Chapter 1: New Start With Old Memories

"Momma, I am a big guy okay? I can get ready by myself okay?" My four year old son said me behaving like a 14 year old.

"Oh so you think you can get ready by yourself huh? Then go prepare your breakfast, I am not going to cook for you. Big boys should know how to cook." I turned my face in the opposite direction so that he couldn't see the smirk playing on my face right now.

"But-but Antonio's mom prepares breakfast for him," He said shuttering. By the tone of his voice, I can say he was on verge of tears. He is such a cry baby in matters concerned with momma, he did not have daddy which made him a momma's boy.

I instantly turned and took him in my arms whispering "Then Antonio sure behaves well."

He replied by saying "I am still a small boy then." which instantly brought a 1000 watt smile on my face. I released him from my tight hold and kissed his cheeks , nose and forehead making him giggle.

"So we will be going to school now then." I said buttoning up his shirt. He just looks a lot like his dad bringing back the memories when I used to button up Samuel's shirt. Samuel did not know how to button up his shirt properly, neither did he know how to tie a tie properly without messing it up. I ponder who actually ties his tie now, probably Alice. A single tear slipped my eye from the heart clenching memory 5 years back.

"Momma, momma." I felt someone shouting in my ear and shaking me vigorously snapping me out of the bitter sweet memories.

"Momma are you okay?" Ethan asked me with concern etched over his sweet little angelic face.

"I am more than okay with you my side."I said him honestly. We both are not a big family but sure are happy family. We share our secrets and sleep together in the same room instead of two different ones which makes our relation as a mother and a son more defined and strong. He is so used to me that he will never think of sleeping without me by his side till he grows up.

He rescued me from the nightmares that I constantly used to have till his birth. I moved almost 8 places on earth before settling in the beautiful country, Spain. Being divorced by a rich and known Billionaire, no one accepted the poor me.

We both got to the driveway of our small yet big enough house.

Ethan instantly ran to the passenger side of the car and I unlocked it. When the beep sound entered his ears, he practically jumped into the car. I chuckled at his cute behaviour and excitement to get to school.

I sat on the drivers seat and backed out of the driveway getting ready for the 10 minute drive to Ethan's kindergarten.

"Momma drive faster, more and more faster." Ethan yelled seeing one of the cars on the road over take us.

"No baby, we should never drive over speed limit." I said using one of my hand to ruffle his dirty blonde hair. He pouted but nevertheless listened to what I said. If it was Samuel instead of me in the driver seat, he probably would've overtaken all the cars till he reaches the kindergarten. He was a rebellious driver, whenever he drove, I silently used to pray to God to keep us alive and safe till we reach our desired place. This of course made Samuel laugh whole-heartedly. This brought fresh tears in my eyes. Before Ethan could notice, I blinked back the tears and controlled myself from breaking down.

I sighed as I saw the school come into view and it is time to say bye to Ethan.

When I stopped the car in front of the school, Ethan instantly got ready to jump out of the car but not before placing a good bye kiss on my cheeks.

"Bye mommy." he yelled.

"Bye baby, I'll pick you up at noon. Don't fight with the kids." I yelled him reminding not to punch or kick someone again leaving me to deal with the wrath of his teachers.

I drove to my workplace which is a small cafe. I work there as a manager and also sometimes as a cook. Cook is only because I love cooking. I was initially a cook there but when I started giving some new ideas to popularise this cafe, the owner promoted me to manager irrespective of my qualification. Manager post is better for me noticing it fetches me more income and good life for Ethan.

I parked in the 'employees parking only' place and got ready for yet another long day.

When I entered into the cafe, I was instantly greeted with Lucas fiercely typing orders and billing them. Isabella and Luciana were moving from one table to other to place the orders. Since it was 8 in the morning, this busy scenario was expected. Employees usually stop here to grab a cup of coffee and start a fresh day.

"Hey Lucas." I greeted him slapping my hand with his.

"Hey Bridget." Lucas greeted back trying to smile at me but failing miserably as customers were screeching at him due to the morning rush and Lucas' insufficient skills to type rapidly.

I guess we need another counter to take orders as the cafe was expanding with faster growth rate. I gazed at the customers in the cafe and was not much staggered to know that we were in need of more employees and tables for customers to sit. I should discuss about this with Mr. Martinez and employ more people before customers think the cafe is insufficient in treating its customers.

I crossed the counter and made my way into the kitchen where Marco, our chef was working on the orders wildly. I respect this 50 year old man a lot who is very passionate about his cooking and has some magic in his dishes. He also lights up a day for a person when he/she is feeling down.

"Good morning Marco" I chirped standing behind him, startling him a little. He instantly turned with a two knives in his hand ready to attack the intruder but his face features calmed from guarded to soft upon glancing at my face. I backed way two steps, my eyes widening a bit.

"God Bridget, how many times should I say not to startle me like that. Your old man could get a heart attack." he said making a horrified face. I narrowed my eyes at him with hands folded.

"I do this daily Marco, so don't blame me." I snickered at him.

"You know that the old-man forgets that daily now. don't you?" he questioned me continuing his work with the cooking.

"Yeah yeah, but that is your brain's fault and yeah what are you cooking?" I asked him trying to divert his attention from the current topic.

"Oh that! Its just the regular orders by the customers, I will be experimenting something new today afternoon though, when the cafe will not be as busy," he said sighing deeply, probably from the exhaustion he felt by cooking huge pile of food. I ran a hand through my hair noting that I have to speak to Mr. Martinez regarding expansion.

