"When the going gets tough, put one foot in front of the other and just keep going. Don't give up."

- Roy T. Bennett

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ONE SIP OF coffee and even the largest of my problems were rendered insignificant. I sighed and surrendered to the calmness that enveloped me. Oh yes, I did love my morning coffee.

It had become somewhat of a ritual over the past year, every morning on my way to work I would stop at the café down the street. It was warm and inviting, similar to their coffee. It was a constant in my life, always something I could count on. It was always beautifully chaotic, people rushing and the sound of beans grinding. I could always count on the same people coming, 'the regulars.' I had come so many times over the year that I had been included in this group. I could count on everyone knowing my order; black coffee with a sprinkle of sugar.

It was always interesting to watch people, their repetitive behavior. It could always amaze me that everyone was the same, afraid to break their routine, afraid of change. Every day there were the same group of ladies, they sat in the corner, each nursing a tea. They would each gossip and then leave. I would laugh to myself as I could hear the newest story of Mrs. Herst's "slutty neighbor Krystal." Everything was beautifully similar and I loved it. Until today.

I sat in my regular spot because as much as I hate to admit it, I fell into the group of 'regulars' and I, like them, hated change. I drank my same coffee and listened to the same ladies' gossip behind me. There was a flurry of people bustling about with worry and I took peace in their utter inner turmoil. I was smiling, hearing about how "slutty neighbor Krystal got a Chihuahua and how the pesky thing was always barking" and then a man came in.

I don't know what compelled me to look up but when the bells jingled I did. He stepped into the shop and stood out immediately. He walked with arrogance in every stride and I couldn't seem to pry my eyes away at his complete confidence. I looked around and saw I was not alone, he was a visionary and every person in the coffee shop turned, even Mrs. Herst had stopped her gossiping! His face was unchanging, ice cold gaze focused straight ahead. I couldn't help but comment on the fact that he was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.

His suit was pressed in a way that only a dry cleaner could hope to accomplish. His shoes were brown and made from the finest leather. He would have to be a business man or a lawyer I guessed, and couldn't help but feel animosity towards him, undeserved of course. He emanated wealth and superiority and maybe this was why I immediately didn't want to stand the sight of him. Nonetheless, I couldn't seem to peel my eyes away. His socks were the only thing on his body that could hint towards a personality as they were quite colorful, maybe he was feeling happy today, even if he didn't look the part.

Each stride he took towards the cash was languid and I admired his relaxed pace juxtaposing the pandemonium in the atmosphere. His hair was swept to the side. It was as black as pen ink and thin strands of gray were sprinkled throughout creating a stark contrast. I wondered how this was possible because he didn't look old enough to have gray hairs. His eyes were dark like a storm silently brewing and although I couldn't see them all that well I knew they were as perfect as the rest of him. A slight shadow held a place along his jaw at the perfect length. He had a few freckles on his nose that hinted at past days spent in the sun.

He ordered something incomprehensible and then walked to the counter on the other side of the shop. He turned in my direction, staring into space and I thought that maybe I detected sadness in his eyes, well covered though, in a layer of ice. He took his coffee and left. I heard sighs from multiple women around me, damn, me too sisters.

I continued drinking my coffee as I left one of my favorite places. The cold air outside was an unwelcome contrast to what I had felt inside. I rubbed my hands against my cup trying to harness the remaining warmth. I buttoned my coat and adjusted my scarf desperately trying to maintain heat. I walked with haste to my destination.

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MY SMALL BAKERY sat on the corner of James street and 7th. They were both moderately busy roads. The outside of my shop was visually appealing, teal and gray. My sign sat proudly on top, 'Bo's Bakery' and I smiled at it. This was my most favorite place in the world. I pushed open the door and walked in.

"Beatrice! Thank god you're here!" Mary, sounding relieved, shouted through the shop. "There is a man who wants to talk to you waiting in the back." This time she whispered it and gestured to the back of the shop with a slightly defeated look on her face. She was my only and well, my most loyal employee and I couldn't help but smile at her appreciatively.

