Chapter 10: The Phoenix

This day is very special for Béa because it is the opening of her pastry shop. She named it the phoenix because that's how she saw herself, like this fabulous bird, she is reborn from her ashes and this pastry is proof of that. For this event, she received the help of all her family. Yolande and Nina helped him prepare cakes, ice cream and pastries. During this time, Mathieu and Marcel took care of the decorations and the first customers.

In no time, the patisserie was full. There were so many people they didn't know where to turn. There were even customers who took a long time to be served.

The only words we could hear in the middle of all this heckling were: "Béa, it will be a strawberry cake for the lady" "Nina, go take the order for table number 5 please" "Mr. please when will we get our ice cream" "It's been a long time since I ordered"

"Would you mind if I helped a little, I hope?" »

The voice came from a beautiful young woman sitting at a table.

Nina: Bea, you wouldn't mind if we got help from a stranger, would you?

Béa: Seeing how things are going, a little help will be appreciated.

Nina: What's your name?

Annie: My name is Annie

Nina: So for starters Annie, would you mind if you came by to take the controls?

Annie: I'll get to it right away.

With one more person, the pressure had eased a bit. Customers came, had a good time and left satisfied, promising to come back. Gradually the bakery was emptying and soon this eventful day came to an end.

After closing, they decided to water this first day of success.

Béa: I wanted to thank you for your help not only for today but also for all the other times. Without you, I wouldn't have made it. So let's toast to the success of the Phoenix.

The others: To the phoenix!

Béa: Annie, I would like to sincerely thank you for your help. By the way can I ask you what you do for work.

Annie: I'm a business management student.

Béa: And you have parents here?

Annie: I have an aunt but she lives far from the university. In order not to miss the lessons, I rented an apartment nearby so we can say that I am alone.

Béa: Would you like to work here? You will come whenever you have free time. And if you have a girlfriend who doesn't have the same class hours as you, she'll be welcome. I want to be able to be with at least one of you when the other is not present.

Annie: You're doing me a huge favor there. I do not know how to thank you. Do you mind if I talk to you?

Bea: Of course not. Call me like everyone else, Bea. I like you you know you are so cute.

Since that day, Annie has become a part-time employee at Béa. The pastry shop was known in the area and was successful.

While they were making icing, the phone started ringing

Béa: Pâtisserie le phoenix hello. What can we do for you? Ah it's you Yolande.

Yolande: Bea, I wanted to send you a new client. He's a college friend of Mathieu's. They had lost sight of each other and found each other recently. He is single, without children and in addition he is one of the three great magistrates of this city.

Béa: I thought you wanted to send me a new client, but to hear you, it sounds like it's more of a companion you want to find me.

Yolande: Who's me? No, he's just a new client. But Bea, you have to think about rebuilding your life. It's been over a year now.

Béa: So what is the gentleman's order?

Yolande: That's it, pretend not to hear me. He wants a three-tier cake, it's for his mother's birthday. I gave him your home number. His name is Franck Yao, so don't be surprised if you get his call.

Bea: What did you do? How could you give my phone number to a stranger? Yolande… no, don't do the network thing to me. Yolande, I forbid you to hang up on me. Yolanda, Yolanda…

And she dares hang up on me. Give me patience my God.

After hanging up the phone, she went back to work.

In the evening when closing time came, Bea noticed that Annie is in no hurry to get home.

So she decided to talk to her.

Bea: Annie what's wrong?

Annie: Nothing everything is fine

Bea: Don't lie to me okay? I always told you to consider me as your sister so why don't you tell me the problem.

Béa: I don't know how to tell you. Do you remember ? Did I tell you I was staying near here because of college?

Bea: yes

Annie: Actually I was living with a friend and we were putting together for the rent. But she now lives with her girlfriend and I couldn't pay the rent on my own. So I don't know where to live. And in addition I have to return the keys in three days otherwise I will have a debt to the owner.

Bea: Oh that's it? You can come live with me if you want. You know I live in a studio but that's already something isn't it?

Annie: Thank you Bea. I promise to be discreet. You won't even know I'm here. Promised.

Béa: Come on, let's hurry home. Tomorrow I'll give you the double of the keys to the house.

The next day Annie moved in with Béa. Every morning when she woke up Bea could see that Annie had already taken care of everything. Whether for cleaning or cooking, she could count on the one she affectionately called "Sister".