Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Ballroom
The anniversary gala was a dazzling success. As the evening progressed, the grand ballroom filled with laughter, clinking champagne glasses, and soft orchestral music.
I stood near the service entrance, wearing a sleek black dress Vanessa had insisted on buying for me, watching from a distance as guests admired the centerpiece cake.
"Excuse me, are you Claire Whitaker?"
I turned around to find an elegant woman in an emerald-green silk gown smiling warmly at me. It was Eleanor Vance herself, the guest of honor, accompanied by her husband, Anthony.
"Yes, I am," I said, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. "Happy anniversary, Mrs. Vance. I hope you're enjoying the evening."
"Enjoying it? My dear, everyone is talking about this cake!" Eleanor beamed, taking my hands in hers. "When Vanessa told me there was a last-minute emergency and a new baker stepped in to save the night, I had no idea what to expect. But this... this is a work of art. The sugar peonies look so real I tried to smell them! Where did you learn to bake like this?"
"My mother taught me," I answered softly, a fond smile touching my lips. "When I was a little girl in Ohio. She used to stand me up on a wooden stool so I could reach the counter."
Anthony Vance smiled warmly. "Well, your mother would be extraordinarily proud of you. In fact, my company is hosting our annual corporate gala next month, and we've been looking for a master pastry chef to handle our dessert catering. Would you be interested in submitting a proposal, Ms. Whitaker?"
My heart did a joyful cartwheel. "I would be honored, Mr. Vance."
As the Vances excused themselves to greet other guests, Vanessa walked up beside me, holding a flute of sparkling cider, grinning ear to ear.
"Did you hear that?" Vanessa whispered excitedly. "The Vance account is worth six figures a year. You aren't just opening your bakery, Claire—you're about to become a household name in Columbus."
"I can't believe this is happening," I breathed, looking out over the glittering room. "Just twenty-four hours ago, I was standing in my kitchen looking at a pile of ruined sugar."
"And look at you now," Vanessa said, clinking her glass against mine. "The universe has a funny way of clearing out the trash to make room for greatness. Speaking of trash..." Vanessa’s expression suddenly shifted, her eyes narrowing as she looked toward the entrance of the ballroom. "Well, well, well. Look who managed to crash the party."
May you like
I turned to follow her gaze, and my breath caught in my throat.
Walking through the grand double doors, looking wildly out of place in an overly flashy, sequined cocktail dress, was Natalie. Right behind her, looking thoroughly uncomfortable in a tight tuxedo he clearly hadn't worn in years, was my father, Richard.
