Love Through Pielenes

“We’re not interested,” the snarky woman says, not even letting me finish.

Please, she didn’t even let me start. From the moment I walked in here, she’s been looking at me like I’m a peasant and am tarnishing her space.

“You didn’t let me finish,” I say back calmly, not letting her up-pointed nose win.

The other two people in this room murmur to each other as she speaks through gritted teeth, “Food is unstable and I will not let my company invest in something as unstable as a restaurant.”

I’m ready to tear her limb from limb, but I won’t let her win. Her type will always want a woman like me to snap. It proves the stereotype she has built in her mind.

“Food has always been unstable, yet in the last three years, you’ve invested in many restaurants. Maybe you turning this down has nothing to do with food,” I say firmly.

Her nostrils are flaring and she leans into the table. “How dare you spe—”

I raise my hand and interrupt her, “The only person who has been rude today is you. You think because you have the power you can just disregard me and my time. You didn’t even let me explain the bakery, let alone finish the proposal. But regardless, I thank you for your time today.”

I turn to walk away.

Before I cross the threshold she yells, “No investor will ever help you.”

I leave with my chin up, shrugging at her words, but inside, I’m broken. I’ve worked so hard and can’t seem to get what I need. I take my phone out and make a call.

“How’d it go?” Soph answers on the first ring.

“Nope,” I simply say. My eyes water from frustration more than sadness.

“Shit,” Soph says.

I chuckle and say, “She didn’t even let me speak.”

“Fucking cunt,” she says angrily, but then her tone changes to a more energetic one. “Okay, it’s mimosa time. Come over. I want to show you the property.”

I sigh. “Soph, it’s pointless. I can't afford the rent in that perfect place.”

She audibly growls and says, “El, don’t make me force you.” Her minor French accent only appears when she’s mad.

I laugh. “Ugh… Why are all you old money rich people so entitled?” I say, rolling my eyes.

She makes a kiss sound over the phone and says, “I’m an exception and you love me. Take a cab. I got it, shut up.”

“You’re right. I’ll see you soon,” I say, before I hang up.

I do as she says and the taxi stops in front of a big high rise in the spoiled rich brat side of town.

There she is, Sophie Laurent, my best friend. She’s standing there with cash in her hand. Her short blond hair sways as she walks to the cab window to pay for the drive. When I get out of the car, she wastes no time.

“Hi, beautiful,” she says as she hugs me.

She’s the tall to my short, so my head lands on her shoulder.

I sigh, and lean into her hug and whisper, “Hey.”

“Allowing me to hug you for more than a second? You must be really feeling shitty,” she says, pulling my hand to lure me into her place.

Once we exit the elevator, we walk down the small hallway she shares with her eldest brother. As she’s closing her door I catch a glimpse of the salt and pepper hair in a suit.

“Start spilling. I’ll get the mimosas ready,” she says as she rummages through her kitchen.

I tell her about my day with the bitch from the investment firm.

“Here’s the thing: if I got the pitch out and then she denied me, I would be a bit more understanding because it’s not for everyone, but to give me such a halfhearted denial because of whatever her reasons are… It sets me off.” I take a big swig of my drink and continue my rant, “Jax has the scholarship and I want nothing more than to give my boy what I can, but I can’t afford Penderton, let alone college and then law school.” I rub my face.

Soph is nodding intently. I know she has a lot to say but wants me to finish. I give her an overdramatic face and motion her to speak.

“My brother's company is looking for law interns. Why not have Jax apply? It will look really good on both his college and law applications,” she says.

Sophie will do whatever she can to help me. When Jax and I first moved to Chicago, we met at the coffee shop I worked in. We became fast friends. She’s the golden retriever to my black cat.

“No stepping in?” I give her a pointed stare waiting for her answer. I refuse to accept anything big from her, yet she’s always trying to help, even behind my back.

She sighs and smiles before saying, “No stepping in. But because I already did elsewhere.”

Damn it. I squint my eyes. “What did you do?”

She smiles and says, “Let’s go for a ride, bestie.”

I am suspicious but let her take me where she needs to. We get in her BMW and she begins to drive. We are driving towards the storefront I wanted. I turn my head slowly to hers and she has a smirk. I’m antsy and nervous, but she’ll turn into a pitbull real fast if I interrogate her.

The storefront has its own parking and a lot of foot traffic. I’m in love all over again. I’m quietly taking in the space, picturing exactly how I would decorate it. My eyes gloss over but I keep it together and close my eyes. When I open them, Sophie is closely watching me.

I raise an eyebrow and say, “So why did you bring me here?”

She smiles, taking paperwork out of her bag.

Handing them to me she says, “I had my brother build a contract. I want to invest to get this bakery opened.”

I blink a few times, not registering her words, “What?”

She smiles and says, “I want to partner with you to get this bakery opened. I’ll pay to get it built. I already bought the space. In return, never leave me.”

I’m silent, trying to take this all in.

In my silence, she continues, “You won’t accept it as a gift, so I want 10% of your earnings till you pay me back, then it’s all yours. I won’t interfere with anything, this is your vision.”

My heart is tightening as my thoughts take over. Small tables by the window. A big window counter to house all my petit fours. Coffee machine for the brews.

Have I deserved such kindness? Can I fulfill my dream and my promise? Maybe this is the universe finally thinking about me after 30 years of struggles.

A small gasp breaks my train of thought.

“El, you’re crying,” Soph says.

“I am, aren't I… Enjoy it. It doesn’t happen often,” I say, cleaning my tears.

“Just because you refuse to do it in front of others doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen,” she says, patting my back. “I know how important this is for you and I know how special your idea is. I truly believe in you and not because you're my B.F.F. but because it’s a good idea and you are the best baker I’ve ever met.”

“Are you sure?” I say through my tears.

“Absolutely Eléonore Sandoval.” She holds the paperwork out for me and I take it.

“Thanks,” I say, smiling.

“For 10 years, I’ve watched you break your back for you and Jax. You never let me help you, but you deserve this and so much more. I wish I were a man or we liked women. I would spoil the shit out of you,” she says and it breaks me into a laugh-cry.

“Yeah, because what man or woman for that matter wants a 33 year old mother,” I snort.

She hits my shoulder playfully then says, “A lot of men. Have you seen how hot you are? Jax is always complaining about the dirty jokes.”

I laugh, clearing my tears. “Anyway. Let me read this contract and I’ll send over the proposal of my ideas.”

She nods and hands me the keys. “Here you go, store owner.” She smiles wide and I mirror her smile.

I did it Pielene.