Chapter 15: Jealousy and Deceit

Chapter 15: Jealousy and Deceit

"Yes," Lydia Moore nodded, unable to suppress her admiration. "All of these cakes are exclusive creations of our shop. I'm impressed that you could guess the type just from its name. That's quite remarkable." She had overheard some girls mention that Aaron King's favorite food was cake, and it seemed to be true. Not only that, but he appeared to have some knowledge of cakes as well.

Lydia was about to jot down his order when she noticed a note in the corner of the menu indicating that "Loch Ness Secret" was sold out. She looked up at Aaron King with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, the 'Loch Ness Secret' is sold out. If you're willing to wait, I can bake one for you right now, but it will take about 20 minutes. Is that okay?" Given his personality, would he brush her off and leave immediately? But she truly hoped to satisfy every customer's request.

"Aaron King," Tina muttered, somewhat dejectedly. While it was a shame not to get her Sunny Summer cake, she didn't want to stay too long in a bakery that only had a few fans to keep the sweltering heat at bay. The oppressive weather made people irritable, and she knew that Aaron King was notoriously impatient. Whenever they went out, if she didn't arrive on time, he would refuse to wait even a second longer.

"Is it okay? Just 20 minutes," Lydia Moore urged, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at him.

"Sold out?" Aaron King frowned, his expression unreadable. He glanced impatiently at his watch, then gave her a sidelong glance. "Alright, 20 minutes." It was out of character for him to agree, but... just as he had inexplicably walked into this unremarkable little shop, he wasn't entirely sure what was going on.

Perhaps it was the contented smiles on the faces of the other customers that had drawn him in. Maybe he was curious about what a cake baked by her own hands would taste like. Or perhaps... he felt that this place held something he had been searching for. Watching her rush back to the kitchen, a glimmer of intrigue sparked in his once cold eyes.

Inside the kitchen, Lydia Moore's mind raced as she recalled the cheesecake recipe her father had taught her years ago. With swift movements, she retrieved eggs, cheese, fresh milk, cream, and flour—everything she needed to make the cake. She cracked the eggs and whisked the yolks into the melted cheese, adding the milk and cream and mixing it all together. The fan overhead turned slowly, and Lydia wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand before gradually sifting the flour and cornstarch into the mixture. Finally, she added lemon juice, folded in the egg whites, and slowly incorporated the sugar.

Afternoons always seemed to bring a wave of lethargy, as if everyone had just woken from a nap, feeling too sluggish to move. Even the birds in the trees had their beaks open, too lazy to fly out in search of food. But inside the "Fairy Cake Shop," one figure moved with energy and purpose.

The red light on the oven turned green, signaling that the cake was done. The enticing aroma wafted from the oven, so potent that it could be smelled even outside the kitchen.

"Done!" Lydia Moore carefully removed the perfectly baked cheesecake from the oven. She brought it close to her nose and inhaled deeply; the scent was so alluring that she couldn't help but swallow a bit of saliva. After adding some simple fruit decorations, she clapped her hands in satisfaction and carried the fresh, beautiful cake out of the kitchen on a tray.

"Fourteen minutes," Aaron King noted as Lydia Moore came into view, carrying the "Loch Ness Secret" in her hands. The cake looked exquisite. He hadn't expected that someone so plain-looking could not only excel at the violin but also be a top-notch baker. The saying "don't judge a book by its cover" seemed to apply perfectly to her.

"Sorry for the wait. Here is your 'Loch Ness Secret,' please enjoy." She placed a finely crafted crystal spoon on the plate and smiled brightly.

Sunlight filtered through the thick banyan leaves, casting shimmering light on the black cheesecake, designed to resemble a castle and a lake intertwined. The cake still emitted a faint warmth, and the flickering light made it look so delicate and beautiful, as if it belonged in a dream world. It was almost too precious to touch, and the clear, pristine crystal plate scattered a rainbow of colors.

Aaron King slowly picked up the crystal spoon, gently scooping a piece from the castle's turret. As he tasted the smooth, creamy cheesecake, the flavor... it caused his long-dormant heart to tremble uncontrollably. The heavy gray velvet that had shrouded his painful memories was suddenly pierced by a bright, diamond-like light. Fragments of memories, lost yet unforgettable since before he was eight years old, began to flicker in his mind. And all this was because of the cake's refreshing, slightly sweet taste melting on his tongue.

"What's wrong? Is something off?" Lydia Moore's nervous question broke the silence, thinking that she had made a mistake in the cake's preparation. However, she had been meticulous in every step, so there shouldn't have been any errors. Or perhaps... the taste of the cake had brought back memories for him. She had heard that a person's character is inevitably shaped by past experiences and memories. Could his past have cast a shadow over his heart, making him the arrogant and domineering man he was now?

"Aaron King," Tina whispered, noticing something she had never seen before. In her mind, Aaron King was always proud and aloof, never showing any emotion on his face, making it impossible to see beneath his cold mask. But at this moment, she could almost sense the vulnerability hidden deep within him.

The white porcelain cup with blueberry and iris patterns sat on the table, with transparent glass ice cubes floating on the water's surface. Tiny droplets of water slid down the side of the cup, dripping onto the white cotton tablecloth. The cake shop was so quiet that the sound of birds flapping their wings outside the window could be heard.

The boy sitting by the window stared blankly at the cake on the table, his nose forming a delicate arc, reminiscent of Western nobility. The blue stud in his right ear gleamed brightly, reflecting the deep blue of the ocean.

"Does the cake remind you of something?" After a moment of hesitation, Lydia Moore spoke softly, "Actually, the 'Loch Ness Secret' is inspired by a Western myth." She looked out the window at the tree-lined road, occasionally interrupted by a car speeding by. Her smile was serene, and her voice was as gentle as a whisper: "A long time ago, the god of astrology ruled over the land of Losoma in Europe. But due to his cruelty and arrogance, he ignored the suffering of the local residents. The only water source in Losoma soon dried up. To save his children, the god's father, the god Vicki, sacrificed his life to become the lake on the land of Losoma, known as Loch Ness. I believe that the 'Loch Ness Secret' symbolizes the selfless love of parents. No matter what, parents are always willing to give everything for their children, to care for them, to protect them, regardless of any mistakes they may have made. This love is eternal and unchanging."