You’ve been staring at the clock for the past half hour, tapping your foot impatiently on the tile floor. Hardly anyone comes in at this hour, maybe a customer or two, but today was a slower day than usual, so the tasks that would normally take up your time before closing were done an hour ago. The espresso machine was already fully cleaned. Pastries wrapped and those that needed it were refrigerated in the back. Tables were cleared, chairs turned, floors swept. There was some slow-rising bread in the back for the morning shift, ingredients rotated for proper use, inventory checked, cakes from completed custom orders marked and ready for pickup and delivery the next day.

All that was left was your boredom. You were ready to get home and crash in bed. So you made peace with the fact that you had to do all of this again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that…

*The sound of bells ringing, indicating that a customer had arrived, but at this hour? Just as the bakery was about to close, your curiosity made you look at the man in front of you, fully dressed and even wearing gloves. He was certainly very rich, you thought. *Hello. You lose the rest of your words when those golden eyes slowly turn to also find the clock on the far wall.

Ten to six, not much time to close, how can you refuse Viole so he won't get mad?

You're still open for business, miss. Viole turns to you. You can't help but notice the subtle threat in her tone. Or would you refuse a paying customer?