Perfect Deception

---------------------------------------------------------------------

My name was Annie and I was tired of living. Everyone told me life wasn't always easy and I shouldn't blame myself if mine was a struggle. So, everyday, whenever I woke up, I told myself it wasn't my fault my father abandoned us. It also wasn't my fault a man broke my heart and left me pregnant with his child. I sighed and took my eyes off the letter in my hands. Everything changed the moment I decided to travel out of LA. I folded the piece of paper, it was so old that it might tear if I wasn't careful. It had been four years since he sent this letter. I should have burned it a long time ago, I know I should. Everything written there were empty promises.

I kept the envelope in my clutch and tried to focus my attention on something else. I brought out my phone and checked the time.

"Ma'am, aren't you getting down now?"

I raised my head and saw the bus driver looking at me. "Yes?"

"We are at the last bus stop."

"Oh." I looked around and noticed I was the only passenger still in the bus. Gosh, when did the bus even stop? I quickly picked up my clutch and got down.

The driver smiled at me. "Have a nice day, ma'am."

I sighed. Nice day? I hoped so.

I walked the familiar path to the bakery where I worked as both a baker and cashier. The bakery only had three workers so we worked in different categories. Tessa, my co-worker, was decorating some cupcakes when I walked in.

She was carefully putting a bright pink butter icing on some cupcakes arranged on a tray. There was a peck of flour on her curly hair and her small lips tightened as she concentrated on her job. She had a small body build which made her look five years younger than her actual age. Well, she used it to her advantage whenever she flirted with men. She was the complete opposite of me. She was so jovial that she made life look so simple. It was one of the things I admired about her.

She took a glance at me and wiped away the chunk of butter icing that stained her neck. "Good morning Ann. You came late today. Mr Weston just ordered three boxes of strawberry cupcakes."

Mr Weston was one of our regular customers, he always ordered in large quantities.

"Good morning Tessa. The bus stopped a little bit far from my destination so I had to walk here." I observed her. "You look stressed," I said.

She puffed. "I sure do. I'm trying to meet up with the delivery time."

She took an apron from the hanger and passed it to me. I grabbed it and wore it quickly.

"Hurry Annie! Let's start mixing the dough before the customers' arrival," she said and continued decorating the cupcakes.

I nodded and took a bowl from the shelf. "Okay, I'm coming."

I brought out the bag of flour and took some scoop from it. I poured it into the bowl and looked around for Matthew who was also a co-worker. He usually tidies the bakery.

I turned to Tessa. "Matt isn't in the shop. Did he go for delivery?"

She shook her head. "No, he called in sick today."

Matthew was a sickle cell patient, he usually felt sick almost every week.

"I hope he gets better," I said.

Tessa nodded. "Me too."

Since Matthew wasn't around, the work was much for us. Matthew usually served the orders, while Tessa and I baked and placed the orders on the counter.

Although the bakery was small, it had huge customers every day. Tessa agreed to serve the orders, while I placed it on the counter. Soon, people were already entering the bakery and not quite long, the bakery was buzzing with customers.

I rubbed my palm against my floral apron and took my favorite glove from the counter. I removed the pan of cupcakes from the oven and placed them on the counter. Its delicious aroma wafted through the air.

I loved to bake, I had learned how to bake since when I was a kid. My mom used to bake for us every weekend. Then we would gather around the kitchen island mixing the batter and laugh at each other's funny or crazy jokes. I swallowed hard and dismissed the thought. Such memories were long forgotten and only brought painful thoughts. It was before everything changed.

I arranged the cupcakes on the tray, it was a mixture of strawberry and vanilla. Tessa came to the counter and studied the cupcakes.

"Nice work Annie, those cupcakes look tantalizing." She placed it on her tray and gave me a thumbs up.

I gave her my best smile. "Thanks."

Tessa winked and went to deliver the customer's orders.

The doorbell jingled, I raised my head just in time to see Mrs Will and her little daughter, Eva, approaching the counter. Mrs Will always stopped by at the bakery after work. We got along pretty well. She was a witty woman in her thirties, she was twice married and once divorced.

