Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord Chapter 11: The Bakery Man

Chapter 11

~Xena’s POV~

I stepped out of the company, feeling lighter than I had in months. For once, the future didn’t look like an endless stretch of uncertainty; it looked promising... Hopeful.

A real contract, a real chance.

I smiled to myself as I walked down the steps, clutching my bag close. I was finally going to be paid well, and that ant one thing: stability. For , for Skai, and for Nanny Nancy.

A quick glance at my wristwatch told it was only 9 a.m. I still had ti before Nancy’s surgery would be done.

I pulled out my phone and called the hospital receptionist. The surgery was still in progress, she said, and assured it was going smoothly.

Good news upon good news.

With nothing else to do, I decided to stop by Skai’s favourite bakery, a small reward for how strong she’d been through everything.

The cab ride was short, and soon I was stepping out onto the familiar street corner. My eyes lifted to the signboard above the cosy-looking shop.

Elysian Velvet Bakery - Perfection, baked daily.

A smile tugged at my lips. It was a beautiful na, elegant yet soft... much like the place itself.

I’d always liked it, though I never thought much about the man behind it, other than the fact that he made the best apple pie cake my daughter had ever tasted.

I pushed open the door, the small bell above it chiming softly. The sll of fresh bread, newly baked cakes drifted through the air, greeting .

Oddly, though, the place was empty. Not a single custor in sight.

Maybe it was still early.

I walked up to the counter and gently tapped the silver bell. "Hello?"

A deep voice called out from the back room. "Coming, be right with you."

That voice. I couldn’t help smiling. Skai adored that voice; every ti we visited, she’d whisper that the ’cake man’ sounded like a superhero.

I let out a small chuckle. I was in such a good mood today; it felt like the universe was finally aligning in my favour.

"Hello, the..."

I looked up just as he stepped out from the back, wiping his hands on a white towel. His dark eyes widened slightly when he saw .

For a second, sothing unreadable flickered in them before he masked it with a polite smile.

"Hey," he greeted, shaking his head a little, almost as if to clear it. "Pardon . Welco to my bakery."

"Thank you." I returned his smile. "Are you just opening? It’s unusually quiet today."

"Yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I ca in a bit late. Rough night."

"Oh." I nodded, catching the faint trace of exhaustion in his tone. "I see."

He waved a dismissive hand, his mouth curving into a smooth grin. "Don’t worry, though. The cake and bread are ready. I just haven’t displayed them yet."

"That’s good to hear."

He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the counter. "So, what will it be today? Bread or cake?" His tone carried a teasing warmth.

"Hmm," I pretended to think, tapping my chin lightly. "Both, maybe?"

His grin widened. "Let guess, the usual?"

I blinked, a little caught off guard. "You rember my usual?"

He tilted his head, eyes dancing with amusent. "Apple pie cake and the cinnamon-coconut bread combo, right?"

I couldn’t stop the small laugh that slipped out. "You’ve got a good mory."

He shrugged, moving toward the shelves behind him. "I rember my custors’ tastes and needs." Then, glancing over his shoulder, he added with a smirk, "Especially the regulars."

My cheeks ward before I could help it. "You must have a lot of regulars then."

"Only the morable ones," he said smoothly, placing the warm loaf and neatly boxed cake on the counter, before adjusting his apron and...

My eyes took in his all white outfit. Each ti I ca, he was never seen in a different shade or colour of clothes.

I blinked again, unsure if I imagined the flirt in his tone.

Just then, Xavier bent to retrieve a box from beneath the counter, his apron shifted slightly, and for the briefest mont, the edge of his white shirt lifted.

My breath caught. Ink, black and intricate, curved along the side of his ribs, disappearing beneath the fabric like a secret it wasn’t ant to share.

It looked nothing like the gentle baker everyone knew; it was sharp, dangerous, almost beautiful.

When he straightened, catching staring, the corner of his mouth tugged upward.

"See sothing you like?" he teased softly, and I quickly looked away, pretending to study the counter instead.

He leaned in slightly, his voice lower now. "I never caught your na."

"Oh." I hesitated for a second before replying, "My na’s Xena."

He nodded slowly, as if committing it to mory. "Pretty na," he murmured, then extended his hand. "I’m Xavier. Xavier Xander."

Xavier Xander.

His unique na replayed in my head, but all I could think of was how slightly similar it was to Xade’s.

Tossing the thoughts away, I reached out and shook his hand. His grip was firm and warm. For a second, his thumb brushed lightly against my skin before he let go.

"Well, Xavier," I said, clearing my throat, "thank you. You just made my daughter’s day, and mine."

He smiled, that sa mysterious curve of his lips that sohow made my stomach flutter. "Then my morning’s already worth it."

And just like that, I wasn’t sure if the sudden warmth in my cheeks ca from the bakery’s oven or the man standing in front of .

Before I could say anything, the doorbell chid, signalling an incoming custor.

I tried to retract my hand, but Xavier’s hold was firm as he glanced at the custor.

I wanted to see who it was, perhaps to maintain so kind of decorum so people wouldn’t misread any signs; however, the chance slipped through my fingers when the words and voice I never thought I’d hear filtered through.

"So, I see you still haven’t heeded my advice."