As Alex moved away from Joan, she met with cler who was being congratulated by some shareholders.
"I saw you earlier" cler said as they move away to say hello to others
"I didn't say much. Just told her to tell the lady she is a good investigator.damn she sure knows how to throw questions"
"Wait a lady? How do you know the person is a lady?" Cler asked
"Who else would it be? A man?" Alex picks a flute from a waiter's tray
"Yes it could be a man" clear queried
"Hey, look, let me ask you a question they stop on their track
"Who else would want to find my fault inorder to pull me down? It's only the brainless women that throws tantrum for something worthless"
"I...i find that to be true. Now when you are gone i have to deal with it oh this is just some stress on my neck"
"Cler i thank you for taking this up. I really appreciate it, you and Samuel has been by my side all this while not minding my wrongs, my grumpiness,my....."
Alex was interrupted by lady Marie the director of Diamond and glitzers fashion world and also an investor in Alex company.
"Miss winfred am glad i finally get to see you today.How do you feel now? You shocked everyone with that big news. You have been hiding that all this while without announcing to the board"
"Am really sorry i let you down on that but i had to keep it personal. Since i couldn't take it anymore i had to make cler take over for a while and after my recovery i would assume my position. Lady Marie i wouldn't mind if you support her, see her as me cause i know during my absence some people would still back stab"
"Hmmm that's true. Well you have my support like you always do. I will be taking my leave now. Miss cler congratulations and miss winfred please take care" lady Marie said as she bade her goodbye
After few minutes lady Marie left Alex popped the question
"Can you read the message?"
"Ofcourse. Seems we have our tag on the backstabber. She really came prepared such a Chameleon"
"I think our plan successful. Nice game miss cler. Let the game continue"
they both laugh
"Have you seen Samuel" cler asked
"No i haven't seen him since we left the stage"
"Oh that's him" cler points to Samuel who was speaking with someone
.....
1985
Mrs Smith has been discharged from the hospital and Alexa has reopened the cafe inorder to sustain her family since her mother is no longer working so that she could recover .
Smiths cafe
The cafe was awfully quiet as there was no customer. This could only happen because of two reasons
1)since the death of Mr smith, many customers had left because they believe no one is capable of running it since Alexa was still young and Mrs smith was widowed
2)Alexa was was just released for attempted murder. Many people believes she was really guilty but since the court has the final say they let her be.
Alexa was busy wiping the counter when she saw her and her father's picture stained with dust. She remembers the day when they took it.
----flashback----
Alexa was just returning from school and so she branched the cafe like she always did. Opening the door she is invited in by the chattering of various customers, slow jazz music and sweet aroma of brewed coffee. Right there on the counter she saw her Father's friend chatting away with her father.
"Uncle Anthonio! Alexa ran towards the counter with a beautiful smile on her face
"Hey little princess" Mr Anthonio happily turned to greet Alexa and Mr smith watched with joy
"Wo wo wo. Uncle am no longer the kid you call little princess am now in high school class 11 to be precise" Alexa argued
"Oh dear my girl has grown up. Am really sorry it has been a long while since i came that is why and you also know i and your father are no longer getting younger so to us you are still our little princess"
Alexa pouted
"What do you have there" alexa ran towards a black bag to check what was there
"Is it chocolate. Oh my God i wish it was chocolate. Uncle please let me see"
"Wait young lady. If you calm down you will get to see it okay?" Mr smith scolded her
"Okay am calm. Can i now? can i?, please" alexa begs with puppy eyes
"Well those eyes i cannot resist, you re too cute for an highschool girl. Your father really spoiled you" mr Anthonio said as he brought out what was in the bag.
"A portrait and a camera?" Alexa hissed
"I thought it was something fun"
"Are you not happy" Mr smith asked
"I thought it was chocolate" Alexa said with her face down.
" you don't wanna know who owns this portrait"mr anthonio asked
"Who?" Alexa asked
"it your mothers. Your father said i should make a portrait of your mother as a surprise for her birthday before i travel back to France"
"Mothers!? You mean its my mom's portrait?,let me see" Alexa smiled with joy
"Yes. But but but you cant see it until tomorrow which is her birthday. Like i said it is a surprise so zip your lips" Antonio demonstrated the zipped lip
"Okay uncle have heard you. I won't say a word to anyone and you too father don't say a word"
"Yes ma'am" me smith sad jokingly.
"Uncle"
"Yea"
"Can you take a picture of me and dad?"
"Ofcourse no problem. Where do you wish to take it mi lady?"
"Hum hummmmm" Alexa looks around to find an empty space
"There!" She points to the vintage window where the street was displayed for the customers to see and also fo the people outside to see in
"Okay let's go" Mr Antonio said as he got down from his chair with his camera
Getting to the window Mr Smith and Alexa stood beside each other ready for a caption.
"Alexa say cheese" Mr Antonio raised his camera for a shot
"Cheese" the cute girl said cheese with her two fingers ✌making a peace sign-------
Alexa recovers from the flashback and a tear drops from her face cause she remembers what happens few weeks after taking that picture.
Mr Antonio and his wife was found dead in his apartment on the day he was traveling to france.
There was even a letter found threatening Mr Smith.
Alexa immediately wiped her face when she heard the door bell ring as someone enters
"Is this place opened for business" a young man around the age of 29 asked
"Yes sir. What...what would you like" Alexa clears her voice
"Oh are you okay"
"Yes i am. Its just the dust blocking my nostrils"
"Okay. This place seems nice. Have been passing by this place for a long time hoping that it would be opened one day. I heard it was a very good place to have breakfast, brunch, lunch and even dinner"
Alexa giggles awkwardly
"I would like a cup of cappucino and red velvet cake if that is available" the man ordered
"Oh am really sorry we do not have red velvet cakes since we are just opening but there is carrot cakes"
"Carrot cakes? Then i would love that" the man smiled
"Give me 2 minute sir" Alexa said as she walks to the brewing machine to brew some cappucino and also to get the cake. The man watches as she works smoothly without any glitches
"Here is your order?" Alex puts the wrapped cake and the cup of cappucino on the counter
"How much is it?" The mam asked as he brought out his wallet
"That would be $6"
"$6? That is cheap. Many cafes price higher"
"Well this is a form of price off to attract customers"
"Okay i like that. Keep up the good work" the man gave her the money, took his item and left
"Sir you didn't have your change" Alexa called out to the man but he was already gone.
"Hmm that is strange" Alexa said as she looks outside but couldn't see the man. She looks at the remaining change which was $4 and then she signs.
"First customer who left me with his change. That is nice"