Booming unrequited love

41sin Point Of View:

It all started a few years ago…the bullying I mean….It was a day like any other when I met her….Victoria James….not sure why but she bullied me…and this went on for years, throughout middle school and all the way to college and thats when it happened

A few months ago I had a run in with Victoria…and as usual I assumed she was going to bully me…you know the usual…call me names…push me around but she didn’t she just walked away…and this happened time and time again until the bullying just stopped…but every time I saw her I couldn’t help but think something was wrong…maybe it was my worrying nature but I just couldn’t help it

then one day, after classes have finished I decided to go to the roof for fresh air…and that’s when I saw her smoking a cigarette in the rain

Victoria: "she looks at 41sin as she notice them" What's a loser like you doing up here

{{char}}: "she looks at 41sin for a moment, then takes another drag on her cigarette" What makes you think something's wrong with me?

"She pauses for a few moments, her expression softening slightly"

{{char}}: Look, 41sin, I know I was a terrible person to you before. I don't blame you for thinking that something's up. But right now, I just need some time to myself.

"She takes another drag and looks away from 41sin."

{{char}}: "She doesn't look at 41sin, but she does seem to relax a little." You really think you can handle whatever I have to say? Trust me, 41sin, it's not pretty.

"She takes another drag on her cigarette and flicks the ash off the end."

{{char}}: "Sighs" You ever feel like your life is just spinning out of control? Like no matter what you do, you're never going to get ahead? That's how I feel right now.

"She looks over at 41sin."

{{char}}: My mother's bakery is failing. We're in debt up to our eyeballs, and my deadbeat dad who ran out on us left us with the bills. I've been working there for years, trying to make ends meet, but nothing seems to be working. And on top of all that, I'm scared to let anyone get close to me.

"She takes another drag and exhales slowly."

{{char}}: I know I shouldn't take it out on other people, but sometimes I can't help it. That's why I was such a bully to you before. I didn't know how else to deal with things.

"She looks back down at the city below them."

{{char}}: "She doesn't say anything else and continues to smoke her cigarette, watching the rain fall."

"After a moment of silence," {{char}}: I'm sorry for everything I did to you before, 41sin. I know that saying sorry won't make up for the years of bullying I put you through, but I hope it's a start.

{{char}}: "She looks over at 41sin and nods, grateful for the forgiveness." It's a bit of both actually. The bakery isn't making enough sales to cover our expenses, so the debt just keeps piling up. And since my dad left us with all the bills, my mom doesn't have anyone else to turn to.

"She takes another drag on her cigarette." I've been trying to help out as much as I can, but it's just not enough.

"She turns to face 41sin again." But enough about me. How have you been? I know that I bullied you pretty badly in the past, and I just want to make sure that you're doing okay now.

{{char}}: "She looks at 41sin with surprise and a bit of confusion." You...you want to help us out? Why would you do that after everything I put you through?

"She takes another drag on her cigarette, thinking it over."

{{char}}: Look, I appreciate the offer, but I couldn't accept your help without giving something in return. Maybe we could work out some kind of arrangement where you help out at the bakery a few times a week, or something like that. Would that work for you?

"She turns to face 41sin fully, waiting for their response."

{{char}}: "She thinks for a moment before nodding her head." Alright, that sounds fair. I appreciate your willingness to help out, 41sin. I'll talk to my mom and see if we can work out a schedule that works for both of us.

"She smiles faintly and takes another drag on her cigarette." It's good to have someone like you looking out for me.

{{char}}: "She takes 41sin's number and nods." Thanks, 41sin. I'll definitely think about quitting smoking, although it might take some time.

"She watches as 41sin heads towards the roof entrance." Take care, 41sin. And thanks for everything.

{{char}}: "After 41sin leaves, she finishes her cigarette before heading back to her apartment, feeling a bit lighter than before."

"After a few days, Victoria sends you a message thanking you for your offer to help at the bakery. She tells you that her mother has agreed to give you a chance to work there part-time, and asks if you're still interested in helping out."

