Because You Were Made For Me And No One Else

"Wow Anastasia, the bakery is booming and the pizzas are selling like hot cakes today!!" Mr. James exclaimed, his wrinkled face breaking into a grin as he leaned on the counter of Peterson's bakes

Anastasia chuckled, tying her apron properly which was about to loosen "Oh Mr. James, you are just saying that because you were able to get the last pizza" She said her green eyes holding a teasing glint as she packaged his pizza and handed it to him.

"Ouch I've been caught" he pretended to be hurt, acting like a child.

"But honestly Anastasia, your hands work pure magic. Keep up the good work and in years to come this place will grow more bigger".

"Thank you Mr. James, I will always do my best" She smiled warmly at him and he returned the smile before walking away leaving the counter and walking out of the bakery.

She turned wiping the counter while humming to a tune, the smell of fresh bread and sugar filled the bakery and the afternoon sun shone through the windows making it feel cozy and warm.

It was a busy day but In a good way. The clock ticking and the warm air made her feel at home. The bell rang as a woman with two little children walked into the bakery. "Anastasia you got any muffins left for my kids?" the woman asked smiling tiredly.

"For you and these two little angels...? Always" Anastasia said, bending down to reach the height of the two kids. "So what flavors do my two angels want"

"Blueberry!!" they both shouted jumping happily.

"Blueberry it is then" Anastasia laughed, packaging a bag. "Here is your delicious blueberry muffins. Enjoy and also keep some for your mama"

The kids giggled and the woman who happened to be their mother thanked her "You are a lifesaver and an angel Anastasia"

She smiled at the woman "Any time Mrs. Jones". Mrs. Jones smiled back hurrying out with her kids leaving only the fading sound of the kids chatter. Anastasia let out a slow breath rubbing her temple.

Then came a loud bang from behind her. A sharp metallic sound that didn't belong to a bakery.

Her stomach twisted as she rushed to the kitchen, thick smoke was coming out of the oven, it's doors hanging half broken on one hinge as though it was ready to crash to the floor.

"No, no, no, this can't be happening right now" she muttered almost at the verge of tears. It was the worst possible timing with lunch rush only an hour away.

She called the repairman pressing the phone tight to her ear but it went straight to voicemail, his recorded message came out. He would be unavailable for the next three days.

Her stomach dropped. He was the only one she trusted with fixing her appliances in the bakery and the only one who always fixes her oven even when she couldn't pay right away. She didn't have the money to hire someone else, not now. Three days without him, three days without the oven would cripple her.

The bell rang again. She hurried back to the counter trying to put up a smile for the next customer, but even the forced smile was nowhere to be seen immediately she saw who it was.

Mr. Spencer

He stood in a clean cut black suit, briefcase in hand, eyes holding so much impatience and anger, not to forget his potbelly protruding out. "I had ordered cinnamon rolls for my lunch meeting today and I expected it to be delivered to my office since two hours back, so why hasn't it been delivered yet!!" he shouted

Anastasia flinched "Mr. spencer I am so sorry, the oven broke an hour ago so I couldn't -"

"Not a good enough excuse for my cinnamon rolls not to be ready" His voice resounded in the bakery. "I bragged about your bakery saying that it was the best in town and this is the disappointment I get!?"

Anastasia felt ashamed. She could have had the cinnamon rolls delivered to him since he had placed the order for it earlier today, but she had been so busy and preoccupied attending to customers that she actually forgot about his order and only remembered when the oven got broken.

"Once again I am sorry Mr. Spencer. I can refund your money or you can take any of my other specialties from the counter"

He glared at her and was about to say something else but stopped himself, snatched a pastry and walked away without another word.

Anastasia's shoulders sagged, her hands shaking, but there was no time to dwell on it. The small backup oven would have to carry the bakery for the next three days until the repairman is back, though it meant slower service, fewer sales and plenty of unhappy customers.

The bell rang again but this time it was her older brother Craig walking towards the counter.

