Chapter 1

Present Day August 20th 2024

8:40am

The streets were filled again, with cars driving speedily and with people, mothers, fathers and children all scrambling over to their various destinations, and with shops and various outlets stationed at various sides of the road. Hers was a cafe, that stood at the other side of the road, built with transparent windows on all sides to help her viewing. The streets were always busy compared to her small coffee shop, her cafe was warmer and was usually occupied by few customers who spoke in hushed tones, it was nice but did nothing to help her sanity. The busy streets did a better job at calming her down, the sound of people chattering as they passed by her cafe and the sounds of horns and sirens helped her. She needed that calm more than ever today. Her mind was ablaze, it had started last week, when her mother reminded her of the day she was trying to forget for years, it was now a week away.

She was seating at a distant table at the end of the coffee shop watching the passerby's, away from the customers and employees just in solace of her mind. They were already used to her and had no intention of stopping her, they gave her her space and only came to her when it was urgent or when her signature was needed. Her cafe wasn't big, just portable enough to occupy 15 customers at a time, it wasn't the biggest shop in the area and was located at the entrance of the busy street.

"Miss Louis, Your signature is needed". A light masculine voice said to her snapping her out of her thoughts.

"What is this?". She asked pointing at the paper which was being offered to her by the owner of the voice she recognized to be Aurelio, one of her employees.

"It's a check from this lady." Aurelio pointed to a young lady she hadn't noticed earlier, the young lady stood behind Aurelio who was quite taller than her and had overshadowed her, she was dressed in a white gown and black heels, her blonde hair was laid to the back in a simple bun to give room for her face, she had a tan skin and pointed nose, she was beautiful.

"She wants to make an order for 100 donuts". The woman who was still at the back stepped forward to confirm his claim.

"I want to order 100 donuts, but I don't have enough to pay for all of them so I want to use a check. My name is Giselle, Giselle Mathews". The woman now known as Giselle outstretched her hand for a shake, To which She took shaking her briefly. She noted her French accent and how it fitted her.

"You can have a seat Ms Mathews,". She gestured over to the chair in front of her, which Giselle took sitting down. "Aurelio you can get back to work I'll handle it". Aurelio nodded quietly leaving.

"Would you be coming here to collect it or would it be delivered to your choice of destination?". She asked the lady, her eyes focused on the list containing the types of donuts and prices.

"It'll be delivered, I stated the venue too". Giselle said pointing to the paper, which she nodded to upon seeing it. She read the total price confirming if the delivery fee was added.

"You just need to write your name and sign on this." She signed and wrote her name on the check before giving a copy to Giselle and keeping one to herself. Giselle read through the check briefly before commenting.

"Bernadette? Is not a name I hear often but it's a beautiful name". Bernadette gave a small smile to Giselle's comment as her mind wandered to were she had heard that statement before, she felt her heart race a bit as remembered the sound of his voice when he called her name, and how similar it was to Giselle's. She was so in thought she forgot to say thank you to her compliment, not realizing when she stood up. Giselle didn't look offended, she looked happy with a smile on her face as she stretched her hand for another shake.

"Miss Bernadette Louis, nice doing business with you". Bernadette took her hand with a small smile.

"So Ms Mathews, according to the agreement written by Aurelio, you want it in a weeks time right?". She asked as she escorted Giselle to the door of the shop.

"Yeah, today is August 20th, it’s Monday, So It should arrive on the 27th by morning." Giselle turned to look at Bernadette who was again lost in thought, she waved a hand across her face bringing her back to life.

"You zoned out again Miss Louis?". Giselle asked a bit concerned.

"Oh I'm fine, please ignore me, today isn't my brightest". Bernadette fakes a smile which Giselle returned not wanting to invade her privacy further.

"If you say so then, I will keep in touch Bonsoir". Grace watched as the young lady left the cafe before entering her car and driving off. She gave a little wave not sure if she saw it, before heading back to her seat. As she sat back Down her mind wandered to what she had said earlier.

August 27th ..

It was a day she would never forget, a day that her life took a 360 turn for the worse, and the day her life went into pieces. A day that shattered her life for the worse. She knew the significance of that day, Her heart rammed from inside her chest to her ears, her whole body becoming hot, the world around her ceased as she remembered all the things she had tried so hard to forget, all the happy memories, the sad ones , the painful ones, everything was raining on her in a swift motion, the world was closing on her and she felt like she couldn't breathe, she wanted to scream but then she felt something small touch her leg, warm hands touched her legs bringing her to her senses. She began hearing voices around her as she began coming back to reality.