Victoria responds quickly, thanking you and telling you that you can start working at the bakery starting from next week. She provides you with the details of where and when to show up for work.

A few days later, you arrive at the bakery as scheduled. You find Victoria standing outside, waiting for you with a smile on her face.

Victoria: Hey, 41sin! Glad you could make it. We've got plenty of work to do today, so let's get started.

She leads you inside and shows you around the bakery. You're introduced to her mother Jessica and the other employees. Jessica seems a bit hesitant about letting someone she doesn't know work there, but Victoria assures her that you're trustworthy.

Over the next few hours, you help out with various tasks, like stocking the shelves, organizing the ingredients, and cleaning up. Despite the hard work, you feel satisfied knowing that you're helping out a struggling business.

Victoria thanks you again for your help as you leave for the day. You can't wait to come back and do it all over again.

Jessica opens the door, a bit surprised to see you there so early in the morning.

Jessica: Oh, 41sin. Good morning! Is everything alright?

She steps aside and allows you to enter the bakery.

Jessica: Would you like something to drink? We have coffee and some tea.

She gestures towards the kitchen as she leads you to a table where you can sit down.

Jessica: So, what brings you here so early?

She takes a seat opposite of you, looking at you expectantly.

Jessica nods and heads to the kitchen to make some tea for you both. She returns with two steaming cups of tea and sits back down.

Jessica: Business plans? What do you have in mind, 41sin?

She sips her tea, her interest piqued by your proposal.

Jessica considers this for a moment, sipping her tea before responding.

Jessica: We've been struggling to keep the business running as it is, so I'm open to any ideas that could help us. What are your thoughts on a themed bakery?

She looks at you expectantly, waiting for your answer.

Jessica nods, taking a moment to think before responding.

Jessica: I've always dreamed of having a bakery that specializes in custom cakes and desserts. Something that would allow us to really showcase our creativity and passion for baking. But I know that it can be risky to focus on just one aspect of the business.

She takes another sip of her tea, looking at you with a small smile.

Jessica: What do you think, 41sin? Do you have any ideas for how we could make this work?

Jessica shakes her head.

Jessica: No, we haven't really had the resources or connections to get into catering. But I know that it can be a lucrative market if done right.

She looks at you with interest, wondering what your thoughts on the matter are.

Jessica nods, impressed by your ideas.

Jessica: That sounds like a great plan, 41sin. We could definitely use some help with our social media and website. And catering would be amazing, if you think you can help us get some events lined up.

She smiles gratefully at you.

Jessica: Thank you so much for your help, 41sin. I really appreciate it.

Jessica nods, intrigued by your ideas.

Jessica: Yes, let's explore other options that are cost-effective. What do you have in mind, 41sin?

As you list off your ideas to Jessica, she listens carefully, nodding along and occasionally interjecting with her own thoughts and suggestions.

Jessica: Those are all great ideas, 41sin. I especially like the idea of starting a loyalty program for our regular customers. And perhaps offering discounts on certain days or during certain events could help attract more business.

She leans back in her chair, looking thoughtful.

Jessica: But how can we make sure that these strategies are effective without breaking the bank? We don't have a lot of resources at the moment.

She looks at you with a hopeful expression, eager to hear your ideas.

Jessica nods, impressed by your practicality.

Jessica: That's a great approach, 41sin. We definitely need to build up a strong customer base first before we can start offering loyalty programs or discounts.

She takes another sip of her tea, looking at you thoughtfully.

Jessica: I really appreciate your ideas and willingness to help, 41sin. You seem to have a good understanding of marketing and business. If you ever have any other ideas or suggestions, feel free to share them with me.

Jessica looks at you with a mix of surprise and gratitude.

Jessica: Thank you so much, 41sin. Your willingness to help means a lot to me. I think those are all great ideas and I'm excited to see what we can achieve with your expertise.

She takes another sip of her tea, looking at you with a smile.

Jessica: Let's make this work together, 41sin.

Jessica takes the book from you, looking through it with interest.

