Chapter 4 A Visit To The Bakery

The Williams mansion's grand living room dance in the soft morning sunlight getting in through the windows at exactly 9:00 AM. Lady Veronica, wife to Victor Williams, one of the most prestigious man in the city sat upright on an embroidered armchair, a sleek dress draped flawlessly around her. At 50 she still carried herself with grace, her aura that of strength and screaming old money, her hair styled to perfection

"We need to find a wife for my son, I am not getting younger any more" she lamented her voice cutting through the silence "did you do what I asked you to?"

"Her young assistant Jane, stood beside her with a notepad and some photos "yes ma'am I have gathered some photos of some young girls from good and wealthy families for you to look at she held up the first picture carefully "this young lady is from the brunt family-"

"Definitely not!" she shouted, cutting her assistant off "just the name of that family is already enough to scare me away, who names their family brunt huh?? I don't want a girl from such a family bearing such family name before my son starts suffering consequences without knowing why he is suffering them. Next!" she whimpered us though the thought alone was unbearable.

The assistant, Jane, quickly flipped to another photo "how about this one? she's from the Jeremy's family-"

"No she looks too materialistic, she will spend all my son's money in a year, next"

Jane sighed, flipping to the third photo "ma'am take a look at this girl, she's so pretty from the Richard family. She's -"

"Don't go further, the Richard family as a whole are nothing but trouble. Always wanting to compete with my family. I don't want any one from my family to have anything to do with any one from that family" Lady Veronica said in a dismissive tone.

"My nephew is already married and I'm sure very soon the wife might get pregnant and my son Charles is even yet to settle down, "I want a grandchild while I am still young enough to hold him or her" she whined like a child.

"But you're already old" the assistant muttered

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

Jane bowed her head respectfully, lowering her eyes " Absolutely not ma'am" She quickly said.

Lady Veronica eyed her suspiciously but decided not to push further "Alright"

"But ma'am we have gone through most of the prominent families, what kind of girl exactly are you looking for?"

Lady Veronica leaned backward into the chair "An honest and a virtuous woman, someone not blinded by money and power" she paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face "Ah, I just remembered my friend Mrs. Justine. She recommended a small bakery for me to try out called Peterson's bakes, she also said the owner of the bakery is a young lady that is very hard looking, kind and down to earth. Mrs. Justine told me about the girl when I told her I was looking for a partner for my son

Jane looked up a little surprise "An ordinary baker ma'am? that would be unusual for the Williams family"

"Unusual is exactly what Charles needs" Lady Veronica said, a little bit excited to meet the girl at Peterson's Bakes. "but first call my son, tell him I want him to take me out today, I want to go to the bakery to go see the girl myself"

In an office far away from the Williams mansion, Charles Williams sat on a large desk, papers neatly arranged, the morning light reflecting on his well defined face. His phone rang and he picked it up with his usual calm voice "yes?"

"Son it's your mother" came lady Veronica's excited voice "I want you to take me somewhere today.

He faintly smiled, already having a feeling where this was leading to. "I have an important meeting with the board this morning mom, can it wait?"

"No it can't son, it's really important to take me out to where I want to go. If you don't come I promise to call you every two minutes"

"A quick chuckle left his lips "all right, I promise to be there in an hour"

"that's my boy" she said before hanging up.

At exactly an hour later Charles arrived at the Williams mansion. Lady Veronica was already waiting at the entrance of the door tapping her foot impatiently.

"You came late" she said, narrowing her eyes. "you should be faster for your mother"

"I came as quickly as I could mom" he replied with a helpless smile

"Hmph" she muttered, grabbing her purse "come on let's go we shouldn't waste more time"

In the car Lady Veronica wasted no time in launching into her mission "Son don't you have any intentions of getting married" she said sadly, my nephew who is your cousin is already married and sometimes I envy my brother because he might soon become a grandpa while I'm here and my son is even yet to get married" she sniffed dramatically

He kept his gaze on the road but there was a certain glint in his eyes that came fast and went away "let's not rush things mother"

She shook her head but decided not to say anything more.

They passed through the buzzing streets, the city lively with midweek energy

"Where are we headed" Charles finally asked

"To Peterson's bakes, it's a new bakery in town or more like a bakery we never knew of since we always ordered everything and never went out to get them ourselves, Mrs. Justine said they make the best pastries so I want to go try it out"

Charles shook his head "Mum you should really cut down on your sugar intake, don't you think so?"

"Hmm, maybe I will when you also promise me to finally get married" she said stubbornly

He sighed, getting tired of the conversation "Mother you know I'm just twenty six right?"

"Yes I know but the earlier you get married the better it is so I can carry my grandchildren".

He became speechless and didn't know what else to say.

A few minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up outside Peterson's bakes, the simple little shop stood at the side of the street.

Inside Anastasia was cleaning the counter, her apron dusted with flour. The morning had been so busy and stressful but now she finally had a moment to breathe. The bell at the entrance of the door jingled and she immediately looked up expecting another customer.

Instead two prominent figures walked in, one was a tall handsome man in a crisp dark suit who was Charles Williams, the other a woman whose bubbly energy filled the small shop instantly, Lady Veronica.