"How are you doing, Annie?" she asked. She gazed at the show glass where other confections were displayed.

I smiled as I placed the next set of waffles on a tray. It was hard to resist staring at my confections.

" I'm good, thanks for asking," I said sweetly.

She looked at the waffles. "Is this one of the special offers?"

I nodded. "It is a new recipe, I just tried it out."

She examined it and smiled. "It looks yummy."

I smiled. "Thanks. So do you want this special offer?"

"Yes, I want two for me and one for Eva."

Eva smiled and raised her head to check out the cupcakes I had left on the counter to cool down. She had a very cute smile just like my four years old daughter, Zoe. They had an unlimited love for cupcakes.

She poked the cupcake with her little finger. Mrs Will quickly removed her daughter's hand and held it.

"Eva stop doing that." Eva dropped her hands, hid it and smiled guiltily.

We both laughed at the way she smiled. It was cute.

Mrs will looked at me and smiled adorably. "She likes cupcakes."

"It seems so."

I packed their orders and gave it to her. She collected it and held her daughter's wrist.

"Bye," she waved at me and held the package up. "I can't wait to devour this."

I laughed and she joined me. I waved back as they walked out of the restaurant.

"Bye!"

~

By 8:00 pm, there weren't any more customers. Normally, Tessa and I usually cleaned the bakery before going home, but Tessa had gone for a date so I had to do the cleaning alone.

I changed the signboard on the door to close and started cleaning the bakery. I calculated the total sale of the day and kept it in the safe. I was mopping the floor when the doorbell rang. I raised my head and saw a man in a corporate designer suit entering the bakery. The man stopped and observed the bakery. It was obvious it was his first time in the bakery.

I gulped when my eyes met his. His eyes were so captivating, like a magnet, it was pulling me closer. He raised his eyes observing me slowly. I shivered and felt goosebumps on my skin. He was on a wheelchair. His relaxed chiseled face and well built body exhibited principle and pride. The suit was made of fancy wool and his wristwatch was of refined quality. He must be a wealthy man, probably a CEO of a big enterprise.

I looked at him closely. His well craved eyebrows were nicely set above his gray eyes. Those eyes looked so familiar, it reminded me of my past. My mistakes, my pains, my feelings, and everything I had wanted to forget of my past.

I studied him closely. Could he be him?

A lady was walking beside the man as his wheelchair rolled automatically towards a seat by the right angle of the bakery.

I paused. Wait, didn't they notice that we are already closed?

I dropped the mop and approached him. I was already stressed from the day's activities. There was no way I could take more orders.

He picked the menu on the table and observed it.

I gulped and fidgeted with my hands. I was nervous being around him, his appearance made me feel so self-conscious. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my apron. I built up my confidence and looked at him.

"Excuse me sir. Sorry to bother you, but we are closed for today." I told him, expecting him to leave with his girlfriend or whoever she was. I took a second look at the lady and noticed she looked familiar. I have seen her in some movies. Suddenly, I remembered. She was the famous actress Violet.

How could I not recognize her? She was madly famous.

"2 French rolls and a cup of hot tea," his husky voice sent shivers down my spine.

I shook my head, maybe he has a problem with hearing correctly, I just told him the bakery was closed, can't he understand that!

"What?" I asked, slightly confused. "Pardon me sir, I believe you don't understand what I just said. We are closed for today." I pointed at the door. "You can see the closed sign board at the door"

He dropped the menu and glared at me. "What's your name?" He looked at my work tag pinned to my shirt. "Annie?" He stared elsewhere and shook his head. "I'm not surprise, most Annie's are stupid and very frustrating to work with."

My expectations flew out of the window as I realized Rick would never regard me like this.

His words hit me so hard. I took a deep breath, calming myself. Patience Annie, you need this job. Just ignore him, he is a scumbag. Do your job and leave him alone.

"You should leave right now." I said calmly trying to suppress my anger.

He shook his head and scoffed. "You must be deaf or something."

I arched my brow, irritated. "What do you just say?"

He looked at me with a stern facial expression. I'm very sure he wasn't used to people asking him questions.

