🤍 Jessica's POV 🤍
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBycuH7dyts
My alarm blares aggressively at 5:00am on the dot. But I'm already awake. Not because I'm a morning person, cause honestly, I'm not. But because the smell of burnt sugar and regret wafts up through the floorboards like a ghost haunting my dreams.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLbQKB9GEn
The Lavender Loaf is the bakery I and Ken run, and it opens for the day pretty early so we can obviously make our signature delicious pastries and coffee for our earlybirds.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CSXvWV4J
I can feel Ken downstairs already, probably preparing the buttercream. But why he's up earlier than me and why i'm smelling what I shouldn't be smelling all the way up here is what I still don't understand.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwPsl1Ewah
God help me.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3zNIBs3sW
I drag myself out of bed, throw on a clean hoodie and literally run downstairs. The bakery is still dark except for the glow of the oven light, where Ken is hunched over a tray of cupcakes like a mad scientist.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK1PB4PWSQ
"What the heck is going on here?" I ask, flicking the lights on.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNERe7vbCIL
He jumps, nearly dropping the piping bag "Oh, It's you. Dobro Outro" good morning
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC72vkrpFZ
I sight a tray of charred cupcakes that could double as hockey pucks. I mentally will myself to stay calm and wait for an explanation.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yrvWDFeUW
Don't jump into conclusions, Jess.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDdGQ8xzdx
"Dobro Outro" I greet back.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4NKPuep3L
He sees me looking between him and the cupcakes, then grimaces.
"Uh, don't get mad. I kinda... messed up a batch"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUhrcy9rcw
"What the hell, Ken. Do you how much a gram of flour costs?"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdET79Sdek
"I'm sorry. I dozed off a bit, and woke up to the shit burnt" He adjusted his nose mask.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68msmakFYH
"You what!? Oh my God I'm gonna kill you, Ken. Why are you up this early playing with fire if you know you wouldn't be able to stay awake? You don't even have to wake up this early"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uuxM2UvFQ
He shifts uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze.
"I know. It's just that I've been thinking about how hard you work, and wanna do more to help out here"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxCvV8MM5Z
What a bad liar. I raised Ken. I always know when the twat is lying.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡordEz22c7O
"Bullshit. Tell me the real reason"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8KhTVQjrO
He sighs, dropping the piping bag "Okay, fine. You caught me. I've got an interview with a delivery company at eight. Was trying to finish up early here so I could make it on time"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTPh5BzOT1
My anger evaporates, replaced with something softer "Oh Ken. You should have told me"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigjeD1J3DK
"I didn't want to get your hopes up," he mumbles, staring at the floor. "We haven't exactly been crushing it in the interview department lately. So wanted to keep it a secret till the job's secured"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGuxSQ7WG9
My chest tightens. "So fucking what? You still should've told me. I'd have given you some days off to prepare. I could've even baked you a 'please hire me' cake to give the interviewer"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qEX4BXgfE
He laughs "I'd probably eat it up before I get there"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs10v784fv4
"You got what to wear? Should I help y-"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq9npvTHDT
He cuts me off with a wave, grinning "Relax, ma'am, I've got everything under control"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECHpP47daf
My voice cracks a little. "I'm so proud of you, you idiot. It's about time you got your act together."
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rYWbTVXxt
He's about to go back to piping the cupcakes, but I stop him "Just leave that. I'll fix them. Go get ready for the Interview"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzKYnXGEsN
"You sure it won't be too much work for you? I've still got time" He says, though his eyes dart toward the stairs like he's already mentally rehearsing his answers.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw2BBfRTE2
"Get your ass outta here, boy" I snap, shooing him away.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDsOqkuaur
He peels off his mask and gloves, tossing them on the counter, and bolts upstairs.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGIOH5jAtn
I stare at the chaos he's left behind—smudges of frosting, scattered sprinkles, and that damn burnt smell.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4E1r5jv9G
With a sigh, I quickly wash my hands and start organizing, stacking trays and wiping counters until the space looks less like a war zone and more like a functioning bakery.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVFuKuOboB
By the time im done organizing, the sun's barely up. I head upstairs to shower and properly prep to open the Bakery.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19KyH8fIKx
Im halfway to the bathroom when the front door creaks open, and Rachel stumbles in, her heels dangling from one hand and a half-empty bottle in the other.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZi303T9vi
"Hi Jeeeeeesssssssss" she slurs, her voice bouncing off the walls.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR81FRKSBi6
Oh God, she's drunk as a skunk.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzEjxJX5Gs
"Morning, sunshine" I mutter, catching her before she face-plants onto the floor. She reeks of tequila, and her makeup is pretty much smudged.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrjLyaUHxZ
I've always worried about her coming back at these ungodly hours. Always wanted her to get a better and non dangerous job, but try convincing someone who pockets atleast $300 a night to quit, and tell me how it goes. Its like convincing a raccoon to stop dumpster diving—pointless and mildly insulting.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdVnqKJLr7
I will admit, I do get tempted to join her in becoming a stripper instead of waiting for some miracle to happen in my job searching, but something always stops me.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv25vacR0h
Whether it's the fact that I've got the ass of a prepubescent boy or the certainty that I'd punch the first guy who looks at me like I'm a menu item. I don't know. Still figuring that one out.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yhIQdhozI
After tucking Rachel in and cleaning her up as best as I could, I continue to the bathroom for a quick shower and a tooth-brushing session.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJQ92HW4ko
Feeling somewhat refreshed after my shower, I catch a glimpse of my face in the mirror and groan at the constellation of pimples forming on my right cheek.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg0BwC4ull
I knew I should have stuck to my trusty old Nivea face cream. But no, I had to fall for Zephora's '7-Day Propolis Rejuvenating Miracle'.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfzpb6hrau
