2. A Cake of Misfortune

"I'm your breakfast genie. You get one wish: pancakes or waffles?" the guy behind the counter replied. "I'll have the buttermilk pancakes and one latte, please." I replied in the most monotone voice and the straightest face I could muster. "I'm Tyler, by the way," he added matter-of-factly. "Debby's my aunt. I recently moved to Lunar Wells, so I'm here helping her out since she's getting on in years." It was clear to me that he wasn't one of us. His human scent was unmistakable. Nonetheless, there was no denying his undeniable charm and attractiveness. ""I'm mentally preparing myself for the introduction of a lifetime. Lay it on me!"?" Tyler teased, a sly grin playing on his lips. “I’m Jenny,” I replied. Tyler expressed his disappointment, "I practically spilled my life's story, and this is the response I get?” “No one asked you to.” I said as a matter-of-factly. "Touché. You've got a knack for building suspense though, I'll give you that!" “Thanks I guess,” I replied. “Anytime,” Tyler replied. “So is Jenny short for Jennifer?” he inquired. “It’s Jenny. Just Jenny” I answered cringing a little inwardly. “Okay Just Jenny sit wherever you like and I’ll bring you your order,” he said. Taking that as my signal, I made my way to the farthest and dimmest booth in the corner, settling in as I eagerly anticipated my order. The Lunarwells tribe stood out as one of the rare few that welcomed humans, embracing coexistence. After all, my mother herself was a human. Over time, we became adept at navigating their customs. My father's singular rule was crystal clear: never harm those less powerful than you. This principle allowed us to foster a harmonious existence. "One buttermilk pancake, a muffin, and a latte," Tyler's voice broke through my reverie, bringing me back to the present. “I didn’t order a muffin,” I said. “I know but a fresh batch just came out of the oven so I want you to try. Don’t worry it’s on the house,” he said I might have set a new world record for speed-eating, but now I was pleasantly stuffed and all geared up to tackle the cleaning of the house. I headed over to the counter and requested the bill. "Cash or Card?" Tyler inquired. "Card," I answered, proceeding to make the payment. "Just give me a shout when you're available, and I'll give you a tour. It's a quaint town, so there isn't a whole lot to keep you busy around here." "That won't be necessary," I replied, a smile playing on my lips. "I grew up in this quaint town," I added, echoing his sentiment. With that, I headed to the grocery store and gathered up all the cleaning supplies and other essentials I deemed necessary for the week ahead. After returning to the house, I dove right into cleaning. It took me a precise five hours to bring the place to a somewhat presentable state. I also called the electrician to get the electricity up and running. By the time I finished, night had already fallen. I was famished, but the weariness in my bones made the thought of cooking seem daunting. So, I settled on ordering in for the night. Just as I was scrolling my phone, trying to decide on what to eat, it chimed with a notification. It was a message from my father. Instantly, a wave of nervousness washed over me. What could he possibly want? The message read, "I need you to join us for lunch tomorrow at Beeston Castle. Both our families are deeply tangled up in the wedding preparations. This meeting is vital for us to get things straight. No excuses. See you there. – Arthur.” I stared at the message, a mix of surprise and apprehension filling my thoughts. This would be the first time both families would come together formally. It seemed like a significant step. After a moment of contemplation, I mustered the courage to reply. "I will be there at noon." With the message sent, a blend of emotions swirled within me. It was a step towards mending a fractured relationship, but the uncertainty of the encounter still weighed on my mind. Tomorrow promised to be a pivotal day in the journey towards healing our family bonds. I decided on pizza for the evening, a comfort in the midst of the approaching significant day. It was hard to fathom that my father was finally extending an olive branch, after years of neglecting my presence. Not that I held it against him; the fault was mine alone to bear. Yet, it warmed my heart to know that he wanted me to be part of the family gathering, for whatever reason that After dinner, I headed straight to bed, eager to embrace the day that awaited me. I woke up the next morning with a burst of energy. I decided to whip up some toast and eggs to go with my coffee. As for my outfit, I was all set. I couldn't wait to slip into that gorgeous summer dress I'd picked out a while back. It is a lovely shade of sky blue, reminiscent of clear, sunny days. The dress features a playful A-line silhouette that flows gracefully around the body, allowing for easy movement. Delicate spaghetti straps provide support while adding a touch of femininity. The neckline is gently scooped, offering a flattering frame for the collarbone and shoulders. The bodice is fitted but not restrictive, allowing for comfort and freedom of movement. A dainty bow cinches the waist, adding a sweet and charming detail. The skirt cascades down in soft, billowing layers, ending at a flirty, knee-skimming length. After breakfast, I hopped into the shower, determined to make a fresh start. This was my opportunity to prove to my father that I had grown and changed for the better. I opted for a light touch with makeup, letting my features breathe, and allowed my long, wavy brown hair to cascade just above my waist, framing my face with a touch of natural elegance. Once I was ready, I went downstairs and noticed I still had some spare time. With a little extra time on my hands, I decided to make a quick stop at the nearby bakery and grab a cake, because I didn’t want to go empty handed. All the cakes looked very tempting, each one looking more delicious than the last, I made a mental note to return and sample more of their delectable treats in the future. With my preparations complete and a cake in hand, I felt a newfound confidence as I headed to lunch, determined that nothing would disrupt this important day. As I approached Beeston Castle, a mixture of nervousness and excitement coursed through me. The sight of the ancient stone walls towering against the sky was both imposing and awe-inspiring. I took a deep breath, gathering my composure, and entered the castle grounds. As I approached, I spotted my father, Carla, and Katherine, Carla’s mother, along with a handful of unfamiliar faces. Just as I was about to head their way... a loud crash echoed through the courtyard. My heart sank as I turned to see the source of the commotion. There, the beautiful cake I had brought lay in shattered pieces on the ground. The gasps of surprise and shock from the onlookers only amplified the embarrassment that washed over me. I hurriedly knelt down, attempting to salvage what I could, but it was clear that the cake was beyond repair. I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me, and a flush of humiliation crept up my cheeks. In that moment, it seemed as though my chance at redemption had crumbled just like the cake.