🤍 Jessica's POV 🤍
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCulrLcFEr
My alarm blares aggressively at 5:00am on the dot. But I'm already awake. Not because I'm a morning person, cause honestly, I'm not. But because the smell of burnt sugar and regret wafts up through the floorboards like a ghost haunting my dreams.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF41wa8IBe
The Lavender Loaf is the bakery I and Ken run, and it opens for the day pretty early so we can obviously make our signature delicious pastries and coffee for our earlybirds.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tllw5rPKP
I can feel Ken downstairs already, probably preparing the buttercream. But why he's up earlier than me and why i'm smelling what I shouldn't be smelling all the way up here is what I still don't understand.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jYT4bExvr
God help me.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrxDKyCybu
I drag myself out of bed, throw on a clean hoodie and literally run downstairs. The bakery is still dark except for the glow of the oven light, where Ken is hunched over a tray of cupcakes like a mad scientist.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uOM5DWChU
"What the heck is going on here?" I ask, flicking the lights on.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9RlujlcxF
He jumps, nearly dropping the piping bag "Oh, It's you. Dobro Outro" good morning
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bpOzMOq5i
I sight a tray of charred cupcakes that could double as hockey pucks. I mentally will myself to stay calm and wait for an explanation.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9BWaGbnRX
Don't jump into conclusions, Jess.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50JTYJLTYI
"Dobro Outro" I greet back.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyJTc5NISa
He sees me looking between him and the cupcakes, then grimaces.
"Uh, don't get mad. I kinda... messed up a batch"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyWgRC87S4
"What the hell, Ken. Do you how much a gram of flour costs?"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonXjRE8ndp
"I'm sorry. I dozed off a bit, and woke up to the shit burnt" He adjusted his nose mask.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH5d88Stqd
"You what!? Oh my God I'm gonna kill you, Ken. Why are you up this early playing with fire if you know you wouldn't be able to stay awake? You don't even have to wake up this early"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqELIq8LXye
He shifts uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze.
"I know. It's just that I've been thinking about how hard you work, and wanna do more to help out here"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1rMJuaecc
What a bad liar. I raised Ken. I always know when the twat is lying.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeOgORAibN
"Bullshit. Tell me the real reason"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ukb6uupBW
He sighs, dropping the piping bag "Okay, fine. You caught me. I've got an interview with a delivery company at eight. Was trying to finish up early here so I could make it on time"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NSFRagagL
My anger evaporates, replaced with something softer "Oh Ken. You should have told me"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhiel4pYlc
"I didn't want to get your hopes up," he mumbles, staring at the floor. "We haven't exactly been crushing it in the interview department lately. So wanted to keep it a secret till the job's secured"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Fga9JqWtK
My chest tightens. "So fucking what? You still should've told me. I'd have given you some days off to prepare. I could've even baked you a 'please hire me' cake to give the interviewer"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAC07Z8oN
He laughs "I'd probably eat it up before I get there"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2lnlMzZvk
"You got what to wear? Should I help y-"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZjmv6VrjN
He cuts me off with a wave, grinning "Relax, ma'am, I've got everything under control"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXmb9wx460
My voice cracks a little. "I'm so proud of you, you idiot. It's about time you got your act together."
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk1kQKkoLW
He's about to go back to piping the cupcakes, but I stop him "Just leave that. I'll fix them. Go get ready for the Interview"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiL3BnY2gc
"You sure it won't be too much work for you? I've still got time" He says, though his eyes dart toward the stairs like he's already mentally rehearsing his answers.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0C1Oal9qB
"Get your ass outta here, boy" I snap, shooing him away.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74B1ykmMV4
He peels off his mask and gloves, tossing them on the counter, and bolts upstairs.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlimo1IOiyJ
I stare at the chaos he's left behind—smudges of frosting, scattered sprinkles, and that damn burnt smell.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCduNdtrvd
With a sigh, I quickly wash my hands and start organizing, stacking trays and wiping counters until the space looks less like a war zone and more like a functioning bakery.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6qyWePAGB
By the time im done organizing, the sun's barely up. I head upstairs to shower and properly prep to open the Bakery.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoXQ6PxwVL
Im halfway to the bathroom when the front door creaks open, and Rachel stumbles in, her heels dangling from one hand and a half-empty bottle in the other.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSQVrcoGxY
"Hi Jeeeeeesssssssss" she slurs, her voice bouncing off the walls.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySzuqNwryO
Oh God, she's drunk as a skunk.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoDcYiw9hr
"Morning, sunshine" I mutter, catching her before she face-plants onto the floor. She reeks of tequila, and her makeup is pretty much smudged.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC1XwlscVy
I've always worried about her coming back at these ungodly hours. Always wanted her to get a better and non dangerous job, but try convincing someone who pockets atleast $300 a night to quit, and tell me how it goes. Its like convincing a raccoon to stop dumpster diving—pointless and mildly insulting.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cCdWaJmOz
I will admit, I do get tempted to join her in becoming a stripper instead of waiting for some miracle to happen in my job searching, but something always stops me.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH50LiMHsg6
Whether it's the fact that I've got the ass of a prepubescent boy or the certainty that I'd punch the first guy who looks at me like I'm a menu item. I don't know. Still figuring that one out.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTX8w4DnqL
After tucking Rachel in and cleaning her up as best as I could, I continue to the bathroom for a quick shower and a tooth-brushing session.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDSfZa5QdQ
Feeling somewhat refreshed after my shower, I catch a glimpse of my face in the mirror and groan at the constellation of pimples forming on my right cheek.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6kCzTX2nn
I knew I should have stuck to my trusty old Nivea face cream. But no, I had to fall for Zephora's '7-Day Propolis Rejuvenating Miracle'.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhtIReCKx9