"I don't repeat myself," He declared with so much authority.

I eyed him disbelieving. Who the hell does he think he is?

I let out a fake gasp and covered my mouth acting surprised. "Oh, really? I guess you don't repeat yourself because you might end up saying something very silly."

His face suddenly hardened and I sensed fear gripping my whole body. I had hardly ever insulted anyone before, let alone, someone of his status. The lady beside him frowned at me like I was the one who was being rude. I ignored her and kept on glaring at the man. Why would she be with someone like him? She was a reputable celebrity.

He balled his hands and glared at me. "What do you just say?"

I straightened up and folded my hands. "I'm sorry..." I wanted to apologize but I changed my mind. It wasn't me who started the insult. So, instead I ignored how fast my heart was beating or how fear gnawed my whole body and said.

"I don't repeat myself."

Suddenly he chuckled and looked at me. "I'm not surprised, I guess you can't expect much sense from a cheap girl."

That was it. That was all it took to make me forget about all the consequences and just give in to anger. "You know what, I don't know if you have an issue with me or something, but it is better to be poor than to be a silly narcissist like you," I said.

His face hardened even more just when I thought he couldn't look any more angrier.

He gripped his wheelchair and pointed a finger at me. "You should watch your mouth, unless that mouth will put you in trouble!"

I took a deep breath and composed myself. He sounded like he was capable of getting me fired. I mentally slapped myself, I should have kept my mouth shut, but why do I have to respond to all his insults?

"It was you who insulted me first sir," I defended myself.

My life was a struggle, but I shouldn't take the whole blame. It wasn't my fault he couldn't stand my presence.

"Do you know who I am? Do you know that with just one call I can get you fired?" He challenged me.

"No, I don't need to know who you are because you are nothing without that money and fame," I said.

He stared at me, shocked.

I could feel my heart racing faster just thinking about losing my job. I knew he said that just to put me back in my place and I won't lower my standard because I was cheap in his eyes.

Just that instance, I wished I wouldn't see him ever again, but fate could be so tricky at times.

Perfect deception (2)

|2| The Bakery Is Sold Out.

The breeze was cold and the sky gloomy. Thunder boomed in the distance and lightning flashed up in the horizon. I had closed the bakery and was heading to the usual dinner my bestfriend and I meet up. I walked faster, I didn't have to get soaked in rain. I brought out my phone and dialed a familiar number before putting it close to my ear.

"Hello Dominic, are you in the diner?"

I heard a car honking through the phone and then Dominic's voice. "No, I'm caught up in a traffic jam," he said.

Dominic was my best friend, he worked as a team leader in a very busy software company. His work took most of his time. The only day he wasn't really busy was Saturdays, so we usually meet up on that day.

"Are you almost there?" I asked.

"Yes, I will get there in the next ten or fifteen minutes."

"Alright, see you soon."

"Yeah." He said and hung up.

The diner was small and cozy. There were a lot of creative designs around its wall. I walked inside and sat by one of the windows. Soon, it began to rain. People ran into the diner for shelter while those who were prepared for the rain, brought out their umbrellas and used it.

I huffed and checked my phone. It's been twenty minutes, I hoped the rain wasn't disturbing Dominic.

A waiter approached me. I was kind of thirsty so I ordered a bottle of water for the meantime until Dominic's arrival.

I smiled when I saw him stepping into the Diner. His clothes were a little wet due to the heavy rain falling outside and it stuck to his clothes. His short black hair slipped down and water simmered as it dripped onto his shoulders. He had an athletic build which made him looked like he usually worked out. He didn't. He got those muscles by working himself up at his work. Yeah, Dominic was a workaholic. He walked at a steady pace to my table and sat on the opposite seat.

"Hey, how was work?" Dominic asked, while sitting down.

"Fine." I said and called the waiter. The waiter came and we both gave out our orders. "But there was a man who came to the bakery and suddenly started insulting me unnecessarily. It was like...like he knew me before. I'm not sure, but I feel we've had a clash before."

Dominic shrugged. "Maybe, he is one of those suitors you turned down harshly."

