Chapter 5

It was an ordinary day for Eleanor, but not for Harriet. Conrad continued to visit her after the welcome party, and it's been nearly two weeks. Harriet has been unable to assist Eleanor in their bakery, it has been difficult for Eleanor to work alone, but she does not want to ruin her sister's happiness. She is now left alone to make dough and bake bread.

Unusual though, this day, Antonio came for a visit. He even brought a drink for Eleanor.

"What a lovely morning, Eleanor!" he said, smiling as Eleanor acknowledged his presence. Eleanor noticed Antonio had brought her a gift, so she smiled and motioned for Antonio to give her his gift right away, which Antonio did.

"A pleasant morning for you," Eleanor replied, sighing. Of course, it piqued Antonio's interest as he entered the bakery without even waiting for Eleanor's approval. Eleanor gave him a sidelong glance before shrugging.

Antonio scanned the room and noticed that Harriet was not present, and he also noticed that there were only a few breads in the glass pantry.

"You only intend to sell a few today?" he inquired of Eleanor, who was now busy putting bread in the oven. Eleanor makes a shaky movement with her head.

"No, I can only make a few because Harriet isn't available."

"Why?"

"Conrad, your friend, kept taking her somewhere."

"Did he?"

"Yeah."

Antonio considers what he heard and finds it hard to believe. When Eleanor started talking, he put his phone away after pulling it out of his pocket and sending a text to Conrad.

She asked, puzzled, "What are you doing here, anyway?"

He replied, "There's nothing to do, so I might as well go see a friend." Eleanor shook off the dust and nodded.

She paused to prepare the dough and put them in the oven. She motions for Antonio to leave the kitchen and follow her as she exits. Antonio obliged.

She walks into their small living room and sits on her comfortable sofa. Antonio sat down as well, but he was 7 feet away from her. Eleanor sighed heavily and complained about rising food prices, she even told Antonio that even when they were over budget, they kept the same price for their breads in order to help the villagers.

Antonio listened and noticed Eleanor's thirst, so he stood up and reached for his gift for her, which was on the kitchen counter. Eleanor didn't mind him standing up, she just closed her eyes and relaxed until she felt something cold in her cheeks. When she saw what Antonio was doing to her face, she screamed.

"Frozen hotdog, really?" she questioned. Antonio apologized and laughed. He then handed her the drink that had been brought to her. Eleanor was relieved to discover that the drink was pineapple juice!

"Many thanks!"

Antonio smiled and nodded at her. "I saw you drinking pineapple juice at the welcome party, so I figured I'd bring what you like best," he said. Eleanor winked at him and even raised her left hand for a high five, which Antonio promptly returned.

"In terms of the welcome party," he paused. Eleanor put down her drink and turned her full attention to Antonio, giving him a puzzled look.

"Are you friends with Ms. Collins?" Antonio wondered. Eleanor quickly shook her head, implying 'no,' and sipped her drink.

"Bethy?... I know her, that's all, though I'm friends with her personal maid," Eleanor replied honestly. For a brief moment, she wondered why she wasn't Bethy's friend. She knew she was friendly, but for the first time, she couldn't remember trying to befriend Bethy. One thing that prevents her from being Bethy's friend is that Bethy never left their mansion.

Antonio smiles and nods... As he stares at the floor, he tries to think of something.

"Why don't you get along with her?"

After a moment, Eleanor noticed something, so she squinted her eyes at Antonio, who noticed and looked at her with interest. "She never left their mansion... That's all I know," she said.

Eleanor teased, "You... You like Bethy." He gave his head a quick shake.

Simply put, he said, "Just curious." He was mocked and teased further by Eleanor as she laughed. Naturally, Antonio refuted all of her claims. She continued to tease him for some time before returning to their original subject.

"Why don't you try to get along with Bethy?"

Eleanor's grin grew wider.

She looked at Antonio with her left brow raised and her eyes squinted. "Why won't you" she retorted. She laughed as a result of Antonio's lack of response and his closed eyes.

When Antonio opened his eyes, they were fixed on Eleanor's unfinished task in the kitchen.

When Antonio abruptly got up and went to their kitchen, she kept an eye on him. As she noticed Antonio meticulously cleaning his hand, she crossed her arms and followed him. When Antonio began kneading the dough, her eyes grew wide. She hurried over to stop him. Antonio looks at her hold as he turns to face her.

"You don't have to help me," she said, attempting to push Antonio away from the table, but he refused to move an inch! Eleanor eventually gave up and let him go, despite her glare.

Soon after, Eleanor calmed down and smiled as she saw how eager Antonio is to assist her.

"Thank you," she said softly, knowing she needed help. She cannot deny it.

Antonio nodded and smiled.

"No worries."

Eleanor didn't just stand there staring at Antonio; she began washing her hands and making dough. She talks to Antonio even when they are both busy and focused on what they are doing... They had a fun conversation, and she learned something new about Antonio as a result. He is a helpful person who enjoys horseback riding. She also learns that Antonio resides in a city.

"How's life in the city?" Eleanor questioned as she kneaded the dough.

"It's crowded but offers lots of opportunities, particularly in terms of employment, so, yeah, I guess."

"What did you do there, exactly?"

Antonio hesitated before responding.

"Let's just say that I am employed by someone."

Before Antonio could even take a breath, Eleanor hurriedly questioned, "Any specific answer?" Antonio continued to knead the dough while giggling at what she was doing.

He replied honestly, "I am a secretary. I have a boss, and basically, I'm like the boss's maid. Following Eleanor's nod, they both fell silent.

When Harriet and Conrad arrived, the silence was broken.

"Eleanor? I'M HOME!" Harriet made sure Eleanor heard her, and Eleanor replied that she was in the kitchen. Harriet invited Conrad to accompany her to her sister's spot. Antonio's assistance surprised Harriet and Conrad.

"Whoa... G'day Antonio?" she said. Antonio responded with a nod. Harriet's gaze alternates between Eleanor and Antonio. She wanted to tease them, but they were both too busy.

She motioned for Conrad to go rest in their living room. They took a break first, while Antonio and Eleanor finished what they were doing. After an hour, they decided to take a break. Eleanor sat beside her sister, and Antonio sat beside a smirking Conrad.

"I assumed you'd be back before the sun set... a little early today?" Eleanor inquired. Harriet puffed up her cheeks and looked at Antonio.

"Well, someone told Conrad to stop taking me out," Harriet explained, smiling to hide her frustration.

Curious, Eleanor asked, "Oh. Where did the two of you go today?" as she tidied up her sister's unruly hair.

Harriet grumbled, "I'm just strolling around the streets, though it kind of makes me sick to see the same scene every day." Conrad chuckled at her main complaints.

Conrad added, "Let's go to town next time then." Harriet's face brightened, and her smile expanded even more!

Harriet shook Eleanor's hands enthusiastically and said, "You would? Oh! Eleanor, I badly miss going to town!"

The three of them talked about the town while Antonio sat silently listening and occasionally checking his phone. When it came time for lunch, Harriet informed the men that she would prepare it and that they should eat because they were their visitors.

"We're more like invaders," Conrad replied, laughing at himself. However, it caused Antonio to shake his head and stare at him... Conrad stopped laughing and opened up a new topic that both of the women are interested in.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***