This was my first day back to bakery after a week. Liam was the one handling everything behind me and I was grateful to him for that. Evan's driver dropped Cara and me to the bakery. Both of us trudged inside and the familiar heavenly scent greeted us.

I left Cara on a seat and gave her a story book to read. Then I made my way inside the kitchen and surprised Liam who was busy making glazing for his cupcakes. He jumped excitedly when he realised my presence and took off his gloves and apron to envelop me in a tight hug.

"I missed you, cupcake. This bakery had no life without you." he said, still hugging me tightly. There was something in his voice told me that he was sad and the reason wasn't my absence entirely.

"I missed you too." I said and parted from him. "Guess what I brought for you?" I grinned, hiding the box behind my back.

"What is it?" he attempted to look behind me. "Give it to me." he extended his arm but I ducked backwards. He pouted in return and turned his face away.

"Okay, don't pout like a baby. Here." I gave the box to him.

He opened it impatiently and when he finally found the sunglasses that I caught him drooling at one time, his smile widened. "Oh my God, thank you Scar. I can't believe you remembered." he said and gave me another hug.

"Okay, enough bonding now. Let's go back to work, shall we?" I said and looked at the list of the orders we had for today.

"Yes. Thank God, you're back. Your loyal customers missed you more than me." he rolled his eyes and I smiled at this. Together, we started baking the rest of the items on the list, the first of which was meringue pie.

All the while we were baking, I noticed Liam's lack of concentration. There was definitely something on his mind, irking him. Last I met him, he was happy and excited to call Helena back after their night together.

"Liam, is everything okay?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said and refused to meet my eyes.

"What about Helena? Did you call her yet?" I asked and his face contorted at this. He shook his head lazily and continued mixing the ingredients. "What happened Liam? You know I know you better than everyone else. There is something bothering you, I know." I said and pulled the bowl out of his hand.

His brown eyes dripped with agony as he stared at me. "I went to meet her two days ago and... and she was with someone else." he told me and my jaw hanged low in surprise. I couldn't believe she did that to Liam. He was the sweetest man I ever met, how could anyone hurt this ball of sunshine?

"I don't know what to say." I sighed and rubbed his arm.

"She said she wasn't interested in me in that way. It was just a one night stand for her." he said in a gloomy tone.

"Oh," I whispered. "I... Well... I hope she realises that what she did hurt you badly."

"It doesn't matter now. I should have understood. She is a successful businesswoman and I am just a baker. What did I think?" he let out a humourless laugh.

Pity filled me and I pulled him in for another hug. We have always been there for each other but this time, I was too busy enjoying my honeymoon that I totally forgot to check up on my friend.

We were still hugging when I heard footsteps coming into kitchen. I pulled away and stared at the unknown girl that just walked inside leisurely.

"Oh I forgot to tell you, Scarlet. Our waitress quit so I had to hire this girl yesterday for help. Today is her first official day here. Are you okay with it?" Liam informed me.

I observed the girl briefly. She looked like she was in her early twenties. Her straight brown hair reached her neck and she was wearing glasses that made her look cute and intelligent. She was wearing a brown blazer over a white blouse and dark blue jeans.

"Hi, I am Rachel. It's nice to meet you." she said and extended her hand for a shake.

"Hi Rachel, I am Scarlet. Hope you'll like working here." I smiled at her and shook her hand.

"Come on, I'll show you around and brief you about your duties." Liam said and together, they walked out of the kitchen. I stated at their retreating figures and smiled as I imagined them as a couple. They both were certainly cute and somewhat nerdy, perfect for each other.

..........

I had to cover a lot of work today and then shop some things for the bakery so I called Geena at almost 4pm to pick up Cara. By the time I returned to the house, Cara had gone to sleep and acocrding to George, Evan was in the study room.

George further told me that Evan refused to eat dinner today and it filled me with worry. I asked Kelly to serve the dinner in two plates. I balanced both plates of grilled chicken and vegetables in my hands and made my way to the study room.

Entering inside, I walked towards his desk and placed one plate in front of him and the other one in front of me. He was looking at me with narrowed eyes that were hiding behind a sleek pair of glasses, much to my surprise.

God, he look hot in glasses.

"Stop gaping and start eating," I said and took the first bite. I didn't eat much the whole day so by now, I was starving.

"I am not hungry," he said and continued reading the file in his hands.

"Evan, come on. Eat few bites at least. I am sure you didn't have lunch." I ordered and a scowl appeared on his face.

"I am busy." he said stubbornly.

"You can never be too busy to eat." I retorted and leaning on the table, picked up the stack of files that was in front of him. If looks could kill, I would have been six feet under the ground but that didn't stop me. I continued glaring at him until he finally picked up the plate and started eating.

"Why do you work so much?" I asked in between the bites.

"If I won't, who will?" he questioned in response to my question.

"What's the point of building an empire if you can't find time to eat properly?" I asked further.

"If I will stop working and spend my day in just eating or sleeping, this so-called empire will collapse." he replied.

"Maybe then, you can start working with me." I grinned and he made a sour face at this. "Imagine the Evan Parker, putting the pink icing on the cake with his delicate fingers." I imagined the scene and ended up laughing.

"Why do you want me to work with you, dear wife? Did you miss me the whole day and now you want us to stay close in the future?" he raised his eyebrows.

"You wish," I rolled my eyes and stabbed the last piece of vegetable with my fork. "So are you coming to sleep or not?" I asked.

"What if I say no?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Then I'll start sleeping with Cara from now onwards." I smirked.

"You won't," he said calmly.

"I will." I shrugged. "Watch me."

I stood up and then cast a challenging glance towards him, which he mimicked not-so-subtly. Huffing, I stomped out of the room and made my way towards Cara's room.

Once I reached her room, I extended my arm to grip the knob but suddenly, I was picked up and thrown over someone's shoulder.

"Evan," I shrieked and punched his muscular back that was in line of my eyes.

He didn't speak anything until we reached his room. Walking towards the bed, he put me down on the soft mattress gently and then crawled over me. "What were you saying?" he asked, surveying my face from up close.

"I...." I forgot how to speak because his face was practically inches away from me.

"You act so innocent but you are a tease, Scarlet." he whispered into my ears and his hands reached the bare skin of my stomach.

"Am I?" I asked breathlessly.

"Yes," he said and made circles on my waist with his fingers. "You know what I'll do to you if you challenge me next time?"

"What?" I challenged again with raised eyebrows.

"This," he leaned his lips towards mine and I closed my eyes in anticipation. His breath warmed the skin around my lips and my heartbeat quickened.

The very next minute, the soft touch on my waist shifted into hardcore tickling. I shifted on the bed like a maniac as he continued his torture.

"Stop, I am ticklish." I shouted to defend me. He didn't care for my begging and only stopped once I was completely out of breaths. When his hands finally stopped moving, I pushed him away angrily and hopped out of the bed. "I hate you," I said and stomped into the closet to change into my pyjamas.

When I closed the door behind me, I heard his loud chuckles echoing the room. A smile appeared on my face at his mischievous actions.

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