As I tended to the cake mixture, my phone began to ring, jolting me out of my thoughts abruptly. I wiped my hands on my flour-dusted apron and squinted at the screen. I picked up the phone, seeing Aria's name flashing on the screen.
I hesitated, a little before swiping to answer.
"Hey, Arii," I said, trying to sound casual, like my entire world hadn't tilted sideways just hours ago.
"Girl, where the hell have you been?" she demanded, her voice a sharp mix of concern and accusation.
I winced, already bracing for the storm I knew was coming.
Guilt tightens my stomach into a knot. I quickly force out an apology. "I'm so sorry I disappeared last night. I was, uh… I know I should've called. I'll explain everything later, I promise."
"I was about to call the missing person squad!" she yelled.
"I.. I didn't mean it, I swear."
There's a moment of silence, and then Aria's voice crackles through the line. "Izzy, are you okay? You just went poof on me." Her tone is equal parts worried and dramatic, exactly like it always is. I hear her chair squeak as she likely leans forward. "I'm fine, really," I say, wrapping my fingers around the bowl so hard it's starting to slip.
Finally she sighed. "Fine, you big drama queen. I guess I'm just glad you're alive."
I let out a small sigh of relief. Atleast she's not too angry
"Okay, now that the crisis is averted, we have bigger problems," Aria continued. "Because guess what? My mom has decided I absolutely must attend some super fancy party tonight. It's like an elite social event full of wannabe bachelors, suits, and the whole nine yards. And listen, I refuse to go unless you come with me."
I'm pulling my electric mixer through buttery vanilla batter, but now I stop and look at it like it's a bomb about to explode. "Matchmaking party?" I echo, blinking at the bowl as if it might answer me back. "Why on earth?"
"hold on." I paused. "You mean like that ball in old Mrs. Carrington's ballroom?" I asked quietly, remembering the stories. "The one where every single guy seems born with an inheritance and a man bun?"
"Exactly that one!" Aria groaned. "I swear, last time I got cornered by some pretentious Prince Charming who lectured me on microfinance all night. I almost died of boredom—or if I'm dramatic—was saved by you."
I managed a tired laugh. "I'm flattered I saved your life once."
"Ugh, I don't know why mum wants me to go for this one ─ she doesn't care that I literally hate dresses," Aria whines. "She says I need to mingle and get 'settled.' Can you believe that? Like we're in some Regency romance or something. Now, I'm not going without my partner in crime. Isabella, get your butt out of the bakery tonight because you're coming with me."
I snort into the phone, wiping a smear of batter from my nose. "First, I'm not your partner in crime—I'm your partner in frosting. Second, I actually can't," I sputter out. "I have to deliver two cakes tonight. One's a chocolate tower with raspberries, and the other—well, it's even more complicated."
Aria gasps dramatically on the other end. "You're delivering cakes? When? Why?"
"Tonight, late evening," I explain, trying to stay calm. "It's an order slip right here… Ugh, and I don't even have a dress I can wear you know. The only thing I have is flour on my apron." My eyes dart to the messy batter coating my forearms. "There's no way I can go to some dress-up party when I'm covered in frosting, especially when It's impromptu."
There's a pause, and I hear Aria huff a laugh. "Where's this cake delivery, anyway?"
I pat my pockets for my notes. "It's to… The Imperial palace hotel?"
The words are barely out when Aria squeals. "Wait, The Imperial palace hotel?"
"Yeah, The Imperial palace hotel." I press my back into the counter, dizzy suddenly. "Why?"
"Oh my gosh, are you kidding me?" Aria snorts. "That's the exact same building as the party venue!."
"uhm.. I don't know." I said.
"Relax," Aria says, voice conspiratorial. "I've arranged an outfit in my suite on the thirty fourth floor. You deliver the cakes to the sixty second-floor ballroom, then slip down to thirty fourth to change. After that, we will both go to the thirty fifth-floor hall for the party."
I pause, stirring the batter more slowly as the weight of Aria's plan sinks in. "Wait—hold on," I say, voice tight. "That sounds... stressful. Deliver cakes on the sixty second floor, scramble down to the thirty fourth to change, then back up to the thirty fifth for the party?"
There's a beat of silence. Then Aria's laughter, warm and teasing. "Yes—it's a little crazy. But better than you standing alone in jeans at a room full of tuxedos and gowns, right?"
"Okay," I finally say, exhaling. "But I'm warning you—make sure the outfit is something I'm comfortable in."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you look gorgeous. You'll fit right in." Aria promises. "Plus, there'll be plenty of yummy food, like your cakes, so don't worry. And since my mum wants me to attend, it's not like we have to socialize much. We can just grab some food and enjoy ourselves. Is it a deal?"
"Yeah, sure." I rolled my eyes and laughed.
"Alright, now go finish those cakes. I'll see you on thirty fourth."
I hang up, shake out my shoulders, and dive back into the batter.
****
As I stepped into the hotel, I was amazed by how fancy everything looked. The details on the walls and the soft carpet under my feet were really nice. I knew the cake would fit right in. I went to the reception desk and told them I had a cake to deliver to the sixty second floor. The receptionist nodded and confirmed I could go. I pressed the button for the sixty second floor in the elevator.
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped onto the sixty second floor, carefully balancing the cake box in my hands. Just ahead, outside the entrance to Royal Hall A, a woman in a sleek black dress and a headset was already waiting for me. She looked like she'd been stationed there on purpose.
"You're here with the cake?" she asked briskly.
I nodded. "Yup, from Sugar & Crumbs."
She gave a quick smile, then checked her tablet and motioned me forward. "Perfect timing. Right this way."
I handed her the cake, watching as she inspected it briefly, then signed the delivery slip I pulled from my bag. "You're good to go. Thanks again."
"Enjoy the party," I said with a small grin, slipping the signed paper back into my folder.
With the delivery done, I stepped back into the elevator and pressed the button for the thirty fourth floor. As the doors closed, I finally let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I leaned against the side, already thinking about what I'd say to Aria when I saw her.
Then, without warning, the elevator slowed—and stopped.
Thirty eight Floor.
The doors began to open.