Chapter 3 : "A Second Glance"

The next morning, Emily woke up, still trying to shake off thoughts of the boy.

She starts her day with routine chores: feeding chickens,watering plants, helping Grandmother with breakfast, etc.

As she sweeps the porch, Emily's grandfather asks her to go to the market and fetch some fresh bread for evening snacks. Emily walked through the bustling colourful stalls selling fresh produce, flowers and herbs. Local artisans displaying handmade crafts, jewelry, and pottery. Bakers offering freshly baked bread, pastries and sweet treats. Cheesemongers and butchers providing gourmet cheeses and meats. The market atmosphere is lively and welcoming, filled with villagers and farmers chatting with customers and upbeat background music featuring local musicians and as she turned a corner, Emily's eyes landed on a cozy bakery shop named Oldy Bakery Shop'. The aroma of freshly baked bread from that shop enveloped her, and Emily's gaze met someone in the shop, the boy(whom she met at the lake), he was expertly arranging pastries in the display case at the other side.

Their eyes locked briefly when the boy saw her, after doing his task.

Emily felt a flutter in her chest as she approached the shop.

The baker, an old man with a kind face, asked Emily: "What can we get for you?" Emily smiled politely at the old man and said:"I'll take a whole wheat loaf please, Freshly baked if possible."

The old man nodded and handed her a warm loaf straight from the oven.

"That'll be 5 dollars. My servant Max here can ring you up."

Emily turned to Max(excited to know his name), who was already standing at a side, his eyes meeting hers briefly before he focused on the transaction.

As Max rang up the purchase, Emily felt a spark of electricity between them, but she maintained her casual demeanor.

"Here you go," Max said, handing her the change with his fingers brushing against hers.

Emily felt a flutter but quickly pulled her back, taking the bread and saying: Thanks. Smells great here.

Max watched her turn to leave, then called out softly:

"Emily"

Emily turned back around curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked softly.

Max(now he also knows her name) smiled slightly. "You dropped this," he said holding up a napkin with her name written on it. She walked back towards him, her face inches from his as she took the napkin. Then she swiftly turned around and exited the bakery, leaving Max staring after her with a hint of a smile.

Once outside, Emily felt her heart racing and her cheeks flushing so, for once last she turned her back to see Max but she didn't realise that after she left the shop the shop filled with customers and now she is not able to see him but she was happy that she knows his name. So, she took a deep breath, composing herself before heading back to her grandparent's house with the freshly baked bread.

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