Begin Again: Chapter 27

Francesca pushes the door open, entering A Piece of Cake and immediately finds herself amidst a sea of people. Portia’s patisserie is exceptionally busy today. She wonders what’s so special about today that so many people have decided to buy cakes. She looks around the shop, looking for Portia. All the staffs are busy serving the customers, but Portia is not seen to be among them. Fran is just about to approach one of the girl staffs to ask, but her eyes finally catch the sight of Portia appearing from the back of the shop followed by Sebastian. 

“Can’t Mitch fix it?” Portia talks to Seb with a furrowed brow. She doesn’t see Fran and haven’t realized her presence albeit almost standing next to her. 

“Perhaps,” Seb answers, “but it’s gonna take time, Boss.” 

“And we have to deliver Mrs. Evans’ birthday cake right now,” Portia continues with a pensive face. “We can go by cab.” 

“Or I can drive you,” Fran suddenly chimes in. 

Portia’s head turns towards her and the girl blinks in surprise. “Oh, hey, Fran,” she greets after a brief moment. “How can I help you?” 

“I think today I’m gonna be the one who offers you a hand,” Francesca corrects her with a smile. “Something wrong with your car?” 

“Seems like it,” Portia sighs. “And it chooses today of any day to break down.” 

“I can help with the delivery,” Fran offers. “I heard it’s Mrs. Evan’ cake. Did you mean Christina Evans?” 

“Oh, right. She’s a friend of yours, isn’t she?” Portia asks. “She ordered a birthday cake for her son. She said she came here on your recommendation.” 

Francesca shrugs. “She was looking for the best, so I recommended her the best.” 

Portia smiles. “That’s so nice of you.” 

“I know Christina’s place and I can get you to her right now if you want to,” Fran says again. And perhaps take Portia to lunch with her afterward. That was actually Francesca’s initial plan; to spend the sunny Saturday with her. 

Portia looks at her for a while, then says, “Alright. I’m coming with you.” 

*****************

Christina Evans walks Portia and Francesca to the front door as she says her abundant thanks to them for delivering the cake right in time. “Anyway, I never thought that you’re the type of person who would help her girlfriend delivering a cake on Saturday, Francesca,” Christina teases her. 

Fran only laughs. Portia notices that Francesca didn’t try to correct her friend’s statement that clearly indicates that they’re a couple. Seems like she’s gonna have to explain to Francesca how things are right now— and that would be the answer to Fran’s question. 

“Do you have time for coffee?” Fran asks Portia when they’re already in her SUV. 

She’s got a lot of customers today and there are works still waiting for her, but Portia feels the need to clear things up with Francesca. “Yes,” she says. “Of course.” 

Portia is a little taken aback when Fran brings her to one of the cafés where they used to hang out a lot in back then. What stuns her is not Francesca bringing her here, but the fact that the café is actually located right across the Ramses. Portia and Fran used to come to this place very often, and it makes her wonder if she and Ellen had ever crossed path before without them ever knowing. 

She also wonders what Ellen is doing right now and whether Ellen is inside the building. 

“Portia?” 

Portia jumps a little and averts her gaze from Ramses’ front doors to Francesca. “Yeah?” 

“What do you want to have?” Fran asks. 

“Oh.” Portia sees that the waitress is already standing next to their table. “I’ll have one cappuccino, please. Thanks,” she says. 

“You remember this place?” Fran asks after the waitress leaves. 

“Hm,” Portia mumbles a confirmation. “Of course I do. We used to come here a lot.” 

Fran smiles. “Good times.” 

Portia stares at Francesca, hesitant, but finally she makes up her mind. “Francesca,” she starts, “why did you let your friend think that I’m your girlfriend?” 

It seems like Fran wasn’t expecting that question to come from Portia because her eyes widen in surprise, then she laughs quietly. “Wow. You really have changed, Portia,” she says. 

Portia chooses not to say anything. 

“Well,” Fran says after thinking for a while. “I wanted to show you that I really am ready to change if you would just give me one more chance.” 

Portia stays silent. She knew it. She knew this would be the answer. But, Francesca’s decision to change is 4 years late. Portia looks out the window towards the Ramses, then back at Francesca. She exhales slowly then shakes her head. 

Francesca leans over. “Can you give me one more chance?” 

“I’m sorry, Fran. I can’t,” Portia says carefully. 

“Why not?” 

Portia bites her lip, then decides to just spill the truth. “I’m already with someone.” 

Francesca raises her eyebrows. “Really?” she says with an unnecessary emphasis. “But you never told me before.” 

Portia has to wait to give out an answer because the waitress comes back with their orders. “Well, it hasn’t happened yet the last time I saw you,” Portia mutters while staring at her cappuccino. 

Stillness. Then, “Can I ask who it is?” 

Subconsciously, Portia looks out the window again, towards Ramses. 