More like '7-Day Skin Rebellion'
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaeFer1dGD
Now I'm probably reacting to the crap all because I couldn't just stay without over spending on skincare.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vn5xlKsZ3
I slather on some Vaseline, throw on clean clothes, do a quick makeup routine, and tie my hair into a messy bun.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejA3Yybh2a
And I'm ready to start the day.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0ZgcypJYH
In the kitchen, I grab a carton of orange juice from the fridge, snag my laptop and charger, and make my way down to the bakery.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRvwvaqHQq
Once settled, I spot two charred cupcakes from my brother's earlier baking mishap. I decide there and then the cupcakes would be my breakfast, and proceeded to pour a generous amount of juice in a glass cup.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdrNo6gEJZ
Lord bless this food, amen.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFxzdnzRq6
Call it a quirk, but I can't stand wasting food, even if it means eating something that looks like it survived 9/11.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82s5XKSbtK
And now that I think about it, I kind of like burnt cake. Really.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuluMhAtw7
Feeling full and ready to take on the day's work, I quickly tie my apron, put on my face mask and wash my hands. I review the day's baking plan and immediately got to work.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaOsxOtrP6
Two-ish hours later, I'm done and proceed to set everything in the showcase glass. I stand back, admiring them and feeling proud of my work.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPrRpMHMkE
I've been doing this for three years, and I still feel the rush of pride seeing my creations. It's the passion.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59nYfv3jgp
It's almost 8 a.m, so I have the whole space cleaned and spotless, ready to receive customers.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqstrN1BRF
I flip the door sign to 'Open,' whisper a quick prayer for a smooth day, and settle in with my laptop to check emails.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zZhFV4DDw
My inbox is empty. No rejections, no updates either. Thats better than straight up bad news, I guess.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV10TS8t0NI
I move on to begin the hard and annoying part; Applying to jobs. Going through the listings, I sigh. Here we go.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm0vKyJowC
Seven applications in, I decide I was done with that particular job aggregator, and move to try another site a friend introduced me to some days ago.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDPbTZQ3Ra
Going on there, I see a job listing from Valentus Technologies which catch my eye. I feel like I've heard that name before, but can't place where exactly.
They're looking for good marketers and the pay seems too good to be true. Surely, marketers aren't earning this much anywhere in the world. Right?
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAY2kUK4hQ
Who are these people?
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTKP1vVXN5
I'm about to search up the company when the door chimes, signaling a customer coming in. I look up and see Stacy, my longtime regular and friend, rushing in.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQpCriUh3H
"Good morning, Stacy" I greet her with a smile, closing my laptop.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyjfE4LWhU
"Hey Jess! I'm so late for work. Please tell me the donuts are ready" She pants, barely catching her breath.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDENFPnfPX
I laugh. Stacy was a walking tornado of chaos, perpetually late, but always full of energy. So I always try to have her donuts ready on time.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDcdIC9214
"Ofcourse. The usual?"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zg8MiFWZ2
She adjusts her bra straps and nods "Yes please"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJJeX9KJ37
"Coming right up"
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyYVAE4ZH1
I quickly pack her order, while she swipes her card on the machine.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3BN0QsQKh
"Have a lovely day, and try not to terrorize your coworkers too much" I tease, passing her the pastry bag.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiNegoCFht
She laughs, flashing a frazzled grin and bolts, leaving the bell jingling in her wake.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm2AjMkmHx
•••••
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNXnvR2fFp
The day went on great, with the cash register singing, espresso machine hissing, and the scent of fresh pastries and cake luring customers like moths to a flame.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRmF4O9RRP
This is why I love food.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvkcnEM2IA
By late noon, the display case is picked clean, crumbs and powdered sugar all that remain of my pastries.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIp0b4i29G
I've still got cake left though, so I contemplate making a new batch of pastries, but decide against it for no reason.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJQ5VxqNCu
Or maybe because I'm lazy. Whatever.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYULHDSWox
Laziness wins, so I decide to hop back on my laptop to work on some promotional materials for the bakery.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD03pxkxTF9
I slump onto my corner chair and pry open my laptop. The screen flickers to life, still open to the job listing page I was on. I remember I was going to research more on the company before Stacy came in.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCdl4OZwqS
Valentus Technologies.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrQi2CUTif
That name gnaws at me—a half-remembered ghost. I type it into the search bar, and the results flood in like a dam breaking.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGydNCDWen
No wonder it seemed familiar. This is THE Valentus Technologies.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr7elzB8H3
There was once a huge scandal. Eleven years ago, the CEO's 23 year old mistress allegedly committed suicide after news about her pregnancy got out. There were rumors about it being murder, like a corporate cover-up. Shit about the Valentus being responsible for killing her to protect their empire. I remember reading about it in school. The tabloids had feasted for months.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETlls3Owex
But despite all that, Valentus is still one of the top three giants in the tech and electronics industry. And they aren't number three.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITtnIkzPAs
They're a titan. A $120 billion Goliath churning out everything from kitchen appliances to industrial equipment to AI-driven tractors. They're really big, with immense reach and power.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpoDKCbGfW
Why do billionaires exist, again?
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVR1bTCMiN
After checking out their website, and learning a little about the company, I scroll down further and my gaze freezes on a headline: 'New CEO, Roman Valentus Takes the Reins of Tech powerhouse, Valentus'
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd6eo3lAnq
Oh, Nothing to see here. Just another grandson taking over from his predecessors. I click the article anyway.
ns3.21.40.243da2
