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Chapter 131: If Sh(i)e can Bake, So can You!

Shie Bakes Shop had evolved from a bakery into both a bakery and a confectionary store. The place expanded to include more tables and chairs for their customers. They also offered select beverages for anyone who wanted to dine in.

Despite this, the shop kept its simple interior of brick walls and wooden flooring. The furniture also followed the rustic ambianceminus the vinyl couches pressed against the walls. 

The main counter took up one-fourth of the space. From the wall to the middle, it connected with the kitchen where the magic happened. Breads, cakes, cookies, brownies and more filled up the glass displays. The inner lights gleamed on the golden crusts. 

On sunny days, the kitchen opened its windows and let the smell of cooking bread into the street air. Thus, locals near the establishment always felt hungry.

.

.

.

They would be spared for a day though.

Today marked the baking class held by Shie Bakes Shop every year. Kids and their guardians wore aprons over their clothing. The tables and chairs had been set up into several long lines, allowing the staff to monitor them easier. They crowded the store and forced regular customers to use the counter window for their purchases.

Nonetheless, it had a lively atmosphere.

"Alright!" Andie said, waving her hand in the air. Her voice boomed over the chatter. A tiny microphone had been pinned on her apron. She stood on a platform which had her own table, ingredients and tools. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for taking part in our summer baking class where we prove year after year that" 

"If Shie can bake, so can you!" The crowd finished in sync. At least, the majority of them did. 

Andie laughed at the enthusiasm. Then, her eyes spotted the confused first timers. "Because you know 'she' rhymes with 'Shie' Shie is the owner and yeah, moving along." 

"Today, we have a special guest," Andie continued. The grin on her face reached ear to ear. She could bet that no one was more excited than her at this moment. "She'll be my partner throughout this class. Please welcome..., Ms. Evangeline Reed!"

White polka dots on a violet skirt emerged from the kitchen. The fabric snaked upwards, forming a bodice and a sweetheart neckline. The dress had two straps that connected at the back by knotting them into a bow. Thin silver silk hugged the waist, emphasizing the curve.

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A bit of an underskirt peeked at the hem.

Crimson red hair flowed down from a high ponytail. They waved all the way through and brushed the exposed upper back. Black cat-eye liner framed round amber eyes. Cherry lips bloomed into a stunning smile.

"Woowww," Ede gasped. Her cinnamon hair had been braided on either side of her face. It exposed her face clearly. "She is gorgeous."

Eri tilted her head sideways. "She looks like mom."

"Which makes her extra beautiful," Georgie chuckled behind them. 

Crossing her arms over her chest, Eri bit her inner cheek. "Hm. "Eve is still better looking."

"Agreed." Ede nodded vigorously.

Georgie shook her head. If she hadn't known beforehand, she might have been fooled like them. She would have claimed that she would recognize Eve through the disguise except she had failed when Andie showed her the magazine.

Now that she had a closer look, it almost felt like Evangeline Hart had returned.

Eve waved at the crowd, "Hello, everyone. Who can't wait to eat these cookies after we bake them? Literally what I looked forward to all day."

The adults appreciated her sense of humor and clapped as they laughed. She leaped for the last foot between her and the podium, taking the spot beside Andie. The latter gave her an apron.

While Eve placed it on, Andie talked to the crowd. "Like Evangeline said, we'll be making cookies this summer. Next week is our big sale where everyone is encouraged to sell their homemade baked goods. All of the proceeds will go to the chosen charity."

"And!" Eve cut in. She wrapped a hairnet around her ponytail. "The best-selling item will be featured at Shie Bakes Shop for the entire fall season. The earnings will be split between the home baker and the store so good luck!"

The class commenced smoothly. 

Eve held the whisk while Andie narrated each ingredient before adding them to the bowl. The rest watched as they explained each step, emphasizing key points and warning about mistakes. Andie provided solutions for common ones in order not to scrap the batter altogether. 

Sometimes, it could be saved.

Other times, it could produce something different.

