn’t utter any words.
Earlier she looked as though she was the happiest bride, but now, it wasn’t the case.
“Did something happen?”
“Nothing, I’m good.” She feigned a smile.
It was easy to tell.
I didn’t want to pry further.
Franklyn approached with the bottle of wine and filled Isabelle’s glass.
Just before he turned to mine, Isabelle muttered-
“My uncle Nikolai is on his way here.” She bit down on her lips and looked away.
I clenched my eyes shut in anger.
A less perfect day, becoming nothing but a nightmare.
When a cold liquid poured on my skin, my eyes instantly peeled open.
I noticed Franklyn, who had been refilling my glass, froze.
His hand trembled slightly, and the rich red liquid sloshed dangerously close to the rim.
His usual bright demeanor dimmed, and his adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
Unable to control the range that was rushing through my veins, I held his wrist and growled-
“That’s enough.”
When his eyes met mine, he quickly averted his gaze, but I caught the flicker of unease in his green eyes before he turned away, his grip on the bottle tightening.
And his body quivering as he kept bumping into different chairs.
I rolled my eyes at him, taking my glass to take a sip.
But instead of the sweet grape taste, all I tasted was sour and bitter.
Just hearing his name ruined my day.
When I thought my day couldn’t get any worse, I caught a twinkling in my drink.
The chandelier…
When I looked up, it cut off from the rope and I kicked the table instantly, pulling Isabelle to my chest and jumped from the spot.
A deafening crash split the air as glass exploded in all directions.
Tiny shards sliced through the air, catching the light like deadly diamonds.
The scent of burning metal and dust filled my nostrils as I shielded Isabelle, my pulse hammering in my ears.