Big Top Billionaire

Delicious Treats

AMARI

As I watched the burial happening a short distance from me, I focused my heart on the gravestone by my side, turning around to talk to Aniela, my wife. Her grave in front of me had a beautiful stone, well kept and adorned with flowers around it. 

Her family had done well in keeping it for me, as I was far and couldn’t be here more often, even if I wished to. 

“Geiá sou ómorfi (Hello, beautiful),” I greeted her with a soft smile on my face, thanking my mother for teaching me the language even though we were in the states, “I brought you flowers. Your favorite, yellow Calla Lilies.”

As I put the flowers on an empty vase on the ground and kissed her gravestone, I could remember her last days, how she would still be joyful even though she knew her days on Earth were counted. I missed that beautiful smile, her gorgeous brown eyes and her silky black hair that I loved to run my hand through. 

How she would tell me to always go for what I wanted, and never give up.

Aniela and I met in high school. She was a shy little thing, no friends. But a very smart girl. Seeing her walk down the hallways made my heart beat for her every time, and being the popular boy in school, it was hard to get her to like me due to my reputation.

We were happy together, and I cherished every single moment with her. 

“I will keep that promise, Vasílissa mou (my queen). But for now, it will have to be put on hold,” I said, smiling down at the stone, “for now, Freddie needs me. And I will help him.”

As I walked back to the cab that waited for me, a smell of roses hit my nose. Looking up, I saw a woman get in Freddie’s car in front of us while taking her veil off. She looked sad and innocent, not to mention beautiful. 

I paid attention to her, seeing the breeze blow her dark brown hair to the side, slightly covering her face full of tear stains. As Freddie drove off, I ordered the cab driver to take me to his trailer at the circus, deciding to rest as soon as I got there. 

Sue was standing by the trailer door when I arrived, a big smile on her face as she held a basket in her hands. The smell of freshly baked pastries had me taking a long whiff at them just to take in all the deliciousness that I was sure awaited me. 

“Hello, Mr. Doulkas. I just wanted to properly welcome you with these. They’re Greek pastries, I think,” she chuckled as I pulled the small towel covering them. 

“Opa, you made spanakopita! My favorite,” I smiled as I grabbed one and tasted it, moaning at the amazing flavor, “My mother used to make this when I was a kid, and I have to tell you, my dear Sue, that these are spot on. I feel like breaking a plate just to show you how happy this made me.”

“I am so glad you liked them. It is my first time making them. When I met Freddie, I made some Scottish pastries for him just to thank him for hiring me. He loved when I made Sticky Toffee Pudding. Oh, my goodness, that was heaven for him!” She exclaimed, her hand on my arm while she laughed. 

I took another bite of the pastry before taking the basket from her hands and inviting her inside. 

“No, sweetheart. I have a lot to do, but thanks. Don’t forget to share those with Freddie.”

As she walked away, I muttered to myself. “Yeah, right. These are mine.”

Letting out a small chuckle, I walked inside and put the basket on the counter before I sat down on the couch I crashed in and stared at it for a minute. Aniela was also amazing at baking pastries, and they always reminded me of home, even if I have never lived there. 

As I remembered her, sadness took over, making me wish she was still alive. 

“You need to try these,” she said as she put a forkful of Moussaka in my mouth. I closed my eyes, giving into the flavorful dish while I listened to her chuckle. 

“This is delicious, Vasílissa mou. You need to make it more often,” I mentioned, kissing her cheek while I opened a bottle of white wine to go with our dinner. 

“I was thinking...” she said, but stopped in the middle of the sentence. 

“Thinking what?” 

She looked at me with a shy smile on her face, leaning against the marbled kitchen counter and fidgeting with the towel she had in her hand.

“What if we were to have a baby?” 

My heart skipped a beat, not knowing what to say and judging by the look in her eyes, she regretted asking me for fear of rejection. I grabbed her hand and kissed her forehead, feeling her soft skin against my lips.

“I would love to give you a baby. It is my greatest desire.”

She smiled widely, wrapping her arms around my neck as I twirled her around in joy while repeating in her ear how much I loved her. I would have never thought our dream of becoming parents was something we wouldn’t get to see.

“Amari, hello!” Freddie waved his hands in front of my face, pulling me out of my thoughts, “you might want to wipe that stray tear from your cheek.”

“Hey, dude,” I replied, seeing him head over to the basket to grab a pastry, “sorry, I was just thinking.”

“I know. You must miss her a lot,” he replied, “Sue spoiled you today, didn’t she?” 

“She sure did. They’re delicious.”

“Of course they are,” he said, taking a bite, “she makes the best pastries in the entire circus. There’s nothing that can challenge her and win against her.”

I sighed, leaning against the back of the couch while staring at him eat like a troglodyte, making me laugh. 

“So, was that the girl that lost her husband, the one at the cemetery?” I asked, curiously as he raised his eyebrows, trying to swallow the food before speaking. 

“Yes, her name is Emmeline. We call her Emma and she’s like family. Losing her husband was too traumatic for her.”

“Where is she?”

“She must be on her way to Virginia now. Got a job offering there. Emma didn’t want to continue doing this after what happened, and I don’t blame her. It was too much for her, seeing him fall from the hoop and not being able to save him.”

I frowned, feeling her pain. Losing someone is never a good feeling and as much as I want to move on, I can’t bring myself to do it too fast. At least, not yet. 

“Promise me one thing, my love. I won’t be here for much longer and I want you to find love and follow your true passion once again. I want your happiness, and it’s the only way you will get it.”

Aniela's words kept playing in my ear over and over, drilling themselves in my brain. I promised her to be happy, and finding my passion again was on top of my list. 

But finding love? That is yet to be seen.