4 Chapter 4

Nate's POV

The ring of the bell as I happily greet another customer in the counter never gets old in my book. The bakery feels more lively than it was yeaterday, more people are coming in and out. A middle-aged woman walks up with her daughter to the counter and places a tray full of muffin on the countertop.

"I can't wait to eat these at home, mommy." the little girl spoke, her voice was so tiny. She looked up at her mom with a big grin and I could see her missing tooth in the front.

"Once mommy is done with her work we can go home and eat all of the muffins, okay?" the woman said to her daughter.

"How long before we can get home, mommy?" the girl asked with a curious look.

"Don't worry, it'll be quick." she said.

I take the muffins and put them in a paper bag, typing in the cost in the cash register. The woman pulls out her wallet to pay but I notice something off when she suddenly paused in place.

She looked down at her daughter,"Honey, we might need to come back another day for the muffins. Mommy just needs to get a little bit more money then we can buy all the muffins you want, how about that?" she asked.

Her daughters face turned sour and started to pout at her mom,"But I want to eat these muffins now, you said we could get muffins yesterday." her daughter started crying and I can't help but feel bad.

The woman kneeled down to her daughter, comforting her,"Honey, please don't cry. I promise next time I will buy you all the muffins, I promise, just not now." she said.

She stood back up and faced me,"I'm sorry, we'll come back later." she excused. The woman grabbed her daughter's hand and left the store. The girl was crying all the way out, begging her mom to get her the muffins.

I can't just stand here and do nothing. I don't want anyone to feel glumly when they leave my bakery, it's one of the things I promised when I first started my business in the first place.

I grabbed the paper bag of muffins, leaving the counter. I tell one of my employees to cover for me at the counter and immediately ran out to chase the woman and her daughter.

"Hey!" I called out to them on the street. The woman turned around and looked back at me with a troubled expression. I held out the paper bag to them.

"What is this? I said we'll come back, once I finish my work I'll come back with the money." she said.

"No, don't worry. You don't have to do that." I said. Approaching the little girl. I kneeled down to give her the paper bag. She was hesitant to take it,"It's all yours, come on." I convinced.

She let out her hand and I gave it to her. Her teary face became lively again and she looked up at her mom with a wide cheerful smile.

"What do you say?" the woman told her daughter.

"Thank you, mister." the girl shyly spoke.

I chuckle and stood back up,"Thank you for this. I'll make sure to come back to the bakery and pay for it." the woman said.

"No, no, just take it." I insisted,"I know what it feels like to be in this type of situation, I'm just trying to give back what I can." I stated.

The woman sheepishly smiled,"Thank you." she grabbed her daughter's hand,"Let's go, honey. Say goodbye." she told.

"Bye, mister. Thank you for the muffins." the girl expressed.

They both walk away in the street, I put my hands in my pockets feeling delighted at the sight of a happy customer. For my two weeks in running my bakery, I haven't felt this much joy in seeing people pleased with my pastries.

Kindness never fails to make people smile. I don't think one could live without another person in their life to cheer them on, to support their decisions and to encourage them to pursue their dreams.

I believe that no matter what trouble you're going through, a simple gesture of kindness could brighten up your dark day.

I suddenly remember my job, hurriedly running back to the bakery and getting back to the counter.

After a hard day, I sat down in my office chair, counting the bills we earned for this day. I can't believe the bakery is already making $60 per day in only two weeks.

I've already hired an employee on the second week of my business. I still remember the opening ceremony, people were gathered in the street, clapping and cheering for me. It's the first time a bakery has ever been established in Aeredale's 5th Street. The ribbon cutting was an enjoyable moment for all since it means the bakery is now officially open.

So many people rushed in to buy their taste of bread and pastry, making $100 in the first day alone. Erin and her grandma, Joan congratulated me at the end of the day.

Erin and I went to a karaoke bar that night to celebrate the opening of my bakery and the start of my new life as a business owner. We got so drunk that night, I don't even remember half of what happened the next morning, I woke up in my bed with a headache and wondered if Erin drove me to my apartment.

That was a special night...but it was odd. Erin became weird again, like that time in the restaurant and the coffee shop. Like she was trying to say something but didn't. She's been acting like this frequently now, I'm starting to get concerned for her.

I think something's wrong but I can't figure it out. I have a feeling it may have something to do with her workshop being threatened on shutting down, it's times like these she needs a friend by her side to lighten her up.

After closing the bakery for the day, I notice the starry night sky as I close the glass doors in the front, Erin is probably already home by now, they close an hour before I do.

By 10PM, the lively 5th Street becomes desolated and empty. I go to my office, rechecking the profits I made for the day under the office table and locking all the doors before leaving through the back door into the alleyway. I knew I had to do come up with something to cheer Erin up.