A potato my mum found! It's already been eaten, but it was still beautiful!

Hey, guys! I'm sorry for being delayed like this. I intended for this chapter to be finished a week ago, but things got busy. I had to deal with some stuff concerning my change of universities, and we had some work to do in our and my grandparents' garden - it's time of new potatoes, berries, cherries and apricots, so it's quite a lot of work.

My legs are killing me, especially from all the potato-picking (if that is how you call it), but I have a night shift today, so I had enough time to finish the last part of the chapter!

I hope you'll enjoy reading it!

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OLIVER's POV

It was finally Saturday, and although I had to be at work, I was in a great mood. All my worries concerning Victor were temporarily pushed away. The only thing I could think about since I woke up was the fact Josh was really coming back today, and I couldn't help grinning while humming happily.

It was almost noon, so the most difficult desserts, as well as sandwiches, were already finished, and I was currently working on the second light lemon cheesecake for evening. It was surprising, but lemon cheesecakes were one of the most popular ones when it came to evening merchandise. I always thought it would be more of a morning dessert based on my own experience, but after the first half of a year we'd been opened, we found out it was the other way around. Since then, I always prepared at least two of them for each evening whenever my shift was, so our customers would be satisfied. It always sold out completely. The other popular ones were Finley's Blackcurrant cubes, which was my favorite as well. It was sweet and sour at the same time, with chocolate and lemon topping. I could always eat four pieces at once and never got tired of it. There were regulars who always came only on specific days for these desserts, and it always made me happy. I couldn't really wish for more when it came to the shop. My dream came true to the fullest.

"You look weirdly happy today. After what's been happening these days, it's kinda strange. What's up?" Charlie put away the trey he was carrying, leaned against the table and looked at me with interest written all over his face. He switched his shift with Dylan once again, so we'd finally had more time to talk.

He wasn't really himself since Victor appeared here the first day, and I started to miss his usually cheery self. He was one of these hyper people who couldn't really stop moving in one way or another. He used to always go around, half dancing, all smiles, and seeing him so down made me feel bad. He deserved to be happy.

Smiling up at him, I silently prayed for him to forget all of his bitter memories about Victor as soon as possible.

"I am happy, actually. Josh's returning today." I took a spoon of the cream I was currently working on, and hummed satisfied at the taste.

"I can't wait to see him. It's been a week, but with all the shit happening, it feels like months." I smiled again, looking at Char carefully. From time to time, whenever I was talking about my relationship with Josh, I would catch him making this sad face that tugged at my heart. I could see he craved the same kind of relationship I had, but with his trust issues he had because of Victor, every relationship he started ended almost immediately.

"Anyway, enough about me, what about the Travis guy? You've been extremely quiet about him since two weeks ago," I tried, hoping for positive response. When I saw his face fall, I knew the answer.

"What happened?" asking that, I put away the bowl, went around the table and stood right in front of him. There was still enough time to finish the cake, so I could spare several minutes.

He sighed, looking down as if guilty of something.

"It's the same as always. He just seemed too nice, too perfect. There's no man on this planet who is perfect," he mumbled, rubbing his hand together. He looked like a child when he acted this way, a shy little kid who didn't know what to do with himself, which always made me smile. I knew the situation wasn't one I should smile about, but I couldn't help myself.

Ruffling his hair playfully, I grinned when he looked up.

"I see one perfect man in front of me." I chuckled, dodging his attempt to punch me in the shoulder.

"Shut up." His voice wavered, his lips trembling. I could see he was trying hard not to smile, which was a good sign. I felt bad for what I was about to say, but he never really talked about this, so I had to take advantage of his sudden talkative mood.

"In all honesty, though, you should find someone. Give someone a chance. Not every man on this planet is Victor in disguise. I like to think there are only few Victors out there." I knew it was bullshit, there were too many to count, but saying that wouldn't help at all.

It wasn't like I didn't understand him. I knew very well what he was going through, we were the same in that aspect. But being affected by it even after such a long time was not healthy. He could be angry. He could continue hating Victor, but letting his shitty personality and actions influence Charlie's life so much was wrong. And I hated that he let him do that.

After hearing the name, Char flinched, looking back down on his feet. I watched as his forehead wrinkled under the pressure of frowning.

"I know," he mumbled, all down again.

Sighing, I looked him up and down and hugged him, patting his back.

"You need to get over it. Don't let him control your life like this. You're still giving him the power over yourself he doesn't deserve. You deserve to be happy too. I hate seeing you suffer like this, Apple. As your friend, I want you to be happy again," I said, hoping he would listen to me at least a little bit. He was still young and being five years without any real relationship, even though I could see he craved it, was hard.

