The mornings at Bluebell Bakes always had their familiar rhythm: the hiss of the espresso machine, the buttery perfume of bread rising in the oven, the clink of cups against saucers. Elin moved easily in that world, her apron dusted with flour, her hair tied back in its usual messy bun. It was her comfort, her routine.
But lately, there was a new note woven into the melody.
Axton.
At first, the neighbourhood regulars thought it was a coincidence. A tall foreigner with striking green eyes, broad shoulders, and an oddly calm presence, showing up just as the bakery opened. He would order whatever Elin recommended and then retreat to the corner table by the window.
The small table had become his, the sunlight framing him as if he had been painted into the bakery itself. He would sit there with his coffee, long legs awkwardly tucked under the too-small chair, sipping slowly as though he had all the time in the world.
By the fourth morning, no one believed it was a coincidence anymore.
"That man is here again," whispered Mrs. Tan, lowering her voice though she made no effort to be subtle. Her friend, Auntie Wong, leaned forward as if they were spying on a soap opera.
"He's so tall! Like a tree! Look at him trying to fold into that tiny chair," Auntie Wong giggled, covering her mouth with wrinkled fingers.
"Do you think he's waiting for someone?"
"Good morning," he said, his voice rich and unhurried. The warmth in his tone made her heart skip before she caught herself.
"Good morning," she replied, smoothing her apron. "Trying something new today?"
He leaned back, thoughtful. "I trust your judgment."
The words made her lips twitch into a reluctant smile. "Dangerous thing to say in a bakery. I could hand you anything from a kaya bun to an experimental miso cookie, and you'd have no choice but to eat it."
"Then I'll eat it," he said simply, his gaze steady.
Her breath caught, though she covered it with a teasing roll of her eyes. "Brave man."
Mrs. Tan coughed loudly, clearly trying to get Elin's attention. "Ah girl," she called out, "don't forget my egg tarts. Unless you're too busy serving your... very tall customer."
Elin nearly dropped her notepad. "Coming right up, Auntie!" she said quickly, scurrying back behind the counter.
Axton, amused, leaned slightly toward her as she passed. "Are they always this... subtle?"
Elin gave him a sharp look, though the corners of her mouth betrayed her. "Don't start."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to," she muttered, grabbing a tray of egg tarts.
When she returned, he was still watching her, that same quiet curiosity in his eyes. It was as if he wasn't just seeing her movements, but the little details she thought no one noticed—the way she smoothed the parchment paper, the way her brow furrowed when she counted change.
As she set another plate on his table, he leaned forward. "What do you recommend today, then?"
She pretended to think deeply. "Hmm. Something safe, since I wouldn't want to scare off my... repeat customer. How about the pandan chiffon cake? It's soft, airy, very local."
His lips quirked into a smile. "Sounds like you're describing yourself."
The plate nearly slipped from her hand. "Excuse me?"
"Soft. Sweet. Local," he said, deadpan, though his eyes gleamed with mischief.
Elin sputtered, placing the plate down with a little more force than necessary. "Eat your cake, Axton."
He chuckled, picking up his fork. "Yes, ma'am."
From the counter, Mrs. Tan and Auntie Wong were whispering furiously again. "You see that? The way he looks at her? He's smitten."
"Of course. Who wouldn't be? Our Elin is a catch."
Elin pressed a hand to her face, wishing she could melt into the floor. But when she dared to glance back at Axton, he was eating the cake with quiet appreciation, and there was a look in his eyes that made her chest feel strangely light, almost fragile.
The bakery bell jingled again as a new wave of customers arrived, their chatter filling the small space like an energetic tide. Elin excused herself to greet them, her hands busy, but she found her eyes wandering despite herself. Every time she glanced up, Axton was watching her. Not in a staring, uncomfortable way, but with that quiet, focused fondness that made her heart feel like it had stumbled into a sunbeam.
By mid-morning, the whispers had grown into full-blown speculation.
"He's here every day now," Mrs. Tan whispered to Auntie Wong, nudging her friend with a flour-dusted elbow.
"Is he... you know... interested?" Auntie Wong replied, peering over her glasses.
"Look how he only talks to her!" Mrs. Tan added, shaking her head like she'd solved a puzzle centuries in the making.
Elin tried to focus on folding pastry boxes, tying ribbons with care, but the moment her eyes met Axton's, her pulse betrayed her. He raised his coffee in a small, private toast, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. Elin's fingers trembled slightly, and she nearly dropped the ribbon she was tying.
"Careful there," he murmured when she nearly faltered, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
"I—I'm fine," she stammered, cheeks warming.