Jessica: Wow, these all look amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with me, 41sin.

She looks up at you with a grateful smile.

Jessica: Don't worry, I'll make sure to use this time to improve our recipes and try out some new ones. And we'll be ready when you come back.

She stands up and walks you to the door, thanking you again for your help.

Jessica: Good luck with setting everything up, 41sin. We'll be here waiting for you when you get back.

Jessica nods gratefully and bids you farewell, closing the door as you leave. You head off to take care of your plans for the bakery, excited to see what the future holds for this small but promising business.

As you set up the website, social media pages, and pre-order system for pickup, you notice a surge in interest from your online followers. Customers start pre-ordering baked goods and you receive some great reviews on your social media pages.

You also get help from Victoria with the design of the website and social media pages, incorporating her suggestions to make them more visually appealing. As you take photos of the baked goods, Victoria models them beautifully for the camera.

The community event is a success and you get plenty of orders and positive feedback on the quality of your baked goods. With the pre-ordering system in place, it becomes easier to manage orders and avoid waste.

As days go by, your business starts gaining more and more attention, with customers raving about the quality of your products on social media and referring their friends and family to your bakery. You start to see a significant increase in revenue and profits.

With your marketing strategies paying off, you and Jessica start experimenting with new recipes and styles to keep up with demand. As the business grows, you look back at how far you've come and feel proud of what you've achieved.

With the loyalty program in place, your customers feel even more valued and appreciated. The occasional free baked goods of choice and discounts on holiday themed goods become a hit amongst your customer base, making them feel like they are getting a good deal while supporting a local business.

In addition to the loyalty program, you also start implementing Jessica's idea of custom cakes as the cake of the day. This allows the bakers to showcase their creativity and give customers the chance to try something unique and exciting. As the custom cakes gain popularity, you start experimenting with new flavors and designs to keep things fresh and interesting.

As the bakery continues to grow, you start receiving requests for bigger events such as weddings and corporate gatherings. You and Jessica decide to take on these opportunities, expanding your reach and establishing yourself as a reputable bakery in the community.

As time passes, you look back at how far you've come from a small struggling bakery to a successful thriving business. With your loyal customer base and dedication to quality baked goods, the future looks bright for your bakery.

You and Jessica take pride in the growth of your bakery and attribute it to the care and attention you have shown to your community. By listening to their feedback, providing quality products, and offering exceptional customer service, you have earned their trust and loyalty.

As you continue to expand your offerings and experiment with new flavors and designs, you maintain your commitment to your community by staying true to your core values and keeping their needs at the forefront of your business decisions.

Despite the challenges that come with running a successful bakery, you and Jessica remain passionate about what you do and are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for your customers. With each passing year, you look forward to continuing to grow and serve your community with quality baked goods and exceptional service.

Victoria looks at you with a sense of relief, a weight lifted from her shoulders.

Victoria: Yeah, 41sin, this should be the last bit we need to pay off the remaining debt. I can't believe we finally made it.

She smiles at you, grateful for your help and dedication to the bakery.

Victoria: Thank you so much for all your hard work and commitment to this business. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to make it this far.

You nod in agreement, feeling proud of what you and Victoria have accomplished together.

{{char}}: It's been a challenging journey, but I think we've learned a lot and become better business owners because of it.

As you both sit in the quiet of the bakery, you reflect on the hard work, determination, and sacrifices it took to get to this point. But you feel confident that with your continued dedication to quality and community, the bakery will continue to thrive for years to come.

Victoria nods in agreement, a smile on her face.

Victoria: It's been great having you as part of the team, 41sin. You've helped us achieve so much and we couldn't have done it without your guidance and expertise.

She looks at you with gratitude and appreciation, knowing that without your support and dedication, they may not have made it this far.

Victoria: I hope we can continue working together and building a successful business for the community.

As you start to speak, Victoria looks at you curiously. But as you continue, her eyes widen in surprise and confusion.

Victoria: Wait, what did you just say?

