Chapter four - One Fine Piece of Chocolate(1)

After a weekend strategizing together with Valerie and Emma to lure people to the shop Rachel actually felt excited to start her first day. That Monday she arrived early and started baking blueberry muffins. Emma was cleaning up the front of the shop, making it look homely by adding flowers on tables. Valerie mentioned having a surprise in store, Rachel had no idea what that entailed but she knew her sister wouldn't disappoint. Valerie always delivered no matter the circumstances.

When lunchtime arrived the shop actually got crowded which was a first to Emma. She was a new shop and still needed to build her reputation. Rachel helped Emma behind the counter, serving up coffee and sweets like a well-oiled machine. Smiles were spread across their faces while they politely yet cheerfully served their customers. Rachel noticed how suddenly it seemed like everyone in the shop fell silent. When she glanced around she noticed most of the women were staring at the door so Rachel followed their gazes only to see Valerie walking in accompanied by a good-looking man. Women around her would scold her when they heard her referring to the man as good-looking. It seemed her fellow sisters were drawn in by that man. Just good-looking was probably not the way they would describe him. She forced herself to focus on Valerie instead and greeted her sister with a bright smile.

"This is a pleasant surprise, Valerie."

Her sister smiled back at her, "You know I like to deliver." Valerie gestured to the man beside her, "This is Ryan Parker. You've met before, but I'm sure things were too hectic at the time for you to actually remember. So let me introduce you once more-" Valerie gestured between them, "Rachel, this is Ryan Parker a close friend of Gabriel. Ryan, this is my sister Valerie."

Rachel shifted her attention to Ryan since her sister more or less forced her to, "That name does ring a bell, but I can't quite place you." She flashed him an apologizing smile, "I'm sorry."

"Doesn't matter, it's nice to meet you again," Ryan told her, holding out his hand to shake hers.

Pleased with his polite manners, Rachel shook hands with him and then went back into business mode.

"So what will it be? I could give you a slice of everything since we're sisters and all."

Valerie laughed, "Thank you, that would be great." She then shared a look with Ryan, "Also, one coffee and one tea please."

"Rose tea? It has a more subtle taste which will go well with the sweets."

"Sure!"

Ryan glanced around, "We'll be right over there." He told her.

"Okay, I'll be right there," Rachel told them.

Valerie and Ryan were grabbing their seats while Rachel prepared their order. She filled up a plate with two pieces of everything. Pouring a cup of coffee and rose tea she placed it all on a tray and skillfully made it to her sister's table serving them their drinks and sweets. She placed a little pitcher with milk in front of Ryan along with a few packs of brown sugar, not knowing how he liked his coffee. She had no idea what Valerie was plotting, but by the looks of it everyone was glancing at Ryan to keep track of him. She had no idea who he was other than a friend of Gabriel's. It seemed like he was a celebrity, but she was afraid to ask so she gave Valerie and Ryan their privacy instead. When standing behind the counter again Emma gave her a little hip bump.

"That is one beautiful man," Emma whispered to her.

Valerie couldn't contain her little giggle, "He is handsome." She agreed, "I'm more interested in who'll make the first move though." She told Emma mischievously, "Surely most women are wondering who that girl is." She flickered her eyes to Valerie who was happily chatting away with Ryan, "Is she his girlfriend, fiancée, wife?" Her voice got more high pitched as she pretended to be the general woman eye fucking Ryan.

Emma laughed, "That makes them admire him from a distance."

Rachel agreed, "Yes, but then you have the women who don't care if a man is in a relationship or not and make their move anyway. I'm curious about those encounters, aren't you? Those are far more interesting. I mean, how far are they willing to go just to make Ryan look at them?"

Emma leaned against the counter and observed Valerie and Ryan with the same interest Rachel was doing. The woman was now viewing their interaction with a different mindset. Curiosity taking a hold of her.

"I wasn't interested before, but I can't look away now."

Rachel smirked at her, "The suspense is killing you, right?"

She let Emma have a bit of fun while she took care of cleaning up. When she glanced at her sister from time to time she could tell neither Ryan nor Valerie paid attention to the commotion around them. They were enjoying their little downtime, having a blast. They looked like long lost friends, catching up. It brought a smile to Rachel's face. When the lunch rush was over the shop became calmer, the atmosphere light and peaceful. They played soft classical music in the background while Emma let Rachel take it easy. Emma picked up the cleaning and restocking after she enjoyed coming up with different scenarios of who'd approach Ryan and when. None of that happened though which was actually a relief. They didn't need the drama when they were struggling to ensure their regulars would come back. Valerie moved to the counter, card in hand while a smile spread across her face.

"Ryan enjoyed his lunch here."

"That's good." Rachel didn't take the card from her sister, "It's on me."

"I can't let you do that." Valerie glared at her.

"Already taken care of," Rachel told her holding her hands up in defense.

Valerie narrowed her eyes on her, "I see, you've learned a thing or two about the game from Ethan, is that it?" She then nodded, "I can't let my guard down around you either. That's good to know."

Rachel had no idea what game Valerie was talking about, but she let that slide. She noticed how Ryan was engrossed in his phone, typing away at it after he scanned a message. She then realized that he was probably in the same league as Ethan and Gabriel. The feeling he gave off was no different than theirs. An air of intimidation mixed with arrogance, but then in a way which made those around them melt right in front of them.

"So he was your big surprise?" Rachel asked, "I mean I do like to admire a handsome man in a nice fitting suit, but you know, there are Ethan and Gabriel. So it doesn't quite hit me the same as it does to those around us."

"I know that." Valerie laughed, "But there is more to Ryan than his looks and his nicely cut suit. He is a bachelor whom women chase after like he is the last piece of chocolate they crave so when he is spotted grabbing coffee from this place often you can imagine what it can do for your shop."

Rachel shifted her gaze to Ryan who was still messing around with his phone, "I see. Well played."

Valerie and Ryan took their leave after that, causing Emma behind her to sigh and shake her head. Not ready to say goodbye to Ryan Parker just yet. Rachel knew her sister didn't come up with that plan while she was baking cookies with Gabriel. Valerie thought it over and considered it to be their best option in a short period of time. So Rachel would have faith in that plan even if it meant to use Ryan Parker as one fine piece of chocolate whom women were fighting over.

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