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

to herself, though, never voicing out

that Lucinda was out delivering, the old lady

sense of familiarity? She's not as pretty as you were when you were young, so I only gave her a quick glance. I didn't pay much attention, so I didn't feel

at it again; we're not at home, you know." The old lady lightly rebuked

before, even though she felt a

If it weren't for Stefan bringing Lucinda to a business cocktail party, they

found the snacks to be delicious and recommended them to his wife, saying, "Darling, give these a try; they taste great. I think they could give our personal chef a run for

She found it

snacks, occasionally

busy until the evening, had finally completed

the day's earnings

Lucinda and Cecilia were ecstatic, and even the chef

usually weren't many customers, his pastries often went unsold, which

elderly couple left at around five

knock off at half past five, and being newlywed, he would rush home once he was off

elderly couple didn't want him to know that

suddenly pushed open, and a few

were all tall and stern-faced,

can I get

to approach them with

the man leading the pack shoved Cecilia aside, causing her to lose

"Cecilia."

in to help Cecilia, but the man

at Lucinda coldly, his gaze filled with threat, which took her by

She thought of Ruby and thought of the times she'd retorted at Ruby. Did that count as offending Ruby? Did

his phone, comparing the photo on it with the woman in

"Lucy."

bouquet of flowers

the men in black reacted swiftly, with the leader asking Lucinda, "Got any

don't serve

go