DON'T MESS WITH ME
**AURORA'S POV**
"Are you sure you will be able to look after Aiden all alone?" Nicholas asks what seems like hundredth times making me feel like bashing his head on a wall.
"Nicholas, I'm the one who is taking care of him for the last two days so I can do that for more days. He can stay with me even after Arthur gains sense. So, you stop worrying about unnecessary things and go attend your meeting." I answer.
"I know you're fully capable of looking after Aiden. I just don't want to bother you because you also have to work in the bakery." He remarks pulling me in his embrace which I welcome because it's not a secret that his hugs make me feel like I am surrounded by a safety blanket.
"You are not bothering me and believe me, I like that little boy's company a lot." I let out truthfully while wrapping my arms around his back.
"I will finish my meeting as soon as possible and then I will come back." He says kissing the crown of my head making me smile at his soft gestures.
We stand there hugging each other for a couple of minutes before we pull away because he will get late. He looks at me one last time before making his way to the fancy car parking in front of the bakery.
After he leaves, I also walk inside the bakery. I haven't been here for two days so I have a lot of orders to clear. So, without wasting any more time I start working on a Red Velvet Cake which will be delivered tomorrow morning for a wedding reception.
To make this red velvet cake, I start by whisking together some dry ingredients like cake flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. I like to use cake flour because it has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour which creates a softer, lighter cake.
There’s also 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder in this cake so the cake isn’t super chocolatey, but it has a hint of chocolate that is expected in red velvet cakes. Once I’ve whisked together the dry ingredients I sift them as well to remove any lumps of cocoa powder and help keep the cake light. Then, mix up the wet ingredients starting with some unsalted butter and granulated sugar. After that I cream the butter and sugar together for about 4-5 minutes.
Once the butter and sugar are creamed together, I beat in two eggs until well combined. Then mix in the rest of the wet ingredients: some oil, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and distilled white vinegar. Once I’ve mixed up the wet ingredients, I alternate mixing the dry ingredients in three additions with some buttermilk. Alternating the dry ingredients with the buttermilk helps to prevent overmixing the cake batter which can lead to a denser cake.
Once the cake batter is mixed up it takes a beautiful bright red color. Then, I just divide the batter between two 9-inch cake pans and bake them for about 30 minutes. Once the cake layers are baked and cooled, I mix up the frosting. I have used my favorite cream cheese frosting for this cake and increased the amount to have enough to frost it.
"Wow, boss. The cake is looking awesome." Parker remarks making me beam at him.
"Thanks Parker." I reply handing the cake to him to put it into the refrigerator so it will be well kept.
Suddenly, I hear some yelling outside the bakery so I look there to find a well-dressed woman who walks inside. But something about her aura isn't sitting well with me because if she is good then she wouldn't be screaming like a banshee.
"Umm, excuse me. How may I help you?" I hear Claire ask the woman but it's no surprise that the woman doesn't reply instead gives her a look of disgust which makes me angry.
"I don't talk to law life person like you. I am here to take my son." The woman snarls looking around the bakery as if it's a poisonous place.
Wait! What do you mean by her son? Can she be Aiden's mother? So, I look at her closely and find some similarities with Aiden. However, I need to know if my suspicion is true or not.
"Who are you and why are you here?" I ask standing in front of her.
"It's none of your business to know who I am. Just tell me where my son is and you won't be getting arrested." The woman threatens but to me, her words feel like a kids tantrum.
"With all due respect, I would like to let you know that you are standing in my work without my permission. So, it's my right to know your identity or if you don't provide that information then you will be the one to go behind the bar. So, you better start talking." I retort looking directly into her eyes to let her know that I am not joking at all.
"How dare you to talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am and what I can do to you?" She yells making me glare at her.
"Stop yelling like a fool or I will be forced to drag you outside by your hair." I remark but before she can say anything we hear a thud sound from my behind making me turn around to see that Aiden is standing there with a hurt expression on his face.
"Baby, look I am here to take you home." The woman says making my suspicion true. So, she is indeed Brittney. Arthur's ex-wife and Aiden's birth mother, yes I am calling her birth mother because that's all she will be in my opinion for the rest of my life.
"No." Aiden says in response and runs to my side before wrapping his arms around my waist hiding behind me.
"You hear him so please get out of here." I let out looking at Brittney who looks at me like I have lost my mind.
"He is my son so you can't tell me what to do with him. Aiden, don't make me angry and let's go with me." Brittney says me hold Aiden closely.
"Aiden is not going anywhere with a person like you." I reply glaring at her.
"Who are you by the way?" She asks arrogantly.
"The owner of this bakery and most importantly, Aiden's aunt." I reply confidently.
"Okay, so you won't let me take my son with me. Then fine, I will just call the police." She threatens while I roll my eyes in response.