I Will Take the Maritozzi

“Mall?”

They’re on their way now to their car when those words came out of Cheska’s lips. When they left the restaurant, Lorenzo is nowhere to be found anymore.

Joshua nodded before placing his phone near his ear. “I have to meet someone. Emergency. In the meantime, you can do whatever you want. Just bring our driver—”

“Don’t you need him the most? This is about business matters, right?”

“Well, I can take care of myself—”

“I don’t need guards!” her face darkened and frowned.

Her yell made Joshua’s jaw dropped. He lowered his phone first before giving her his full attention.

“Why are you yelling?”

“How couldn't I? After you made me pay for our lunch, you’re here again treating me like I’m some kid! Like I’m a baby! I can take care of myself? I’ll roam around the mall by myself!”

“But—”

“No more buts!” and she went inside the car.

The driver smiled awkwardly when he met Joshua’s eyes. The two fighting against each other isn’t new to his eyes but he still doesn’t know what to do and what to react after witnessing it.

They still look like the same kids years ago fighting over simple things. Indeed siblings.

Joshua only sighed to her stubbornness and resumed his call.

When they arrived, Joshua and Cheska instantly parted ways. Joshua doesn’t want to be late since the first impression is a must.

So now, Cheska is walking all by herself with glee. Perhaps if she can only walk while skipping without looking stupid, she might have done it already.

This is her first time roaming around the mall without any companion. Mostly she’s with Joshua, her mother, and their guards.

Looks like her fake bravery earlier has paid off. It’s still giving her goosebumps every time she recalls Joshua’s surprised face after she yells.

It looked like he was about to yell back at her but he held himself.

Of course, the first store she went to is the bookstore. There are a fair amount of people found inside that store. It’s silent and the ambiance is comfortable.

She went inside the hallway where the fantasy genre is found, her most favorite genre. She loves the idea of the possibility of the impossible.

On top of that, she prefers stories that talk about royalties and kingdoms.

She stopped beside a stranger woman and scanned all of the books found right in front of her.

Even the woman beside her is doing the same while touching her chin and humming. She gave no attention to it and took the book that caught her heart.

“You love stories about princes and princesses?”

Her eyes flicked up. It’s that woman. She's about to answer when their eyes met, she paused.

Who is she looking at? An angel sent from above?

She has hazel brown eyes and jet black long straight hair. Her long eyelashes are giving her almond eyes this seductive vibe together with her pointed nose. And her pinkish lips are giving her a soothing smile.

She looks like an angel.

Alluring. That’s the only thing she can say. That's the kind of beauty that can make anyone blind.

Is she a model? An actress?

But if she is famous, she should at least know her.

She saw no flaws. She is flawlessly alluring.

Personally, sees her mother as the most beautiful woman in her eyes. Arnie is gorgeous, her beauty is seductive and fiery.

She has never seen someone who exceeds her beauty. Not until now.

Not until she laid her eyes on the woman beside her. She screams elegance. But that scream? It's calm.

“I…find their stories dreamy..."

Rowena nodded repeatedly, satisfied. “Fantasies surely has no age. I understand your likeness.”

“How about you? Ma’am?” her eyes darted to the books that she was looking at. “I’m sure you’re here because you want books under this genre as well?”

“Well, yes,” she faced her properly with a genuine smile on her face. “I love stories about gods and goddesses and demons and angels!”

Cheska’s eyes sparkled a bit. “That’s interesting! And your favorite story is?"

“I love ‘The Tale of the Four Spirits.”

“Oh...I still haven’t heard that story but it seems familiar.”

“How about ‘The Tale of the Twin Goddess’?”

Her eyes blinked repeatedly. She suddenly felt embarrassed. She knows nothing of the books she’s mentioning.

“That…as well…”

“It was really a good tale. There’s a story to it.”

“What does it talk about?”

Rowena smiled slightly. That was so good to hear.

“I will. One day.”

“Oh! My apologies. I didn’t know you’re going to do something. How absurd of me to ask such a thing.”

“I don’t mind it at all, lady. I want you to hear it as well. If we ever see each other again, alright?” she asked and held her shoulders. “It’s nice seeing you here and meeting a girl who almost shares the same interest as mine.”

Cheska smiled widely making her eyes narrowed into slits. That caught Rowena off guard.

When was the last time she saw her daughter wearing a smile like that?

