Disinterest And Indifference

Lina tried not to think about her weird encounter with Pete as she hurried to the bakeshop.

It was incredulous how she had met him and even more that he had recognized her and remembered her name, and for that, she had that chirpy emcee to thank.

But what really had Lina cringing was the dildo! Hell, he remembered.

She had seen the glint in his eyes when he handed her the keys. He was telling her, he remembered. Her cheeks flushed with mortification.

Of all people she could have met, why did it have to be him? She had no interest in bumping into anyone she knew, so what sort of coincidence was this?

She could have been suspicious of this accidental run-in, but the only thing she was suspicious about were those gray eyes of his.

They always seem so knowing and confident. So unsettling. When they looked at her, it felt like he could see through her mind and right through her. And every word she said was received with unsurprised expectation.

It was undeniably unsettling. And whatever coincidence that was, she hoped it never happened again.

Lina sighed when she glanced at her watch and realized how late she was. It was twenty minutes past seven, and she should be in the shop already, taking out the second batch of freshly baked pastries.

There was a myriad of activities lined up for the day. She had to assist Patrick in baking the day's stocks, as well as teach him some of the recipes he had made her promise she would. There were more orders to be made for new baking equipment. Her grandmother had left a good sum to that effect and also for the renovation.

Apparently, her grandmother, Rose, had wanted to renovate the bakeshop but wasn't interested in doing it herself; hence had chosen to pass the responsibility to her.

Among all the activities she had for the day was her meeting with the CEO of the renovating team. And that was slated for 10 am this morning.

"Sir, can you please go faster?" She hurriedly said to the cab driver, taking another quick look at the time.

"Yes, ma." He answered and stepped on the pedal.

Lina rushed into the bakeshop like she was being chased. "I'm sorry," She apologized as she hurried behind the counter. "I had to drop Serena at school."

"And that's why you came running?" Philipa asked with eyes following Lina. "We did know you'd be taking her to school, so there's no need to apologize."

"Yeah, but..."

Philipa halted her with a hand raised. "Stop whatever you're about to say and go rescue that clumsy man down there. I don't know what's wrong with him this morning, but he's about to burn down the kitchen. The first batch of scones came out as a burnt sacrifice."

Lina turned towards the kitchen, her brows wrinkling with surprise. "What happened to him?" She was sure something must have happened for Patrick ever to let anything burn in the kitchen. He's been in charge of the kitchen after her grandmother died, and while she was still alive, he assisted her and handled everything perfectly. The man was meticulous in his kitchen, so what could have gone wrong? She wondered.

"I would have said he's having his period days, but we both know I'm the only one with the supernatural ability to bleed amongst them. So, let's say he's aging too quickly."

"I heard you," Patrick's voice came from behind Lina, who turned to see him coming in with a tray of cupcakes. Lina observed how unusual the frosting was, and she confirmed the man was really out of order.

"Come on, honey. We know your bones aren't as steady as they used to be. These days you move like a grandpa."

"Then you must be a grandma."

"What, grandma?" Philipa scoffed. "I'm a pretty sexy diva, Pat. Still the same diva you kept running after in high school. Your baby sugar." She winked at him.

Patrick rolled his eyes and set down the tray. He turned to Lina, who clearly was enjoying his wife's jibes on him. "How's Serena? How did she welcome the idea of a new school?" Clearly, it couldn't have gone well. The little angel had been uprooted from the place and people she was familiar with and was thrown into a whole new environment. Strange places. Strange faces.

He could tell it wouldn't be easy on her.

Shrugging, Lina replied. "She was excited about the whole idea until we got to school, and she had to go to class. I could tell she wanted to cry, but I promised she would make new friends and give them new names like she loves to do. After a few persuasive kisses and a promise of chocolate cake, she went in. But from how she kept looking over her shoulder, I'm sure she'd rather be here."

They were all certain about that.

Philipa gave Lina a gentle pat. "Don't worry. She'll come around. She'll make new friends soon, and she'll settle in perfectly." Philipa assured her.

"She's right. Serena is a sweet and smart girl. She'll do just fine. Even more than fine." Patrick also assured her. It was natural for Lina to worry for her daughter. Though Serena was a pretty smart and lively girl, she was still a kid. A pretty loving kid.

Lina took comfort in their words and tried not to worry about Serena. She also believed she'd be fine in school, and if she knew her daughter well, she'd be sharing candies in school by Friday with her new friends.

"Well enough, with the chit-chat people, let's get those pastries coming. The shelves won't fill themselves, and customers will troop in soon." Philipa told them.

Her eyes darted towards the door when someone walked in. "And there we go," she said with a goofy smile.

"I'll take care of this." Lina picked up the tray of cupcakes and began arranging them in the display glass while Patrick returned to the kitchen.

"When's your meeting with the renovation people?" Philipa inquired.

"10 am."

"Then I guess you have to hurry. There's so much to do, and I hope they really give this place a good makeover. It's long overdue." Philipa said before placing the pack of scones the customer had ordered on the countertop.

"That's 10.50," She said to the brunette haired, who seemed eager to feast on the scones she had ordered.

Scones had been the shops' specialty since its early days, and even with grandma Rose gone, it still was.

Lina smiled at the customer, who waved before walking towards the door. "Let's wait and see if they can work with our budget. If they can, we'll get the makeover, but if they can't, well—" She slurred with a shrug.

Philipa glanced over to Lina. She observed her. It was no secret that Lina had no interest in the shop, or if she studied more clearly, she seemed to have no interest in anything at all. It was written on her face, and the pungent smell of that disinterest and indifference could be smelt off her skin from miles away.

As a matter of fact, the only thing Philipa had noticed she seemed interested in was her daughter, Serena. And while that was good, she also mustn't neglect other areas of her life. She was only twenty-nine.

"Have you thought about making friends again? I mean here in Newfaux." Philipa asked. Lina paused her hand on what she was doing and glanced at Philipa.

"You're going to need friends since you're back. You must get back into society, especially here in Newfaux."

Lina looked away from her as she resumed arranging the cupcakes. "The Newfaux society and I have mutually agreed that we're better away from each other, and I believe it's for everyone's good that it remains so."

"And what about men and relationships, Lina? What about love? You're not giving up on finding love, are you? Your grandmother —"

"Is dead." Lina firmly cut her off. Her eyes were piercing with icicles as she glanced at Philipa. "Philipa, I understand your worry, but I hate to remind you that you're neither my mother nor my grandmother. So for your sake and mine, let's not repeat this conversation ever again. Do you understand?" Lina sternly demanded.

She pressed Philipa with her gaze till the lady slowly nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry." Philipa softly apologized.

Hearing her voice, Lina felt her heart prick her for how cold and rude she had acted, but Philipa should know and learn to respect her boundaries.

"I'm sorry too." She apologized, not able to leave without apologizing to Philipa. The lady had touched a sensitive topic, but she knew it had been from a place of love and care.

Philipa's lips curved with a smile. "It's okay. I should have been more careful. But let's leave it at that and get on with the rest of the day." She said, her face holding no annoyance or anger.

Tersely, Lina nodded and picked up the tray. "I'll go join Patrick in the kitchen."

"Okay," The lady smiled, and Lina made her way to the kitchen while Philipa's words made a twirl in her head.

Rejoin society? Never! She'd be stupid to do anything of such, and she'd even be more stupid to contemplate making new friends in Newfaux upon her return.

She had promised herself she'd stay away from everyone and focus only on her daughter, and it would stay so.