"Dominic, Do you-" the waiter came with our orders, making me pause.

She placed the orders on the table. The sweet aroma of tantalizing grilled beef drifted through my nostril. I ordered a hamburger with a cup of hot chocolate.

"Dominic, come on. Do you think I will forget a rich suitor?"

He leaned closer, concerned. "How rich is he?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. He looked super rich and he was even with an actress. Besides, he acted like the world was under his feet by threatening to fire me from my job."

Dominic stopped eating his French fries and frowned. "Now, this is serious. Who does he think he is? How dare he threaten my girl just because he felt he had the f*cking privilege?!"

"Dominic, mind your language, there are kids here."

He sighed and stretched his hands towards mine. "Okay, I won't curse again. I just don't like it that someone is using their status to intimidate you."

I smiled and squeezed his hands. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

I just wondered if I had met that man in the bakery before.

Why do I feel like I knew him?

---

The next day, I was brushing my hair when my bedroom's door creaked and my mom came inside. She sat on my bed, it made a loud crack and tilted to the side a little. That reminded me, I should better call the carpenter to fix that bed before I fall from it.

"Good morning, Mom." I stood up, my foot touching the wet rug. My roof was leaking, so the rug got soaked whenever it rained.

She took a pillow and rested her back on it. "So, how was your date?"

I groaned, she was referring to Dominic. "Mom, it wasn't a date."

She shrugged. "It would have been, if you didn't put him in the friend zone."

I blinked. "What?! Mom, Dominic is just my friend!"

"Yes, he is your friend, but do you think he wants you to be just a friend?"

I gulped, I didn't know how to answer that question. Although, I'm aware that Dominic likes me more than just a friend yet I wasn't ready for any sort of commitment.

I took my leather bag from the bag from the hanger and turned to her. "I'm getting late for work, I will see you when I get back"

I went downstairs and saw my daughter watching a cartoon on the television. I crossed my hands and studied her. It was a good thing she didn't look like her father. I didn't want to be reminded of his betrayal. She looked like the younger version of me. We both had tanned skin and curly brown hair.

I picked up her lunchbox and approached her. "Come on Zoe, let's go to your new school."

Zoe jumped down from the couch and did a small victory dance. "Yes!" She looked up at me with her angelic eyes. "Mom, does this mean I will have a chance to make new friends?"

I took the remote and switched off the television.

I smiled as I checked my wristwatch. Oh no, I was running late for work. "Yeah, let's go. I'm running late." I told her and held her hand as we walked out of the house.

I dropped her at her new school. I gave her a lunch box and squatted to hug her when I was about to leave.

I looked at her, still squatting. "Zoe, Mommy has to go to work, but promise me you will behave yourself this time."

I had to change her from her former school because she kept getting into fights with her classmates. It wasn't a serious fight, but the school changed my daughter's calm behavior, not me. I was still furious at the principal's words. She blamed

me that I couldn't raise my child properly because I was a single mother.

Do people think it is easy to be a single parent?

She nodded and gave me a hug. "Yes, mom. I promise."

I stood up and patted her hair. "Alright, bye!"

She waved at me and ran to her class.

I brought out my phone and checked the time. What? It was almost 8 o'clock? I rushed to the bus station without even closing my bag. It took me ten minutes to get to the bakery. Luckily, I arrived at the bakery at exactly 8:00 am. Wow, I didn't know I could be this fast. I took the shortcut to the bakery and passed the nook of the street leading to the bakery. I paused when I noticed a sigh board that wasn't there last night. What made me notice the sign board was because of the picture of the bakery on it.

There wasn't any reason why Mrs Bakare should post an advertisement of the bakery right in front of the bakery. The bakery was very popular in the neighborhood. I knew I was wrong about the whole advertising the bakery stuff when I checked the poster again. The bakery was actually sold out, like sold out! How was that possible, it was so wrong to believe, but it was clearly written there,

right in front of me.

I shook my head and walked to the bakery. I hastened my footsteps and quickly got to the bakery. I met Mrs Bakare's son, Sammy, by the bakery doorstep.

