Friday came sooner than expected. It was the day when Xiu would feel the taste of freedom in its true sense. Since she’d get two days to roll around in the sheets. Well, alone. Literally! Cough! Cough! The author means it in a very innocent sense. Don’t work up your mind.

Moving on…

There was something special about this Friday night, she was going to Jing Residence with Nora for dinner. It had been six months since she last saw Mr. and Mrs. Jing also respectively known as Jing Ge and Clara Cartwright.

Xiu had just stepped on the driveway which led to a beautiful European style house when she saw Nora’s mother Clara Cartwright coming out of the house with an apron around her waist looking very much like a housewife which she really wasn’t. Clara Cartwright was a famous Attorney and even ran her own law firm which was why now, she had stopped going to the court herself. She was one tough woman and a brilliant Attorney. She hadn’t just given Nora her own last name but also her feisty and tough personality.

Clara hugged Xiu kissing her both cheeks affectionately before saying, “Welcome home, my little Xiu.” Xiu was smothered by her love but couldn’t bring herself to push her away. That motherly affection and love were so relaxing and it made her eyes stung with tears threatening to spill out.

“I should be welcoming you instead, Clara mom,” Xiu replied in her slightly choked up voice. She wasn’t used to calling her mom but Clara had insisted that Xiu treat her like her own mother. And so Xiu did. It was hard saying no to both Clara and Nora. You see, both mother and daughter were a bit too persuasive.

Pushing Xiu at an arm’s length, Clara observed her from head to toe and frowned displeasingly as she said, “You lost weight. Again.” Turning to Nora who was collecting the gifts for her parents from the back seat, Clara’s tone took a sharp edge as she said in Spanish, “Nora Cartwright, how did you take care of my little Xiu? I told you to look after her. You have done such a poor job.”

Nora opened her mouth to speak when she was shunned again by her mother, “No excuses! Go inside and do thorough repenting.” Stroking Xiu’s cheeks lovingly, Clara added, “Oh dear, you look so thin. Don’t worry, I’m back now. I’ll make you a plump little ball soon enough.”

Xiu smiled at her genuinely and answered, “I’d love that.”

It was clear from their interaction that Clara was closer to Xiu rather than Nora since the latter was completely forgotten and disregarded by her own birth-mother.

“I should help Nora with those gifts,” Xiu said as she looked at Nora’s struggle trying to keep all the things balanced and failing miserably.

Clara looped her arm with Xiu and dragged her towards the wooden door of the house as she said, “Let her be. Nora is a strong girl and look, how fat she is. She can manage this much.”

Xiu was stifling her laughter while Nora finally dropped the things in her hand on the floor as she heard her mother’s words. “Fat? How am I fat? Are you sure you’re my mother?” Nora shouted well in a whisper, not daring to let her mother hear her voice. She didn’t want to listen to a long lecture in Spanish all over again.

Walking through the foyer, Clara took Xiu straight to the family room where Jing Ge was talking over the phone. Seeing Xiu enter with Clara, he smiled at her affectionately.

“Dad!” Nora’s loud chirp made him look behind Clara and Xiu. Nora dropped everything on the floor and ran up to Jing Ge, straight into his arms. “I missed you so much.” She squealed as she hugged him like a bear.

Jing Ge laughed at his daughter and said to the person on the other side of the phone, “I’ll call you later. My daughter is at home now.” With that, he hung up the call and stroked Nora’s hair lovingly. “How’s my little dolphin?”

“Very upset.” Nora’s muffled voice came.

“Oh? And who dared to upset my princess?” Jin Ge asked in amusement.

“You did.” Nora looked up at him accusingly with a pout. “You were gone for such a long time. Do you know how much I missed you?”

“Stop being dramatic, Nora,” Clara warned sternly which made Nora look at Jing Ge with pitiful look in her eyes.

“Dear wifey, don’t say anything to my Nono. She’s my little princess and if she won’t be acting like this with me then who else?” Jin Ge said to his wife before giving his attention to Nora who was still stuck to him like daddy’s little girl.