"Still working huh?" he asked. Craig was tall and broad shouldered, his brown hair a mess as though he had been tugging it all morning. Putting on an apron he walked towards the kitchen, dropping the backpack containing some ingredients he got at the grocery store needed for the bakery.

"Someone has to, not like I have a choice" Anastasia answered with a tired smile. "where's Chloe"

"Your Princess Is right here!!" came the sweet cheerful voice of their younger sister. Her dark ponytail swinging from left to right, a packet of flour in her arms. "The line at the store was insane" she said while dropping the flour on the counter close to where Craig dropped his backpack.

"Thanks Chloe, I really don't know what I would have done without you two"

Craig smirked "completely hopeless without us that's what"

"Probably" Anastasia chuckled, snatching a bit of dough and tossing it at him.

"Hey!" Craig dodged, laughing. "Assaults by pastry!"

Soon the kitchen was filled with their playful banter and laughter. Flour floated through the air and the soft smack of dough on the kitchen table eased the tightness in Anastasia's chest, making her forget about her worries for some minutes

"Let's bake some special rolls tonight" Chloe said excitedly. "we will sell them first thing tomorrow morning"

"Fine by me, but you're the one making the rolls" Anastasia said

"Sure, but don't forget you have more magic in your hands than mine" Chloe winked, grinning at her a sister.

Anastasia laughed "you are just trying to sweet talk me into making the rolls myself" she said, pinching Chloe's cheeks "but it's fine though, I will make the rolls"

"Yayyyy!! that's why you are the best sister in the whole world" Chloe said grinning from ear to ear.

Anastasia chuckled "and you are the cutest baby sis in the whole world"

They baked side by side giggling and throwing comments here and there. But the moment broke when a delivery truck stopped outside.

A man in a black cap came down from the truck and walked in carrying a half empty box and placing it on the counter "your order was cut" he said "late payment"

The word stung "alright" Anastasia whispered as she signed the delivery paper. The man left after that.

Craig noticed her sad expression "we will figure it out together okay?" he assured.

Chloe hugged her sister from behind "you're not alone big sis"

Anastasia felt like crying "thank you"

They closed earlier than the usual day, stepping into the cold evening the street was almost void of people as they walked home. Anastasia looked back at the bakery, the window showing only shadows, and it felt as though someone was watching them. The back of her neck tingled.

"I'm just too stressed, probably my imagination" she said waving it off.

At home they squeezed onto the couch eating pastries and watching TV, still her thoughts kept slipping to the broken oven and the little savings that is left to sustain them.

Even though Anastasia wasn't the first child but the brother, from childhood she has always been the more mature one, always there for her siblings after the death of their parents in a ghastly car accident. She still couldn't get the image of her parents lifeless body at the hospital on the day when they were called to identify the bodies. Craig still tried as much as he could as the older sibling to provide for his sisters with the nine to five job that he does and sometimes comes back to the bakery to assist Anastasia in the kitchen and also attending to customers. Chloe was still in high school, paying for her fees wasn't easy but both Anastasia and Craig promised to see her through school no matter the circumstances they found themselves.

Later, after Craig and Chloe went to bed, Anastasia stayed back in the living room sipping tea by the window. The street was so quiet, the lamp lights glowing on the pavements.

For a moment she almost believed it was a normal night

Almost.

But the night wasn't normal for everyone.

***

Far away from the streets lights, in a room that reeked of damp concrete and old rust a man knelt on the cold floor with seven guys surrounding him, bruises all over his face, beaten and battered almost looking lifeless. The door opened and a man walked in, immediately the man and the floor saw who it was he widened his eyes in fear as though he just saw the king of hell

"You thought you could betray me and I wouldn't get a sniff about it" the man who walked in said, his voice low, deep and calm, but edged with a dangerous tone that made the atmosphere feel heavier than it already was.

"Please I, I, I didn't mean to betray you boss" the man on the floor stammered, his words dripping with fear.

A menacing cruel laughter came from the man standing like a king "too late for that, I never forgive"

Immediately he said that one of the guys walked up to the man on the floor and punched him, a brutal crack of fist against flesh that echoed through the room. The man screamed, collapsing sideways, his body curling on the concrete.

