A new start

“Haa.” I heaved a sigh after I finished mopping the floor where the coffee had spilled.

“Becky, have you made the cake?” Blake asked as he walked toward me.

I wasn’t really a fan of nicknames, but since I got hired here, I was rarely called Rebecca. That name always brought back memories of my past that never stopped haunting me.

“Rebecca?” Blake waved a hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my trance.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I replied, leaning the mop against the wall

“What’s got your mind so occupied that you couldn’t hear me? Or is it my charm?” he asked with a smirk curling on his lips.

I rolled my eyes at Blake and his self-absorbed attitude. I knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but his obnoxiousness still pissed me off.

“Ugh, you’re such a narcissist.”

“Well, if it isn’t my looks that got you so worked up, then what did?” he asked, this time serious, unlike his usual playful self.

I knew Blake was trying to be considerate, but I didn’t like the idea of disclosing my past to anyone or revealing who I really was.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I replied bluntly, my head hung low.

“Rebecca, don’t lie to me. You can trust me,” he said calmly.

“No, it’s nothing, really,” I said, trying to end the conversation about what had me so worked up.

“You call it nothing when I called you five times before you responded. Rebecca, I—”

Before he could finish, a customer interrupted. I was curious about what he was about to say, but luckily the customer saved me from his questions.

“Hello, I’m here to pick up the cake.”

Oh shit. I had totally forgotten about the cake. How was I going to explain that to the customer?

“I’m so sorry, ma’am. Your cake isn’t prepared yet. Please, could you come back later in the day?” Blake responded before I could even think of an excuse.

“Okay, I’ll come later. Ummm… I was wondering if I could have your number,” she asked Blake, batting her eyelashes and pouting seductively.

I knew Blake was handsome, but damn, she shouldn’t have thrown herself at him like that.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t disclose my personal information to a stranger.” Blake rejected her request, and it shocked me because he was a popular playboy.

“Okay, see you later, handsome,” the lady said and left without waiting for a response.

“You know, I thought you wouldn’t turn her down, since you’re a popular playboy,” I said.

Blake touched the back of his neck, and I knew he only did that when he was nervous.

“Well… I like someone, and I don’t know how to express it to the person,” Blake replied nervously.

“Then tell her. It’s better to confess than to die having a crush,” I joked, and Blake let out a nervous laugh.

“Anyway, I have something to tell you, Becky.”

“Which is?” I said, giving him the go-ahead.

Blake touched the back of his neck again, and I knew he was nervous.

“Well, I wanted to tell you that I—”

Before Blake could finish what he was saying, he got interrupted by Elena’s excited scream, and I really wanted to hear what had made him so nervous.

“Becky, I did it!” Elena screamed in excitement, jumping up and down.

“What?” I asked, curious to know why she was so excited.

“I got a new place to stay. It’s so amazing, but I have to share it with three people to be able to pay the rent,” Elena replied.

“Wow, that’s great to hear,” I commented.

“So… I was wondering whether you and Blake could come stay with me,” Elena said.

My eyes went wide at her request, and I was completely shocked.

“What?” Blake and I said at the same time.

“You know, you guys were looking for a better place to stay, so… I guess this could be helpful.”

The idea was great, but there was no way I was going to agree.

“No!” Blake and I said again in unison, and for a second I thought he was reading my mind and voicing it out.

“Please… I’ve only found one person to share with, and you guys are the perfect fit for the position,” Elena pleaded, trying to make us buy into her idea.

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” I told Elena, and I saw a smile curl on her lips.

“How about you, Blake?” she asked, turning to him.

“Oh… I’ll look into it,” Blake replied with a reassuring smile.

“Can’t wait for your decision,” Elena said, bouncing on her toes.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever,” I replied flatly.

“Way to ruin the moment,” Elena said, rolling her eyes dramatically.

“Anyway, Blake, could you excuse us for a while? We’ve got some girl talk,” Elena requested, already dismissing him with a wave.

“Okay,” Blake said and turned to leave.

“What’s up with the both of you?” Elena asked, leaving me clueless.

“Who?” I asked with raised brows, because I had no idea who she meant.

“Ugh, don’t pretend. I already know there’s something fishy going on between you and Blake,” Elena said with her usual dramatic expression.

“There’s nothing going on between us,” I replied with a sharp tone.

“If you say so, then why was he acting so nervous with you?” Elena pressed, her hands on her hips and her foot tapping the floor.

“He was about to tell me who he likes,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“So… who does the playboy have a crush on?” she asked, and I definitely felt like smacking her head because I couldn’t find out.

“All thanks to your scream, I couldn’t find out who,” I said, sarcasm dripping in my tone.

“Oh… I really wonder who he fell for, or who stole his heart. I guess she’s lucky because she got one handsome guy to herself,” Elena said with her arms crossed.

“Yeah, I’m also curious about who he likes,” I said seriously.

“Anyway, I’m going to make the cake. Could you help me?” I begged Elena, pouting with puppy eyes.

“Well, I guess you have to say yes to staying in the house I mentioned earlier,” Elena said, putting me in a tight spot.

“Ok, I agree,” I said, finally giving in. “Now come help me.”

“Okay, I’m coming,” she replied and followed me to the kitchen.

I really missed my mates, but I had to try and forget about them since I knew I wasn’t going to see them again. Still, I had a feeling they would find me, though I forced myself to shrug it off.