“Strawberry cake, please,” the customer said, her slender fingers lightly drumming against the glass display. “Could you... write something on it?”

“Of course. What's the message?”

Anaya looked up to find the young woman deep in thought. Her face was a mask of practiced calm, but her stare burned into the blush-pink cake with raw fury.

Silence stretched with every second. Anaya could sense the restless energy of the queue as murmurs and groans erupted.

“What a loser,” she finally bit out.

Anaya froze, and so did every other person in the store.

“Pardon?”

“You heard me.” 

The look on the customer’s face had her picking up the cream piping bag and scribbling those words.

“That will be 23 dollars.” She handed her the box.

The customer paid and left. Anaya wondered if the cake was for someone who’d broken her heart in the worst way possible.

"Anaya," a voice called for her attention. "Kate wants to see you."

She cast a sideways glance at Tasha as she sorted the next customer's order. "Right now?"

"Yeah, she is waiting. I'll cover for you."

"Thanks, Tasha.”

Her stomach was in knots as she removed her gloves and apron. Kate’s summons were rare during work hours unless something of importance. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the worn wooden door before pushing it open.

“Please take a seat.” Her voice sounded thick with emotions, almost as if she was willing herself to control her tears.

Not a good sign, Anaya thought as she sat down, pressing her palms against her knees to stop them from shaking. It didn't help.

“What's going on?” she blurted out, unable to hold any longer.

Kate took off her glasses, eyes weary and red-rimmed. “The Cake House… it's been sold.”

Anaya should have seen it coming, yet she couldn't stop the wave of shock that coursed through her, leaving her speechless and unmoving.

The Cake House had become her second home since she first walked in three years ago to buy a birthday cake. The hiring signboard had been right there, waiting for her to take the job. They sold cakes that were equally stunning and delicious, so sales weren't a problem. But Kate's husband was admitted to the hospital, which required money to pay the mounting bills.

“The new owner has different plans. I have to let you go.”

Shit.

What was she going to do? She couldn't find a new job so quickly.

Panic gripped her chest as realisation sank deeper and deeper. She racked her brain for a solution and came up with nothing.

It must have been visible on her face because Kate picked up a sleek black card from her desk and held it out to her. “Go to this place tomorrow. They are hiring.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her fingers trembling as she accepted the card.

Kate shook her head. “I am sorry about the short notice.”

Anaya couldn't bring herself to blame her. She knew Kate wouldn't sell it if she had a choice. The Cake House wasn't merely a bakery but a dream she and her husband had shaped into reality.

“I’ll miss working here. I'll miss you.” She tried to smile, even as her vision blurred.

"Don't you dare make me cry," Kate said, walking around the table to envelop Anaya in her arms. "You'll always be family."

Anaya hugged her back. "I'll drop by to see you."

"You better."

She was in a daze as she walked out of the office. The familiar warmth of the bakery, the soft chime of the bell on the door, and the chatter of the customers now seemed distant, as if she was witnessing it all for the last time. Needing a moment to herself, she hastily retreated to the washroom.

Her reflection stared at her in dejection, once again bringing back memories that had changed everything.

No, don't go there. Not now.

"Are you okay?"

Anaya turned around to find Tasha standing by the door, her eyebrows creased in worry.

"Do you know?"

Tasha nodded. "Everyone does."

"When?"

"We received an email last week."

Anaya's eyes widened. "Why wasn't I informed?"

"Kate wanted to tell you, but I guess... It's been hard for her. You were her first employee. She treats you like her daughter."

Anaya swallowed the lump in her throat, fighting the urge to cry. Kate knew she wouldn't handle it well. At least, not like others did.

She was mostly sad. No matter how much she tried to hide it behind false smiles, Kate saw through her. At first, she didn't probe Anaya, thinking time would heal her. But when she saw her state worsening, she couldn't stay silent.