"No one crosses me and lives to tell the story" said the unknown man in a whisper, but the danger in his voice cuts deeper than the punch.

His footsteps receded, slow and deliberate, leaving the unconscious man's ragged broken breath and the heavy promise of something dark and merciless already creeping into Anastasia's quiet little world.

"Be careful Anastasia! You're going to walk straight into a pole or worse you might trip" Chloe said with a teasing laugh. Skipping a few steps ahead, the cold night air making her cheeks pink.

Anastasia hugged her paper bag of baking supplies to her chest, trying to keep up. "You're the one walking like you had three scoops of sugar" she said shaking her head but smiling.

She still had on her apron which had bits of flour on it, a sign of a long day at the bakery. The delicious smell of pastry still clung to her, soft and inviting.

Craig walked beside her balancing the tray of unsold bread as though it weighed nothing, his hair was in its usual messy tangle. He gave Chloe a tired look, "Chloe slow down" he said, calm but firm "if you trip I'm not carrying you all the way home"

Chloe twirled around, her ponytail swinging. "you wouldn't even have the strength to carry me all the way home anyway" she laughed.

Craig frowned giving her a not so funny look.

Anastasia chuckled "He is actually stronger than you think Chloe, now let's hurry up and go have some ice cream before the shop closes"

The small town was quiet at this hour with only a motorbike parked far away and a dog barking now and then breaking the silence.

As they passed an old fountain Anastasia looked at the soft glow of the shop light ahead. She didn't notice the broad shouldered man walking towards her direction until it was too late.

The bump was sudden and unexpected, Anastasia's bag slipped from her hands, flour spilling out and scattering across the streets.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry" Anastasia gasped, bending quickly to pick up her things.

The man stopped, tall and standing in a long black coat that brushed the ground. His ocean blue eyes looking down at her was cold, distant and with no sign of kindness or sympathy for her flour that was scattered all over the floor.

"Watch it lady" he said, his voice low and cold with sharpness.

Anastasia's hands that was trying to salvage the little she could off the floor stilled, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.

"I, I, didn't mean to" she tried apologizing again but he was already walking away, the hard sound of his shoes fading into the night.

Craig stepped forward his jaw tight. "that was really uncalled for!!" he shouted after the man's fading silhouette before crouching down to help his sister. He shoved the remaining packet of flour that they could salvage back into her bag with a little more force than necessary. "you okay sis?"

"I am fine" she quickly replied, brushing off her apron and putting on a false smile refusing to let the unpleasant encounter with the unknown man sour her mood. "it's nothing, let's just hurry up to the ice cream shop before it closes"

Chloe however wasn't done "what was with his attitude? we should have emptied some flour on his head" she grumbled, and Anastasia just gave a weak smile at her statement.

"Vanilla for me!" Chloe shouted, changing the topic to shake off the tension.

"Strawberry for me" Craig said, balancing the bread tray in his hands he glanced at Anastasia "still chocolate chip?"

"Still chocolate chip" she confirmed with a little laugh.

The bell above the ice cream shop's door jingled as they stepped inside, the sweet and delicious scents of sugar immediately welcomed them in.

"Good evening, what can I get for you?" the shopkeeper asked smiling brightly at them.

"Strawberry please" Craig said, taking out a few bills from his pocket.

"Vanilla" Chloe beamed "Chocolate chip" Anastasia added.

They took a table close to the window, each spoonful took away the day's stress. Chloe mourned in satisfaction "this is the best feeling I've had today"

Before Anastasia could reply to her comment the bell rang again.

"TASIA!!"

Anastasia turned and immediately a bright smile lit up her face "Crystal!" She stood up pulling her best friend into a warm hug "how did you know we were here?"

Crystal short length hair framed her face that seemed to radiate so much joy of seeing her best friend after not seeing her for weeks because of her busy work schedule.

On hearing Anastasia's question she winked at her "I have my ways you know, thought I'd surprise you" she said her grey eyes sparkling with mischief.