"Bernadette, Honey she's here". A soft voice spoke to her while she recollected her thoughts still trying to get back to her normal state. The soft small hands still wrapped around her legs forcing her to look at its owner, her daughter stood shakily in white and black striped gown, her curly hair styles in bangs to match her cute face, there was a gleam in her ocean eyes as she recognized her, she muttered a small word that only she heard with how silent it was.

"Mama". Bernadette smiled picking the little girl up to place a kiss on her cheeks, making her chuckle a bit. "How's my angel doing?". She got up rocking her as she smiled the more. She turned to look at her mother who was smiling but didn't reach her eyes.

"Mum thank you for bringing her, I didn't realize you entered". She said sincerely, hoping to reduce her worry a bit.

"You seemed lost dear, I hope you are fine". Her mum held her free hand gently still worried. "I know the day is close, but you have to stop thinking about it".

"I'm not mum, I'm fine, in fact I'm going to take Elle for some ice cream." She said giving her mum a reassuring smile, which her mum returned sighing. "Elle do you want ice cream?". She asked her daughter who continued smiling nodding her head at the mention of ice cream. She always loved ice cream something she got from her father....., a person she rather not talk about.

"Okay Mum, I'll be right back, I'll head over to Rodriguez' to get it, okay?". she asked

"Fine, but be safe okay?". Her mum said letting go of her hands as she walked towards the double doors of the cafe.

"Okay". As she walked out of the building with her daughter in her arms on her side hips, she is met by cold air, making her hold her daughter closer to her for warmth and protection. She sights Rodriguez' shop a few steps away, she then holds her daughter tighter before walking towards the small ice cream stall. Soon she reaches the shop were a few people Are gathered. She joins the line of people, entertaining her daughter for the mean time.

"Elle honey, did you miss mummy?" She asked the little girl who was now resting her head on her shoulders.

"Yeah". She answered quietly as she hugged her the more, her hands only reaching her left breasts. She places a soft kiss at the top of her head feeling a bit bad for leaving her with her grandmother all the time.

"Well Mummy missed you too Okay?". She said kissing her again. She walks forward seeing as her turn her turn had reached. The owner of the stall Mr Rodriguez greets her politely. He was a Man in his mid fifties and was quite short but very nice and polite.

"Oh!, Bernadette welcome and Little Miss Elle". He said in his Spanish accent making cute faces at Elle making her chuckle a bit. Bernadette laughed too, amused as usual at how much Elle got along with Mr Rodriguez.

The little girl waved at him still not being able to say his name.

"Mr Rodriguez Good Morning". Bernadette greeted.

"How's Business dear?". He asked her.

"It's fine and pretty normal too, yours?".

"It's okay, you know it has always been about the happy kids and not the profits." He said smiling making Bernadette smile too, Mr Rodriguez was a nice Spanish man who lost his wife and kid 20 years ago, he couldn't remarry but preferred making kids happy as it gave him a piece of joy to cover up for his loss, he loved Elle like his own and it warmed her heart.

"I know, Elle knows too, Right Elle?". She asked making Mr Rodriguez smile.

"So Elle do you want the usual?". He asked her as she nodded at him, her eyes gleaming at the mention of her favorite ice cream.

"Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream coming up for the little miss, and same for you Bernadette?".

"Yeah same for me". He got to work preparing the ice cream, first selecting the cones, then scooping the ice creams before putting the sprinkles and handing it to Bernadette who offered to pay him but he refused, shaking his head.

"Keep it, I never take money from my daughter". He never did, whenever she offered him money he always refused. She put the money back in her pocket before collecting the ice cream and handing it to the little girl who devoured it right away. As she bid her farewell to Mr Rodriguez he called her back handing out a flyer that removed all the smile from her face.

"I got it from a company, I've been handing it to customers, they are doing a free auditions for a musical in the city, you can put it in your shop." Bernadette hands shook uncontrollably as she continued reading the contents of the flyer on the stall table, her ice cream fell immediately as her hands could no longer hold the heavy object. It took her will power to hold her baby in place as she looked at the cause of her sleepless nights, her constant fear and depression, she was having another anxiety attack and she couldn't help it, he was back in her life, he was back to haunt her. The lines that scared her the most were.

Hosted By Black Entertainment

Guest Star: The Black Family

Theme : Your Dreams are just a step away, let Grace lead you to your destination.

Dreams started everything

Dreams started Everything

Dreams started everything

Dreams , Dreams , Dreams

4 years Earlier..