"Ollie," he groaned, his body suddenly starting to shake.

"I know. I know it's none of my business and that you're trying, but it still makes me sad to see you like this." Letting go of him, I stepped back to give him some space.

He was fidgeting for a while, eyes going in all directions. He looked somehow flustered.

"Actually," Charlie mumbled suddenly, looking at me with rosy cheeks. "I'm going on a date tonight."

My eyes widened. I was literally speechless. My best friend ditched his last love interested and found a new one without telling me a word about it.

"When did this happen?" I asked after few seconds of complete silence, eyeing him with undisguised interest. It'd been a long time since he looked so excited, and it made me wonder whether he was just playing me few moments ago.

"Officially? Last Friday. We met here. I wasn't really sure how you would react to me hooking up with our customer, so I was still thinking it over." His voice was trembling and the self-conscious expression on his face made him look like he was afraid of my reaction.

Yes, going out with our customers wasn't something I would encourage, but if it didn't cause us any trouble, I wouldn't mind. There could always occur some problems in the future, if they possibly broke up or something, but we were all friends here. I couldn't even imagine forbidding one of them to date someone they met in the shop. That would just make me feel sick.

"Okay, Char, calm down. You look as if I was about to eat you alive or something," I chuckled, shaking my head. He was really impossible sometimes.

"How do you feel about him? Is it your first date tonight?"

His cheeks reddened even more, a small smile forming on his lips.

"A second one."

*****

After a thorough interrogation and Melanie's cries for help, he finally left the kitchen, and I had enough time to finish the cake. I couldn't believe what could happen in one's love life during one week.

Apparently, it was one of the regulars who visited every Friday during lunch. His name was Ethan and he was the one who started up the conversation with Char. As it seemed, he was gathering courage to ask him out for a long time, and last Friday was the day he was brave enough to actually do it. He was sweet, but a little awkward, which was what made Charlie like him even more. He is not as perfect as he looks, and it makes him special, he said. I was definitely coming in next Friday just to see this miraculous guy. There was no way I would waste this opportunity when it was about such a special guy.

Putting the cake into the refrigerator for the time being, I decided to go in front to help serving the customers. My next work in kitchen would be in the late afternoon, so I was free for the time being.

I took down the apron and washed my hands, leaving the kitchen with smile.

"Mel, I'm here to he-" I called out, the words getting stuck in my throat when I saw Josh's smiling face right in front of me. He was sitting behind the counter, drinking a fucking coffee and smiling like an idiot.

"You! What are you doing here?!" I asked, stomping towards him and glaring daggers in his direction.

He had the nerves to look confused.

"Whatever are you talking about, Ollie? I thought I told you I'll be coming today?" His voice was deep, making me shiver. I missed him so much it was unreal.

"I know! But why are you drinking a coffee here? You were supposed to come right to me." I grumbled, looking at him with frowning face. I knew I was acting extremely childish at the moment, but I was so looking forward seeing him I just couldn't help myself.

Hearing him chuckle, I was ready to nag a bit more when his strong arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me in for a hug.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Felt a sudden wave of naughtiness when I thought about your cute-self getting all worked up."

I felt his hot breath in my hair, a satisfied sight escaping my lips. I couldn't describe the feeling of relief that filled me up. I was so glad he was finally hope I felt like crying. All the emotions I'd been trying to keep at bay all this time were ready to burst.

"There's so much that happened while you've been gone. I don't even know where to start. Can I just get a kiss first?" I looked up at him, his head already lowering towards me.

"That's what I wanted to do for the whole week," he whispered, giving me exactly what I needed.

I could hear few whispers and few excited ahhs from the customers around, but I couldn't care less if someone saw us. If anyone had a problem with me kissing my fiancé, than they could gladly leave. I didn't really want to watch those homophobic faces they always pulled at me either.

"Look what we have here," sounded an all too familiar voice behind us suddenly, making my whole body freeze at spot. I couldn't even turn around, but as it seemed, I didn't really have to as Josh was capable of moving just fine. He pulled away, his eyes growing unusually cold when he turned them in the direction of the voice.

"So we finally meet, Mr. Ex-boyfriend," Josh said, an icy smile appearing on his beautiful face. It was the first time I've seen him with this kind of expression, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. He looked almost scary.

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And that's it for today's chapter! How was it?

I know it might feel like a filler chapter except for the ending, but I want a happy ending for our Charlie boy too, so I couldn't help it!

Did you find Ollie annoying when he was scolding Joshua?

(and showing affection in any other way)?

Victor and Josh finally meet. Will they get in a fight or will they deal with each other as adults?

And what about Josh sudden change in attitude. Even Oliver was surprised, so what do you think?

I hope you enjoyed the read! ^.^