End Of This Road

The whole room quiets down making me anxious. What does he want to tell us? After what feels like an eternity, he finally opens his mouth and the words that come out of his mouth shock me to the core.

Ethan: Sweet Treats is closing down.

Everyone:!!!

Everybody gasps in chorus. At first, I feel like my ears are deceiving me. I... I can't believe it. WHAT?! Is this really happening?! Why would they do something like this? This is BEST sweet store in the entire Capital! There's no reason to shut it down! Are they out of their minds?!

Worried whispers circle the room and I'm left speechless. I've only worked here for 2 years but this place still holds a lot of memories. This was the place where I met Naomi, I started to put my baking ideas forward for the first time and...

There are so many memories and yet one of the most important ones seems to be my reunion with Jason. If it was not for this store, I don't think I would've ever met him again. Hahh, where am I going to find work now? Naomi finally breaks the tense atmosphere.

Naomi: When is it shutting down?

Ethan: By the end of next month.

That's Halloween! Our sales are going to be bigger than ever during that time, why close it down then?

Mia: Won't that mean we would have more sales? It would be a loss to just shut down the store after it.

Everyone nods in agreement but Ethan just sighs.

Ethan: This place has already been bought by someone else, they want to start another business here. The news just came last week and there's nothing I can do about it.

Last week.. I remember hearing him arguing with someone in his office, was it about this? Judging by his tone, he isn't too thrilled about the idea either. Is there really nothing that we can do?

We all continue with our work, only this time with forced smiles.

Later...

I say my goodbyes to Naomi and start to head out when Jordan stops me. Oh right, he wanted to talk about something. It completely slipped my mind because of the shock.

Mia: What did you want to tell me?

Jordan: W-Well, I.. It's more of a question.

Mia: Uh huh, go ahead.

He looks away with his cheeks tinted pink, he's adorable.

Jordan: There's this person I, uh.. kinda have a crush on. She's quite similar to you so I thought you might know what she likes.... You are very familiar with her too.

His last words come out as a whisper but I catch them anyway. Aww, that's so cute. But, someone I'm familiar with huh. It has to be someone from the store. Wait, is it Naomi? I've noticed him staring our way quite a few times.

Plus, Naomi are similar in a lot ways except she is very beautiful. But this is going to be a problem... Naomi doesn't swing that way. For some reason, I'm unable to tell him that so I beat around the bush and tell him about whatever she likes.

That should do it. I'm about to end the conversation when someone calls out to me. That familiar voice, he's here. I turn to face him and there Jason is, walking towards me with his usual gentle smile. I was really bummed about the store closing down but...

I don't know what it is, my mood feels a lot better after seeing him. Why? Is it because he used to console me whenever I was upset? But that was years ago. Why do I feel the same emotion so many years later?

Deep down, a part of suspects something but I brush it off. It can't be, 19 years is a long time. Although, even as I think this, something feels off...