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How I got back with my current love? Oh, I remember the day it all began like it was yesterday. It was the summer of ’97, and I had just started working at my first pastry shop.

As I was getting the display case ready for the day, I noticed something unusual between our delectable cakes. It was a love note written on a small piece of stiff flower paper. I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement in my chest as I read my name and the words:

Between these layers of cake and cream,

I can’t help but think of You as My Sweetest Dream.

I chuckled, reading that. It was quite a good rhyme… and definitely fit for a pastry cook. But was someone truly interested in me, or was it some sort of joke? I looked around the shop, trying to figure out who could have left the note…

There was Jakov, lanky with glasses and a neatly shaven beard. He was gay, and after two majors, oh, and he also had a very quirky sense of humor that always kept us on our toes! Then, there was Zoran - the tallest among us, with soft dark wavy hair that fell to his chin, making him look like a guitarist. I didn’t know his orientation or past; he was quiet and withdrawn... But always willing to lend a helping hand. And then, there was Darko - always stressed out and on edge. Judging from his social media, he was bi, like Sanja, our last colleague – an overweight blonde with a beaming grin. She was always positive and had a contagious energy that kept us all going.

Hmm, which one of them could it be? I wondered, staring back at the note in my hand. It was sweet and endearing, but I couldn’t quite place the handwriting...

As I pondered, memories flooded my mind, including the time Jakov had expressed his romantic interest in me... Which was last summer. It had taken me by surprise, but I had agreed to give it a shot and date him.

However, after just two weeks, I realized it was a mistake. I didn’t feel the same way about him, and I didn’t want to lead him on any longer. When I told him the truth, he seemed a bit offended, but I knew that I had to be honest...

Now, I couldn’t help but wonder, was he the one who had written that note?

Was it possible? Did he still harbor those feelings for me?

As I was lost in thought, I suddenly felt someone’s gaze on me. I turned around and saw Zoran staring intently in my direction. It wasn’t the first time that he had been staring at me lately, and after discovering the note, I suddenly couldn’t help but think that maybe I was mistaken, and it wasn’t Jakov who wrote it, but him.

I never looked at Zoran that way, but the idea of him harboring secret feelings for me made my heart pound with both anticipation and curiosity... I couldn’t be sure that he had written the note, but the thought still lingered in my mind…

Feeling a tad bit distracted that day, I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, and got back to my duties. Yet it was hard to focus, and even with my hands deep in the batter, I couldn’t help but glance outside the window, where the orange sunset was slowly spreading its warm glow over the island... It was a breathtaking view, the kind that made me feel grateful to live and work in such a beautiful place…

My home island of Rab, nestled in the Adriatic Sea, was a true tropical gem of Croatia. Its stunning beaches, swaying palms, and charming old streets have drawn visitors from all over the world. But what many didn’t know was that Rab was also the birthplace of a mouth-watering delicacy that I was working on now: the Rapska Torte.

This cake, with its layers of almond, marzipan, and sweet pastry cream, was a true labor of love, crafted by generations of bakers who had honed their skills to perfection. Its origins in Croatian culture could be traced back to the 12th century; it was crafted for the first time by nuns dwelling on the island and has since held a significant place in the region’s history, remaining a beloved part of the local cuisine even today. It was often served at weddings and other special occasions…

As I finished thinking about the Rapska Torte, my mind naturally wandered back to the love note. For some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking that it was Jakov, who wrote it, and I was wondering how to tackle the issue if it turned out to be true… But then, my focus was interrupted by Sanja.

“Matej, have you had a chance to review the inventory report for the week?” She asked, peering over my shoulder.

I nodded, “Yes, I will send it to you as soon as I’m done here.”

“Great, I’ll review it and let you know if we need to restock any ingredients,” she replied with a smile.

As she walked away, I suddenly reminded myself; I had caught her glancing at my media profile on her phone some days ago... Oh, could she be the one who had written me the note? My heart raced as I tried to focus on my work, but my mind kept going in circles, trying to solve back the romantic mystery!

Eventually, after washing my hands and sending the report, I took the note out of my pocket and studied it carefully one more time. It was scented with Sanja’s perfume, but as I looked at the handwriting again, it didn’t seem to be hers... I was sure of that. The letters were too neat and precise, unlike Sanja’s slightly messy handwriting. Had someone else written the note for her at her request?

