It's not over

Darien felt a tad of relief to finally speak to Jem, ignoring her since Jared died has been difficult for him.

He just couldn't pretend he doesn't blame her for his sudden death. But now that they've talked he can finally get over his hate for her and finally fulfill his promise to Jared.

He misses her a lot more than he realized, and more importantly, he missed working here, tending to customers was not only a job to him but a hobby. One he does with Jared beside him.

He has Arie now, Jem's best friend from high school. Arie may not measure up to Jared but it doesn't change the fact that he loves the boy regardless.

If his relationship with Arie is going to keep working then he had to sort things out with Jem.

And it feels good to fix things, now he gets to do one of his favorite things without thinking too much about Jared.

Aubrey's bakery looks more like a restaurant for baked food. It was Jared's idea to add tables and chairs for customers to be able to eat comfortably inside the bakery. And it was his idea to add the coffee maker.

Ever since then Aubrey's Bakery became the most patronized bakery in this part of the city.

Darien smiled as he watched customers eat while conversing. He is glad that he left his mark in the bakery.

"Hey Dari, Dar..." Daisy snapped her fingers in front of his face jotting him from his daydream.

Daisy came in a while ago, and she was surprised to see Darien filling in for Jem wearing a rather satisfied smile. She was glad that this time he decided to fix things with her and the bakery.

"D, when did come in?" He exclaimed.

"Just now, what are you doing."

It was a stunning question for Darien. "What does it look like I'm doing?" He furrowed his brows.

"I know but you... Where is Jem?"

"She left to get her man."

"What?"

"The Matt guy,"

"Wh... You know what I'll just get the deets from her. So you're replacing Jem. How thoughtful."

"It's the least I could do plus I miss working here."

"Awww.." she blinks smiling teasingly.

"Dramatic much?"

"I'll do great in the industry wouldn't I?" She winked.

They both laughed and continued teasing each other.

Daisy was very happy to see Darien in here and working. He's also in support of her relationship with Matteo Valdez.

It was sort of a miracle.

But they couldn't stand to chat for long, customers were starting to leave and a few more were coming.

Daisy had to clean the tables so others could use them while Darien attended to the ones the came directly to the counter.

"Bye mama Lopez," Daisy gave the old woman her purse wearing a warm smile.

"Oh my, thank you, Jem."

The old woman always mistakes Daisy for Jem. Practically every female that works here is Jem to her.

"It's Daisy."

"Lo siento pequeña," she held her chest chuckling.

"That's okay."

Daisy helped the old woman to the door before bading her goodbye. She then went back to continue with what she was doing.

Just then Clarice walked in with Diane behind her. They stood at the entrance gawking at the faces of the customers who couldn't help but stare back at the beautifully dressed women.

Daisy frowned the moment she saw them, "how about you close the doors before you let all the cold air get out?"

Clarice recognized Daisy immediately she spoke, she's Jem's ally.

But the young man standing behind the counter seems like a more reasonable person to talk to. She beckoned at Diane who held the door to close it behind her while she approached Darien.

She intentionally ignored Daisy just to make her more upset.

It worked. Daisy was infuriated. She had to leave what she was doing so she can tell them off properly.

That act made Clarice smirk.

The people present just watch hoping this wasn't more trouble for poor Jem. They are all aware that Jem is going through a lot because of the wealthy people who want to take away her mother's bakery.

"Uhh... Hi," Darien stuttered.

"Hello, I'm looking for Jemma, the baker." she scoffs.

"She's not here, if you need anything..."

"I don't need anything from you, I just want to see Jemma it's important."

Darien was surprised the girl kept calling her Jemma when her name is actually Jemima.

"I came to give her a life-changing offer." she brought out her business card.

"Tell her to give me a call me." she gave the card to Darien.

Darien stared at the card for a while then at Daisy whose frowns were scaring the bits out of him.

He knew Daisy wouldn't want him to take the card but it was the polite thing to do.

So he collected the business card from her. "I'll make sure she receives it."

"Whatever, if she doesn't it's her loss because when next I come I won't be so nice."

"Your threats are beginning to get old Clarice, why don't you just go home and accept the fact that you lost?"

That was Clarice's greatest fear. Accepting she lost her dream man to a low-life baker. She can't sit back and watch that happen.

Clarice's eyes turned red as she battled with the urge to slap the smug smile off Daisy's face.

"You're wrong, it isn't over yet." She gulped dryly before saying this not to give away the fact that she has been drenched with a multitude of emotions and worst humiliation.

The girls turned around to leave but stopped when Darien called them back.

"Don't you want to buy something before you leave, it's rude if you don't." He had a cheeky smile on.

Clarice was too broken right to say anything, if she adds to what she's feeling right now she might break down. She just can't let that happen to her in public and in front of her enemies.

Clarice just forced a smile that barely lasted a second before walking out of the bakery.

Diane giggled before giving her answer.

"We don't eat in junk reserves, dummy." she looked at the angry faces of the customers before leaving.

"Wow! Those girls are messed up." Darien tossed the card aside.

"You had to take their card."

"I was just being polite."

"Well, where did that get you."

"What's their deal anyway?"

"The one with strawberry blonde hair who is in desperate need of a tan is obsessed with Matteo Valdez."

"Ah! I get it, the old love triangle. There are really pretty though."

"Well you know what they say, evil girls have the prettiest face."

Darien nodded.

Diane took her seat beside Clarice in the car laughing about her comment about Aubrey's bakery being a junk reserve but was astonished to see her best friend crying.

"Clari come on, don't tell me you're affected by what that thing said earlier." she pointed at the bakery.

"But what if she's right?"

"She's not, and you know that. You said it yourself it's not over yet."

Clarice wiped her tears then inhaled and exhaled multiple times until she felt calm. There's no way she can lose a man as perfect as Matteo to a common baker.