Page 39 of Cloud Storm

This time she rolls her eyes. “Asking for a miracle, are you? How about you try and think more positively and see this as a fantastic opportunity instead of being so negative?”

“Ok, ok, for you I’ll try. So, I’ll need to train with Katie and we’ll need to watch some old episodes and create a strategy. My main concern is the secret ingredient. They could come up with something crazy like anchovies or dog food, the heck if I know.”

“Ariel, you’ve already seen every episode of the show. You’re a huge fan.”

This may be true, however, right now my mind’s gone blank and I can’t recall a single clip of any of them.

“I need to come up with new innovative recipes and bake them with Katie at least a thousand times. You need to talk with her and see if she’s on board. And if she is, you’ll need to take into account her extra hours. If there’s one positive thing I know, it’s that we will have lots of extra cupcakes to sell.”

“Sounds good to me,” she replies, drumming her fingers on the table.

I’m giving her all the administrative responsibilities for this. It was her who put us in this predicament, she needs to pay the price for this too.

“I have to go back to the agency,” she says without looking away from her phone.

“Something happen?”

“It’s Oliver. He wants to know what we’re going to do with a new advertising campaign, plus he said he has something important to tell me about our marketing strategy.”

She’s still looking at something and I laugh. Oliver is my friend, I know him well. People might think he’s a cool and carefree guy, however, appearances can be deceiving. Oliver is quite responsible, has a very particular worldview and is the best speaker I know. Even better than his brother Sawyer, who is one of the best lawyers in this city.

Twenty minutes later, I get out of my friend’s car loaded with bags, having bought more than I had anticipated. Roselynn and I say goodbye in the main courtyard.

I am grateful for what she’s done for me, although I still find it difficult to accept that she’s right, that I need an extra push sometimes. I go to my apartment and she to her house, because she needs her laptop for her meeting with Oliver.

Even though I’ve been traipsing over God’s creation with Roselynn all day, when I get home the first thing I do is chuck the shopping bags on my bed, as I trade my jeans for lounge pants and throw my flats across the room.

I need to work.

Taking one of my notepads and a lollipop, I sit in front of my TV to search for the show’s episodes.

Excitement instantly runs through my veins. That’s how I’m feeling. I told Roselynn we weren’t ready. Now I’m feeling overwhelmed, but equally confident.

I know what to do.

I know how to bake.

I know how to succeed.

We are going to win this!

I start writing recipes, including some of the winners and mixing them with my own techniques and ingredients. Improving them.

I have to run to the shop for a few extra ingredients I don’t have at home.

I’m mixing five batters at the same time, baking eight trays of cupcakes. I need to remember to thank Mr. Hatz again for installing a new set of convection ovens for me here in my tiny kitchen.

Tomorrow I’ll continue with the decorations, they need to cool off and frankly, I should do the same.

It’s late and I’m too restless to sleep, too full of energy. I’m feeling like a hamster in its wheel, racing and racing.

I need to go for a run.

After changing from my loungewear into something more appropriate for running, I go out to 8th Street and from there Market Street, then I am on the right track. On a typical Monday, at this time of the night, the streets are deserted, allowing me to continue without stopping.

When I arrive at Harbor Avenue I run until I find myself in the parking lot of Seaport Village.

Damn it, what am I doing here at this time of the night?

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