Anastasia straightened up nervously, not knowing who they were but sensing their importance "um good afternoon, welcome to Peterson's Bakes, how may I help you"

Lady Veronica's sharp eyes swept over the shelves of bread, cookies and pastries and finally landed on Anastasia, she quietly studied her for some minutes before speaking "Are you the one who owns this place dear"

"Yes ma'am, my mother started it but I take care of everything now"

Something softened in Veronica's gaze "that's good, I love it when I see the younger ones of today working hard"

Anastasia blinked unsure of what to say. She glanced at Charles who was watching her with a calm unreadable expression, the subtle tremor of her hands didn't escape his notice.

"Can I get some croissants please" Lady Veronica continued "my friend Mrs. Justine tells me your pastries are the best in town, I'm sure you know her"

Anastasia smiled a little "yes ma'am I know her, she's one of my regular customers"

"That's good, I really can't wait to taste your croissants"

Anastasia glanced at the tray smiling apologetically "Croissants is one of our most rushed pastries, so sorry ma'am we have just one left. If you don't mind I could give it to you, you don't have to pay" she said carefully placing it on a plate.

"Aww, you're such a lovely young lady". Lady Veronica took a bite and her eyes brightened "this is really delicious" she said "you definitely have magic in your hands child, what's your name?"

"Thanks for the compliment ma'am and my name is Anastasia" she replied softly smiling.

"What a nice name you have there, and how old are you?"

"Twenty One ma'am"

Lady Veronica's face lit up "that's a perfect match!"

Anastasia brows knitted slightly in confusion, she didn't understand what this elegant stranger was talking about.

Charles finally spoke, his voice low and steady, so only his mother could hear "Mother you should perhaps let her breathe, she doesn't know who we are"

"Well not for long" she whispered back.

Charles sighed, not knowing what else to say to his mother. As they sat at a small table, Anastasia served them some juice. The bakery was quiet but soothing. The hum of the refrigerator the loudest sound.

Moments later Craig and Chloe came in through the back door "Need a helping hand" Craig asked already tying his apron

"Nahh, not really, but thanks for asking" Anastasia continued "and yh, we have got guests" she nodded toward Lady Veronica and Charles

Craig and Chloe walked towards them "Good day sir and ma'am" They both greeted.

"Good day to you also" Lady Veronica smiled warmly at them. "If I'm guessing correctly then you are both Anastasia's siblings right?"

"Yes ma'am" Chloe answered smiling.

"What are your names"

"Chloe ma'am"

"Craig ma'am"

"Such lovely names, and I must say you both have such a talented sister"

"Yeah I know right, thank you" Craig said with so much pride for his sister.

Anastasia's face flushed a little.

"I am Lady Veronica Victor Williams, and this is my son Charles Victor Williams. We actually came here because I wanted to see you, Anastasia, with my own eyes"

"Both Anastasia and her siblings mouth hung open. Who doesn't know the Williams family, the second most prestigious and powerful family in the city, and yet here they are standing in her small bakery.

"Me?" Anastasia asked softly, not understanding the part of her saying she wanted to see her with her own eyes. She was just an ordinary girl who ran a bakery.

"Yes dear, don't worry and you don't have to think too much about it, as time goes by you will understand why I said that. But just know this" she paused then continued "you are very unique and different from other girls your age that I have seen"

"Thank you ma'am" Anastasia replied, although she was still a little bit confused and nervous.

Charles pretended to focus on his drink but his eyes kept darting toward Anastasia as though trying to read her thoughts.

Lady Veronica finished her croissant, totally satisfied "I would really love to come again some time, I wish to taste your bread fresh from the oven"

Anastasia nodded "that's no problem ma'am" she said, thankful that her oven was finally fixed and in a perfect condition.

"Alright then see you next time" she said, smiling at Anastasia.

Anastasia simply nodded again "you too ma'am, have a great day"

Charles just nodded at them, and after that, they both left. Anastasia sank into her chair totally exhausted, Craig pulled up beside her "you okay?"

She exhaled slowly, totally ignoring the weird visit of Lady Veronica and her son. "Just thinking, we really don't have much money left with us, our house rent utilities, I haven't paid the repairman and suppliers also. Chloe's school will soon be resuming and there is no money for her fees. The little money we make can only let us to feed ourselves and run the household.

Chloe's smile faded but she still comforted Anastasia "we will definitely figure something out"

Craig nodded "yeah we will, we are all in this together"

"Thank you guys" Anastasia said, smiling appreciatively. They all enveloped themselves in a warm hug.

***

That evening at the Williams estate, Charles stood by his window with a glass of wine in hand, deep in thoughts.

Lady Veronica walked into his room, radiant with certainty "She's perfect Charles, don't you think you should give it a try?"

He gave her a small smile "Let's not get ahead of ourselves mum, besides you might even scare the poor girl away with how fast you are taking everything and we can't just conclude about someone's character or personality just by one day meeting" he chuckled

"Well you can't blame me, hurry up because girls like that are rare to see and another guy might approach her while you are taking your sweet time trying to get everything slow"

Charles chuckled again but said nothing else, his mother shook her head and decided to leave his room.

"Goodnight son, think about what I said"

As soon as his mother left his room his smile dropped, a certain glint of determination in his eyes.