She can’t remember anymore. Who would have thought she would have another chance to her smiles? As close as this?

She still the same Cheska before. Nothing has changed. She’s still her baby.

“I’ll look forward to it!”

“I’ll get going now. May we each other again.”

Cheska watched how the woman takes her steps away from her. The smile didn’t fade even until she’s out of her eyes’ reach.

She returned her gaze to the books with a feeling of relief.

What’s with that feeling? Why is she so…happy? Is it because she met someone who shares the same interest as her?

Well, Joshua and her mom have no interest in it. She even doubts they have time to read books. They have more important things to read—the paperwork.

Meanwhile, Brittany, she’s into romance novels.

After buying a book, Cheska decided to spend the rest of her time inside a café. Her stomach suddenly craved for something sweet.

She’s holding the paper bag using her left-hand while the other one is just pointing at her bottom lip. She stared intently at the pastries in front of her.

Her eyes only stopped to one certain dessert. It’s Maritozzi.

She’s not familiar with it but it seems tasty. That made her lick her lips. Surely that would satisfy her cravings.

Her eyes flicked up and was about to speak when someone from beside her spoke.

“I will take the Maritozzi,” one guy said with his deep and cold voice. “and a coffee shake.”

There’s sadness on her lips as she looks at the guy with her blinking eyes. What great timing. He just took the last piece of Maritozzi, the dessert that caught her heart.

Because of her stares, the stranger turned his head to her. She flinched.

What an impassive expression he has. His eyes show no emotion. She feels no life to it.

He’s just like a living person without any feelings. A body without life.

He looks empty like there’s literally nothing inside him.

How could a guy like him like a dessert? It’s out of his character. The desserts look more colorful than he is.

“Do you…need anything…?”

“O—oh…”

Looks like she’s staring at someone again for so long. Perhaps she should quit this rude habit of hers.

“Nothing…you just took the food I want to eat now.”

“It’s just food. You shouldn’t be crying over it.”

“Crying?”

The guy averted his gaze. He doesn’t have to repeat it. For sure the girl has a feeling. Cheska brushed her fingers against her cheeks.

Her eyes widened.

She is indeed crying.

But why? Is she being emotional because someone took her food?

How absurd that reason is? That’s childish. And immature. And shallow.

“What’s your name, sir? Here’s your Maritozzi.”

“Stein.”

Cheska clenched her chest. What is this feeling? Why did she suddenly feel this profound sadness?

Nothing is wrong. Nothing seems wrong? She was fine.

There’s no way this is all because of that pastry?

“Kindly give the pastry to her.”

Her eyes flicked up in surprise. “H—huh?”

“Sure, sir. That would be 165 Hernz.”

“I’ll pay for the pastry as well.”

"Copy, sir."

“W—wait. Hold up. You don’t need to do that. I’m…I’m fine. I’ll just pick another—”

“Then you shouldn’t have cried in front of me. I would feel bad for not lending it to you. Just take it.”

She still wants to protest. She badly wants to. But the guy already gave his card to the counter. She shut her mouth tightly.

She didn’t cry because of that? She wants to defend herself since she doesn’t want any misunderstandings but this time…she can’t understand herself either.

Is it really because of that pastry? Impossible.

That’s too…shallow. Really…

The guy left her side without saying anything. He’s sipping on his coffee shake as he takes his leave. She wants to thank him but he’s already far from her.

She didn’t even realize it until she came back to her senses. It’s like he just vanished beside her and appeared at the entrance of the store.

“What’s your order ma’am?”

“O—oh…just…just a vanilla shake…”

“One vanilla shake. What’s your name ma’am?”

“Cheska.”

The guy stopped right at the entrance of the café after hearing that name. His widened eyes wander around the café to see who spoke that name.

It’s that girl. The girl who cried because of a simple pastry.

“Stein!”

That’s when he only averted his gaze from her.

“Oh? What’s wrong?” the girl asked concernedly. “You look like you just saw a ghost. Is your coffee that bitter?”

He looked away. He can’t believe this.

After hearing that name, he immediately lost his composure. He massaged his temples, trying to hold himself together.

How could he get distracted? So easily?

It’s been almost two decades since that day. Why is he still…

“Just a brain freeze.”

“I told you to stop buying shake but you really are stubborn! You’re not going to listen to me so anyway, they’re waiting for us. Let’s go?”