Anastasia laughed "you never change but anyways I'm so glad you are here" she parted an empty chair eagerly "sit with us"

Craig froze mid scope when crystal sat down next to him. "H...hey" he stammered then immediately dropped his spoon, it clattered against the table top earning a giggle from Anastasia.

"Hey there Craig, it's been a while" Crystal said, smiling at him.

"Yeah it has" he smiled nervously

Chloe noticed the changes in her brother, she tilted her head amused "you okay bro? you looked like you just saw a goddess" she teased

"I am fine!" he said, his voice higher than he intended it to be.

Anastasia and Chloe exchanged knowing looks, Chloe whispered "He likes her"

"I know" Anastasia whispered back, trying not to laugh out.

Anastasia and Crystal have been friends since high school. Crystal was the only one who stood by her through thick and thin, their bond grew stronger after the death of Anastasia's parents when everyone deserted them, even her parent's relatives. Crystal was the only one who was there for her. Although Crystal isn't from a wealthy family but they were comfortable, both her parents work in the same company one as a secretary and the other as a delivery man for the company.

Both Chloe and Anastasia has always noticed the slight changes in Craig whenever Crystal was around. At first they weren't sure but with each time Crystal comes to visit the suspicion became clearer, he had a soft spot for her best friend.

They were happy for him because he has never dated anyone before, but the sad part was that they were not sure Crystal felt the same way because she has never or even given as little as a reaction or sign that maybe she might like him as well.

They ordered Crystal a Strawberry cone and soon the four of them were talking and laughing over old memories and small gossips. Crystal's laughter was infectious and Craig was bewitched by her beauty. He was just so silent sitting there but was very attentive whenever she spoke.

When they were done with their ice cream Anastasia suggested they sit outside for some time. The bench under the tree was cold to the touch, the night's air clean and refreshing, the stars in the sky looked so pretty and the soft chirping of crickets filled the quiet spaces between their words.

"Look at that star over there" Chloe pointed upward "it's brighter and prettier than the others"

"Yeah it's really pretty" Anastasia agreed softly but her mind strayed briefly to the bakery. This was the second day without her oven and she hasn't been making sales like usual, and also thoughts of the little loans she has been getting from people to help assist her and her siblings, because they are currently on her neck to pay back the debt and she doesn't want to keep disturbing her friend with her burdens. She decided to push all those thoughts aside for now.

Crystal grinned suddenly "remember that time we went camping and got caught in the rain?"

Anastasia laughed "yeah I do, you screamed at a frog"

"The frog was huge" Crystal groaned, hiding her reddened cheeks.

Chloe puffed up "I would have caught it"

"No thanks" Crystal shuddered just at the thought of it and everyone burst into laughter.

Craig's gaze stayed on Crystal, the corners of his mouth lifting into a shy smile. "you don't have to be scared, you are braver than you think" he said

Crystal's eyes softened "Awwn. thank you I appreciate, and you are sweeter and so cute than your bullying sisters"

He quickly looked away his face burning. Anastasia nudged him playfully with her knee under the table, earning a glare from him which only made her grin wider.

Eventually the night deepened and they decided to head home after saying a good night to Crystal. In less than 15 minutes they got home, the familiar building comforting. Anastasia took out the keys and unlocked their apartment.

"Good night to you two" Craig said, his voice a little bit dazed.

"Yeah, sweet dreams you two" Mia said as she rushed to the stairs and into her room.

Anastasia quickly changed her outfit and slid under the blankets, fatigue pulling out her limbs and immediately she drifted off to sleep.

But the sound of a car engine woke her up. She pushed aside her curtain, her heart thudding all of a sudden.

A sleek black car was parked Idly, close to her window, the headlights off. Through the dim glass she could make out the outline of someone in the driver's seat unmoving.

And then just as quietly as it came, the car drove away into the dark.

Anastasia frowned. But on a second thought shook her head. 'probably nothing, just a late night passer by'

Even after that reassurance she gave to herself, she still couldn't sleep quite as easily that night.