"Thank you, Mary. I will go check it out," I tried to reassure her that everything would be fine but she didn't seem to cease her worried looks. I walked into the back and took a large breath in, come on Beatrice! Get your shit together.

The man in the back was rather short and plump. He had a beard on his face and thinning hair on his head, Mr. Widman. I noticeably sneered at his presence.

"Ah, Miss. Sutton. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

I laughed at this lie, after all, he knew I didn't want to meet with him.

"When did I agree to meet with you, Joseph?" I shook my head. I looked at the small man and couldn't help but compare him to the man in the coffee shop. He looked so weak in comparison but still held so much power in my life. I winced at the thought of this, I don't want him or any man for that fact to have power in my life.

"Listen, Miss. Sutton, Beatrice."

"Please, don't call me that. We aren't friends." I had established this with him weeks ago, although he still wanted me to call him by his first name, he insisted.

"Okay, Miss. Sutton. I am sorry to come here today but..."

"I know. You need the rent money for this place," I cut him off. He looked like he was once again going to say something but, I didn't want to hear it. "I will have the money by Friday. Please. That is two days later than today. I don't see how it could make a difference," I leveled with him.

"Miss. Sutton, with all due respect. If the money was two days late I would not have a problem. However, this money is fourteen days late, which IS a problem." He looked insistent. "I have tried to be lenient towards you but, how is it fair if I let up on your duties and not everyone else's." Ugh, he was playing the fairness card. I just wanted to yell SHUT YOUR TRAP ASSHOLE!

"Joseph, please," my voice broke, and I hated it. "I was a little bit late on the bills this month and just need till Friday."

"You have two days or I will evict you." He pointed at me. "This will be the last time this happens." He then turned on his heel. When I heard the door click indicating he had left, I walked calmly to the front of the store. Mary stood there knowingly and offered a friendly smile. I shook my head and walked behind the counter. I washed my hands and started to bake. It was my only escape.

Everyone was right, "most businesses were destined to fail within two years of opening." I used to shake my head and say I was different but now my confidence was dwindling. Of course, I wasn't different. I was losing capital and although I tried to feign hope that we'd hang on, I knew that the day I would lose this business was quickly approaching.

The timer sounded, distracting me from my self-deprecating thoughts. My cookies were perfectly puffy and looked delectable and they smelled even better than they looked if that was possible. I could hear Mary humming as she cleaned the counter and I smiled. This place was my safe haven. I couldn't let it go to greasy men in business suits who wanted nothing more than to rip it to shreds.

"Mary," I stated and she turned her head to acknowledge me. "We cannot let this business slip down the drain. We need to get our crap together and do something to save this place." She nodded and continued cleaning the counter.

"Beatrice, you are a brilliant woman and an even better baker and I would love nothing more than to fight this to the death with you," I smiled optimistically. "But, I don't know what to do..." This felt like a shock after her last statement so I cocked my head to the side in confusion. "Jim just got laid off and we are trying to have a baby and..." She sounded desperate. "This job, no matter how much I love it... It just isn't paying the bills and..." I cut her off by embracing her in a hug. She had water brimming her eyes and I let her cry the tears I wish I could.

"Mary, I promise that if you leave I will understand. You need the money that this job isn't providing and I cannot in good conscious hold you back. You are an incredible baker and I will write you a letter of recommendation to anywhere you would like to go. I will miss you dearly but you deserve this for you and your future family," I held her in a tight embrace. I will die with this bakery but she shouldn't have too.

Mary leaving put a damper on my day. She tried to change her mind and said that she would stay for me but I told her I would never let her do that and out of pure love and respect for the woman, I fired her. She hugged me and whispered 'thank you' in my ear before leaving. I took it in stride. I started this way and sure as heck would end this way. One woman, one bakery, and one hell of a persistent attitude.

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author's note:
Hello lovelies, this is my new story. This book has been kickin' around my head for a while and I've tried re-writing it quite a few times. This is finally a version that I am happy with. I absolutely adore the characters in this and I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoy writing them. I am so excited to join the Wattpad writing community after reading stories on here for years. This chapter doesn't give too much away about our characters yet but it will come!
Thank you for reading ♡