Page 42 of A Christmas Adventure

Maite isn't very convinced by Olga's words, but if that's what her neighbor needs to tell herself not to get overwhelmed, she's not going to argue. She can't interfere or tell them what to do either, the only thing she'll do is be there, attentive in case either of them needs her and crossing her fingers that whatever they decide, neither gets hurt.

"Well, I just wanted you to know that I'm not angry and that you still have me. Now move that butt and let's try Violeta's king cake. By the way, you should do some tests too, to refine details."

"My king cake doesn't have any secrets, Maite, I'm going to make a traditional recipe, nothing more," she says and gets up.

"Does Violeta's?" Maite looks at her questioningly and gets up too.

"Maybe," Olga says, winking at her as she heads to the living room, leaving Maite surprised and still as a statue.

A minute later, they both arrive together at her house and when they enter the kitchen, they find Violeta peeking inside the oven. As soon as she stands up, her gaze locks on Olga's eyes - located right behind Maite - and her heart races. Violeta wants to jump into her arms and kiss those lips she's been missing all morning, but she doesn't dare, her mother is in front of her and she doesn't know how the situation is between them either.

"This is a bit weird," Maite says laughing while making a gesture with her hands. "I'm going to the bathroom for a moment."

She dodges Olga and leaves them alone in the kitchen. Violeta looks at her with wide eyes until her mother's neighbor, after hearing the bathroom door close, smiles at her and approaches.

"Come here," she says possessively and Violeta gets inexplicably excited.

Olga grabs her by the waist, firmly presses her against her body and gives her one of those kisses that leave Violeta with a disturbed mind.

"Everything okay between us?" she asks when she regains her sanity, with her eyes fixed on Olga's rosy and shiny lips.

"Of course," Olga responds.

"And you and her?" she asks, gesturing towards the hallway.

"Also."

"Then don't ignore me like that again," Violeta gives her a playful slap on the shoulders with both hands and then places her hands on her neck to kiss her again.

Olga lets herself be kissed, although she's listening for the bathroom door and when she hears it open, she breaks the kiss and separates from Violeta.

"If possible, I'd prefer she doesn't catch us again," Olga says, smiling and winking at her.

Violeta melts and returns a goofy smile that doesn't go unnoticed by her mother when she enters the kitchen.

Chapter 23

"Can't you stay still?" Maite scolds her daughter as she paces around the bakery kitchen.

It's almost noon on Saturday, and Violeta and Olga have just put their king cakes in the ovens to bake for the contest in a few hours. Olga doesn't care about the outcome at all and leans against a table, watching Violeta with a smile as she checks the oven every ten seconds.

"What if it burns?"

"You just put it in, honey. How could it burn?"

Olga can't hold back anymore and bursts out laughing. Violeta turns to her, pouting, and frowns.

"What are you laughing at?" she demands in an irritated tone that vanishes instantly when Olga gives her a flirtatious look that leaves her trembling.

Maite ignores them both, holding the notebook she once gave her daughter and reading with pleasure the changes Violeta has made to this recipe and others.

"We should try this. With these changes, I'm sure it'll be delicious," she comments aloud.

The two ignore her. Olga has gotten up and approached Violeta.

"Why are you so nervous?" she asks in a soothing tone.

She caresses Violeta's cheek and brushes a strand of hair from her face.