The urge to cook something other than a quick thrown together meal had been growing the longer Sofia had been in Nosti Valley. She had been dedicating so much time to practicing her baking and pastry skills that she had been neglecting her love of cooking. With Zoya still asleep, making a nice breakfast for them presents a perfect opportunity.

It's a matter of minutes to assess the ingredients available and come up with a delicious idea. The inspiration comes from a blend of dishes Sofia loved from two different diners in NYC. Sofia goes about getting everything prepped to make rosti with sliced smoked salmon, poached eggs, and a hollandaise sauce.

It is almost therapeutic to clear her mind and go through the familiar motions. Potatoes get boiled then peeled and grated coarsely before squeezing as much moisture out as possible and mixing them with horseradish, salt, pepper, and a little cayenne because Sofia enjoys the little extra kick. The next step is to form them into individual patties and coat them with flour, setting them aside while the rest of the steps get done.

Ringing water up to a boil, Sofia adds some kosher salt and a splash of white vinegar to poach the eggs. Meanwhile, she heats up a pan with butter and starts pan-frying the rosti until golden brown and crispy. Multitasking like a pro, Sofia makes a silky smooth hollandaise. The last step before assembling the dish is to thinly slice up some smoked salmon.

On individual plates, the rosti go down first, topped with shingled slices of the smoked salmon then the poached eggs, and finally the hollandaise. A sprinkle of paprika and a garnish of chopped chives serve as the final touch. Just in time since Zoya walks into the kitchen yawning just as the chives are being added.

"Mmm! Whatever it is, it smells good! I really have missed you but bruh, I've missed your food even more" Zoya mumbles as she stuffs a piece of spare rosti in her mouth and groans. "I feel so loved" Sofia jokes and places Zoya's plate down on the small breakfast table just beside the kitchen.

"Hey, I said I had missed you too! I also happen to have a healthy appreciation for good home cooking. Give me a break! I've been sustaining myself on reheated coffee and McDonald's in between manic creative sprees since you left. I'm lucky to be alive!" Zoya gestures with her fork and Sofia concedes "alright, I get it. I'll let it slide this time."

"What do you got goin on today anyway?" Zoya asks between bites and Sofia takes a moment to think while sipping on her coffee. "I have to go do some back-of-the-house stuff at the bakery. Ordering stock and stuff. Wanna come with? We can get some lunch after and I can show you around town."

"I'm down. Are you changing anything about Lola's? Maybe a little redecorating. I'm so up for doing some artwork if you want. Without changing too much, of course" Zoya reaches over and quickly squeezes Sofia's hand who smiles sadly to let her best friend know that she was not offended by the suggestion. There are so many memories in that place that she is tempted to never touch or change anything but her grandpa wouldn't have wanted Lola's to become some shrine or a time capsule.

"Maybe adding something would be nice. I want to keep the heart and soul of the bakery intact while also adding my spin to it. Merging old and new. Why not do it with the décor too? Besides, you gotta earn your keep somehow" Sofia jokes and Zoya throws a bunched-up piece of napkin at her in retaliation.

Walking through the bakery later on with Zoya is an interesting experience. Sofia puts herself in the mindset of someone seeing Lola's for the first time. It has a tranquil comforting feel to it with a lot of softwood and greenery peppered throughout. It is minimalist but not modern and Sofia loves it but she can also see where updates are necessary.

"This is all really high-quality wood! Maybe we can repurpose it by adding other various woods of different shades to create a more dynamic layered feel. It will modernize it while still keeping with some of what is already here. I also think switching to fully glass display cases will make the space appear bigger. I can for sure make some dope art piece for the wall" Zoya excitedly rattles off ideas.

"How about you do some mock-ups and we can talk about them over dinner? I definitely want one of your art pieces up and we can work out how much the rest would cost and what we want to do." Sofia suggests as they make their way to assess the rest of the bakery. A knock at the front door stops them and the two look at each other. Sofia hadn't been expecting anyone to stop by.

"Go see who it is and I'll keep lookin around" Zoya proposes, bumping shoulders and Sofia figures she might as well. She could ignore it but being rude is not the best way to impress the locals if it just happens to be someone from the community wanting to pop in to ask a question or offer condolences.