Sammy smiled when he saw me. "Good morning, Annie. Oh I'm very sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but the bakery is already sold out. Someone bought it yesterday." He looked at the door, casually. "I came here to close it down."

I stared at Sammy in disbelief and just like that, my career was over.

I didn't reply to Sammy. I brushed my hands through my hair, pulling it like it was a solution. The fact that it was a quick notice got me frustrated. I need this job, my whole family depended on it.

I shook my head and gazed at Sammy

"Why did your Mom sell the bakery? It was great. This bakery makes a huge profit daily and it is very popular in the neighborhood. Also, people love buying a lot of confections here. So I don't understand why your Mom sold this bakery all of a sudden. I mean, it is very confusing. This is not meant to happen." I paused to catch my breath. I was rambling, but I just couldn't control it. I've been working in the bakery for over four years and it was our main source of income. My mom owns a small grocery store, but it wasn't making any huge profit. Zoe was still a student. So, technically, I was the one providing our basic needs.

Sammy seemed to understand how I was feeling. He slightly raised his hands in the air. "I know you should have been told earlier, but the case is that my mom is relocating and she needs to shut down the bakery ASAP. I'm sorry, I hope you understand."

I nodded, even though I was lost in my own thoughts. Where will I find another good paying job?

"Don't worry, we will pay you this month's salary. So as to make up for the quick notice," he said with a half smile.

I scratched my head, it was badly aching me. He spoke like that could solve my problem. I was a single mother so I needed to be financially strong to be able to take care of Zoe.

I shook my head and rubbed my face. "Sammy, it is not just about paying me for this month, I need to get a new job. Zoe is transferred to another school and I have to pay her school fees."

"If you really need a new job, I will ask around for any available jobs."

I nodded, trying to smile. Sammy hardly meddles in people's business and pays attention to others. The fact that he volunteered to help was really out of his way.

I could remember when I first met him in the bakery. He usually sits in a corner, reading a lot of books. Sometimes, I would catch him staring at me. I had thought he was stalking me so I approached him one evening after we had counted the day's sales. I had challenged him and had been so shocked to find out he was actually the boss's son. You can't imagine my humiliation, I had ended up apologying. He had laughed his ass off that day, claiming I had wild imagination.

"Thanks," I said.

He shrugged. "It is not a big deal. This is the least I can do."

"Alright, I will be going back now," I said.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and left the bakery with an unenthusiastic slouch.

*

I called my mom to tell her about the bakery being sold out. Then I went around the neighborhood searching for any job vacancy, but, unluckily, I wasn't qualified for all the available jobs. I got home by 4:00 pm. I was so tired, I went straight to my room and dozed.

It was twilight when I woke up. Zoe had climbed my bed, she kept on bouncing on it, until I woke up. I slightly raised my head and squinted at her.

"Zoe, get down." I mumbled, half awake.

She shook her head and giggled. "No, I love bouncing on your bed!"

I turned to the other side, rubbing the sleep off my eyes. "You can do that later, I'm very tired right now."

She stopped and laid close to me. Her short curls spread all over the pillow and her gray eyes looked at me, concerned. "Why, Mom?"

I stretched out my hand and ruffled her hair. I smiled. "I'm very tired because I walked a lot today."

Zoe furrowed her forehead. "You don't look happy, Mom."

I sat up, carried her onto my lap and embraced her. "Who told you that? I'm very happy and do you know why? It is because I have the most beautiful daughter in the world." I said, brushing her hair backward.

She giggled and looked at me. "Really?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yes."

I got down from the bed and went to the kitchen to assist my mom in preparing dinner. I could hear the clangs of plates coming from the kitchen. She looked at me when I entered the kitchen.

"Are you feeling better now?"

I nodded and approached her. "Yes, so what are we having for dinner?"

Zoe ran into the kitchen. "Dinner! dinner! dinner! dinner!" She kept on singing and dancing.

My mom laughed. "Oh look at her."

I turned to look at her and I also laughed.

"Zoe, come and assist mummy in cooking," I called her and she dashed to my side.