"Wakey, wakey, it's bakery time Anastasia!"

Chloe's excited voice rang through Anastasia's small bedroom. Before Anastasia even had the chance to open her eyes her bed dipped, Chloe jumping and bouncing on it like a child.

The sunlight shone through the thin curtains, giving the walls a pleasant glow. The clock showing 7:30am.

Anastasia groaned pulling the blankets over her head. "It's still too early Chloe, and get down from my bed" she mumbled. She wasn't able to get a proper sleep because of last night. The slow and deliberate way that car had passed by her window, as though the person inside was watching her. she had tried convincing herself that it was nothing but the unease was still heavy in her heart

Craig knocked on her door and walked in with a grin. "Come on sis, we've got work to do. Freshen up and let's start our day"

Anastasia sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes "fine, I'm up you guys" she said forcing a little smile, although she still felt tired "let's begin our day"

They dressed quickly. Anastasia tied on her apron which was still wrinkled from yesterday while Craig wore his worn jacket and Chloe pulled her hair into a ponytail.

"Let's race, first to get to the bakery" Chloe shouted, already running towards the door

"Not fair, you tricky little sister of mine!" Craig laughed, chasing after her.

Anastasia smiled following them at a slower pace. The refreshing morning air brushing against her face, the street was still so quiet with only few shopkeepers sweeping their storefronts. She kept her thoughts on the day ahead hoping for only positive things to happen.

Immediately they got to the bakery Craig took out the keys from his pocket, the metal lock clicking loudly in the still air. They stepped inside, the faintest smell of yesterday's bread and pastries still lingered

"Let's start with the dough" Anastasia said, after they finish cleaning the bakery.

"Alright" Chloe said, clapping her hands together. She moved to the counter taking out bags of flour and sugar.

Craig lit the old oven they had been managing, thankfully the repairman was coming back tomorrow. The slow warmth of the oven began to fill the kitchen "Need help with the mixing?" he asked Anastasia

"Yes please, thank you" Anastasia said, handing a bowl to him. Soon the sound of spoons scraping metal and flour puffing into the air filled the kitchen of the bakery

"Be careful Craig" Anastasia shouted when he almost spilled the cookie dough on the floor.

"Oops, sorry" Craig replied with a guilty grin.

Chloe laughed as she rolled the dough. "You two are impossible"

"Let's make more pizza" said Chloe "you know Mr. James always likes your pizza and asks for extra whenever he comes sis"

"Yeah that's true I'll make more"

"Good morning children, are you guys open yet" Mrs. Justine elderly familiar voice called, she lived close to the bakery.

"Morning to you too ma'am, we aren't open yet for customers since we are still baking more pastries and cookies but come in" Anastasia replied unlocking the door.

"Okay that's fine, but I hope croissants are available right?" she asked with her usual kind and motherly smile.

"Yes ma'am it is" Anastasia said while she wrapped and packaged the croissants giving it to the elderly lady.

"Thank you child, by the way it smells so good in here" Mrs. Justine said while paying for the croissants and then leaving the bakery with a wave.

When Chloe went to check the pantry, her cheerful face dropped "Uh... Anastasia we are almost out of baking powder and baking soda"

"What?!" Anastasia frowned, walking over and she saw the nearly empty container and what is left wouldn't even carry them to make even as little as a single cookie. They had just little savings left for their upkeep. She sighed, "Alright let me run to the market and go get it, you two keep going"

"Hurry up" Chloe said, saluting playfully "we've got pizza to make"

Anastasia faintly smiled, grabbing her small bag and stepping into the street. The sun was brighter now and the market buzzing with the chatters of sellers and their customers.

She immediately headed to the store selling baking ingredients.

"Baking soda and baking powder" she murmured to herself finally spotting where the baking soda and baking powder are being kept. The prize made her wince "we will have to make this last" she thought, paying the vendor.

As she turned to leave she collided into someone, her bag slipping from her hand and the baking soda falling to the floor

"Gosh I'm so sorry" she quickly said, crouching down to pick it up.

