Chapter 1

Florentine Pov:

            My alarm went off indicating its time for me to wake up. It’s a new day new learning. I woke up from bed and did my morning routine. I made a hot coffee for myself. I went to my balcony with my hot coffee. Sun is still waiting for the right time to rise and shine.

I look forward to and admire the Eiffel Tower. It is also alone like me. Still, everyone admires the beauty of the tower. Though it is alone, standing with pride.

I am not an orphan. I have a family but I am happy to be an orphan rather than have a family like them. I have a father, Stepmom, Stepsister, and stepbrother. My mom died when I was 5 years old. She became sick once she gave birth to me.

She risks her life to give birth to me. Dad and mom argued about this and my mom end up giving birth to me. I think I am like my mom. Suborn and adamant! I am happy about that.

After I was born my dad was caring toward me. He loved me that is what I still believe. When my mom died everything became a dream. My dad is not the dad I use to know. He never comes home with full consciousness. He drinks a lot.

Sometimes he beat me for god knows what. I don’t remember I did something to deserve this. This went on for two years. Then all of sudden everything went upside down when my dad married a bitch who calls her my stepmom.

I thought my dad will change one day and love me as he did before. But it went worse when he married that bitch.

She used to treat me like a servant. She will never give me proper food. Even my dad didn’t ask anything. My dad considered me a jinx in the family.

Now he has a daughter and son to take care of. He adores them. I can’t stand that for so long. When I turned 17 I left the home. They never care for me. My father didn’t search or call for me.

I never leave home or beg for anyone. I can take care of myself. I studied hard and also work my *** off to be here. Now I own a coffee shop. “Dreamy Café” is like a baby for me. That café is my hard work.

I did all the work that I can do. After college, I worked in a café, and I took home tuition. I saved money for that. I was staying in my friend's home as a pain guest till I complete college. Her family helped me a lot.

Because of them, the rent amount was reduced. So that, I could save a little more money. Sometimes I feel jealous of her for having such a wonderful family. Not everyone will be lucky, right?

I promised my mom that I will be a brave girl and never cry for anything. I will keep that promise till I die. I will be her brave little girl.

After my morning coffee, I went to get ready. I took my bike and went to my shop. I am proud of myself that I am the owner of this Dreamy café.

I opened the shop and arranged the tables. When everything is set I went to the kitchen to prepare today’s menu. I love to bake. My mom used to bake pastry and I help her with that.

Whenever I bake something I feel like my mom is with me. That’s the main reason I started this café in memory of my mom. She once told me that she had a dream of owning a Bakery but it didn’t happen.

Now that I fulfilled her dream, I hope she can rest in peace. I took all the fresh Pastry to the counter.

“bonjour bel ange” my friend Juliette wished me with a bright smile. (Good Morning, beautiful angel)

She came forward and hugged me. I hugged her back. “Bonjour”

She is like my family. Without Juliette and her family's help, I don’t want what I could have done.

“Pourquoi n'es-tu pas rentré hier ? Maman est en colère contre toi” She asked me. (Why didn't you come home yesterday? Mom is angry with you.)

I sighed. Yesterday was the weekend. I always spend my weekend with them. Yesterday I have other work to do so I was busy. Mom will not accept this. Oh, I forgot to mention that I call her mom and dad mommy and daddy.

They requested I call them the same way she used to call. The care I never got from my own family but got it from Juliette's family.

“J'étais occupé avec de la paperasse. Vous savez bien que nous devons collecter des fonds pour "Mother orphelinat". I said to her.

(I was busy with some paperwork. You know right we need to collect funds for 'Mother orphanage')

I used to visit this orphanage with my mom and dad when I was little. My mom cares for the kids a lot. After her death, I never stop visiting them. In fact, the sisters in the orphanage helped me to come out of my house.

They very well knew how I suffered there. Because when I visit them they have seen my bruised face or arm. So, they help me to come out and asked me to stay with them. But, in later days Juliette's family took me under their wings.

“oui, je connais ça chérie. Avez-vous rempli vos papiers ? Attends, as-tu eu des sponsors” she asked me in shock. (yeah, I know that honey. Did you complete your paperwork? Wait did you get any sponsors)

“Oui Bien sûr. Qui crois-tu que je suis?” I asked her with a smirk. (Yes of course. Who do you think I am?)

“Comment? Lorsque? Pourquoi tu ne me l'as pas dit avant ? Qui est le parrain ?” She started to throw many questions. At the same time, she took the pastry to eat.

“Une de mes mères étudiantes m'a présenté à son client. Elle dirige une NGO en Italie. Ils organisent la charité pour notre orphelinat” I explained her

(One of my student moms introduced me to her client. She runs NGO in Italy. They are arranging charity for our orphanage.)

“C'est génial. Ensuite, vous irez en Italie ? Quand pars-tu?” She asked me

(That's great. Then you will be going to Italy? When are you leaving?)

“Pas si tot. Je dois remettre ces papiers à l'NGO. Une fois qu'ils auront approuvé, j'irai là-bas pour représenter notre orphelinat. J'irai avec 'Mère supérieure'” I said with a shrug.

If this got approved then we will not have any trouble with the kid’s life. They need good education without that they can’t survive in this world.

“Ne vous inquiétez pas, tout se passera comme prévu.” She said and patted my back. She took another piece of cake. I slap her hand and glare at her.

If you give her this whole row of pastry she will eat without any trouble. Such a glutton!

She gave me puppy eyes with a pouting of her mouth. I shake my head as no. But she took that piece of cake in her hands and ran away. She is a thief from my shop.

Customers started to come so my day went busy as usual. My shop is famous for its pastry. From kids to elders they all love to buy Pastry from my shop.

I have few regular customers. In the middle of the peak hour, my phone vibrated. I took my phone to check. When I see the name of the person who is calling I furrowed my eyebrow.

I cut the call but she started to ring again. I called Juliette to take my place meanwhile I will attend the call.

“What you want Nathan?” I asked my stepbrother.

“Oh! So you remember me. Then you should remember what day is today?” He asked

I got confused about this. What today? I was thinking when it hit my mind with the answer. Today is Nathan's birthday.

My step-siblings love me. That’s weird actually. Because their mom will not leave any chance to hurt me. But they both love me. I don’t know what I have done that them love me. I hate that woman who took my mom's place but I will not show that to my siblings. They are kids who don’t know about their mom’s deeds.

“I am really sorry Nathan. I was too busy that I forgot today’s date” I said to him. By the way, He is half French and half English. That mother of his is from States. He speaks English with me I don’t why.

“I know you will forget. You don’t love me anymore Floy” He said. I can say he is pouting on that side.

“Boy, cut the crap and tell me where I need to come,” I asked him straight

“Great, today mom and dad arranged a family dinner. So I need you to join us” He said

“No way Nat” I declined the offer immediately

“Floy, will you not do this for your poor brother?” He asked with a sad tone

“No! It’s a family dinner. I’m not that part of the family anymore. So, if you want we can meet outside” I said

Who wants to be at that family dinner? I never considered it as a family. Then why should I give a ****?

“Floy, only this time Please. Just for me. Considered as this poor birthday boy's wish” He was trying to convince me.

“What are you five?” I asked him in annoyance

After a long drama, he made it to convince. I hate to see that bitch face but I need to go for him. At least I can see my dad. I’m still that five years old girl who wants her dad to carry her on his shoulder and take her to the park to play.

It was all a dream for me. Only a dream! I sighed and went in to continue to do my work. This is reality. I have to go back to reality after all it's just a dream.

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