No one could guess Sidney's identity, but since she appeared to be familiar with the boss, the counter staff began to treat her more courteously.
After placing the order, Jayson walked over slowly, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. His posture was relaxed, almost too casual, as if he were trying to mask the slight tension beneath. He glanced at Sidney, then, with a small, almost absent-minded tilt of his head, asked, "When do you finish work?"
In the past few days, his attitude on the phone had softened a lot. Not only was he polite, but also gentle. Sidney couldn't get angry with him since he was always so polite. Though she was still somewhat stubborn and unwilling to look up at him, she responded casually.
"When you finish work, I'll pick you up and we can grab a late-night snack?" He didn't ask in a statement, but genuinely sought her opinion.
"No, I have other things to do after work."
He didn't ask her what it was. He nodded gracefully and rephrased, "How about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, I have something too."
"What about Saturday night?"
At this point, Frank stepped in, placing a hand between them to separate the two. "She's made it pretty clear, can't you tell?" Though he couldn't be too rude since Jayson was a customer, his anger was hard to hide.
Jayson didn't even glance at Frank and said, "How about this? Let's arrange something over the phone?"
Sidney hurriedly nodded and grabbed Frank, pulling him away.
On the way back, Frank couldn't hold back anymore, muttering nonstop as he drove, "That company's boss is so arrogant! Just because a woman's pretty, he keeps asking her out! When did you give him your number?" He complained relentlessly, and Sidney couldn't even get a word in; she could only listen.
Finally, after his rant died down, she had a chance to speak. "Frank, stop talking."
"I'll just take you from now on. I can handle it alone," Frank said. After seeing that man today, he thought he posed too much of a threat.
"I'm good with anything. It's up to you!"
"If he really comes to the shop looking for you, make sure you don't go out with him alone. A guy like that, a businessman, chasing after a woman he doesn't even know this much? It's definitely suspicious."
"Frank!" Sidney felt he was getting more and more ridiculous, "He's an old acquaintance of mine!"
When Sidney said that, Frank suddenly slammed on the brakes and looked at her with a strange expression.
"No wonder. Was he one of your old suitors?"
"I guess so." Sidney wasn't sure if that was the right word for it.
"So now he runs into you here and wants to pursue you again?"
"…Actually, he's my husband."
Frank slammed on the brakes again, this time staring at her wide-eyed in disbelief.
"But didn't you say you were divorced?" He was utterly confused.
"I asked for a divorce, but he hasn't agreed yet."
"You!" Frank looked at her, hesitant, but finally asked, "So, do you want to reconcile with him or still go through with the divorce?"
Sidney knew Frank had feelings for her, so she asked, "I don't know. My mind's a mess right now. But Frank, I've already told you—it's not happening, no matter what."
"If you're willing to give him a chance, why can't you give me a chance?"
"Frank! My life is already chaotic enough. I'm not planning to start a new relationship right now."
"Then I'll wait for you."
"You don't have to do that."
"I really like you," Frank said stubbornly.
"You're only saying that because you don't know me well enough!"
"I know your personality, your temper! You're exactly the kind of woman I like!" He couldn't quite put into words what he felt for Sidney. He'd never met anyone like her before, someone he could imagine spending his whole life with.
"You don't really understand me."
"And he understands you now?"
"Don't bring him into this. It's just me and you now, and it's absolutely impossible."
"Can you think about it a bit more? We could go out and open a bakery together. Isn't it great that we're so like-minded?"
"Frank, sometimes I really don't understand you. Is it because of the bakery that you like me, or is it because of me that you like me?"
"...Of course... both. What's wrong with that?"
Sidney stopped talking, and Frank started the car again. After they returned to the store, she stopped initiating conversation with him.
Two days later, it was the weekend. While Sidney was tidying up the kitchen, she heard her phone ringing. She put down the cloth, rummaged through her bag, and saw that it was a call from Jayson.
He asked if she was done with work, and Sidney answered truthfully. Jayson said he was waiting in his car outside the store and asked if she wanted to join him for a ride.
"No, I still have some things to finish."
"I can wait for you."
"But I don't know when I'll be done."
"It's okay."
Sidney looked at the clock, and it was already past 10:05. It was hard to catch a bus at this hour, so she quickly finished cleaning, grabbed her bag and the paper bag, and ran outside.
Jayson was leaning casually against the car door, his arms crossed, watching Sidney as she stepped outside. A soft smile spread across his face as he met her gaze, his eyes warm and almost expectant.
Sidney, juggling her large and small bags, looked slightly disheveled. She gave him an awkward smile, her expression a mix of self-consciousness and mild embarrassment as she tried to balance everything in her hands.
As they got into the car, he asked, "Why so many things?"
"I have exams coming up, so I want to go home and practice."
"Baking exams?" Jayson glanced at the things in the bag.
"Mm."
They didn't speak during the drive. When they arrived downstairs at Sidney's apartment, he took the initiative to carry her things, but Sidney said no and carried them herself.
Jayson looked up at the building. It was all divided into small apartments, and the arcade was full of parked cars.
"It is an apartment?"
"Mm."
"Does it have a kitchen?"
"No, I mostly do it at a friend's place," she replied, not sure if she should mention Alondra.
"I have a pretty decent kitchen at my place, but I don't use it much. Feel free to borrow it."
"No, thanks." Did Sidney not know what his intentions were?
"Don't mention it. Starting tomorrow, I'm going back to City A to handle some things and won't be here for a week." He took out a key and handed it to her.
Sidney hesitated to take it, but he stuffed it into her bag. "Don't worry, no one will be at my place for a week. You can practice in peace."
With that, he turned and got into the car, not giving Sidney a chance to refuse.
After the car drove a short distance and made a turn, Jayson stopped and made a phone call.
"Mr. Smith, get me a professional oven, the kind they use in bakeries. And make sure to get all the other professional baking equipment too. I need it ready by tomorrow afternoon! Just make it happen."
