Sweets-Talk

Kaylie was an office clerk of an accounting firm, and being a freelance writer became her sideline after office work. Her stories can be found in the lifestyle page in the weekly news magazine in their province. Every time she comes and off from work, she is passing by a 24/7 convenient store. The store which brought into her curiosity why is it became a trend in town. It is always full of customers falling in line in the counter. She heard that they are selling a very tasty special muffin that keeps people coming back on that store. Out of her curiosity she also tried it herself. Not only the muffins, but also the mini cakes, cookies, and other sweets and treats of the same brands. And just like the rest of the people loving these snacks and desserts she became a fan too. 

One day she decided to feature this on her article in the weekly news magazine. First thing, she made an interview with the store owners about those popular products. There she was able to know that those products are consignments, homemade from the nearby province that is being delivered on their store every day. Fortunately the store owner gave her the contact number and email address of Jace Martinez, the maker of those products. 

She sent an email to Jace asking Him an appointment for an interview on call which later Jace replied accepting her request. When she called, the moment Jace answered “hello” , His voice brings shivers down Kaylie’s spine. She is almost picturing out not a pastry chef is talking on the line but a hunky football player star. A few seconds before she totally get lost, she made it back to reality. The main topic of the conversation was over, Kaylie finally have the details she needed on her article, but the call did not ended yet right away. They close the conversation with some casual personal talk. It became the beginning of their virtual friendship, which involve chatting in social media for sometimes and at least sending and receiving quotes and text messages every day. Until the article is published, and the products became more popular. Now it can be bought not only on that store but in some food courts and groceries as well. Since the demand increases, Jace added some helpers in production but He’s on hand in baking making sure the taste of the foods are the same and most especially the confidentiality of His secret ingredients and techniques He learned from His late grandmother and passed to Him so the legacy of their pastries will remain. But Jace feel so comfortable of trusting Kaylie, and one day He sent Her a video of Him making a special tropical fruit cake. And Kaylie never ever tried to break Jace’s trust on Her. 

They were planning to see each other in person but then Jace cannot manage to make it since bunch of orders are always coming. Neither Kaylie can come on His place, since she too always having a very hectic schedules, bunch of workloads in the office and more articles to do in the publishing.

One day, Kaylie haven’t receive any text messages from Jace the way she used to, but at first she only thought that He might be very busy. But then another day come and more still no messages from Him, even if she text him first she gets no reply. It then made her begin to worry, she called him but unavailable. She thought Jace might be tired of their virtual friendship. More than a month passed, despite of her disappointments which in the first place she don’t have a right to expect anything from Jace anyway, Kaylie moved on with her single busy life like the way she used to before she made a call interview with him.

But what makes her more bewildered when the store she is passing by everyday now isn’t crowded as usual then a delivery van started pulling out expired products. And it was Jace’s pastries. She got information from a store clerk that those products are not as good as before and not salable anymore. She buy a pack of cookie, taste it and confirmed it herself. Jace product quality has changed not so good.

It makes her worry more but finally her office loads are not that much anymore and she is now allowed to file a leave. She is also done with her articles good for 2 weeks issue and now as planned she spend her vacation visiting Jace’s province. She visits the Martinez Pastry House but it was close. About to leave that place without a clue, Jace’s sister Clarrise who came back from America happened to passed by the closed store. 

Seeing Clarrise opened the store with her key, Kaylie believed she was related with Jace. Without hesitation she tried to approach her, introducing herself and asked some information about what happened. Clarrise then invited her to the coffee shop nearby, and told her what happened to Jace. Clarrise told her that day Jace refused some orders and planned to have a break to visit a friend out of town but they don’t know who’s that person since they all knew Jace spent all of his time in the kitchen, that friend must be special. Clarrise then made a guess if she was that friend her brother wanted to see, she invited her then to their house to let her see his brother.

Arriving at Martinez residence, Kaylie found Jace sitting on the bench in the garden.

“ Jace, somebody wants to see you. “ Clarisse slowly bend down to whisper these words to her brother. “ 

Jace moved to refuse, but before he could utter a word. Kaylie speak,

“ Hi, Jace! It’s me Kaylie, remember? “ she was sad to see it personally and disappointments are very visible on Jace’s face that he can’t ever have a chance to see her face now that he is blind since that accident damaged his eyes.

Back at the coffee shop, Clarisse already told Kaylie everything that night he travelled that accident happened. Damaged his eyes and only hope for him to see again is an eye donor. And the most painful for Jace is that he cannot do his passion in pastry baking anymore and lost his hope to see Kaylie in person.

