Perfectly painted

Another exhausting day gone. Days were basically a routine or at least hers. Sleep, school, sleep, study, sleep. That's basically the life of Caris Nova Everett. The session had finally come to an end. Holidays was finally here. Caris anticipated and dreaded holidays. She was excited to see her family but she was scared of the state of things. Let's say things weren't what they seemed. You see......

"What are your plans this holiday?" Sylvia asked disrupting Caris from her thoughts.

"I dunno...... meet up with old friends" She replied half-heartedly.

"I have a lot of plans tho....." Sylvia continued completely unaware of her roommates disinterest in the topic.

"I'll visit Darren, catch up with old friends, ice skating......" Caris tuned her out of her head as she thought of home. She had bigger things on her mind. She eventually packed up her stuff and headed out. Where? Home. Hopefully things will go well but it was only wishful thinking.

The cream painted building gradually came into view. Caris had finally arrived home. Taking a deep breath, she rang the doorbell and in seconds, she was pulled into a tight hug. Her mum was infamous for her hugs. It felt good to finally be in her arms after such a long time. Her siblings gradually trooped and welcomed her.

"Where's dad?" Caris asked looking around for him

"He's out. He'll be home soon" Mum replied though her eyes told a different story. She didn't even look sure of her answer. There was a moment of silence but it was quickly disrupted by her brother who tried to lighten the atmosphere.

"What did you get for me while coming here?"

"Yeah......you always get us stuff whenever you return?" Her little sis quickly chimed in.

A little chuckle escaped her lips as she watched her siblings pull her box closer so she could show them what she got for them. Mum smiled clearly distracted from the little gloom in the atmosphere.

"What if I didn't get you stuff this time?" Caris asked mischievously.

"Then you'll have to make it up to us!! Me first tho" Becky, my little sis added promptly. She is famous for her witty remarks. She had got them stuff this year so she's actually safe from the bills her siblings would throw at her. Everyone finally settled down admiring their presents. There was this warmth in Caris' heart as she watched her family. This was what she anticipated. But there was the creeping feeling that things were about to go down. She tried her best to......

"Let's get dinner ready" Her mum said disrupting Caris from her thoughts.

"Ok" Caris replied softly.

A lot of things were discussed while making dinner. Her brother, Ivan goofed around like always while Becky chastised him for acting like a child. Her dad came back few minutes before dinner was ready. He hated waiting for food to get ready. They settled down to eat. The table was silent with random talks here to there. Dinner ended quickly and more importantly, on a good note. The dishes were done a Caris headed up to her room. She chatted up a few friends to assure them that she was ok then she had a long talk with her sis because she had a lot to catch up on. Her sister slept off during the talk but she stayed up a little wondering what's new at home. These thoughts ran through her mind and they slowly lured her to sleep.

Caris pov

The smell as freshly baked bread wafted towards my nostrils and slowly awakened my senses. My mum owned a bakery and whenever, I was around, I helped her. I was tired but then, I was always tired. In my mum's terms, I'm a very lazy person. I on the other hand think I'm quite a hard worker. The bell chimed pulling me out of the little dilemma in my head. Our first customer, I tied my apron firmly and got to work. Several trays of cookies, brownies, cakes and other items needed to be prepared and lined up for display. I love brownies. Mum had taught me how to bake from a young age and I grew to love it. We had been busy all day and I observed sales had improved a lot compared to the last time I was here. I remembered when we started newly.........

Ding!! The bell chimed. It was late and we already packing up for the night when someone walked in. I looked up to see who walked in and my breath

got caught in my throat. He was drop dead gorgeous. He was a solid 6ft 2", dark brown hair, chocolate eyes..... He had a bag on his shoulders. He gave off this performer vibes.

He cleared his throat snapping me out of my daze. I blinked a couple of times snapping out of my daze.

"Hi" I mumbled softly.

"What can I get you?" I asked. He ran his eyes through the arrays of baked delicacies and he chose the brownies. It was the very last one.

"To go?"I asked. He simply nodded and packed it up while he paid up. Just like that, he left. I released a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. We closed for the day and headed home. Dad wasn't around as usual. It's probably for the best. I headed straight to my room and took a quick shower. I came back to the kitchen to help my mum prepare dinner. As usual, we had dinner and did the dishes. Another day gone. This was the daily routine of the Everetts.

I kept working at the bakery and the handsome stranger kept coming to get brownies. He never missed it. I was slightly jealous of the girls at the counter who had the chance to hear his voice everyday. At least, he'd notice them but he'd probably never remember me. I worked in the kitchen so whenever he came in, I saw him but he'd never see me.

"He's hot!!" Sarah was crazy about him. He usually came during her shift so she attended to him everyday.

She had browsed extensively on him and had told me all about it. Although, the only thing I really remember from that conversation was his name. Kim Jermaine Grayson.

Kim came for the brownies again as usual. I watched from the small opening in the kitchen. He wasn't alone this time. A cute blonde with the baby blue eyes stood beside him. He was quite tall although Kim was taller. His eyes darted around every corner of the room.

"Caris!!" A familiar voice shouted. My dad.....

"Yes"

"How's sales going?"

"Good"

"I need a little cash."

"Uh..... Mum's a little......"

"Caris!!"

"Oh...k"

I headed to the cash counter to get some cash. I was so mad. Dad always does this. He's a lawyer and he made money but he still took money from us. Sarah turned the second she heard the doors open and close.

"Caris?"

