Faux Vows, True Desires

"Sit tight; I'll fetch you two some water."

Lucinda had the two elderly folks seated at a table and poured them each a glass of water, also dishing out some of the shop's snacks for them.

"Missy, how much for all these? We'll pay now."

With a smile, Lucinda answered, "These are just some small bites, hardly worth anything. Consider it on the house; take your time enjoying them. I've got some other business to attend to." Seeing these two always reminded her of her grandparents, who used to spoil her rotten.

"Don't mind us, dear; we'll head out shortly," they said.

Lucinda exchanged pleasantries before going about her business.

She had deliveries to make, after all.

Sales were through the roof today; the coffee and snacks were flying off the shelf. Everyone was swamped, but they were all buzzing with excitement.

Cecilia sidled up to Lucinda, asking, "Lucinda, who are these oldies? Do you know them?"

"I don't. I caught sight of them hovering around our entrance when I came back and figured they might want to come in but were too shy to, so I invited them in."

Judging by their humble attire, Lucinda guessed that they'd probably never set foot in a café before and were just intrigued.

As she was saying this, Lucinda was packing the coffee and snacks into a basket, ready to be transported on the e-scooter with Cecilia's help.

Soon after, Lucinda was off on her delivery run again.

Savannah Anderson nudged her husband gently, whispering for his opinion, "What do you make of her?"

"She's got your spunk when you were young; I like her as our daughter-in-law."

The elderly lady blushed, softly scolding her husband, "We're getting on in years; you shouldn't be saying such things; it's a bit embarrassing." "All I'm saying is that I like you; what's wrong with that? I've been crazy about you for decades; there's no changing that, even if you ask me to." The old lady was left speechless.

Every moment with him made her feel as though she were eighteen again.

They'd been married for decades, but their love was still going strong.

"I like Lucinda too; Stefan's got good taste. But don't you think our daughter-in-law looks familiar? Have we met her before?"

time Savannah laid eyes on Lucinda, she felt a sense of

herself,

the old lady finally shared her thoughts with her

her for the first time; how could you feel a sense of familiarity? She's not as pretty as you were when

at home, you know." The old lady lightly rebuked her husband once

that she'd never met Lucinda before, even

the blue, without letting the family know. If it weren't for Stefan bringing Lucinda to a business cocktail

recommended them to his wife, saying, "Darling, give these a try; they taste great. I think they could

found it to

the Serendipity Cafe sipping water and munching on snacks, occasionally striking up casual

the evening, had finally

the day's earnings were

and Cecilia were ecstatic, and even the chef

weren't many customers, his pastries often

left at around five in the

half past five, and being newlywed,

elderly couple didn't want him to know that

and a few men in

tall and stern-faced, not to be trifled

can I get

approach them with a warm

leading the pack shoved Cecilia aside, causing her to lose her balance and

"Cecilia."

moved in to help Cecilia, but

filled with threat,

crossed anyone. She thought of Ruby and thought of the

the photo on it with the woman

"Lucy."

in, a bouquet of

the men in black reacted swiftly, with the leader asking Lucinda,

don't serve

go elsewhere