My Heart only Beats for You (Natalie Godfrey)

Business at the store was bustling as usual. Their pastries were long sold out, but it took them two hours to settle the account for the day before they could finally go home. Despite that, Preslie was feeling down, not her usual self.

Because Calter and Celine came to see her again.

As for why? Simple.

The patisserie she opened with Yesseca was the trend of the town. So much so that they even attracted countless media on their opening day.

They came after seeing the news.

After witnessing how popular the patisserie was several times themselves, Calter and Celine had an idea.

They came to Preslie with ten grand, saying they wanted to buy their shares.

Naturally, Preslie refused them.

She and Yesseca were the best of friends, and they had never planned to have shares for their store. Even if they did, she would never want her parents to be shareholders.

However, despite being rejected, her parents didn't give up, returning to the patisserie repeatedly, wanting to convince her no matter what. They gave her all sorts of promises, but her parents had hurt her deeply and witnessed their true colors, so she didn't budge. Seeing that their persuasion was failing, they started criticizing her.

And that was why Preslie left the store earlier. The call was to slander her, having her return to the store in a bad mood.

"Preslie, don't let it get to you. C'mon, supper's on me. Nothing good food can't fix." Yesseca comforted Preslie as she locked up the store.

Preslie forced a smile and nodded, but soon her smile froze at the corner of her mouth.

She noticed her parents.

They stood not far away from the storefront and were approaching them.

Preslie immediately dragged Yesseca, wanting to escape, but she was too late.

Their ages didn't hinder their actions at all. They soon arrived in front of Preslie and Yesseca, blocking their way.

Celine started with soliciting empathy, "Preslie, your dad and I are getting old. All we want is some insurance for our future by buying your shares. Ten grand isn't little money, either. We raised you. Shouldn't you fulfill your duty as our daughter? Don't you want to see your dad and I live a comfortable life?"

Preslie's face darkened as she replied, "You're right. You guys did raise me even if you never treated me nice. I will do what I have to do as a daughter in providing for you, but never will I let you two become shareholders of the patisserie Yesseca and I opened. I never provided anything except for my time and effort. Yesseca was the one who provided the finances to the store, so how could I let you join? Just give up, please."

Her intentions were clear; she wanted her parents to give up all hope. However, it only made Celine criticize Yesseca.

Akimbo, she glared at Yesseca. "So you're the one who opposed Preslie of letting us join as shareholders! What gave you the right to do so?! Since you two are co-owners, Preslie has a say in decision-making! Let me tell you. She can do whatever she wants and have anyone as the shareholders. It's a done deal. We're buying in right now! All profits you earn, we will have a part of them!"

"That's right!" Calter added, "We will be asking for your monthly finance reports from now on. We're not greedy people, and we know it's hard work for both of you. So how about this? Ten grand for 40% of the profits and shares?"

Calter and Celine were jealous of how popular Yesseca and Preslie's business was that they were determined to have a slice of the cake.

Meanwhile, Yesseca was so upset that she almost burst out laughing.

How could there be such shameless people in the world?

But they were Preslie's parents, so she couldn't just have a fall out with them. If they were some stranger, she would have lost it already. At the same time, Preslie's face was red with rage.

She raised her voice and said, "Didn't you hear what I said? I didn't put any money into this store. It was all Yesseca Who do you think you are to criticize her and even force her to sell you the shares? Are these the principles that you live by? Have you no shame?"

But jealousy had long made Celine forget her principles.

She and Calter had made some rough estimations of the store.

Yesseca and Preslie could earn around ten grand of profit a day with the store's reputation. And that meant they could earn four thousand a day with a 40% share.

Four thousand a day meant 120 thousand a month forthem.

Where else could they find a better deal than this?

This was the reason they were determined to buy in.

Celine raised her voice. "Wake up, Preslie! You contributed to the store anyhow, too, didn't you? Or did you think she would ask you to be her partner? You have always been good at chores; you must've taught her all the baking techniques, no? She's evil, I'm telling you! You better watch out!"

Caller chimed in as well, "Your mother's right, Preslie. Have you not thought of what contributed to your business? It's all you! All she has is a little money, and what is so hard about contributing money? The important thing here is the skills of the baker! She's using you like a fool."

Preslie was so mad that she could barely breathe.

Stomping her feet heavily, she argued, "Enough with the bulls! What do you mean Yesseca owes it to me for the skills? You know nothing! She came up with them herself, and she taught them to me. I was the one who knew nothing!" Celine and Calter looked at each other, at a loss for words.

Even so, Celine acted scoundrelly, "I don't care. I am buying in no matter what. You have half of the store, and you are our daughter. We, as your parents, will become shareholders!"

Calter agreed, "You can't disobey your parents!"

Preslie was rendered speechless.

Her blood was boiling, gushing to her head, rendering her face scarlet.

And her reaction shocked Yesseca.

She never took Calter and Celine's words to heart, planning to brush them off.

But Preslie was already mad beyond imagination, so she couldn't let them continue.

Yesseca said, "That's enough. Can't you see how upset Preslie is? Do you want her to get a heart attack from this? Shut your mouths, both of you!"

Celine snapped, "Isn't it all thanks to you?! She wouldn't be like this if you'd agreed to give us the shares. If something happens to her, you're the one to blame!"