More like '7-Day Skin Rebellion'
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjbosHe6gS
Now I'm probably reacting to the crap all because I couldn't just stay without over spending on skincare.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyAQKgJ9Yd
I slather on some Vaseline, throw on clean clothes, do a quick makeup routine, and tie my hair into a messy bun.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsS7Qbxzmz
And I'm ready to start the day.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JbF8pNgY4
In the kitchen, I grab a carton of orange juice from the fridge, snag my laptop and charger, and make my way down to the bakery.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJHN36rx2R
Once settled, I spot two charred cupcakes from my brother's earlier baking mishap. I decide there and then the cupcakes would be my breakfast, and proceeded to pour a generous amount of juice in a glass cup.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMxpNu5Mpl
Lord bless this food, amen.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA1GbEQwaB
Call it a quirk, but I can't stand wasting food, even if it means eating something that looks like it survived 9/11.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53xjgrNfok
And now that I think about it, I kind of like burnt cake. Really.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEz5aUp1LJ
Feeling full and ready to take on the day's work, I quickly tie my apron, put on my face mask and wash my hands. I review the day's baking plan and immediately got to work.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIqK8HNm8Z
Two-ish hours later, I'm done and proceed to set everything in the showcase glass. I stand back, admiring them and feeling proud of my work.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXNzejkj6O
I've been doing this for three years, and I still feel the rush of pride seeing my creations. It's the passion.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9V4VclVuM
It's almost 8 a.m, so I have the whole space cleaned and spotless, ready to receive customers.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdt2qrdpCf
I flip the door sign to 'Open,' whisper a quick prayer for a smooth day, and settle in with my laptop to check emails.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDoK6Th1EY
My inbox is empty. No rejections, no updates either. Thats better than straight up bad news, I guess.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUcHIR8S8D
I move on to begin the hard and annoying part; Applying to jobs. Going through the listings, I sigh. Here we go.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjLO62J1hw
Seven applications in, I decide I was done with that particular job aggregator, and move to try another site a friend introduced me to some days ago.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZyvxO0o3i
Going on there, I see a job listing from Valentus Technologies which catch my eye. I feel like I've heard that name before, but can't place where exactly.
They're looking for good marketers and the pay seems too good to be true. Surely, marketers aren't earning this much anywhere in the world. Right?
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3M8DiNYG0
Who are these people?
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUOXlS7bsj
I'm about to search up the company when the door chimes, signaling a customer coming in. I look up and see Stacy, my longtime regular and friend, rushing in.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCARAgIbZQm
"Good morning, Stacy" I greet her with a smile, closing my laptop.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcjVakyNQx
"Hey Jess! I'm so late for work. Please tell me the donuts are ready" She pants, barely catching her breath.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMpvSt7uFk
I laugh. Stacy was a walking tornado of chaos, perpetually late, but always full of energy. So I always try to have her donuts ready on time.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPICm83kG4
"Ofcourse. The usual?"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFHSWGHSGA
She adjusts her bra straps and nods "Yes please"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gRyJEjRha
"Coming right up"
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjUaeSvj8O
I quickly pack her order, while she swipes her card on the machine.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZcaRwwgbh
"Have a lovely day, and try not to terrorize your coworkers too much" I tease, passing her the pastry bag.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWk5BUIE5Q
She laughs, flashing a frazzled grin and bolts, leaving the bell jingling in her wake.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPhUP6urNv
•••••
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG4le1jomK
The day went on great, with the cash register singing, espresso machine hissing, and the scent of fresh pastries and cake luring customers like moths to a flame.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoylFuA78b
This is why I love food.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXkto7zUsp
By late noon, the display case is picked clean, crumbs and powdered sugar all that remain of my pastries.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRbP1qMFHA
I've still got cake left though, so I contemplate making a new batch of pastries, but decide against it for no reason.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYXI1MofDT
Or maybe because I'm lazy. Whatever.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcFm467nrt
Laziness wins, so I decide to hop back on my laptop to work on some promotional materials for the bakery.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFXi7e9cY8
I slump onto my corner chair and pry open my laptop. The screen flickers to life, still open to the job listing page I was on. I remember I was going to research more on the company before Stacy came in.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYRwWRYxlK
Valentus Technologies.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd92eNyIZ48
That name gnaws at me—a half-remembered ghost. I type it into the search bar, and the results flood in like a dam breaking.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfl0U7fXl1
No wonder it seemed familiar. This is THE Valentus Technologies.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKFHy2SF3e
There was once a huge scandal. Eleven years ago, the CEO's 23 year old mistress allegedly committed suicide after news about her pregnancy got out. There were rumors about it being murder, like a corporate cover-up. Shit about the Valentus being responsible for killing her to protect their empire. I remember reading about it in school. The tabloids had feasted for months.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw15liq9o66
But despite all that, Valentus is still one of the top three giants in the tech and electronics industry. And they aren't number three.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AiNmyaDwL
They're a titan. A $120 billion Goliath churning out everything from kitchen appliances to industrial equipment to AI-driven tractors. They're really big, with immense reach and power.
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1TJIapgtZ
Why do billionaires exist, again?
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvvYIOTRJK
After checking out their website, and learning a little about the company, I scroll down further and my gaze freezes on a headline: 'New CEO, Roman Valentus Takes the Reins of Tech powerhouse, Valentus'
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1nzrauvk3
Oh, Nothing to see here. Just another grandson taking over from his predecessors. I click the article anyway.
ns216.73.217.1da2
然後按「加至主畫面」