The cramped office carried the scent of mothballs and old paperwork. Sunlight struggled past the windows to her left. Cabinets stood in neat rows to her right.
“I’m afraid the school doesn’t have that much in it’s budget,” Mr. Wayne Tillet, manager of the Trade School of Belize City rubbed his moustache. “Can’t you knock off a bit of the price? You understand we’re taking a risk. I’ve heard about the rumors surrounding your bakery…”
Sky’s heart banged against her chest.
I’m already selling it at a steep discount. I really can’t afford to do that.
Joon stood behind her, his jaw twitching. She could feel the intensity of his stare on her back, but she refused to look at him. This contract was a desperate grab at a solution for her bakery. If she got Mr. Tillet on board, maybe other schools would trust her and forget Sweet Treats’ bad press.
“Okay.” The word physically hurt and she cringed.
“Amazing. So we’ll adjust the price.” Mr. Tillet’s brown fingers clutched a pencil and he scribbled on a notepad. “I’ll ask Sandra, my secretary, to make the order.”
Relief ballooned in her chest. “Thank you so much for taking a chance on us. We won’t let you down, Mr. Tillet.”
He grinned. “I know you won’t, Sky. I’ve seen so many students with your pastries in hand it isn’t funny. Working with you is an honor.”
She beamed and shook his hand. “I really appreciate you saying that.”
“Stop it.” Tillet chuckled and adjusted his glasses. “I should be the one thanking you two.”
Joon stood, cutting off Sky and Tillet’s compliment swap. “We look forward to doing business with you.”
“Yes, sir.” Tillet smiled expectantly.
Sky nudged Joon in the side.
He looked at her, annoyance burning through his eyes.
She jutted her chin toward Tillet and stared pointedly at the hand that remained at Joon’s side.
“What?” he whispered.
She frowned at him. Was he intentionally acting obtuse? Couldn’t he tell what Mr. Tillet wanted? When Joon continued to look at her as if confused, she mouthed, “Shake his hand.”
Joon sighed hard as if she’d asked him to saw off a limb. She didn’t care and waited patiently until he extended his arm toward Mr. Tillet. The jovial man clasped his palm and shook it, body wracking with booming laughter.
Joon pulled back first. “Well, then. We should go.”
“Of course. Of course. I’ll get Sandra to show you out.” Mr. Tillet pressed a buzzer and his secretary appeared in the doorway.
Sandra escorted them out of the office.
Sky smiled politely and held her irritation in until they were out of the woman’s earshot. The moment they were alone, she whirled on Joon Gi.
“What was that about?” Sky hissed.
He looked down at her, his eyes colder than she could imagine. “What?”
“Mr. Tillet is taking a chance on Sweet Treats. You were so rude to him!”
“I was being polite and to the point. You’re the one who was gushing about his office and acting like he was a friend rather than a client.”
“Exactly. And that’s why he gave us the contract.”
Joon pursed his lips. “He gave us the contract because we have a service that his school needs. Not because of anything else.”
“You think you’re so cool? You think people respect you when you’re mean to them?”
“Why do you keep calling it mean?” He glared at her. “It’s called acting professionally. You should try it sometime.”
Sky let out a disbelieving breath. “What did you just say?”
“Nothing.” He strode away.
Sky stalked after him. The courtyard was empty since most of the students were in class, but she knew their voices could carry. It was the only thing keeping her temper in check.
“Something’s going on with you.” She stalked ahead of Joon Gi and threw her arms wide so he couldn’t sidestep her. “Ever since that night we went to Toucan Isle with Jo and Sun Gi, you’ve been acting weird.”
He clenched his jaw.
She didn’t care. “It’s like you’re intentionally picking fights with me. Did I do something wrong that night? Did you lie when you said everything was fine?”
“We should get back to the store in case a customer—”
“I don’t care about the freakin’ store!” She hauled on his arm and jerked him toward her. “Let’s talk about it. Right here. Right now.”
Anger flashed in Joon’s eyes and Sky knew she’d pushed him over the line.