But Kaylie is determined to help and encourage Jace despite of his incapabilities. The rest of days leave from work she spend it with Jace no matter how many times Jace became rude towards her to push her not to see him anymore, but Kaylie is persistent. 

With Kaylie’s help and they tried to invent a new recipe of muffin. There was several attempts and failures and the kitchen was totally messed up, Jace almost wanted to give not until their last try. Finally a new taste of muffin was made, mouth melting delicious beating the taste of all those special muffins he has made before

“ See I told you, your condition cannot stop your passion. Martinez house of Pastries is still alive . “ Kaylie convinced Jace

“ But not without your help. Thank you Kaylie for believing in me and not giving up on me . “

“ That’s what friends are for right? “ Kaylie answered and they both laugh at each other..

Jace is not yet fully recovered, so though he already gained confidence with his work again, He still need to rest, have a therapy and more time to heal from his operations. The day before Kaylie needs to go home now that her vacation leave is almost over, Clarisse got a call in US that Jace might have a possible eye donor there.

When she left Jace’s place, the following day Jace to with her sister left for US.

Back at work, Kaylie was intrigued by her officemates where she’s been. She just simply answered, “ Hmmm.. just a matter of work again still, researching more interesting stories for her article. “ But her officemates keeps teasing her..

“ Ows? Matter of work or matter of the heart? …. 

But go on for it Girl, remember you’re not getting any younger..“ and they all laugh..

To herself, Kaylie said..” I’m getting 33 this year and it’s been 6 years already since my last break-up. Is it ok I took a sip of hope of me and Jace will became more than friends one day? Hey, Kaylie don’t expect too much.. “ snapping herself back, but can’t take that smile on her face.

A month after but still haven’t heard anything about Jace. But every time she misses him she always tries to make that muffin they made. She followed every single steps and ingredients are complete but still she can’t make it perfect, it doesn’t taste like those they both made.

Another month is over, and she is back to her normal days. She doesn’t think of Jace that much anymore. But one morning she was late at work, when she arrived she found a small box package on her table. She asked her officemates where it came from but they don’t know. She opened it and it was a muffin with a note, give me a bite. She smiled now knowing from whom it came from. When she took a bite of that muffin, she was bit disappointed of the taste, it almost the same with those she made on her apartment. Under the muffin she found the envelope of Jace’s letter for her. He told that he’s back and ready for business again but he can’t make the same muffin like the those they made before. If is still possible for her to help him again. If its ok with her, He is waiting in the coffee shop near her office. 

After reading the letter, she excused herself awhile from her officemates and rushed out of the building. From outside of the coffee shop she already saw him, slowly she goes on through the front door feeling a bit anxious that she’s not prepared to meet him, and it will be the first time for him to see her. She stood a while in the counter near the door waiting for him to catch her eyes if he will recognize her. Later Jace recognize her. She was running her fingers against hair coming towards Jace who keeps staring and smiling at her. 

“ You’re prettier in person .” he greeted her while she was taking her seats in front of him. They greet each other, have a coffee and short conversation about themselves after they went on separate ways several months ago. But Kaylie cannot stay longer since she still needs to work at the office, but they agreed to meet again on weekend at Kaylie’s apartment they will going to try making that recipe of their muffin again together.

Jace to Kaylie, “ If you wasn’t able to make it, and neither I.. Can we try it again together, let’s see if it will turn out right.. Could we? “

“ Sure, why not ..” Kaylie answered and it was set on her apartment on weekend.

That weekend as planned they both made that muffin again.. Then their muffin was made perfectly. “ Hi-5 we got it.. finally!! “ they were jumping for joy, but it stopped them when they bumped into each other and caught each other’s eyes. But Kaylie ease the tension by turning to sink and Jace arranged the muffins on the tray. 

` “ I guess we missed that secret ingredient when tried making it just by ourselves alone . I guess I got the secret.. “ Jace said..

“ I guess, I knew it too.. “ Kaylie answered

“ Say it first, what do you think Jace..” … “ No, I guess ladies first..”

“ So it will be fair, let’s say it together.. “ Kaylie suggested..

Ok!! … “ I think, I like you Jace/Kaylie ..”

Then, they just both laugh at each other. Slowly Jace reach for Kaylie’s hands, saying

“ How about this new recipe, can we do this together? “ 

“ Do you think we can make it? No more failures? “ Kaylie asked…

“ I don’t know, but maybe we can work it out right anyway .. “ 

“ yes.. we can.. “ 

Jace kissed her forehead and hugged her.. She return his embrace with a smile of happiness visible on her face..

Finish…………