When she looked up she froze

He was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, if not the most handsome. she couldn't stop herself from checking him out

The man was tall wearing a black coat that fit perfectly over his broad shoulders with his jet black hair and sharp jaws. He had the face that could make heads turn, unfortunately his expression was as unwelcoming and cold as winter. The most beautiful features on his face was his eyes, it was as though he could look into someone's soul with those eyes and the color of his eyes was a beautiful ocean blue. Immediately something made her pause in her observation

'Wait, this eyes look familiar, where have I seen them' she thought while still staring at his face, and that's when it clicked. She widened her eyes when she remembered he was the same guy she bumped into the other day. She couldn't recognize him immediately because it was late in the night that day and she was also nervous, so she didn't get the time to really study his looks that night.

The man frowned at her "Do you always stare at all strangers like that or are you just some kind of pervert" the voice deep and edged with mockery just like that day.

His words stunned her. Anastasia wasn't someone who was quick to anger, she was known and liked for her peaceful nature but today for the first time and for some reason someone was riling her up and it was a stranger.

"Hey!" she said, standing upright while balancing her bag on her shoulder and also holding the packaged baking powder and soda tightly. "I said sorry you don't have to be so rude sir"

He arched one side of his eyebrow "I am rude? you're the one gawking. Maybe try learning how to control yourself" he took a step closer, his gaze unflinching "or at least learn how to walk without bumping into people"

Her cheeks burned in embarrassment "It was an accident okay? so stop acting like such a jerk!" she snapped, and without waiting for a reply she turned sharply and walked away, her steps quick and heavy. The man still stood there staring at the back of Anastasia as she walked away.

By the time Anastasia got back to the bakery she was still fuming, she set the baking powder and soda down harder than necessary.

"Whoa" Chloe jumped back "why the face sis, what happened?"

Craig glanced up from his phone "yeah, you look ready to explode, what's the matter?"

Anastasia took a deep breath "I bumped into that cold and arrogant guy again, the one from the other night, and this time not only was his expression so unwelcoming but he also called me a pervert and that I'm someone who can't control myself just because I stared at him"

Chloe's mouth hung open "No way, that's twice now someone and same person has gotten under your skin in just one week. You rarely get mad at people no matter what they do to you but look at how you're getting mad at a stranger" she laughed, "but why is the guy so rude though?"

Craig smirked "I guess he's got a special talent for getting under her skin"

"Not funny Craig and did you guys even listened to anything I said? I said he call me a pervert" Anastasia said, although the corners of her lips betrayed a small smile. She sighed when they still said nothing but instead were giving a mischievous smile. "Let's just forget that" and immediately she said that, they both laughed.

The tension slowly lifted as they worked and the atmosphere was lively again, filling the bakery with the delicious smell of pizza, croissants and bread.

The bell above the door jingled and Crystal walked in, her bright red pants a lovely contrast to the white tiled walls.

"Good morning everyone" she said giving Anastasia a hug

"Good morning to you too bestie, I'm surprised to see you coming to my bakery so early this morning" Anastasia said with a grin.

"Thought I could help you guys out with some stuffs here at the bakery" Crystal replied "hi there Chloe, hi there Craig" she greeted

"Hello Crystal, good morning" Chloe greeted back, then she pointed to the dough, "here, would you come join and role this with me?"

"Sure" Crystal tied on an apron, chatting easily as she worked.

On the other hand Tom kept sneaking glances at her, though he quickly looks away whenever their eyes meet. Anastasia noticed it but just smiled and didn't see anything.

before long everything was ready.

"They smell amazing" Crystal said excitedly, reaching out for one

"It's still too hot" Anastasia said, laughing at Crystal 's pouts as she pulled the tray away.

By the time the customers arrived, the shelves were full and the bakery was lively with warmth.

Outside the bakery at a secluded area parked far enough not to draw attention was a black car, its windows tinted and its engine silent. From the inside a shadowed figure watched them through the glass. The car was there till night time, and when the bakery finally closed the car rolled away slowly leaving behind an uneasy feeling that it won't be peaceful for long.