There was a lot of hustle and bustle at ‘Lemons and Tarts’ bakers. Elara and her workers were busy completing daily orders. Then today there was an extraordinary rush of customers. Barbara was helping fill up the baking trays with the batter that would be placed in the ovens the next morning so that they could present it fresh.“Hey, Elara.” Morgana peeped inside with a startled expression on her face, “Octopus is here, and she wants to talk to you.” Elara straightened her hurting back. Right now, she did not want to deal with any drama. Yesterday, at E and L Corporations, Octavia was also there with her product list. However, she could not bully Elara. Maybe due to the presence of other executive officials.When Elara saw her, she could feel this appointment in her heart.“Oh, God! Out of so many bakers in Kanderton why Octavia had to be here?”“Send her in,” Elara tossed her rubber gloves and apron aside, “refrigerate these trays in the large fridge, Barbara,” She instructed the

Elara had left and now George Kernel was ordering the office peons to bring in the plates from the conference room to the main office.“Sir, I thought you might like to taste them,” he asked the staff to place all of it on the center table near the couch.Aiden and Leonardo scurried to the couch and observed each plate. Leo nudged his elbow into Aiden’s ribs,“I think this one is Elara's,” he pointed towards a plate. Aiden knew he was right. He also suspected the same.The instant George left along with his men to bring more plates for them, they both had attacked the plate, “Oh, my God. Heavens!” Leo closed his eyes and started humming.It was after such a long time that he was swallowing Elara’s handmade treats. He turned to Aiden who instead of eating the tart, seemed to worship it.He was observing it, twirling it between his index finger and thumb.“Eat it, silly. Otherwise, I won’t let any of it stay on that plate. They are too good,” Aiden took a bite and then closed his eyes,

Initially, Noah frowned and then tilted his head to look at the ginger haired girl. “OK. I don’t know much about E and L people but congratulations, Elara.” Noah extended his hand this time for a handshake and Elara held it in hers while sitting beside him. “Thank you, Noah. They just opened their office in Kanderton. Their offer was good, and it can … solve many problems.” Noah knew about her debts to Octavia’s father and was always willing to help her, but Elara never accepted it. Her only answer used to be, “I’ll manage, Noah. I will let you know if I need anything.” Noah had been crazy about her since childhood, but he knew her heart always belonged to Aiden Lockwood. He had golden brown hair with light brown eyes and girls were still crazy after him. Yet, the girl he was crazy for, used to treat him as if he was transparent and she could see right through him… as if he didn’t exist. “Come on, kids. Who is up for a painting competition with Aunt Thalia?” Thalia announced

After putting the kids to sleep, Mimi came into the living room. Thalia and Noah were sitting there wearing grave expressions on their faces.Elara was sprawled on the couch, staring at the ceiling, her arms folded on her chest.“Any plans to have dinner, folks?” Mimi asked no one in particular and decided to sit beside Noah.Nobody bothered to answer her.“I have nowhere to go,” Elara must have said for the umpteenth time, “That Octopus did good when she spoiled my batter. I tried to keep my morale high because I was a fool,”She was still talking to the ceiling and Mimi wanted to roll her eyes.Everyone was quiet in the room. Even Thalia had given up this time. She was not offering any comforting words to her friend. “He will snatch away my kids,” Elara tried to control her quivering lips.“He won’t do any such thing, Elara,” she scowled and turned to look at the source of this voice. It was Noah.“What did you say?”“I said he won’t do any such thing. Stop getting scared of him.”

“Are you people going somewhere?” Thalia asked her and then went ahead to pinch the cheeks of the little munchkin girls, “Look at you two! My two little angels.” She pecked their foreheads.“And what about me?” Thalia giggled when she heard Sebastian behind her, “how do I look?” He brushed his hand through his hair like a newly turned teenage boy.“You look like a prince just like your d… da… Mimi.” Poor her wanted to say just like your dad but had to stop when she saw Elara glaring at her.“What? You need to tell them about him at some point!” Thalia whispered and fixed a smile for kids’ sake.“I know. Not now. I am not ready,” Elara whispered back, “Come on, little ladies and gentleman. Go and play in the living room. Mommy will join you in a while,” she then turned to Thalia, “I am taking them to the Arcade Zone of Kanderton Mall. The kids didn’t want to go to the park this time. They wanted some indoor activity.” She said before heading to the bathroom.“Get ready. Their aunt is