Adelina sat at her usual spot in the corner of the small bakery, savoring the soothing warmth of her matcha latte. The earthy, slightly bitter flavor was a familiar comfort, and she let it settle in her chest as she glanced around the shop. To the regulars, she was just another customer, a quiet woman who frequented the bakery. But the truth was, the place was hers—quietly inherited from her parents, who had left it to her with the hope that it would remain a family treasure. She didn't let anyone know that, preferring to stay in the background while the elderly Mr. Rivera ran the shop with all the charm and passion he had for baking.
The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air, mixing with the sound of light chatter and the soft clink of cups. Adelina had come to love the atmosphere of the bakery. It was a haven, a place where she could escape the complications of her life. Here, she could just be herself—no expectations, no pressure, just the simplicity of a warm drink and a moment of peace.
As she finished discussing the new recipe for almond croissants with Mr. Rivera, she felt the tension from the past few days slowly melt away. His hands were weathered with age, but his eyes sparkled with the joy of creating something that made people smile. It reminded Adelina of simpler, happier times before everything had changed.
Just as she leaned back in her chair, taking another sip of her matcha, her phone buzzed in her bag. She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to be pulled back into the world outside, but the ringtone told her it was her grandmother. With a resigned sigh, she pulled the phone from her bag and glanced at the screen.
"Hello, Grandma," she said, her voice a mixture of warmth and fatigue.
"Adelina! Darling, there you are," her grandmother's voice chirped, familiar and unrelenting. "I just wanted to remind you that you have a date tonight. You know, the one I told you about?"
Adelina immediately felt a wave of reluctance wash over her. "Grandma, I really don't think—"
"Nonsense!" her grandmother interrupted, the cheerful tone never wavering. "Now, listen to me. You've rejected so many good boys, and I've gone through such trouble arranging these dates. It's time you actually gave one of them a real chance."
Adelina closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to keep her patience. She had heard this lecture more times than she could count. Since her engagement ended, her grandmother had been relentless in her matchmaking efforts. No matter how many times Adelina told her that she wasn't ready to date again, her grandmother seemed convinced that each date was "the one" that would heal her heart.
"I know you've been through a lot, dear," her grandmother continued, her voice softening. "But life moves on, and it's high time you did too. You can't keep shutting everyone out. This young man seems very promising. Just give him a chance, Adelina."
Adelina shifted in her seat, glancing out the window at the busy street beyond. Her thoughts swirled. She had given her heart once, and it had been torn apart. Could she really open herself up to someone new? The thought of it made her stomach turn with unease.
"I don't know, Grandma," she said slowly. "I just—I'm not sure I'm ready. I've been hurt, and I'm still trying to figure things out."
"Adelina, darling, I understand," her grandmother replied, her voice now laced with concern. "But you can't let one bad experience stop you from living. Not every man is like him. Not every man will hurt you."
Adelina was silent for a moment, the weight of her grandmother's words pressing down on her. She thought about her past—the betrayal she'd suffered, the pain of seeing her fiancé with her stepsister, and how it had left a scar on her heart. The idea of trusting someone again felt impossible, but her grandmother was right in one sense: she had shut everyone out. Could she keep doing that forever?
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Grandma," Adelina murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just feel so lost."
Her grandmother's voice softened even more. "Sweetheart, sometimes you have to take a chance, even when it's scary. You've rejected so many good men—maybe this one will be different. I know it's hard, but you have to try, for your own sake."
Adelina sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I'll try, Grandma. But I'm not promising anything."
"Good girl," her grandmother said, sounding pleased. "And remember, be punctual. You know how important first impressions are. No late arrivals tonight, okay?"
"Okay," Adelina replied, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "I'll be there on time."
Her grandmother's voice became a little lighter, a note of finality in it. "That's my girl. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. You deserve to be happy again, Adelina."
The call ended with a soft click, leaving Adelina to stare at her phone for a moment longer. She sat there in silence, the weight of her grandmother's words lingering in her mind.
"Well, looks like I have a date," she said to herself, a sigh escaping her lips.
Mr. Rivera, who had been quietly watching the exchange, offered her a knowing look. "Trouble with family again, Adelina?"
She chuckled softly, her heart heavy. "You could say that."
"You know, you could always skip it," he said with a wink, his old eyes twinkling mischievously. "But I know you won't."
Adelina smiled faintly, though the thought of skipping the date had crossed her mind. "No, I suppose not. It's just… complicated."
Mr. Rivera nodded. "Well, I hope he's worth your time, darling. No one deserves to be treated like you were."
Her heart sank at his words. He didn't know the full extent of the betrayal she had endured, but his kindness made her grateful. As she stood to leave, she offered him a smile. "Thanks, Mr. Rivera. I'll let you know how it goes."
With a final glance at the familiar, comforting surroundings of the bakery, she stepped outside into the cool air, her grandmother's insistence echoing in her ears. "Be punctual."
She wasn't sure if she was ready to move on, but at the very least, she could give it a try.