I am willow, I run a small corner bakery, Sunrise bakery, on a quiet street of xxx city.

Every day, my heart is filled with bubbles of impatience. Because —

[ he's here! ]

This person will come.

" Good morning! " said a man. He smiled up at me sweetly, that tiny dimple playing at the corner of his mouth.

" Shawn ... you are here? Welcome,

Here! I baked you some cookies! Last time you were talking about how you missed your aunt's peanut butter cookies.. so I thought of preparing it for you. "

"Thank you, willow. I am really grateful to you for preparing cookies for me. "

Glancing at the flower shelf on the corner, he spoke " Don't you think the shelf life of a flower is too short? They will wither soon.

But for chocolates their shelf life is long.."

He placed a box on the counter.

" Swiss chocolates?? No way! I thought they were sold out in the shop?"

" I bought them through overseas online shipping."

" I just mentioned it briefly... didn't think you would actually buy it. Thank you, Shawn!"

" Your welcome, chef. "

" Chef, I'll take this bundle of orange rose and some steamy buns. I'll pay you through online payment," he said while waving me goodbye.

" No no! I haven't yet paid you for the chocolates!"

" Take it as an appreciation for the cookies. Bye, willow! " He said as he boarded his bike.

" he left so fast, I wish he was here a little longer," I whispered to my self.

It's been three months, he comes every day to buy buns and flowers, regardless of wind or snow. I gave him cookies, but he gives me gifts in return. Fluffy bear, scarf, this time its chocolates.

[ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜs ᴀɢᴏ]

Today had been a boring day.. not many customers. Which isn't good for any shop.

I walked towards the kitchen and grabbed the sheet from the oven which had freshly baked cookies on it. I put in the oven for one minute since it became slightly cold. I laid my head on the counter and waited.

I had almost fallen asleep but was awoken by the small ding of someone entering. I bounced up quickly and walked out brushing the flour off my apron.

" Oh, a customer! What can I get for you?" I asked. A tall young, dark-haired boy stood in front of the counter.

" Uhh. I'll take a chocolate souffle and a cup of warm coffee " he replied.

" Ok, I'll be back with that."

[Shawn's pov]

It was dark and cold out and I forgot my jacket back at the gym. As I walked down the streets I smelled something sweet, and fresh.

I looked around following the smell. At the end of the street was a small bakery. The smell was coming from there. It was still open which gave me relief. I opened the door and was welcomed by a sweet smell. The small bell rang atop the bakery door, letting out a chime throughout the emptiness.

I looked around no one was there until a black haired girl stuck her head through the back room. She walked out smiling brightly "Oh, a customer! What can I get for you?" She asked. Her voice alone was as beautiful, as she was.

" Uhh. I'll take a chocolate souffle and a cup of warm coffee " I replied.

" k, I'll be back with that." She said this and left.

I looked around the bakery. It was cute and simple. Seems just like her style. There was a shelf filled with flowers and gift baskets.

The girl came out no long after with a cup of coffee, a souffle in a bag and a receipt. She handed it to me and slightly hesitated before giving me the receipt. I handed her the money and took the bag from her.

I began to walk out of the bakery but was stopped by the girl, " hey! before you go wanna try my cookies?" She held out a tray filled with cookies. "It's my own recipe .. I am not sure if it will sell out..but you know maybe.. " she said shyly.

I walked over and took one off the tray, "thanks" I said.

The cookie melted in my mouth. It was dense and chewy with the perfect hint of salt and a lot of chocolate chips. " that's really good! You came with that yourself??" I asked and took another bite. " I did! Do you really like it?" she asked happily. Gosh, she is so cute and really nice. Adorable! " yeah it really is, "I said.

She smiled even brighter, " thank you! ". [The smile warmed his eyes. ] "I.. Um. Thank you" I studied her name tag, ".. Willow".

"No.. Problem" she trails off, expecting me to say my name.

"Shawn, " I said grinning a bit.

[End of Shawn's pov ]

" Shawn," he said grinning a bit. The dimple appeared below his twinkling eyes.

" Good night Shawn."

" Good night willow," he said and began to walk away.

I looked at my watch, the bakery was supposed to be closed fifteen minutes before but I am happy, it didn't.

[ and he did, he stumbles through the doorway awkwardly when leaving, and even as he is late to home with a bag of souffle and coffee in hand, he thinks about the incidents happening today, he had a good day — because he knows he is going to visit her again in future. ]

♡

It's finally Wednesday. I was eagerly waiting for this day to come since I missed him for a week. He texted me a few days ago that he wanted to make something with me in my bakery. I've always wanted to spend time with him. Eee!! I am so excited!

" Hey! " said Shawn as soon as he walked into my bakery.

'Hi! .. Shawn" I stuttered because of embarrassment.

" Well um, I got a sudden holiday today from my boss.. so... I thought of spending my time with..you" He said shyly. He was flustered.

" I guess then we'll have loads of fun"

[Shawn's pov]

" I guess then we'll have loads of fun," she said giggling at my flustered face.

[For a moment he simply gazed into her eyes,]

"So what are we going to make today? " I said.

"Umm, I was thinking ..that we should make mochi today. Its a simple and easy dish," she said on a cheerful tone. She is indeed very cute.

[ end of Shawn's pov]

We started making strawberry ice cream rice cakes, those are amazing, I once had them in Japan and it's one of the best desserts I know. He was beating the warm glutinous rice mixture while I was making the strawberry ice cream. When he finished cutting the mochi, he looked down to see I had split some cornstarch on the ground. "You split some cornstarch..don't worry I'll clean it up. Can you continue making mochi for me?" He said.

