Three different people stand facing each other in a small space filled with the sweet scent of vanilla and the warmth of freshly baked pastries. Despite the pleasant atmosphere, the emotional turmoil experienced by the three individuals is significant as their minds are closely intertwined.

Neil looked at the beautiful and poised lady standing in front of him. Her cold eyes were definitely scanning his presence; her face was devoid of any expression. Her arms crossed against her chest in annoyance. She kept on staring blankly, as if her cold stare would force the intruder out of her peaceful sanctuary. Even though she matches Neela's description of being an ice-queen perfectly, Neil can't help but stare at the young lady with fair skin, exquisite facial features, a tempting mole above her plush lips, and doe-shaped eyes deprived of any warmth. Her long hair was tied back properly using a bouffant cap. Her messy clothes indicated the sheer amount of hard work she had performed since morning. 

When Neil noticed a hint of displeasure on Avni's face, he quickly looked away, as if staring at someone as graceful as her were a form of disrespect. Shifting his attention from Avni, he took in the cozy charm of the small paradise surrounding him. It felt like hard work and tranquility could coexist here. The walls were adorned with photographs telling the bakery's story, while the display counters enticed passersby with a vibrant array of fresh treats. The kitchen, filled with the aromas of vanilla, chocolate, fruits, and many other ingredients, spoke volumes about the effort required to keep this place running, yet it also emanated a comforting warmth. It was a perfect haven for anyone seeking a sweet indulgence after a long day.

Working here won't be that bad, Neil thought while blending himself into the essence of Sweet Fantasy, but he knew that his entry was not going to be a smooth ritual. Avni was annoyed with his presence. There is no need for her to speak; he can feel that with her body language and the daggers her eyes are shooting towards Neela.

Neela avoided looking at Avni directly. She knows her niece very well; if there is one thing that Avni despises the most is the intrusion of her comfort zone. With the appearance of Neil, Avni would surely advance her defence mechanism. She won't let Neela have her way easily, but Neela won't listen to her today. She would fight her and make sure that Neil gets an entry in this cozy place. 

Neela understands that she cannot force Avni into a romantic relationship, but she definitely wants her to have a friend—someone who can make her happy, care for her, and help prevent her from burning out from overwork. Neela knows Neil well and is confident that he is the only person who would treat Avni with respect and not hurt her. Even if they decide not to pursue a romantic relationship, they could still become good friends. Neela is eager to introduce a positive influence into Avni's life so that she won't feel lonely in case anything were to happen to Neela.

Avni was in another zone; her defensive instincts were working overtime, but she kept a poker face. She was quiet, but her observation was strong enough to conclude that Neela was trying to refuse eye contact with her while the man who accompanied her was trying to incorporate himself within the four walls that are her treasure. He first observed her looks and attitude, and then, out of respect and fear of offending her, he shifted his gaze towards the surroundings, trying to take in every single element that could help him in solving some weird mystery. Avni didn't try to analyze Neil's looks or his presence; instead, she shifted her entire focus towards Neela, who was still lost within her thoughts.

As much as she wanted to dig into Neil's unwanted presence in her bakery, she ignored the itch and decided to act nonchalant like always. She maintained a stoic face and acted as if he were a random passerby who wanted to purchase one of her creations.

'Is he a customer? Kindly place your order, sir. I have work to do.' She broke the staring session and spoke politely yet firmly.

'He is not a customer.' Neela interrupted before Avni could continue her words.

'Then, why is he here?'

Neil just gazed at the graceful lady with a cold temperament. The fact that she is denying his presence so firmly was stinging.

We are meeting for the first time. Why the heck is she acting as if she has been holding some deep grudge against me? Neil's mind was asking him to run away, but something about this interesting lady was making him stay here despite the hostility.

'He is Neil, we met in the orphanage. Actually, he used to live here, but for the last few years he was in Mumbai for his job, now he's finally back.' Neela rambled without hesitation.

'So?' Avni rolled her eyes and spoke in a dry tone as if Neela's yapping did not affect her.

Neela sighed and rubbed her temple in annoyance.

'Neil, she is Avni, my dear niece and the owner of Sweet Fantasy. This is the bakery I was talking about.' Neela shifted her entire attention towards Neil as if Avni wasn't glaring at her with anger. 'See, the deserts are so beautiful, the ambience, the...' Before she can continue, Avni interrupts.

'Are you having some eyesight issues, mister?' Avni looked at Neil blankly and asked in a dry tone.

Neil gulped, not expecting a confrontation with her.

'No, my eyes are perfectly fine.' He answered, scratching the back of his neck nervously. 'I can even present a medical report if needed.'

'That won't be necessary. Since the old woman was hell-bent on pointing out the obvious things to you, I thought maybe you were having some vision problem.' She sighed,  already tired from the hectic day.

Neela gasped while Neil bit his lip to control the bubbling laughter.

'You, Argh! Why are you so difficult? Well, forget it, we have more important things to do.' Neela took a deep breath before continuing.

'Neil is going to be the new employee of Sweet Fantasy.' She spoke as a matter of fact, while Avni raised an eyebrow as if challenging her aunt.

'Who decided that?'

'I decided, and yes, you have to accept my proposal.' Neela was stubborn this time; she wasn't going to back off easily.

