CHAPTER 5: SHANICE’S FATHER

MACY

I was inside the kitchen. It becomes my routine to bake the strawberry bread every Wednesdays and Fridays. Before, it was like I feel doing it. But now, it became my regular schedule since I met that little cutie princess.

I do not know what's gotten into me over that little girl. I am happy baking it, putting all the ingredients with lots of love. It feels like she is my daughter who requested me with her favorite bread.

I smiled thinking about her. Her pretty face and long hair like a doll. The way she ate my bread and the way she loves it. My son ate my strawberry bread before but not his thing. I guess, he got it from his daddy not fond of strawberry thing. He ate but not like he is into it.

If I have a daughter like her with the same as me, I would really bake anything she wants. I am fond of Shanice even we could not meet again at the same time. I got busy whenever she comes to the bakeshop. But I know that she got my presents. My staff informed me all the time when they picked it.

The first time they got the bread his father even paid for it but my staff refused to accept it as I instructed them.

She told me that the father thanked me for being good to his daughter. I finished my last piece of bread to put it inside the box for Shanice. Put it with cute ribbon on top.

I came out from the baker's area and walked towards the cashier to give my staff the box for Shanice. I did not go to my office but stay at the side of the cashier. I face back to my staff to look around for changes I want inside the shop.

I heard my staff greeted someone but I did not look who.

"Hello! Dr. Cox, good afternoon." I heard my staff greeted the customer and I continued looking around.

"Good afternoon, Mary." He replied. "How much are those?"

"Just $20 Doctor. Wait a moment." She said smiling. She walked towards me and says, "Excuse me Ma'am. Dr. Cox is here, the father of Shanice."

I paused and turned around to look. "S-Shane?" I said nervously as I stepped towards the cashier.

'What am I a teenager still?' I brushed off my mind and focus on him.

"M-macy? Macy!" he said my name twice as he seen me.

"Hi, long time no see." I said staring at him. I walked out the area and stepped closer to him. I never expect him to see in my store.

He stepped away from the cashier to give way to the other customers. We sat the corner table the one Shanice seated before.

"Yeah, it has been a very long time I have seen you. How are you? I did not know you were back and the three stores are your businesses." He smiled sweetly.

"Well, here I am in front of you." I smiled. "I did not know you already married and have a daughter." I added.

"I know what you were thinking and I too could not imagine I did. My daughter likes you, by the way." He smiled.

"Really! I like her too." I replied. "Why is she not here? Is she with your wife?" I asked but there was a slightly pain as I said that.

"She is sleeping in the clinic. I just came to buy foods." Shane said. "And to get your strawberry bread so that when she wakes up. I am sure she will be hungry." He explained. "By the way, I married once but her mother passed away giving birth to her so I am a widow." He added.

"Oh, I am sorry I did not know and Shay never tells me that." I apologized. I feel guilty all of the sudden about mentioning his wife.

"It's alright you did not know. Anyway, are you married?" He asked, never take his eyes off me and my heart is pounding.

"No, still single but I have a son." I admitted. I wanted to tell more but I paused.

"Oh, really!" He exclaimed. "Are you separated? Divorce?" He asked.

I waved my hand. "No, no, no. Never been married so, no separated thing or divorce thing." I spoke.

"Good to know." He said like a whisper but I clearly heard it.

"W-what?" I pretend to asked.

"What? I mean, nothing. Anyway, I got to go maybe my daughter is awake right now." He stood up and I did the same but he paused to stare at me.

I looked at him in confused. "What?" I asked but my heart is still pounding like crazy.

"Can we exchange numbers? If you do not mind or is there someone might get jealous if… I mean just talking and knowing more something like that." He did not continue saying.

"No, no one. I was too busy with my businesses lately and never got the time to think it for a while." I said and took out my phone. We exchanged numbers and we both go outside together.

I was already inside my office and realized what I just did. I know Shane was in town but never did really come in my mind that we will be seeing that soon.

I sighed. I know that sooner rather than later things will be complicated. I should be prepared for it. I know it won't be that easy for me and for everyone involve.

I tried to concentrate my work since my son is still in school with his basketball practice. They have been very busy lately for their first game.

I cannot wait to see him play. I smiled, thinking how good looking he is. I am sure girls out there will be started to woo him.

He is like his father. I hope one day they will be closer and play together.