Chapter 12 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

News about the potential cooperation between Diem Tram bakery and Cam Luong restaurant quickly became a reality when Khang officially proposed this plan to the restaurant's board of directors, receiving high approval from key members who have witnessed the outstanding success of the new dessert menu over the past time.

"We will invest in expanding the production scale for Diem Tram bakery, and at the same time build a separate cake counter right in the main lobby of the restaurant, with an independent brand but closely linked to the Cam Luong system," Khang presented in the meeting, his voice full of confidence and enthusiasm. "This will be a mutually beneficial cooperation model, helping both brands develop together."

Diem Tram, attending the meeting as an official partner, could not hide her pride when listening to Khang's enthusiastic presentations. She realized that this was not just a simple business decision, but also a clear demonstration of the trust and respect he had for her and the career she was pursuing.

***

After the meeting, when Diem Tram and Khang walked out of the meeting room, Hoai Thu was waiting outside, unable to hide her excitement at the good news. "Sister, I heard that the cooperation project has been approved, right?" she asked, her eyes shining with hope.

"That's right," Diem Tram replied, hugging her close friend who had accompanied her through the most difficult days. "We have an exciting new chapter in store for the bakery."

"I can't believe it, everything changed so quickly," Hoai Thu said, her voice filled with emotion. "From the risk of bankruptcy, to becoming an official partner of one of the most high-end restaurant chains in the city."

Diem Tram smiled, looking towards Khang who was standing and chatting with the board members nearby. "It's all thanks to a bold decision I made not long ago," she said softly, her eyes filled with gratitude for what life had given her.

***

That afternoon, when work had calmed down, Diem Tram decided to take the time to visit her mother at the hospital to share the good news about the new collaborative project. Mrs. Lam, after a successful surgery, has gradually recovered her health and can sit up and talk longer with her daughter without feeling too tired.

"You sound very happy," Mrs. Lam commented as Diem Tram told the whole story of the collaborative project, her voice filled with warmth. "I haven't seen you this energetic since your dad died."

"I'm really happy, mom," Diem Tram replied, holding her mother's hand tightly. "Not only because of work, but also because..." She hesitated, not sure how much to reveal about her real relationship with Khang.

"For Viet Khang, right?" Mrs. Lam asked, a knowing smile appearing on her face. "I realized right from the first time we met, the way you two looked at each other was not like a normal couple who just met. There was something very genuine, very deep between you two."

Diem Tram felt an emotion rising in her heart at her mother's sophistication. "I truly love him, Mom," she finally confessed, speaking out loud for the first time to her dearest person. "Even though things didn't start out quite in the usual way, my feelings for him are completely genuine."

***

Mrs. Lam held her daughter's hand tightly, her eyes filled with understanding and love. "I don't need to know the details of how it all started," she said softly. "The most important thing is that you have found true happiness. That is all a mother can wish for her daughter."

Those tolerant words made Diem Tram wonder if her mother somehow sensed the truth behind the love story she was still trying to keep secret. But whether her mother knew it or not, that sincere acceptance and support still gave her a deep sense of peace, giving her more motivation to face the challenges that lie ahead.

On the way back to the Zenith building, Diem Tram couldn't help but think about the conversation with her mother, about whether it was time for her to be completely honest with her mother about the true origin of this relationship. But when she thought about her grandmother's still fragile health, she decided to temporarily keep that truth a secret, only until everything between her and Khang was truly solid, without any risk of collapse from the conspiracies that were silently lurking around them.

***

That evening, when Diem Tram told Khang about the conversation with his mother, he could not hide his emotion at what she shared. "Your mother is a sophisticated woman," he commented, sitting down next to her on the apartment's familiar sofa. "I think, she saw the sincerity between us, even if we didn't dare fully admit it to ourselves."

"I think so too," Diem Tram replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "But it also makes me feel more guilty, because I still can't be completely honest with my mother about how we started."

Khang put his arm around her, his voice becoming thoughtful. "I understand that feeling," he said. "But I think, the most important thing now is not how we started, but what we are building together, based on the truest foundation possible. When the right time comes, we will tell your mother the whole truth together, and I believe, she will understand and forgive what we had to do to protect the people we love."

That sincere consolation helped Diem Tram feel somewhat relieved. She sat quietly next to Khang, enjoying a rare moment of peace amid the worries of life, feeling more clearly than ever that although the road ahead still had many challenges, she no longer had to face them alone.

***

A few days later, preparations for the new cake counter in the main lobby of Cam Luong restaurant began to be rushed. Diem Tram spends most of her time designing the display space, choosing every smallest detail to ensure the cake counter has a personal touch but is still in harmony with the luxurious space of the restaurant.

"I think we should use gentle pastel tones, combined with natural wood details to create a cozy, intimate feeling," Hoai Thu proposed when they both looked at the design drawings sent from the restaurant's architectural team.

"I agree," Diem Tram replied, taking note of the necessary adjustments. "We needed to ensure this space retained the rustic, heartfelt spirit of the original bakery, despite being placed in a more upscale environment."

That busy but exciting work helps Diem Tram temporarily forget worries about potential risks from Mr. Phat and focus all her energy on building a brighter future for both herself and her increasingly strong relationship with Khang.

When the working session ended, Khang stopped by the area where the new bakery counter was being constructed and could not hide his satisfaction with the progress of the work. "That looks great," he commented, admiring the sketches taped to the wall. "I believe, this will become one of the most attractive highlights of the restaurant."

"I hope so," Diem Tram replied, although she was still a little worried about the huge amount of work ahead. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done before the expected opening date."

“You don't have to do it alone,” Khang said, taking her hand with sincere reassurance. "I will always be here, supporting you whenever needed. This is a project for both of us."

That affirmation made Diem Tram feel warmer and more confident. She looked around at the space that was gradually taking shape at the new cake counter, imagining the prospect of it becoming a reality in the near future, bringing with it the enthusiasm and passion that she had inherited from her mother, combined with the support and absolute trust from the man she had gradually learned to love in the most sincere and profound way.

"Thank you," she said softly, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment. "For believing in me, in what I can bring to this project, and to your life."

"It was the easiest thing I've ever done," Khang replied, kissing the top of her head in a gentle, natural gesture. "Because I believe in you, more than anything else in this world." The two stood there for a while longer, enjoying the rare peace amidst the space strewn with construction materials, filled with hope for what lay ahead.