I was checking on the customers and workers when I noticed Mr. Martinez entered the cafe in all his glory. For a 42 year old man, he sure doesn't look like one. The best thing about him is, he is very easy to get along with and his Spanish accent is the best.

"Morning, Mr. Martinez." I greeted him with cheerful smile on my face when he started walking towards his tiny office which was located beside the billing counter.

"Morning, Bridget. How about we discuss in my office." He proposed motioning me to follow behind him. I was first startled but later quickly composed myself. How does this man know that I wanted to discuss matters with him? This is what classifies him different and unique.

Once we took our seat on our respective seats, I was about to start my speech but he again beat me to that.

"So maybe we should hire more, Bridget?" He questioned voicing my thoughts.

"Yes, absolutely. And also we can buy the place next to us for lease and expand this café a little more considering we have more customers now." I said confidently without wavering a bit.

He looked up from his papers and met my gaze "And in what proportion do you think we should employ?" He asked with a questioning yet soft gaze as if he knows he'll receive a satisfying answer from me.

"I guess we need another chef who can accompany our old man and two to set up two more counters for billing. And waitresses, we may need 3." I concluded calculating in my brain again if they were necessary or not.

"Do you think we have enough capital for all this?"

"We do have Mr.Martinez. The reserves from net profit for the last two years will definitely serve our purpose." I said sighing. I need to recheck the accounting books and make a confirmation soon.

"And about chef, there is no need to worry Bridget."he spoke looking at his laptop screen which was now on in front him, on his desk.

"huh." my face displayed the inner confusion because according to me, that was the place where an employee was most needed.

"I already spoke to a young man if he was willing to take up a job here. I don't want the old man to fall sick." he chuckled typing something rapidly.

This explains my confusion as to why he made that comment earlier. So, there is already someone who was booked for the job I see. But how does he cook? Well or not? We couldn't risk the cafe as cooking skills are needed to run one. Then again when it comes to food, Mr.Martinez is very picky and choosy, if he actually selected someone out of blue there must be something brilliant hidden in that person.

"He is an old man, I agree on that but that doesn't make you young." I snorted.

"Oh, common look at me. Do I look like 42 to you?"he asked. I shook my head to say no.

"That's what all the ladies and I think." he smirked at me which is kind of gross but this is the nature of Mr.Martinez when it comes to talking only or else he has a wife to whom he is very dedicated , in other words, whipped.

"But the old man is very grumpy and peppery, do you think that he will let someone cook in the same kitchen that he works in?" I asked raising my eyebrows at him. This caught his attention as he instantly looked up from the laptop screen and a horrified look crossed his face. Marco is very childish and according to him, only he should work in a kitchen and no one else. He shares his kitchen only with one and that privileged person is me.

"Then it is going to take a lot for us to convince him but I still want to you to meet this young man at after noon today." he replied heaving a sigh. Probably Marco had already occupied his brain. Which man is he talking about?

"Whom should I meet? And also I have to pick Ethan this afternoon." I added recalling that I have to pick up Ethan from school this afternoon.

"The chef whom I want to employ. I need my manager's consent in this" I raised my eyebrows at him at this point. "What? This is a business and I can't take some random decisions okay? And yeah, sorry I can't cancel his appointment at such a short notice. Please just ,make little time. You can always trust Lucas to pick Ethan." he suggested which was the most useless thing on his part. Last time I trusted Lucas with him, Ethan dolled him up. Lucas can't resist the puppy dog faces of Ethan and Ethan's evil mind will exploit all the possibilities of rebelling on roads.

"Urgh." groaning I got up from my seat and walked towards the door but not before yelling 'I hate you' on my way out.

It was now 11:58 before noon and I have to leave by 12:00. This certain going-to-be employee is so irresponsible that he still hasn't showed up.

"Can I speak to manager here?"I heard someone enquiring from the table I was currently sitting. Bt I ignored the voice as I was enjoying the view outside by sitting at one of the isolated tables of cafe.

After that day, I expected Samuel to search for me after realising the mistake he committed. I stayed in New York for an extra month waiting for him but that never happened. When I saw a picture of him and Alice on the tabloids, I decided to move out of his life ever and forever. A single tear escaped my eye but I rubbed it before anyone could notice.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't realise someone standing in front of the table. I looked up to see a gorgeous young man probably in his late 20's with a charming smile on his face. He was a perfect epitome of devilish bad boy looks or a player looks with ocean blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. I blinked my eyes to get rid of that stupid thoughts and composed myself.

"Do you want anything?" I asked him taking in deep breathes to calm myself.

"Are you Bridget?" his voice asked shaking me a little due to the intensity in it. I almost wanted the ground to swallow me for feeling like this right now. He is one of the best looking guys I've met so far .

"Yes. How may I favour you?" I asked gesturing him to take a seat opposite me for which he thanked me with gratitude.

"I am the one Mr. Martinez employed for chef position. My name is Sein."

"Oh nice meeting you Sein. You know my name and I am the manager here." I tried to act calm as much as possible without freaking under his charm and smile he just was throwing at me. Guys with good looks. His name was awesome. I wonder what Sein actually means?

I unlocked my phone to check the time. My eyes widened when they landed on the time which was now 12:10. I should pick up Ethan in 5.

"Can we end this now? I have to pick my son up from kindergarten right now." I requested him getting up from my seat ad grabbing my bag.

"Oh can I accompany you please?" he requested back.

I didn't want to deny him as there was no proper reason to. Considering, he will be a part of our small family soon, he may as well accompany me.

"Sure." I said with a quiver in my voice. Oh God! Why should I feel nervous whenever I meet a new guy?

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This is just a filler kind of chapter. I assure you that next chapter is not boring, indeed its interesting...

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