"Hey, got any cash?"

"Yeah.... You okay?"

"Yeah..... I'm fine" I really hope my face void of any emotions.

"It's you?" That voice was way too deep to belong to Sarah. I looked up to see Kim. I froze for one second but I quickly maintained my composure.

"Huh?"

"You're the girl from the other night right?"

"Uh.... yeah?"

"You guys have met?" Sarah asked with wide eyes.

"Just once" He simply replied.

"Caris! Caris!" My dad's voice echoed. I hurriedly took cash from the counter and left. I didn't want make a scene.

"Coming!!"

I gave my dad the money and he left. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I watched him leave. My mum had some things to settle so I closed for the day and I started heading home.

"Caris" I heard a voice out of the shadows. I panicked and I started walking away but the stranger quickly caught up and held my hand. I turned and I was prepared to scream when I saw Kim. I released a sigh of relief. He slowly let go of my hand.

"Hi"

"Hey" I replied slowly calming down.

"It's pretty late. Is it safe for you to be out by this time?" He asked. I simply shrugged.

"How'd you know my name?"

"Easy. I heard someone scream Caris and you answered"

"Oh...."

"Yeah...." There was a moment of silence then he said

"I'm Kim by the way"

"Nice to meet you" He smiled beautifully. A small smile played on my lips too.

"I'm guessing you work at the bakery?"

"Yeah"

"What's it like?"

"It's......"

I was about to answer when I saw a shadow across the street. I squinted my eyes to see who it was and I could have sworn it was my father. I quickly crossed the street walking towards the person but he smartly darted around the corner. I wanted to follow but something or someone rather held me back.

"Hey......you okay?"

"Yeah" He looked around the corner before looking back at me.

"Who was that?"

"No one" I wasn't going to just pour my life before a stranger.

"That was highly irrational!You don't just follow people especially at night"I felt like a little child being scolded. But he was right, anything could've happened.

"Yeah...sure"

He wanted to say something but he let it slide.We eventually got to the bus stop I got into the bus and headed home. Dad wasn't home yet. That further confirmed my suspicion. I headed straight for the bathroom and took a cold shower.

"Dad's not home yet?" I asked fully aware of the answer.

"No" Mum replied.

"The usual?" She nodded and I sighed. Dad was never around in the evenings. We don't know where he goes to or what he does there. He never really gives us an answer whenever we ask him. We had given up after sometime.The rest of the evening passed quietly. Mum didn't bother asking about the money because it was a usual. I wonder what he uses the money for. These thoughts kept running through my head as I did my night routine.

My mum was really busy this week so I was basically in charge of the bakery. It was stressful but I tried my best. At the end of the day, Kim walked down with me. We talked at length and got to know each other better. He was fun to be with and he really made my day after all the stress of work.

"Nova...." Oh yeah.....ever since he found out my full name, he was obsessed with my middle name.

"Yeah..."

"Try to relax sometimes"

"Huh?"

"You're always so.......guarded"

"Uh....sure"

I got into the bus and headed home.

My mum had finally settled things and she returned to the bakery. She went around making sure everything was in check. She was at the sales counter that evening when Kim walked in. He ordered his usual and waited patiently for Sarah to pack it up. Mum was excited when she found out he was a regular of the brownies. He got along with my mum within the few minutes they talked. He paid and left. Work went on and as usual, we closed and headed home. On our way home, mum told me about Kim and how much he loved the brownies. Mum was proud of me. Food and a cold shower was what I needed before heading to bed.I got up the next day and started my usual routine. I never ate breakfast so I left for the bakery. My siblings? They were at my aunt's house. I got into the bakery through the back door, wore my apron and got to work. Sales were so good today. Almost every item baked was sold. Good news for us, bad news for someone. And that someone was Kim. There were no brownies and he didn't get any. He looked downcast. I felt bad for him but I couldn't do anything. He had turned to leave when my mum came in.

"Kim?" My mum called out. He turned around to the sound of the voice. Seeing my mum, he smiled and walked towards her towering over her.

"Mrs Everett"

"You didn't get anything today?"

"Brownies are out" He answered with a pout.

"Are you in a hurry?"

"Why?"

"We could bake some but.... you're probably tired and....."

"No! I'll wait. I'll even help if I have to"

"That's not necessary dear. Have a seat"

"Ok"

"Caris!" Mum yelled.

"Yeah...."

"Make a little more brownies. We'll take the remaining home."

"What? But we're closed and I'm tired and....."I started whining but she wasn't having it.

"Get to work"

"But mum...."

"Caris Nova Everett" Letting out a sigh of defeat, I headed to kitchen to prepare brownies. While I made the brownies, mum discussed with Kim. God knows what they're talking about. Soon enough it was ready. The smell was heavenly. I carefully brought it out of the oven and set it to cool. Mum joined me shortly and cut it into smaller pieces. She packed up extra for Kim and the rest to take home. I took off my apron and locked up the kitchen. Kim was very happy and he headed out. We locked up and headed home. He offered to walk with us to the bus stoop. My mum declined but he insisted and we walked to the bus stop. I looked around wondering if I'd see the man I'd seen weeks ago. Honestly, I was always on the lookout for him. I wanted to convince myself that he wasn't my dad. I could only find out if I see him again. Kim and my mum discussed randomly. I was just lost in my thoughts.

Was that really my dad or was I imagining things?

"Good night Nova"Kim said with a small smile.

"Good night Kim" I replied with a smile.