She looks at you with a mix of shock and disbelief, not sure if she heard you correctly.

Victoria: Did you just say you love me? As in, romantically?

She stands up from the register, unsure of how to react or respond to your confession.

Victoria's expression softens as she takes in your confession, feeling a mix of surprise and confusion.

Victoria: 41sin, I don't know what to say. I mean, I appreciate your honesty, but I don't think of you in that way.

She looks at you with a sense of regret and sadness, knowing that this may change the dynamic of your working relationship. She values your friendship and your contributions to the bakery, but isn't sure how to respond to your feelings.

Victoria: I hope we can still work together and continue to build a successful business, but I don't want to lead you on or give you false hope.

Victoria looks at you with a sense of sympathy and understanding, feeling for the pain she senses in your voice.

Victoria: 41sin, I'm sorry. I know this is probably difficult for you, but I value our friendship and working relationship too much to let it get complicated by romantic feelings.

She reaches out to touch your hand, hoping to convey her sincerity and appreciation for what you have brought to the bakery.

Victoria: Let's focus on growing this business and continuing to provide quality baked goods to our community. Together, we can achieve great things and make a positive impact on those around us.

Victoria nods, relieved that you're willing to continue working together despite the unexpected revelation of your feelings.

Victoria: That sounds like a good idea. We can work out the details and figure out a fair compensation plan for your contributions to the bakery.

She smiles at you, grateful for your understanding and maturity in handling the situation.

Victoria: 41sin, I appreciate your honesty and respect for our working relationship. Let's continue to build this bakery and make it the best it can be for our community.

Victoria smiles at your suggestion, impressed by your fair-mindedness and willingness to work together on a compromise.

Victoria: I think that sounds reasonable. Your ideas have definitely helped us grow, but my cooking skills wouldn't be anything without your business expertise and charm.

She extends her hand for a handshake, signifying your agreement to the compensation plan.

Victoria: It's settled then. 10% for your contributions to the bakery's success.

Victoria nods in agreement, impressed by your professionalism and dedication to the bakery's success.

Victoria: Thank you again for all your hard work, 41sin. It's been a pleasure working with you and I appreciate everything you've done to help grow this business.

She extends her hand for another handshake, this time expressing gratitude for your contributions and wishing you well on your next adventure.

Victoria: I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope we can stay in touch. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out.

As you exit the bakery, Jessica notices the exchange between you and Victoria and senses that something is off.

Jessica: What was that all about, Victoria? Is everything okay?

Victoria sighs, knowing that she can't keep it a secret any longer. She shares with her mother the unexpected confession from 41sin and her response to his feelings.

Jessica listens with sympathy and understanding, offering her daughter words of comfort and support.

Jessica: I'm sorry, honey. That must have been difficult for you. But I'm proud of you for handling it professionally and not letting it affect your working relationship.

She places a reassuring hand on Victoria's shoulder, hoping to ease her daughter's burden and encourage her to keep moving forward.

Jessica: You're a strong woman, Victoria, and I know you'll get through this. We'll make it work, together.

Jessica can't help but feel a bit disappointed that her daughter didn't reciprocate 41sin's feelings, given all that he had done for their bakery and how hard he had worked to help them succeed.

However, she also knows that love is complicated and doesn't always work out the way we hope it will. She's proud of Victoria for being honest with 41sin and handling the situation in a professional manner.

Jessica: It's alright, honey. Love is complex and doesn't always make sense. But we still have a thriving business thanks to 41sin's contributions, and I'm grateful for everything he's done for us.

She looks at Victoria with a soft smile, hoping to lift her daughter's spirits and remind her of all the good things they have accomplished together.

Victoria and Jessica notice your absence from their lives, but respect your decision to move on and pursue other endeavors. They continue to run the bakery and appreciate the 10% of revenue that you still receive for your contributions.

Over time, they hire a computer science tech as you recommended to take over your duties for the website, and continue to build the bakery's success with the community's support.

Though they may never know where you went or what you're up to, they're grateful for the impact you had on their lives and the success of their business.