When the morning rush finally thinned, Axton leaned over to help her carry a tray of empty cups back to the counter. The weight of the tray felt lighter with him beside her, and the warmth from his shoulder brushing hers lingered longer than it should have.
"You're going to cause a stir if you keep showing up like this," she teased lightly, trying to mask how much she enjoyed his presence.
Her heart softened, and she looked up at him, trying to sound teasing even as the corners of her lips threatened a smile. "Even if it's just for cake and coffee?"
"Especially because it's not just for cake and coffee," he said, his voice quiet, smooth. His gaze held hers in a way that made everything else fade—the steam rising from the coffee cups, the faint scent of butter and sugar in the air, even the chatter of the few lingering customers.
Elin's stomach fluttered, and she felt the comforting chaos of the bakery fade, leaving only him.
However, the bell rang again, signalling that another group of customers was about to arrive. Elin straightened, adjusting her apron, disguising the heat on her cheeks as she greeted the newcomers politely. Even while she worked, her thoughts kept returning to Axton, to the way he had smiled at her and the gentle adoration in his eyes.
And so the mornings settled into a new rhythm. Axton at the corner table, quiet and unassuming, blending into the cozy pulse of Bluebell Bakes. Customers whispered and teased, but Elin tried not to let it reach her. She focused on the pastries, the dough, the gentle hiss of the espresso machine, yet she could feel it—how every morning she found herself listening for the bell, hoping it would announce his presence. Hoping he would be there.
A gentle breeze blew in through the open door, carrying the aromas of coffee, new bread, and the lingering heat of the city outside. Elin inhaled deeply, her emotions filling up in unexpected ways. And she realized something quietly, almost shyly: some mornings, it wasn't simply the pastries that made the bakery feel warm and welcoming.
It was him.
Mrs. Tan, who had been quietly observing the daily routine for days, finally decided she had seen enough. She adjusted her floral blouse and marched up to the counter with a grin that spelled trouble. Her friend, Mrs. Wong, followed close behind, smirking like a conspirator in a secret mission.
"Elin ah," Mrs. Tan said, leaning slightly forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "That tall ang moh over there... is he your boyfriend?"
Elin froze, a rag still in her hand, and nearly choked on her own breath. Her cheeks flamed hot enough to make the air around her feel heavier. "W-what? No, Auntie Tan, he's just... a customer." Her voice wavered, betraying the rush of heat to her ears.
Mrs. Wong snorted, crossing her arms. "A customer who comes every morning at the same time, sits in the same seat, and only talks to you? Don't bluff us, girl. Don't think we don't notice."
Elin's hands tightened around the rag as she tried to focus on folding pastry boxes. "He just likes the bread, that's all," she muttered, hoping they'd drop the subject.
From across the bakery, Axton, overhearing the entire exchange, rose from his corner table with his usual calm, easy grace. He strode over, hands in his pockets, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Good morning," he said smoothly, his voice calm and confident. "I hear there's a debate about why I come here every day."
The aunties blinked, momentarily taken aback by his easy charm.
"I'm just a man who appreciates good bread and good company," he continued, giving Elin a playful glance. "And if I'm honest, I might also enjoy a little gossip from the neighbourhood's finest critics."
Mrs. Tan gasped, delight lighting up her face. "Eh! He talks cheeky too!"
Elin's face burned hotter, but she couldn't suppress a laugh at his smooth deflection.
Mrs. Wong leaned closer, scrutinizing him. "So you really come here just for the pastries? Or is there... another reason?"
Axton chuckled softly, setting his coffee down on the counter. "I'd be lying if I said it was only the pastries," he admitted, his eyes meeting Elin's with a warmth that made her stomach flutter. "There's someone here who makes this place feel... like home. And I don't get that feeling anywhere else."
The aunties exchanged wide-eyed looks, clearly impressed. Mrs. Tan nodded slowly, approvingly. "Good boy. You speak nicely, and you're honest. Not many men like that these days."
Axton smiled, shrugging with casual charm. "I try. Life's too short to be anything but polite and genuine, especially when someone's watching me eat breakfast."
Elin's hands flew to her face, pressing against her cheeks as her heart did a little triple flip. Mortification and a strange, warm happiness battled for dominance in her chest. "Auntie, please..." she murmured, trying to shrink behind the counter as much as her stature would allow.
Axton leaned down slightly, lowering his voice just enough for her to hear. "Don't worry about them," he said gently, "but I wouldn't mind if they think we're close."
Elin peeked at him through her fingers, eyes wide and cheeks flaming. He winked playfully, giving her heart a little jolt that made it impossible to concentrate on the pastries in front of her.
The aunties, now thoroughly enchanted, whispered excitedly to each other, nudging Elin, who could only manage a helpless laugh as her face grew warmer.
