Chapter 1

Halle looked around and sighed with relief. Finally its holiday season and she might just get enough customers to save up some cash. Her eyes sparkled as she opened the door to her café.

She changed the sign to 'Open' and switched on the lights. The reflections of the lights on the mirrors made the place even brighter. She purposefully designed the whole place to look petite and comfortable for anyone who entered the café. Nice wooden furniture on one side and the frozen bakery items on the other side with a door to the Baking Room with ovens and freezers and all the other ingredients.

"Oh, you're early today!"

She turned to her assistant who came in.

"How's Aunt Cassie?" She removed her scarf and placed it on the counter.

Halle's smile wavered. "She's holding on." She said slowly.

"Don't worry, the holiday season's started, let's get our hands dirty and get a lot of people to buy our cakes and chocolates!" she chimed in. "We can make a season only dessert and cupcake sets so customers will be more interested in buying them."

"Pace," Halle gripped her arm with a sparkle in her eye. "We'll make it."

"We really should."

Halle sighed, sat on the couch near the entrance and rubbed her forehead. "Even though we make enough, it just doesn't seem enough . . ."

Pace opened the door to the Baking Room. "No kidding. We need money for the operation." She stared into the darkness. "If only your sister could help you."

"Don't start with it, Pace." Halle said. "You know what it's like."

"Yeah, yeah."

Halle bit her lip. Pace was not wrong. If only her sister would actually act like a sister. Ever since dad . . .

The familiar ring of the shop bell as a customer entered the shop pulled her out of her thoughts. Who could come so early?

"Hey."

Halle smiled. "Oh, hi Arien."

"I hope there's a buzz."

"A buzz?"

He grinned.

"Oh stop it, Arien." Pace brought a set of frozen cupcakes out. "Not very funny."

"I wasn't joking."

Halle looked at him sheepishly. "It's too early for that."

Arien gave a lopsided grin. Pace placed all the cupcakes on the tray inside the glass counter.

"So what would you like to have?"

"Uh, an espresso and a choco-chip donut, please."

"Cool."

"Busy today?" asked Halle.

"Kinda." He sat next to Halle. "I might be leaving for a few days due to some work. So might as well leave with my favourite donuts."

She laughed. "You do like them a lot, don't you?"

He looked horrified. "I love them as my life. I can't miss them for anything."

She looked at his earnest confession for a second. "I'll make sure to always have it for you."

"I'd love that!"

Pace handed him the donut and the espresso. "You shouldn't be idling around Halle. Come on, check the cupcakes."

Halle raised her eyebrows as she got up, lips sealed. Pace smirked.

"I'll go," she said. "Make yourself comfortable."

"Sure." He smiled.