20

"Hey! Wait, you're getting married? And the day after tomorrow ?!"

I had to cover Marissa's squeaky voice or else the customers are going to file complaints to the higher ups.

"Marissa, I'd love to have you as one of my bridesmaids that is if you'd love to. I mean, it's such a short notice. My mind's on the gutter lately sorry. "

I gave her an invitation card.

"Kristin Breese?! She's the owner of this pastry shop. I can't believe she's your Mother- In-law! Girl, that golden life ahead! She's filthy rich. Not to mention her ethereal existence is a thing to gawk for. Your wedding will be filled with known guests in the industry! God I haven't even seen her myself!"

She's too loud customers are looking our way.

"I don't know she had a son. " Marissa excused herself to cater the customers.

"Andrey Breese. " I haven't known it till I saw the invitation myself. The marriage contract held his name but maybe I was too shocked to notice it. What a dumb excuse.

She walked back in the kitchen after serving the long queue.

"Wait. He seemed familiar, his name. I think he's the groom that skedaddled. Remember the time we closed the shop to cater the grand celebration upstairs? Yep, that's him. One thing I don't understand though is the famous model that was abandoned by the groom, Laura Greene? Heard of her? I remember the VIP who set the date herself. It was supposed to be one of the grandest wedding." Marissa's pity hit bull's eye.

Laura.

Laura must've been through a lot.

The cancelled wedding and her being pregnant without her baby daddy. I felt like I snatched everything from her.

"Are you sure? " I had to hold onto the counter. Why do I feel a slight pang in the chest. I get it though, this stupid contract. Maybe if not because of this Andrey and Laura could still be together. Their baby could have the complete family that I did deprived the baby of.

Growing up I always wanted to feel the security that a family could offer.

But I hadn't.

"Did you really know this guy?" She held both of my hands and patted my shoulders.

" I don't want you to get hurt. " She hugged me.

I felt like I need to tell her about this stupid deal but there's something holding me back.

She's the only person I treat like family.

I could confide to her.

"Are you free tomorrow then? Don't fret about anything I'd cover them for you. The dress--"

"I'm sorry but I needed to be somewhere tomorrow. I'll keep in touch I promise."

I wish I hadn't left her on the dark these past few days. At least tell her I'm marrying a guy I know nothing more than his voice and look. She's nothing but good to me.

How am I going to explain to Kristen that I have no one but Marissa.

"Yo bitch, I'm taking a short break. Out for smoke! " Annalise piled the boxes of sweets to be delivered and handed them to the two trainees but her gaze where directed to me.

Is she talking to me? Me, a bitch?

"At least I'm not a halfwit hoe. " I placed my apron on the rack. I stretched my limbs but was stopped by a pulling of hair.

"Did you just? "

"Annalise, I can't control my mouth. They talk on their own. I'm not sporting a DIY mouth zipper, am I? " I eased the pulling by prying off her hands from my hair.

"Goodness me! You two, settle your differences please. You don't want the trainees to think of this workplace an underground ring, do you? " Marissa was fuming red.

"Sorry Marissa. " I eyed Annalise to copy my gesture. I bowed my head.

"I don't go around kissing people's ass." Annalise went out.

I followed suit.

"Sorry for that. I mean I still don't like you Annalise. " I sat on the cold steps. The afternoon air starts getting cold as December came rolling in.

"I don't like to be with you either. Get lost bitch. " She took a heavy drag from her cigarette.

"I-- Will you be my bridesmaid?"

"Like I would say yes. " She stood up and walked towards me. Her frame looming down my small build.

She snatched the card on my hand.

She scrutinized the card like it held something hidden, flipped it over, dropped, opened and closed multiple times.

"Where's your honeymoon? "

I would've laughed or get offended from her burst of confidence but she was too serious plus I'm walking on thin ice with her. I don't want to upset her even more.

"I--we haven't talked about it. "

"Lame. " She shrugged, left me, and went inside.

Shit.

"I really need you. I don't have someone. Please. Can we have a truce? I mean we can fight after the wedding. I can't say to the old hag I have no friends. That'll sound bad. "

She turned her back and went away.

I left after my shift and after I handed Marissa my resignation letter. She was baffled herself but never asked anything about it. I gave her the excuse of marriage life and everything about it.

The truth is that after the wedding and after I get the money I'd be off and find another place.

I tried my luck asking the trainees if they'd like to be my bridesmaid and they agreed. Better than that grump bitch face Annalise.