And Anaya had burst out like a dam, overflowing with heartache. She confided in Kate, revealing she had lost her love. What she didn't tell was the painful truth of how she lost him.

Icarus.

His name was enough to drain the life out of her.

She clutched the counter as her breath turned shallow, coming out in short gasps. Closing her eyes, she tried to rein in the panic attack, but it was there, coiling around her chest, tightening its grip until her arms and legs could no longer support her.

"Anaya!" Tasha rushed to her side, catching her by the shoulders. "Deep breaths. Take deep breaths."

Anaya couldn't. 

She was going to die.

"Hey, hey, hey. Focus on me, ok?” Tasha’s voice grew urgent. "Breathe in. Breathe out. Slowly." She had seen Kate guide Anaya in such situations, which was often if she wasn't occupied with work.

Several moments passed. Maybe a lifetime. Then she opened her eyes. "Thanks." She tucked her hair behind her ear and gave a small smile. "I'm going home."

"Sure. I'll let Kate know."

Outside in the cool night breeze, Anaya let out a sigh. The bus arrived soon after, and she took a seat closer to the animated chatter of fellow passengers. Usually, she minded her own business, but not today as she focused on their voices, letting their words take all the space in her head.

By the time the bus stopped on her street, she felt a lot better.

"Ma!" A sweet voice reached her ears. 

Her lips curved into a smile when her son, Aiden, ran towards her and hugged her legs. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She lifted him into her arms, showering him with kisses.

"Stop!" He giggled, hiding his face in her neck.

"Where's Aunt Casey?" she asked, walking into their house.

"In the kitchen!" Casey echoed, setting the apron inside the drawer. "I made rice and chicken for you."

"Aren't you eating with us?"

Casey shook her head, her eyes alight with joy. "I have a date with my husband."

"Ooh, exciting night.”

“Undoubtedly.” Casey laughed. “I am leaving Gia in your care. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Anaya nodded. "Don't worry. Have fun."

Once Casey was out the door, she locked it and made her way to the couch.

“Where is Gia?”

"In my room. Sleeping," her son replied, settling into her lap.

“Hmm.”

"You should eat, Ma." Aiden patted her hands just as she began to drift off.

"Have you eaten?" she asked him.

He nodded against her chest. "Yes. We had pizza and ice cream."

"Again?" Anaya was going to have a long talk with Casey about healthy food.

As if he could read her mind, he placed his palms on her cheeks and stared at her with his irresistible brown eyes. "Don't blame Aunt Casey."

Anaya couldn't help but melt. For a three-year old, he was incredibly sharp, all thanks to his genes. His speech flowed with clarity. But what always surprised her was his emotional intelligence. He seemed to grasp the subtleties of emotions with ease. She couldn't help but notice how much he had started to resemble a younger version of Icarus. It also meant his first shift was only five years away. The thought filled her with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

"Fine. But why are you awake? You have school tomorrow, don't you?"

"I was waiting for you," he said and jumped out of her lap, running in the direction of his room. "Good night."

"Good night," Anaya called out, smiling.

Now alone with her thoughts, the weight of the day caught up to her, and the hollow in her chest expanded until all she felt was pain. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she placed a hand over her mouth to muffle the sounds of her sobs.

Three years and seven months had passed without Icarus. But there wasn't a single day when she didn't remember him. His voice that calmed her storms, his smile that filled her with warmth, and his arms that made her feel safe. Those times with him now felt like a beautiful dream, the kind that made her yearn and writhe.

For what she had and would never have again.

If it weren't for her son, she couldn't go on.

Her phone pinged, lighting up the screen. Even before opening it, she knew it was from Casey.

Stop crying, please. Go and eat. I'll check on you tomorrow.

Anaya wiped her cheeks and went to the kitchen, mechanically consuming as much as she could without the threat of throwing up. All she wanted was to fall asleep, to escape the looming thoughts of tomorrow.

Another day without Icarus.

How much longer could she hold on to life before she shattered?