“Are you with….” Fran stops her words, following Portia’s gaze. “Her?” 

The way Francesca says it turns Portia’s head back to her. 

“Portia, come on. You can’t be serious,” Francesca goes on with a blatant disapproving look. 

A strange feeling of annoyance sparks inside Portia. “Why not?” she asks defiantly. 

“She hurt you and you know she would do it all over again,” Fran says. “Why would you be with someone who hurts you? Portia, I really thought you were smarter than this.” 

Francesca’s undermining and patronizing tone offends Portia. Of course she’s smart, and she would not be told what to do by someone who suddenly popped back into her life after disappearing without any single news for 4 years. 

Perhaps Portia’s face mirrors her anger because Francesca sighs and says, “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry. That’s not what I was trying to say. But, Portia, surely you know—“ 

“Ellen has already met my family,” Portia interrupts, effectively stopping Fran’s words. 

“Andrew and Michael know?” Fran looks doubtful. 

“Yes.” Portia bravely stares back at Fran. “She took the risk of getting shot by my brothers.” 

Probably she shouldn’t have rubbed it in like that, but Portia just can’t help herself. 

Fran slightly winces, then she looks away towards the Ramses. “Is that her?”

Portia follows Fran’s eyes and sees Ellen stepping out of the Ramses. Portia’s heart skips a bit and a curve of smile threatens to emerge. Then another woman steps out of the restaurant too, following Ellen. Portia stops when she recognizes the stunning redhead. Audrey Hill. 

Ellen and Audrey are now standing by the road, talking. Actually, Audrey does most of the talking since she keeps on moving her hands as to emphasize every word she's saying, while Ellen is just standing there with both hands stuffed into her coat pockets. 

“You know that girl?” 

Portia hears Fran asking her, but her eyes are locked on both of the figures across the road. “Yes,” she says. “That’s her friend.” 

At that moment Audrey extends her hand and touches Ellen’s arm. 

“You sure?”

Audrey still hasn’t let go of Ellen’s arm. 

Portia drags her eyes away from both of the women to look at Francesca and smiles. “I, too, am sitting here with you, having coffee, talking,” she says. “Doesn’t mean I’m cheating on her.” 

****************

“I need your help, Ellen.” 

Ellen is so close to having a migraine attack. Right now is too early for her to face Audrey, but it seems like Audrey doesn’t care. That woman came to see her in her office and asked her to go with her to the fashion show of her newest client. 

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” Ellen says, leaning back in her chair. 

Audrey stares at her with a slight frown. “Why not?” 

Ellen resists the urge to rub her temple. “You know why I can’t go out with you anymore, Audrey.” 

Audrey’s green eyes squint. “You mean because you’re with Portia now?” 

“Yes.” 

Audrey crosses her arms and scowls. “Boring. I don’t understand why you suddenly can’t socialize anymore like you used to just because you….. already have a girlfriend,” she complains. “Does she not let you?” 

Ellen sighs and stands up. “I don't let myself,” she says firmly. “If that’s all, Audrey…” 

“You’re going out?” Audrey asks confusedly when Ellen grabs her coat from the back of her chair.

“Yes.” Ellen puts on her coat and starts heading to the door.

“But you just got here. Ellen! Wait,” Audrey quickly gets on her feet and catches up. 

Ellen steps onto the pavement and into the freezing air of January. Now, why did she decide to leave her warm and comfortable restaurant? she thinks to herself, shivering. Oh, right, because she needs to get away from Audrey. 

“Ellen!” 

Ellen exhales tiredly. It appears that Audrey will never go away even though she ignores her. That woman is going to keep on pestering her if she doesn’t listen to what she’s got to say. So she stops, stuffs her hands into her coat pockets and lets Audrey catches her up. 

“Ellen, you've got to help me,” Audrey insists. “Look, they were very impressed when they found out that I know you. They want to meet you. Isn’t that something to be proud of?” 

“And you told them that you can introduce me to them?” Ellen guesses. 

“Yes,” Audrey answers without any hesitation. “They are huge figures on fashion industry and I’m going to be the opening model of their fashion show. You know that it’s an honor and a really good opportunity. If bringing you to them can get me the long-term contract, then that’s what I’m gonna do.” 

Ellen’s eyebrows shot up. “Do you realize that you just admitted that you’re practically using me?” 

Audrey clicks her tongue annoyedly. “The way you say it makes it sounds bad,” she grumbles. She breathes out and touches Ellen’s arm. “Help me, please. Tell me that you’re going to attend the fashion show and the after party. You don’t even have to stay too long if you don’t want to. Just until I get you to meet them. I promise.” 

Ellen shakes her head and says grimly, “Audrey, you should stop regarding me like I’m a celebrity of some sort. I’m not one and I don’t to be one, do you understand?” 