I packed my hair in a tight bun. "Let's just make pasta, is that okay, mom?"

My mom nodded. "Of course, where is the pasta?"

Zoe ran to get the pasta in the shelf, but she couldn't open the door. I opened it and took out the pasta.

Zoe played with the oven, touching it and trying to open it.

I rested a hand on my hip.

"Zoe, I told you not to touch the oven, remember?"

Immediately, She dropped her hands and hid them behind her back. "I was checking the temperature."

I dropped the pasta on the counter and bent to take a pot from the cabinet. "Nothing is inside, so you don't need to check the temperature."

My mom turned towards me. "Come on, Annie, just let her do what she wants."

"Okay, but when she breaks anything, it's not on me." I said and put the pasta into the pot.

"She is already a big girl. She can't break anything, right Zoe?."

Zoe nodded and swirled around the kitchen. "Yes."

Then, They did a high five.

I laughed. "Just don't break anything."

Just then my face paled as I heard the clang of glasswares shattering on the ground.

⚜⚜⚜

After cooking, we ate at the dining table and went to the living room to watch a 8 o'clock film we used to watch every night. While watching, Zoe fell asleep and was out like a lamp. I took her to her bedroom and went to mine.

I was also feeling sleepy. I stretched my hand towards the lamp on the nightstand and dimmed it. I adjusted my pink pillow and was about to rest my head when I saw a picture of an old memory I was trying to forget. It was a picture of me and a man hugging each other on an island in Hawaii. I wore a purple sun hat and a simple bikini. I looked so happy in the picture, so much happier than I have ever been. I turned the picture downward and rested my back on the wall. If only happiness could last forever.

It was during summer and I had won a holiday ticket for a vacation in hawaii. I had taken the New York cruise ship and that was when I had seen him. I don't think he noticed me, but I did. It was hard not to notice him. He stood out among every other man in the harbor. His raven hair was trimmed and he had a smooth jaw, which made him look handsome. He wore a shirt and trousers. Also, he wasn't alone, he was accompanied by some group of people. They seemed like his friends. A lady was holding his arm, she must have been his girlfriend. She was very pretty and looked so classic. I doubted I could beat her beauty.

I also wished I came with my friends, the cruise would have been more fun. It was only me who had won the ticket so I had to come alone. He was telling his friends something and he smiled. I smiled too, his smile was contagious, it enlightened everyone around him.

Suddenly, one of his friends had snatched something from him and ran into the ship, and he ran after him. I was also about to enter the ship when suddenly, someone hit me and sent all my luggage flying into the air. The lock of my luggages wasn't strong, the moment my hand let go of it, it stumbled down the ship and unclasped. I turned to look at whoever had hit me, but he was out of sight. I only saw a glimpse of his back view and I knew instantly it was the guy I saw with his friend.

I heard laughter and mumbles behind me, I turned and saw my underwears clearly on display among my other belongings. I had fidgetted and dashed down the ship. Gosh, it was that stranger's fault.

I promised myself I would confront him and I wished I didn't. He may never have noticed me and we would never have ended up dating if I had ignored him. I shut my eyes, erasing him from my thoughts. I didn't want to think of him tonight. I brought out my mini laptop and searched for available jobs nearby. I hit the keyboard and many available jobs showed up. But most of them required an educational certificate, which I didn't have.

I wasn't able to finish studying. After my father left, everything got very tough for us. I had to drop out from school and start working very hard to provide for my family. My mom's business ran down, she owned a grocery store down the corner from our house. Things became even worse when I had Zoe, because it meant more mouths to feed. Initially, my mom was very angry that I got pregnant by the age of 18, but later she learned to accept it. I had to admit, at that age I was still very naïve and quick to fall for the first guy that ever showed interest in me.

I scrolled down and was ready to cancel the page when I got a job notification from Sammy's email. It was a job as a caretaker to take care of a man who was physically ill and the salary was twice my previous salary. Immediately, I applied for the job. The interview for the job was the next day. I was so happy I found it on time. I stretched and closed the laptop. I fell backward onto the pillow, smiling from side to side.

I hoped the interview went well.