Chapter 40: A Night to Remember

Chapter 40: A Night to Remember

Outside the window, poplar trees shed their leaves in the autumn breeze, and birds flapped their wings as they quickly flew across the sky. The peaceful and beautiful moments made one cherish the time even more.

The first storm of autumn arrived unexpectedly, catching everyone off guard. The sky was filled with thick, suffocating clouds, and torrential rain poured down, drenching every corner of the ground. The once-bustling streets were now nearly deserted, with only a few pedestrians struggling to move forward under the assault of the rain, tightly gripping their umbrellas.

Despite the oppressive weather outside, the customers inside "Sprite Bakery" were unfazed by the storm. They continued to chat enthusiastically and enjoy the smooth and delicious cakes, maintaining the usual relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The kitchen door of the bakery was half-open, allowing the enticing aroma from inside to waft through, filling the air with a sweet fragrance that made customers glance back longingly.

Aaron King stood in the kitchen, holding the last strawberry from a white porcelain plate, unsure of where to place it on the fruit cake before him. The final touch of decoration was proving to be more troublesome than he had anticipated. Aaron frowned in frustration. He didn't know what had gotten into him, but he was determined to make the cake as perfect as possible. He had never put so much effort into anything before, and the sensation was unsettling.

What was he hesitating for when there was only one step left? Seeing Aaron's indecisive expression as he stared at the cake, Lydia Moore, who was eager to see the finished product, couldn't help but point to a spot in the center of the cake and suggest, "How about here? I think it would look good if you placed the strawberry right there."

"Shut up! You're so noisy!" Aaron snapped irritably. He was already on edge, and her suggestion only added to his annoyance. Despite his harsh words, he glanced at the spot in the center of the cake, surrounded by a ring of cherries, and reluctantly placed the strawberry there. It did look better that way, though he'd never admit that it was because of her idea.

The cake was a masterpiece—white as snow, with a layer of bright yellow sauce made from green tea and lemon juice spread over the fresh cream. Tiny bits of lemon glistened like jewels. The surface was meticulously adorned with fresh fruits, making the cake look so exquisite that it seemed almost magical, drawing people in with its beauty yet too perfect to touch.

"Wow, this is your first cake ever, and it's absolutely stunning!" Lydia Moore was far more excited than Aaron. She held the cake up, admiring it from every angle, her smile beaming as she asked, "So, how does it feel to have made your very first cake? Isn't it amazing? Don't you feel a sense of accomplishment?" Seeing him complete the cake so successfully and beautifully, Lydia was genuinely happy for him. Though his face showed no emotion, she knew that deep down, he must be feeling joy and pride far greater than anyone else.

Her father had once said that pure and beautiful wishes were like angel wings, symbols of love and happiness that could only be realized through unwavering effort and pursuit. Now that his wish had come true, he should be happy, right? At the very least, he wouldn't have any regrets about this memory.

Happy? A sense of accomplishment? Could he even feel those things? Aaron King's heart skipped a beat. If his initial reason for asking her to teach him to bake was to relive the last happy memory from when he was eight years old, what had these days of learning to bake given him? He had expected to hate being forced into this, and that he'd find a way to make Lydia's life miserable. But gradually, he found himself enjoying this place more and more, and when the cake was finally finished, he felt a strange sense of loss, reluctant to leave.

No! He couldn't allow himself to develop any feelings for anyone or anything. Aaron clenched his fists, struggling to suppress the strong emotions within him.

However, Lydia Moore, focused entirely on the cake, didn't notice the change in Aaron's expression. After clasping her hands together in a brief moment of reflection, she carefully sliced a piece of the cake and placed it on a plate, then cheerfully offered it to Aaron, along with a crystal spoon. "It looks delicious. Go ahead, give it a try."

Lydia wasn't being especially kind to the "demon," Aaron King. She just felt it would be impolite to start eating before he did. So, despite her intense craving for the cake, Lydia could only hope silently that he would hurry up and take the first bite.

Whose cake was this again? Aaron's forehead creased with irritation. Although he was exasperated by Lydia's behavior, after giving her an annoyed glare, he took the cake from her and scooped a small bite into his mouth. The unique combination of refreshing green tea and tangy lemon filled his senses, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he quietly savored the delicate flavor.

Seeing him take a bite, Lydia, eager to taste the cake herself, quickly scooped up a piece and popped it into her mouth. The rich, aromatic flavor spread across her tongue, and she couldn't help but let out a contented sigh, feeling as if she were floating in a cloud of happiness. He had thought to mix green tea and lemon juice together for the sauce—it was brilliant! Lydia's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at the cake in Aaron's hand. She reached out quickly to grab another piece, only to have her hand smacked away by Aaron.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, you idiot!" Aaron snapped, glaring at her with disdain as he held the cake high, out of her reach, as if afraid she would suddenly pounce and steal his most prized possession. The fact that she had already taken one piece while he wasn't paying attention was infuriating enough, but now she was trying to steal another? It was intolerable.

"There's plenty of cake on the table. Why do you have to take mine? I'm telling you, I'm not interested in indirect kisses, especially not with an ugly idiot like you!" Aaron added harshly.

Did he really have to keep calling her an idiot? Lydia fumed. And to imply that she was so undesirable—did he really see her that way? Although she was stung by his rude remark, Lydia kept her temper in check for the sake of the delicious cake and tried to explain patiently, "I just thought there might not be enough cake later, so I figured we could share this one. And I only took a piece from the edge—I didn't touch where you did." She couldn't believe his reaction was so extreme, as if she were some kind of germ. It was really infuriating.