Audrey tries to protest, “But you’re a Michelin-starred chef. You’re the owner of the best restaurant in New York and—“ 

“Do you understand?” Ellen cuts her off. 

Audrey pouts. “Yes,” she mumbles reluctantly. 

Ellen exhales. “Look, I can go to the party, but—“ she says quickly when Audrey starts to smile, “—but only if Portia agrees to go with me.” 

The smile disappears in a second. 

“And this would be the very last time that I’m helping you in this field,” Ellen continues. 

Audrey blinks her eyes. Then the perfect smile reappears, although it doesn’t show in her eyes this time. “Of course you can go with Portia. I’m sure she’s going to enjoy the show,” she says. Then she pulls out a big envelope from her handbag. “This is the invitation card. Don’t forget to bring it with you tomorrow because you won’t be able to get in without it. Okay? See you tomorrow night!” 

Ellen watches as Audrey walks away and breathes out in relief. Her head is truly aching now. 

“What are you doing standing in the middle of the way?” 

Hearing the familiar voice, Ellen suddenly smiles. She turns around lightly and catches Portia standing there, wrapped in a dark green coat, her face almost completely buried in the white shawl she’s wearing around her neck and the cream beanie she has on her head. “Ah, my one and only cabbage,” Ellen greets her cheerfully. “Delightful surprise.”

And her headache suddenly disappears. 

**************

“You were just with Francesca?”

“Yes,” Portia says as she looks around. Ramses isn’t open yet for lunch, so the spacious dining room is practically empty aside from the staffs who are preparing the tables while Ellen and Portia sit at the bar. The quiet atmosphere right now is fairly different from when the room is filled with people who wear formal attire. Right now Ramses feels oddly relaxing. 

“You were just with Francesca?” Ellen repeats her words slowly. 

Portia looks at Ellen with raised eyebrows. “What? You were just with Audrey.” 

“That’s different.” 

“What’s the difference?” 

“She’s your ex!” Ellen says with a frown. 

“And?” 

“And you can just suddenly decide to fall back into her arms again.” 

Portia glares at Ellen. “Thanks for thinking so highly of me," she says sarcastically. "What about you? You can just give in to Audrey and do as she wants. Not to mention that she’s clearly still hoping that you’re gonna choose her.” 

Ellen moves her finger playfully. “That's never gonna happen.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because I like you.” 

“Well, I—“ Portia stops for a while, thinking rapidly, “don’t hate you!” 

Ellen raises her right eyebrow. 

Portia’s cheeks feel warm realizing what just almost slipped out of her mouth. She looks away for a moment and when she looks Ellen’s way again, the short-haired woman is shaking her head with a quiet chuckle. 

“Is this, like, our first official little fight?” 

Portia sighs. “Seems like it.” 

Ellen leans over to her side and bumps Portia’s shoulder with hers. “You should’ve known that you don’t have to worry about Audrey,” she mutters. 

Portia snorts and bumps back. “You too,” she says. “I mean, about Francesca.” 

“Okay.” Ellen smiles. 

Still staring at Ellen, Portia bites her lips, thinking for a while. Then she says, “I can’t drive.” 

“Hm?” 

“I can’t drive,” Portia repeats. 

“Oookay,” Ellen says, clearly still confused as to what she should do with the information. 

Portia laughs. “You once asked me to tell you something that Francesca doesn’t know about me,” she reminds Ellen. 

“Oh, yes. Right.” Ellen nods her head. 

“She doesn’t know that I can’t drive.” 

Ellen stares back at Portia with a doubtful face. “She doesn’t know that you can’t drive?” 

Portia scrunches her nose, trying to come up with a right explanation. “Well, she doesn’t know the reason that I can’t drive is because I’m too scared,” she says carefully. “My dad died in a car crash, so…” Portia shrugs a little. “It makes me really can’t drive. Hey, is there a scientific term for phobia of driving?” 

Ellen looks at Portia, then shakes her head. “I don’t know.” 

“Yeah, I don’t know either,” Portia mumbles. 

“So you never told her about your phobia?” Ellen asks. 

Portia shakes her head. 

“May I ask why?” 

“Because I wanted her to think of me as a modern woman who’s strong and capable of doing anything on my own,” Portia admits. Yes, that’s the impression that she always wanted to give to Francesca. Fran is just so smart and perfect that sometimes it makes it hard for her just to be on the same level. 

Ellen is silent for a minute before saying, “I understand. Thanks for telling me.”

Portia clears her throat and smiles clumsily.

“So, would you want to go to Audrey’s fashion show tomorrow?” Ellen asks. 

Portia rests her chin on her hand and scrunches her nose. “Okay,” she says after a while. “And that’s only because I’ve never attended one before. Not because I don’t want you to be alone with Audrey.” 

Ellen nods her head. “Of course,” she says with sincerity even though an amused wide smile appears on her face.