Chapter 22: Falling Deeper

Chapter 22: Falling Deeper

By mid-October, the southern suburbs began to feel the crispness of autumn. The blue sky was dotted with white clouds, and the air carried a faint scent of anise mixed with the fragrance of golden chrysanthemums. The sun, though still bright, had lost its harsh summer heat, replaced by a clear, refreshing coolness. It was as if autumn's golden hues were drops of sunlight, gently falling from the sky and filtering through the dense foliage to bathe every corner of the streets.

As autumn settled in, the "Fairy Cake Shop" underwent a quiet transformation. The butterfly orchids and small roses that once adorned the low fences around the shop were replaced by pristine white chrysanthemums, vibrant yellow mums, and delicate, blush-pink tea roses.

The crisp, invigorating weather seemed to subtly enhance people's appetites. By eight or nine in the morning, the "Fairy Cake Shop" was already bustling with customers. Passersby, drawn by the sight of the beautifully crafted and tantalizing cakes displayed in the window, often found themselves pushing open the door to step inside.

Nearly every small, round wooden table was occupied. There were young couples, fingers intertwined, sharing sweet smiles; families of three, enjoying a moment of togetherness; and close friends, laughing and chatting over their delicious treats. The air was filled with the rich, enticing aroma of freshly baked cakes, and the warm laughter of satisfied customers.

Lydia Moore, moved by the lively scene before her, smiled gently. The sight of so many people finding happiness in her father's cakes filled her heart with a pure, camellia-like joy. Her father would be so happy to know that his cakes brought such delight to others, she mused. Shrugging off her thoughts, she bent her head and continued to diligently polish the countertop. As she worked, she suddenly sensed a shadow fall over her.

"Hello, may I help you—" Lydia's words died in her throat as her gaze landed on the visitor. Her eyes widened in shock, her pupils dilating. The person before her, dressed in the latest fall fashion that she had only seen in magazines, with a model-perfect physique, a sharply defined jawline, and a face as striking as it was stormy, could only be Aaron King.

What kind of foolish expression is that? Aaron King's face darkened with irritation as he barked at her, "I didn't lower myself to come here just to see that stupid look on your face." D*mn it! If anyone found out that the most sought-after "prince" of Sakura Academy was being forced to work at this tiny cake shop, he'd be the laughingstock of the entire school. It was all this idiot's fault for making such an absurd demand, forcing him to do something so beneath his status.

However, a cold, malicious smile tugged at Aaron's lips. He swore it wouldn't be long before she regretted ever making that condition.

Lower himself? Did he really think he was some kind of prince? For some reason, hearing that phrase come from his mouth just made Lydia feel... odd. Her lips twitched as she tried to suppress a laugh, not wanting him to catch on. His foul temper brought out the mischievous side of Lydia, and she couldn't resist teasing him a bit. "That's strange," she said, widening her eyes in mock surprise and tilting her head like a confused child. "Didn't you swear up and down that you'd never come here? What happened today to make you 'lower yourself' to this level?" She deliberately emphasized the phrase, adding, "Could it be that you're still half-asleep and wandered into the wrong place?" She blinked innocently, her lashes fluttering, giving her the appearance of pure naivety.

She's doing this on purpose, Aaron realized, slamming his fist onto the counter with a loud bang, gritting his teeth in frustration. "Lydia Moore, you—" The sound instantly drew the attention of everyone in the shop, curious eyes turning toward the counter to see what was going on. Lydia's aunt, who was busy attending to other customers, quickly reassured them with a smile that nothing was wrong. Soon, the shop returned to its usual cheerful atmosphere.

Lydia's aunt approached her, gently patting her on the shoulder. With a kind, motherly smile, she asked, "Lydia, is this the classmate you mentioned who's going to work here for a month?" She couldn't help but cast an appraising glance at Aaron King.

His refined taste in clothing and the noble air he carried were unmistakable signs that he came from a wealthy family—likely one of considerable standing. It seemed unlikely that someone of his background would take a part-time job here, and his glare at Lydia made it clear that he wasn't exactly volunteering. But, whatever the reason, Lydia's aunt trusted that Lydia had her own reasons for arranging this and chose not to worry too much.

"Yes, Auntie," Lydia replied, feeling awkward as she stuck out her tongue, not daring to meet Aaron's now darkened, almost black, expression. She silently cursed herself for provoking him earlier and causing the small commotion. But what puzzled her even more was why she, normally so calm and composed, had reacted so impulsively today. Could it be that Aaron King was destined to be the one who awakened her latent fighting spirit? Lydia couldn't help but worry. But his bad temper and abrasive words made it incredibly difficult to have a peaceful conversation with him.

"You and your uncle can handle things here," Lydia's aunt said with a warm smile. "Why don't you take him to the storage room to try on the uniform?" She then turned to Aaron King, her voice gentle. "I made the uniform based on Lydia's description, but I'm not sure about the size and length. Please try it on, and if there's anything that doesn't fit, I'll adjust it for you." Her tone was full of care, without a hint of impatience, treating him as kindly as if he were her own son.

They even prepared a uniform? Did they really believe he would actually come to work here? How "clever" of them, Aaron thought, his displeasure evident as he raised an eyebrow. If they could anticipate today's situation, then he hoped they could foresee what was coming in the days ahead, or else he was going to be very bored.

If she liked playing these ridiculous games, she shouldn't expect to escape them until he decided it was over.

Lydia Moore knew she was in deep trouble. A devil was a devil; she should never have entertained the idea of turning him into an angel. The thought of him possibly devising all sorts of ways to torment and humiliate her in the future sent a chill down her spine, making her head tingle with dread.

Dejected, Lydia retrieved the neatly folded uniform from the wardrobe and placed it on the table next to Aaron King, who stood with one hand in his pocket, looking as cold and formidable as ever. Forcing a stiff smile, Lydia couldn't help but take a few steps back, not daring to get too close to him.

"So, you're afraid after all?" Aaron King's mocking gaze swept over her as he picked up the white shirt from the table and waved it in front of her. "Is this what I'm supposed to wear?" A so-called "uniform"? Was she joking? Even the uniforms worn by his family's servants were designed by top British designers. And she expected him to wear this cheap, poorly made, unremarkable piece of clothing?

"Y-yes," Lydia stammered, quickly nodding with a forced smile. "Since I figured you wouldn't like wearing something too formal, I asked Auntie to make this simple white shirt instead. I personally chose the fabric; it's soft, comfortable, and has a good fit. I'm sure you'll look very handsome in it. And, I even embroidered some light blue patterns on the collar to match your earring." She proudly pointed to the embroidered design, hoping that her effort would earn his forgiveness and prevent further conflict.