Sofia almost instantly changes her mind and turns back when she spots Ian Gregor standing outside the door. It feels like deja vu but this time there's another man with him. Cassius' warning rings in her head but she does her best to appear calm and normal. After all, if he really is dangerous then she doesn't need him thinking she knows anything.

Sofia opens up with a smile and lets them enter, making sure it clicks to stay open "To what do I owe this surprise visit?" she asks, making sure to keep her voice even and friendly "I just wanted to come by. You know, to make sure we are still on for the charity plans. Actually, I also wanted to introduce you to my friend and business partner Lars Haas. He arrived a couple of days ago and is settling in. I thought it would be best to go around and introduce him to some people."

Sofia amiably shakes the new man's hand, the smile he gives in return seems practiced in some way. It's almost as if it just doesn't reach his eyes. They seem cold and calculating with a thin veil of politeness to cover up whatever is really there underneath. Sofia fights the instinct to snatch her hand away.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Haas." It's really not but it's not like she is going to admit it.

"Lars is working closely with me on the event so I felt it was important for you two to meet in case anything happens. If for any reason I'm not around, Lars is your man." Sofia nods in understanding just trying to get this conversation over with as quickly as possible. She has a feeling that isn't the entire truth. That belief only strengthens when the two men share a look.

"Truthfully, I also had an alternate reason for coming by." Sofia lifts an eyebrow, silently asking what else he could want. She isn't surprised but feels better staying silent until they show their cards.

"I know this is not exactly my business-" Gregor starts cautiously "-but I have a daughter who is close to your age and you seem like a sweet girl. I couldn't help but notice though that you are...acquainted with those living at the Moreau mansion. More specifically, Cassius Moreau. Are you particularly close to them?"

Sofia feels her eyebrows furrow. Obviously by Cassius' attitude regarding Gregor, they are somehow connected and not exactly on friendly terms. Still, Sofia doesn't see how who she acquaints herself with is any of his business at all. Normally, she might be touched- if a little annoyed- by the concern but this isn't an innocent inquiry, there's more to it and Sofia is being kept out of the loop.

"My grandfather and I have history with them. I appreciate the concern but I think I'm alright." Sofia replies cordially but to the point.

Ian Gregor tilts his head and shrugs his shoulders making it obvious that he doesn't agree with her statement "I can't tell you what to do, I would just so hate to see you get hurt because of your association with them." Gregor states slowly, taking a step closer to Sofia and a chill runs down her spine. She may not know the details but she can tell somethings not right.

"They aren't like us. A good girl like you shouldn't let herself be brought down by the likes of them" for the first time Lars jumps into the conversation but Sofia really wishes he hadn't. What the fuck was that even supposed to mean? "I think it might be best if we cut this conversation here" Sofia voices seriously, her friendly smile gone.

"Don't mind Lars. Tact isn't exactly his strongest quality. Like I said, we are simply concerned. Just think about what I said it's for your well-being" Gregor remarks, reaching out and squeezing Sofia's shoulder. She recoils and steps back, feeling small with the two older imposing men standing so close but she squares her shoulders. Sofia refuses to be intimidated on her own property.

"I don't remember consenting to being touched and I do not appreciate the tone this conversation has taken. Leave and I'll pretend it never happened."

"Come now Sofia. There is no ne-"

"I'm pretty sure she was clear as fuck when she told you to go" Zoya's voice pops up from behind her and Sofia has to hold back a sigh. In the heat of the moment, she had forgotten she wasn't completely on her own. Zoya walks up next to her and folds her arms across her chest and cocks her hip, lips set into a scowl. The men seem to decide their visit is now over and start to walk out.

"I will see you at the charity event Sofia. Take care of yourself" are Gregor's last words before the shop's door swings closed behind him. The uneasy feeling doesn't leave with them though and Sofia's automatic instinct is to call Cass but hesitates. Instead, she lets Zoya hug her and tries to rid herself of the anxiety the short conversation caused.

"We are going to get food now and you are going to tell me exactly what the hell that was about and what's been going on" Zoya basically demands and Sofia gives in because she needs to lay it all out. Who better to do that with than her best friend?