If both fail, as long as it was edible, the batter wasn't a waste. 

Eve put down the silicone spatula and stepped back. 

"That's about it," Andie declared. The audience clapped as she "Be very careful not to overmix the batter. Evangeline and I will be going around to help if you have any questions. You can now start your batter. A printed recipe had been laid out for you in case you forgot a step."

Ede immediately dragged her chair closer to the table. She knelt over the cushion and stared at the ingredients on the table. None of them had been pre-measured. She grabbed a measuring cup, ready to try it out.

"Uh-uh," Georgie protested, tucking in a white-streaked hair strand. The other customers showed her tremendous respect. She became accustomed to it over time. It came with the jobbeing the teacher's mother that is. "We don't need that yet. We should cream the butter and sugar first."

The younger twin pouted. "But, don't you need it to measure the sugar?"

Georgie paused for a moment.

Then, her laughter pierced through the air. "Why, that's right! Let me just soften the butter a little bit before we try it out. Can you wait till I'm done?"

"Okay!"

Eri had pulled her chair on her sister's right, trapping Ede in the middle. She propped both of her elbows on the table and cradled her head in her hands. The other group had taken the spot next to Georgie. 

All she could do was watch.

When Ede sprinkled the sugar onto the butter, she frowned. Her brown eyes went to the empty spot to her right. There was an extra bowl nearby. She also wanted to make her own cookies but Aunt Georgie was busy with Ede. 

She couldn't wait that long. Placing both hands on the table, Eri looked around the room. She noticed Andie from the corner of her eye. The latter had just finished a conversation with a single mother.

Her head turned in Eri's direction.

This was her chance!

"Andie" 

But her request died in her throat when someone else caught Andie's attention first. Her shoulders hunched at the failed attempt. She glanced to her left.

Ede gripped the mesh strainer and tried to sift the dry ingredients. Dusts of flour flew over the bowl, landing on the table. Eri leaned back to avoid getting them on her denim jumper. She reached for the empty bowl and the plate of butter.

Aunt Georgie and her twin were almost done.

Soon, it would be her turn to try.

"Are you trying to make a batter by yourself?" A voice asked behind her.

Eri dropped the bowl and twisted her torso towards the source. She raised her hands up in surrender. "I wasn't! I was just pulling them closer so they'll be ready once Aunt Georgie and Ede are done."

A pair of amber eyes blinked at her.

Resisting to pinch the child, Eve chuckled. She approached the table and took "Don't have a partner, huh? If you're okay with me, I'll help you out."

Eri's demeanor changed. Her whole face lit up like a blanket of stars. "Really?!"

"Yes, really."

"Okay!" She grabbed the recipe and read the first instruction. "We need butter and sugar. There's dark brown sugar and white sugar. We need both to get the right consistency for when the cookies are baking."

Eve slipped the rest of the butter into the bowl. She handed over the measuring cup and let Eri figure out which one they needed. "Sounds like someone has been listening well."

"Mhm!" Her younger sister replied, picking two cups. She used the bigger one for the dark brown sugar. Her other hand scooped it out of the bag and filled up the cup. "Eve always said to pay attention. It could mean life or death when it counts the most."

'... what have I been teaching a kid?' Eve suddenly asked herself. She squinted at the ceiling, trying to remember what it had been about. The thought vanished as soon as it came. She decided to switch topics.

"Eve?"

"Yeah, she's my sister. She's supposed to be here but something came up," Eri explained in one breath. She changed cups and searched for the white sugar.

Eve bit on her bottom lip. She did say that. If it wasn't for this scandal, her sister wouldn't have been waiting for a partner. The mere sight of it saddened her. "Are you mad that she ditched you.?"

"No. I think she spends too much time on work. It's only right for her to go on a date."

"A date?" Eve exclaimed, fluttering her eyes. It was low enough for only the two of them to hear.

"That's what Andie said," Eri leaked. She read the labels of the other bags and organized them according to which they needed first. "Eve wouldn't tell me where she was going so I asked her instead."