Of course, we didn't get the rent-free deal with Celie. We still had to pay her every month, but she did give us a 30% discount and offer me a job as a pastry chef in her deli.

Karmen was promoted to a manager, who would have to manage three new staff in total. Even it was just a title, she seemed pretty pleased about it. I personally promoted Clarice to my own sales rep. She was very persuasive and good at introducing my dessert menu to the people. She could still do a side modeling if she wanted to. Elise also held a part-time position as my social media agent. She set up an Instagram profile dedicated to my dessert making. It became a hit among all the young baker-wannabes.

Soon news reporters came to our place and asked to film me. My fame began to soar up, and then people started calling me 'Dessert Princess' on the internet.

Celie also got to share the stage. She was now the new-wave comedian, who'd been wowing audiences with her cynical comments. On top of that, her old enemy was arrested by the police for running an illegal gambling operation a few months later.

"I told you she's the devil in sheepskin," Celie said then she went outside and bellowed across the street. "Yoo-hoo! Goodbye, Monica!"

We got so busy that we had to hire more staff. Our tips alone could get up to 700$ a day.

Now I had my own working station where people could see me working my magic live like a sushi chef. People came in to take pictures until Celie had to shoo them off.

My parents called me crying with joy when they saw me on the news. Not bad for three girls whose parents had been expecting them to come crawling home in bankruptcy.

"That will allow us to start our new lives in America," Karmen said. I looked at her.

"We're moving in for real, aren't we?" I said. "You're sure?"

"Well, of course!" she said. "We had a rough start in the beginning, but we improvised, we side-stepped, we overcame. That's living! Besides, I know you wouldn't want to leave Clarice."

I reddened. It was true. Clarice had decided to move into our apartment with me. Karmen and Elise had to move out into another apartment opposite ours. At first, I was a bit worried about them, but then I realized they'd been arguing like an old married couple, they might as well live together like one.

Elise nodded in agreement. "This was the only way to spend your life, Azra, finding something you love to do and do it extremely well. Keep slaying, girl. I was wrong, and you both were right. Here is where all dreams come true."

Karmen threw an arm around her. "It took you a long time to see the beauty of a big city other than Stonehenge. I never thought I'd say this, but I like you!"

"I also want to go back to school and get a master's degree in History. If I sign another modeling contract for another year, I would be able to pay my way through Harvard."

"Liking you is going to be a lot harder than I thought," said Karmen, rolling her eyes.

I laughed. "Alright girls, I have to go now...you know...visiting Clarice's parents in California."

"We're willing to give you our blessing," Karmen said with a grin. "Just be yourself and don't forget to bring your dessert with you. Her folks might get you both married next year because of it!"

"Oh please," I said, but I did hope her parents fall in love with the homemade gold-dusted chocolate I prepared especially for them.

Clarice appeared at the door. She looked like an anime character with a sparkling bright background to intensify her beauty. The blonde walked right up to us and threw her arms around me before giving me a big kiss on the lips.

"Girls, get a room!" Karmen yelled while Elise giggled along.

"You're ready, Dessert Princess?" Clarice asked me, smiling. I nodded back.

Before we left, Celie made us a package of sandwiches to eat on the plane.

"Food on the plane is worse than in the prison," she insisted. "And don't be on the honeymoon too long, or you'll be fired!"

"Celie, we're not on a honeymoon," I told her, but she just snorted and went back inside.

We got into our taxi. Karmen, Elise, and Ms. McHugh waved at us. As we drove away, I spotted Celie from the window. And for the first time, she was truly smiling.

I felt like moving here didn't just change me. It also changed the people around me, and it all started with a baking cake mix I bought that one afternoon while trying to find a job.

I could safely say that it was smooth sailing from there. But success wasn't measured in particular areas. It was the big picture that counted. You set a specific destination, but the journey was what you should enjoy the most, and even when you get lost, you might end up somewhere else better.