I nodded at him as I went to put the ice cream in the fridge. As I walked back over the kitchen counter, Shawn was still trying to pick up the cornstarch, I must have dropped a lot.

After we made the mochi, we put some on the counter for the customers. The mochi was for free for everyone to enjoy on a busy day. I was now tired from making the dessert, bored too. Shawn was cleaning around the kitchen and I had to put away all the stuff we made mochi with. I noticed a container filled with pink sugar, I remember I had put it there for coating my mochis. Suddenly I had this intention of throwing a handful on him and I did. I took a glance at him, Shawn was bending down, to tie his shoelace. This was a great opportunity so I took some powder sugar from the container and threw it over Shawn.

It was beautiful, the way the colour sugar formed a cloud above his head as his hair got a new pink colour mixed with his dark brown hair. Shawn got up the floor and turned to me. His black apron was covered in pink and so was his back.

He didn't look very happy, he made a pout at me as he tried to brush the powder off his black apron. Shawn sighed as he brushed it off his shoulder and saw some sugar fall out of his hair as he shook his head. His hair looks so fluffy, like an actual baby! He saw it in his hands and looked back at me. He looked me up and down when suddenly he had this smirk on his face.

I stepped back a bit for I didn't know what intentions he had. He slowly came up to me and threw a handful of sugar on me. Little did I know that he had been hiding some in his hand. We both started giggling at our mess. Later we talked for a long time while enjoying some mochi. It took us a long time to clean up our mess and by evening we bid goodbyes to each other.

I laid down on my bed and sighed. Today was a really long day and all I wanted to do was sleep. But I couldn't, for some reason all I could think about was Shawn. Come one ..willow.. just stop thinking and sleep. I said as I tried to make myself comfortable on the bed.

[Loving you feels so right,

but at the same time,

knowing I can’t have you keeps me awake at night.

I just want this to be simple,

I just want you here with me

to look into your eyes,

be held in your arms…then I’d truly be happy.]

(credits to the real owner.)

Its been four months now, that we have known each other. I have always thought of hanging out with him but never really got the courage to ask him. I am still not sure if I should say it. I was really happy when he insisted on baking together. But a part of me is so worried .. maybe he didn't like me in that way.. or he was just wanting to be friends. It didn't matter either way. I decided I was gonna ask him out.

I picked up the phone and began to dial his number. I pressed call and put the phone against my ear. It rang a couple of time before it was picked up. It was Shawn " hello, this is Shawn speaking."

I hesitated for a bit before replying " uh.. hey.. This is willow."

" Oh hey willow," he said.

I smiled and took a deep breath, " uh.. hey, do you.. think maybe... " I began and took a while before proceeding. He sat there quietly waiting for me to finish. " Uhm do you.. think that maybe.. I and you.. could like.. to go ughh..." I tried to think of a way to word it but couldn't. Before I could say anything,

" Let's hang out this weekend," he said with a small titter.

We planned the date to be on Sunday, we decided that we just go to the movies and I was honestly really excited about it.

The day of the date finally came, I had just gotten out of the shower and decided to get changed. I picked ripped denim short, an oversize t-shirt and a pair of my favourite sneakers for my outfit tonight.I walked to the bathroom to brush my hair then put on some light makeup. And then and I left the house.

He was waiting there, in front of my house.

He looked nice like really nice. He dressed kinda simple. But it looked really good. He opened the car door, " Hi " he said smiling. I smiled back "Hey " I replied trying not to show my nervousness.

We sat there for a while before he started the car. The ride was awkward for a while until Shawn spoke, " what movie genres do you like? ". He said in order to break the ice. "I really like sci-fi movies " I replied. We talked the whole day thereafter.

The theatre is so dark. But he shines so brightly. Which makes it hard for me to concentrate on the film.

All I could think about is how fortunate I am to be there with him. By the time we got out of the theatre, it was dark.

We began walking towards the car before I grabbed his arm " hey, let's go to the park for a bit. Let's have ice cream there." He smiled and nodded shyly. He began walking towards the park with me by his side.

[Shawn's pov]

" Sit down and rest for a while I will go to buy something to eat," I said.

" I'll go. I'll go! I know that there's a great ice cream shop nearby." She said in excitement. Her smile..

I wish I could explain how I feel when she smiles. The way my world is brightened up by her smile, I cannot describe. All I know is that the best times in my life are when she is smiling at me. I will work toward keeping that smile on her face every day. And even when we are apart, keep smiling for I will feel it wherever I am.

[ They didnt need words. They just looked at each other and smile.]

She came back with two Chocolate Almond ice creams. She sat down beside me.

[End of Shawn's pov]

He has beautiful eyes. The kind you could get lost in.. and I guess I did.

[No sooner had they started enjoying their moment than Shawn received a phone call.]

" Oh I gotta take this call," he said hurriedly.

" Oh ok " I replied.

He stood a little far from me as he answered the call.

" Hey," he said. "what! you hurt your leg on the road? Gosh why are you clumsy..! Ok wait there I am gonna pick you up. " he said and hung up his phone.

He came near me and he said " uh, Willow I am really sorry but I don't think I can spend the rest of the evening with you today. Umm, you see my friend hurt her leg ..and I need to pick her up from the hospital. "

" Oh, it's completely okay. You should go now and check on her" I replied.

"Thank you willow. How about I drop you at your home?" He said and we walked towards his car.

Not very long after that, we reached my home and parted ways.