When Axton finally returned to his corner table, he gave her a small wave and settled in, leaving a trail of soft admiration in his wake. Mrs. Tan leaned toward Elin, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Good catch, ah. Don't let this one run away."
Elin exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to her chest as she tried to calm the rapid beat of her heart.
She whispered to herself, almost shyly, "How does he do that... make everyone like him so easily?"
Before Elin could gather her composure, Mrs. Tan and Mrs. Wong waddled over, smiling conspiratorially.
"Come sit with him, ah!" Mrs. Tan chirped, plopping onto the bench across from Axton. "We want to know more about this mysterious gentleman."
Elin's eyes widened. "Aunties, I—"
"No excuses, girl," Mrs. Wong interrupted, nudging her forward. "He's so polite, we must test him!"
Elin reluctantly sat down at the edge of the table, cheeks already burning. Axton glanced up at her, an amused smile tugging at his lips, before his attention returned to the aunties.
Mrs. Tan leaned forward, her elbows on the table, eyes twinkling. "So... tell us, Mr. Tall and Handsome... do you have a girlfriend back home?"
Elin's hands flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp, her heart pounding violently against her ribcage.
Axton's brow lifted in mock surprise, and he set his coffee down deliberately, hands folded neatly on the table. "Ah, I suppose I could say I'm in a committed relationship... with bread."
The aunties' jaws dropped simultaneously. "Bread?!" Mrs. Wong's voice pitched high with delight.
"Yes," he said with perfect earnestness, leaning forward slightly as though sharing a great secret. "Flaky, warm, comforting... always there when you need it. I like to think it understands me better than most people do."
Elin's laughter burst out before she could stop it, a bright, bubbling sound that drew a few curious glances from other customers. She pressed a hand to her mouth, cheeks burning as she stole a glance at him. Axton's green eyes twinkled with amusement, and he gave her a slow, teasing wink. Her stomach fluttered and her face heated further.
Mrs. Wong clapped her hands delightedly, smirking. "Wah, so witty! But we still want to know... what about women?"
Axton leaned back in his chair, his gaze playful yet soft. "I think I've met someone who might just rival my devotion to bread."
Elin's breath caught. Her hands froze on her lap, and a sudden warmth spread through her chest. She could barely manage a squeak of surprise, her lips curving into a shy, involuntary smile.
Mrs. Tan leaned closer, nudging her knowingly. "Eh? That's you, ah! Don't pretend you don't know it."
Axton turned his attention back to her, green eyes locking with hers. He leaned in just slightly, his voice lowering to a gentle murmur that made her pulse race. "You're blushing. I think the bread has some serious competition."
Elin buried her face in her hands, giggling and shaking her head as her heart hammered in a mix of embarrassment and something warmer, something tender that made her knees feel a little weak. She peeked between her fingers, catching him watching her with a quiet, teasing affection that made her cheeks flare even more.
The aunties cackled and whispered excitedly to each other, thoroughly delighted, while Axton's easy charm had completely disarmed them. Even the faint aroma of freshly baked croissants and coffee couldn't compete with the warmth radiating from the table.
Elin felt a fluttering giddiness that she hadn't experienced in years. The bakery, usually filled with familiar routines and quiet comfort, now felt electric, alive with possibility. She realized with a jolt that she didn't want the moment to end.
As the aunties finally wandered off, satisfied with their morning gossip, the bakery settled into a quiet lull. Elin leaned back in her chair, still blushing, and tried to pretend she was arranging pastries when Axton spoke softly, leaning just slightly closer.
"You know," he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear, "if you keep laughing like that, I might have to come by every morning just to hear it."
Elin froze, her fingers tightening around a pastry tray. She felt her heartbeat spike, her cheeks warming as a thrill of nervous excitement ran through her.
"Uh... well, maybe I'd have to make new pastries to keep up with your visits," she managed, her voice teasing though it wobbled slightly.
Axton's green eyes sparkled, and he leaned a fraction closer, close enough that she could see the faint curve of a smile playing on his lips. "I think I'd manage," he said softly, and the words hung in the air between them, charged and playful, like the electricity just before a storm.
Elin swallowed hard, heat climbing to her ears. She dared a quick glance up at him, and in that moment, the bakery felt smaller, cozier, more intimate, as if it existed only for the two of them.
Before she could respond, the bell above the door jingled, and the sound jolted them both back to reality. Axton straightened, giving her a quick, teasing wink. "Until tomorrow, then?"
Elin nodded, fingers still trembling slightly. "Until tomorrow," she whispered, her heart still racing.
As he walked toward the door, she couldn't help but think, with a mixture of dread and delight, that the quiet rhythm of Bluebell Bakes would never feel quite the same again.