As I thought about it more, I remembered that Sanja had somebody, actually, but things between them had been rough lately... Hm, could it be because she was interested in me and had asked someone else to help her express her feelings? The idea seemed unlikely... But the note had her perfume’s scent, and I couldn’t think of any other explanation!

Eventually, I finished my shift at the pastry shop, feeling tired but satisfied with the day’s work. As I stepped out on the street, ready to head home after a long day of work, I was surprised to see Darko standing by my bike. I had lent it to him the previous day, but I didn’t expect him to return it so soon.

He looked oddly agitated, though.

“Hey, Darko, is everything okay?” I asked, trying to sound friendly and approachable.

Darko turned to face me, his expression tense and worried. “Matej, I need to talk to you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I borrowed your bike this morning, as you know, and I... I broke it.”

“What?” I gasped and then felt a sudden surge of anger and frustration, but I tried my best to remain calm and composed. “What do you mean, you broke it?”

“I was riding it to the market, and I hit a pothole... The front tire got punctured, and the handlebars twisted. I tried to fix it myself, but I just made it worse!” Darko explained, his eyes downcast.

I took a deep breath, trying to process the situation. My bike was my primary mode of transportation, and I relied on it heavily to get around the city... The idea of it being damaged or unusable was a major inconvenience and expense.

However, as annoyed as I was, I knew that lashing out at Darko would not solve anything.

“Okay, Darko. I appreciate you telling me the truth,” I said, trying to be understanding. “But you need to understand that my bike is important to me. It’s going to cost a lot to fix it.”

Darko nodded, looking contrite. “I know, Matej. I’m really sorry.

“I’ll pay for the repairs, I promise,” Darko spoke, almost as if he was reading my thoughts. “And I’ll make it up to you in any way I can.”

“Fine,” I said, feeling slightly mollified, and told him to stop beating himself up for it. Then, I got home, walking the broken bike. The ride had been bumpy, and it had finally given up on me... Well, at least I could admire the views.

In the twilight, the shoreline of Rab Island was a stunning sight, as always. The tranquil dark blue sea gently mirrored the deep blue sky, which was gradually transitioning into a darker hue. The lush tropical vegetation was rustling in the gentle breeze, and the lights of the nearby buildings twinkled like stars...

All this was giving me a romantic mood, despite the fact that I was alone. I began thinking of Zoran, imagining how he would have enjoyed such a serene setting together with me.

The thought of his warm embrace and gentle touch filled me with a sense of comfort and longing that almost embarrassed me. I couldn’t help but feel vulnerable at the depth of emotion I was experiencing. It was as if my heart was pouring out all its desires, unashamedly baring them to my mind...Shaking my head, I refused to indulge in thoughts of Zoran, knowing that he probably wasn’t the one who wrote the note... I pushed my bike up the steep hill towards my apartment, hoping that my secret admirer would bring me another note soon so that I would have another clue to investigate.

*

My wish was granted, and over the next month, I discovered even more love notes. However, as I read each one, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious of Jakov... The rhymes had a certain quality that resonated with his sense of humor. Despite his constant joking and teasing, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was all just a facade to hide his true feelings...

I prayed to myself that it wasn’t true, for I didn’t want to reject him for the second time. Memories of our past summer flooded my mind, and I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting him again. My mind was filled with a mix of emotions, and I wasn’t sure what to do next...

As if it wasn’t enough, Sanja approached me. I wondered whether it was something work-related, but instead, she whispered into my ear that Zoran had mentioned admiring me very deeply. Before she even finished the whole story, my heart had already started to beat faster in my chest. I had always been drawn to him, and the thought that he may feel the same way made my head spin... He was always so cool and composed, and I found myself daydreaming about having a chic boyfriend like him. Whenever he walked into the kitchen, I would struggle to keep my cool.

I was aware that it was silly to dream of someone so unattainable, but I couldn’t help myself... I would often find myself staring at him, lost in my own thoughts, and imagining what it would be like to be with him.

But as much as I wanted to believe that Zoran shared my feelings, I had to be realistic. I caught him stealing glances at me, too, but that didn’t mean that he felt the same way… Some of the texts in the notes felt like something he would say, though… which only added to my confusion!

At that moment, Darko appeared with a cup of coffee, snapping me back to reality. I was surprised to see him holding a cup, and for a moment, I thought he had brought it for himself to enjoy a warm drink looking through the window. But then he surprised me by saying that it was for me.

“Oh, for real?” I asked in surprise.