Xiu was really envious of her. Nora was truly a daddy’s little girl even though Jing Ge was her step-father. No one could really tell that though. Because they shared a bond deeper than real father and daughter.

Xiu watched how Nora sat down beside Jing Ge and started telling him about everything that happened. Nora really couldn’t hide anything from her father. He was even aware of Nora’s all boyfriends. And he never said anything as long as Nora wasn’t getting herself into trouble, he would give in to her all wishes.

Xiu decided to help Clara in the kitchen and walked through the dining room to reach the beautiful kitchen with breakfast nook, kitchen island, eating bar and a huge walk-in pantry cabinet. Xiu really loved everything about the Jing Residence. It was a perfect home for a small family like theirs. It wasn’t too huge but it was extravagant still keeping its cozy and homely touch.

“Little Xiu, you should sit with them. I’m fine here with Sister Qin to help me.” Clara said to Xiu as she saw her entering the kitchen. Sister Qin was their cook but she often was just used as a helper in the kitchen.

“I think I’ll enjoy my time here helping you Clara mom,” Xiu said and walked around the kitchen island while rolling her sleeves up. “Tell me, what can I do for you.”

Clara shook her head at Xiu. She knew Xiu was stubborn and won’t listen until she really let her do something. While she was thinking about what to say, Sister Qin spoke up, “Clara, why don’t you ask Xiu to make her mouth-watering cupcakes?”

Clara’s face lit up as she clapped in excitement. “That’s right, Sister Qin. I’m getting forgetful. Little Xiu, make some of your special cupcakes. I missed those sweet heavens.”

Xiu giggled at Clara’s childish excitement and nodded, “Anything for my Clara mom.” Sister Qin helped Xiu with her apron and Xiu said her thanks and in reply Sister Qin gave her a sincere smile. Since Sister Qin had been in Jing Family for decades, she was all too well familiar with Xiu and her importance and status in this house.

Xiu took the bowl and a whisk to start on with the base of her special recipe. She had thought she would really stop baking after…

*Flashback*

“Urgh! I’m tired!” Xiu slid down on the kitchen floor with flour, cocoa powder, oil, and other stuff sticking on her raven black hair, face, and apron. She looked like a mess.

She picked up her tablet and read the recipe again. But even after reading for the millionth time, she was sure that she followed the instructions right. Then why did even after ten tries she was not able to get a perfect cake?

Was it that hard? I can’t do this anymore.

“But tomorrow is his birthday.” The reminder made Xiu’s will to harden as she got up from the floor with a push and dropped another waste of a cake aside. “You can do this, Xiu. There is nothing that you can’t do.”

In the silent apartment, she worked the whole night and finally managed to get an acceptable cake. She was really satisfied with her handiwork. “See, patience is the key. This looks so delicious.” Xiu said to herself as she decorated the cake and even wrote his name on it.

Later on, in the company, she asked her manager to deliver the cake to him. She was anticipating his surprise. Also, she yearned for him to appreciate her efforts.

But do you know what happened?

She found the cake in a trash can outside his office. It shattered her heart but her pride was also crumbled when his secretary said, “Ms. Chen, stop wasting time on baking. You’re good at acting that doesn’t mean you are good at everything. Leave the baking to professionals. That cake wasn’t even worthy of a dog. How could you even except our CEO to taste it?”

Xiu told herself to not cry and give them the satisfaction but she did break down when she came back home. All her effort was pointless. He didn’t even bother tasting it.

*End of Flashback*

Xiu had lost her confidence back then and never touched any baking product. But it changed with Clara’s presence. Under Clara and Sister Qin’s patient guidance, Xiu had learned so many desserts that she was acclaimed as the dessert queen in the Jing Residence.

Who didn’t like compliments? Xiu wasn’t any different at all. Even though her first batch of cupcakes back then was slightly burnt, none of the family members put her down. They all praised her endlessly making her cry with their warmth and love.