'We don't need anyone.'

'We do, Avni, have you seen yourself? You look like a zombie. I can't let you live like that. You need some assistance, and Neil is perfect.'

'Neela aunt, we discussed in the morning...' Neela cuts her off.

'We didn't discuss anything; you refused the conversation before it even started.'

Avni sighed, not understanding Neela's obsession with having an employee in her perfect routine.

'You won't let this go, will you?' It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Avni knew that Neela wouldn't agree to any terms and conditions on this topic.

Avni turned towards Neil, intimidating the poor lad. If she can't face Neela, then she can make things difficult for the poor man who just stepped into her haven.

'Mr. Neil, tell me about your baking skills. Name any two French pastries that you can bake with perfection.'

Avni was very serious when it came to her art, and even if she is being forced to hire an employee, she won't compromise on standards.

Neil looked at her as if she were an alien.

'Pastries also have types.' He looked at Neela, who was looking at him with pity.

'I thought the small pieces of a  cake that were sold separately were called pastry.' He chuckles nervously, making Neela close her eyes in embarrassment while Avni looks at him with a shocked expression.

'My boy, whether you eat an entire cake or a piece of cake, is there any difference in that?' Neela tried to diffuse the bomb Neil just dropped.

'If there is no difference, then why are they sold separately?' Neil asked innocently.

'For convenience, not everyone can consume the entire cake, so single pieces are more convenient. Now, have you heard about Éclair, Macaron, Croissant, and Mille-feuille? These are some of the French pastries.'

Neela looked at Avni, who shook her head in disbelief.

'Really? That's amazing. Neela aunt, you were right, baking is actually an interesting skill. It would be good to learn about so many delicious treats.' Neil's enthusiasm towards learning a new skill pleased Neela, but Avni was irritated.

'So, you are telling me to employ someone who has no connection with baking. Neela aunt, what exactly are you trying to do?'

'Avni, let me introduce you properly. This is Neil, your apprentice.' Neela smirked while Avni frowned.

'Impossible.'

'Nothing is impossible, he is a hard-working man. You teach him baking, and he will help you with other chores. The work would be divided so it would be more comfortable, and this dull bakery actually needs something vibrant.' Neela mentally patted herself for taking a firm stand.

Avni smirked.

'So, he is eye candy. Neela aunt, are you into young boys these days?'

'What?' Neela gasped.

Neil's jaw dropped in mock horror. Seizing the spotlight, he pulled his arms tight across his chest as if shielding his virtue, his face morphing into a picture of wide-eyed, angelic innocence. It was a performance worthy of an award, even if his audience of one remained unimpressed.

'Neela aunt, I understand I flirted with you earlier, but it was a fun talk. Please, don't have illicit thoughts about me. My body is like a chaste shrine that can't fulfil the immoral desires.'

Ever the showman, Neil leaned into the drama, pulling out every trick to coax a smile from Avni. She remained a statue of stone, her expression unyielding. He watched her like a hawk, certain he'd caught a ghost of a twitch at the corner of her mouth, but it vanished before he could be sure. Letting out a heavy sigh, he let his shoulders slump in defeat.

A low groan escaped Neela as she pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to shut out the reality of her blunder. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her—fire and ice, furnace and cold storage—sent off in one mismatched, ruinous decision. She sat there, hidden behind her hands, dreading the moment she'd have to look up and face the fallout.

'Avni, stop spreading rumors about me.' She gritted her teeth, looking at her niece, who looked quite pleased with herself.

'And you, don't believe her nonsense words. She hates my social circle, that's why she keeps on mocking me like this.' She looked at Neil with a stern expression.

Neil dropped his act and chuckled, making Avni look at him with an unreadable expression.

'Let's stop this conversation. Neela aunt, I neither want a student nor a worker, so let's move on from this.'

'No, Avni, if you won't let him work here, then I will also quit.'

'That's emotional blackmail.'

'I don't care whatever it is.'

'You have made up your mind.' Avni finally surrendered.

'Yes.' Neela held her ground.

'Fine, I can't win against you. Allot him some work, I need to complete my cake. Don't disturb me.'

Saying this, she went away, not sparing another look to either of them.

'Finally, I won my first battle against her.' She wiped the invisible sweat from her forehead, making Neil giggle.

'How could you join that ice-queen in teasing me?' Neela looked at Neil accusingly.

Neil chuckles, 'It was fun.'

'Both of you are irritating. Come, let me give you an overview of everything.'

She dragged him towards the counter, and the rest of the day was spent learning about important equipment, baked products, and techniques.

In the evening, Avni finally graced them with her presence.

'Avni, almost all the products are sold out. Now, only cleaning is left. Neil would help you with that. I need to go.'

Avni nodded, 'Enjoy with your old gang.'

'Tsk, tsk! So bitter.' Neela muttered before leaving.

As the sun dips below the horizon, it casts a warm, golden hue across the sky, transforming it into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant oranges and soft pinks. The bakery, once filled with the bustling energy of customers and the irresistible aroma of fresh pastries, now lies in serene silence, a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. In this charming haven, only two souls remain, sharing the intimate space, surrounded by the lingering scent of baked bread and sweet treats, their presence creating a sense of peace in the fading light.

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