Too bad she didn’t care.
“Fine.” He wrenched his arm away from hers. “Do you know why I’ve been challenging you these past few days?”
She tilted her chin up. “Why?”
“Because I won’t be around forever, Sky.”
His words took her off-guard and she blinked up at him.
Joon Gi’s brows lowered. “I’m going back to Korea. Soon. And I can’t live in peace if I leave without teaching you that not everyone in the world has your best interest at heart. You can’t be afraid to push for more or stand your ground because it will hurt someone’s feelings.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Back in the office, the manager was playing hardball. Trying to intimidate you to lower your price because of the rumors about the bakery. You gave in even though we’d gone as low as possible. We’re basically giving the stuffed jacks away for free—”
“You think I don’t know that? I’ll adjust the amount of ingredients I use for his order so I can make a profit.”
He blinked. “Oh.”
Sky paused. Studied him. “What do you mean you’re going back to Korea soon? What about your revenge?”
“I haven’t given up on that, but let’s be real. What power do I have here in Belize? My name, my reputation, my money. It’s all gone. I can’t touch my brother and he knows it. He was bold enough to invite us to his table at Toucan Isle. He laughed in my face knowing what he’d done to me.”
“So you’re just gonna leave? You’ll give up?”
“You’re acting like you’re hearing this for the first time.”
“No, I—” She pulled back and blinked, struggling past the storm of emotions swirling in her chest. “It feels so sudden. How will you pay for the ticket?”
“Tyler’s giving me a loan.”
“I see.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder but quickly pulled it back only to rake it through his hair. “More than anything, I want to see Sweet Treats back on its feet before I leave.”
Sky licked her lips, unable to think of something to say. Joon’s words were bittersweet. She’d seen how attentive he was to her business, how much he’d encouraged her to grow, but she never thought it was so he could leave without guilt.
“Come on.” Joon walked ahead. “We should get back.”
She followed him, dragging her heart behind her.
When they drew nearer to Sweet Treats, Sky noticed someone lurking in front of the store. He was dressed in a starched long-sleeved shirt and khakis. The stranger kept pulling at the front of his shirt and pacing.
Joon quickened his steps and got the man’s attention first. “Can I help you?”
He spun and locked eyes with Joon before darting his gaze to Sky. She felt an inkling of familiarity, but couldn’t quite place his face. When she noticed the logo on his shirt pocket, it hit her.
He’d been one of the guys that ransacked her store with Director Grayson two weeks ago.
“Ms. Johnson?”
“Yes?” She walked forward, her tennis shoes hitting the concrete and echoing in the quiet neighborhood.
“I’m from the Public Health Department. We’ve got your grade right here.”
Joon arched an eyebrow. “Grayson couldn’t bring it in person after the scene he made?”
“Mr. Grayson is very busy, but he extends his sincere apologies for the long wait.”
Sky frowned and tugged Joon aside to whisper, “Did you try to bribe him again?”
“No. I didn’t.”
She gave him a stern look.
“I swear.”
Sky chose to believe him. Turning back to the Public Health employee, she jutted her hand out. “Can I ask who made a complaint about my business?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. All tips made to the department are anonymous.”
Joon Gi grunted. “I’ll show you anonymous—”
Sky put out a hand to hold him back. “I’ll handle this.”
He nodded and stepped away, but she knew that every muscle was coiled and prepared. Joon had seemed on edge since last week, and Sky didn’t want this poor guy who was just doing his job to be caught in the crossfires.
Not until she tried it her way first.
“That’s fine.” She smiled welcomingly. “Would you like to step inside and have a brownie?”
His eyes darted back and forth. “I’m not supposed to accept bribes, ma’am.”
Joon snorted.
Sky ignored him and stepped forward, forcing the man’s attention to her. “It’s just a brownie, sir. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t bribe you with much.” She glanced around and fanned her face. “It’s hot out and you look like you’ve been waiting a long time.”
“Alright. I guess I could sit down for a minute.”
She smiled victoriously and led the way into the store. Joon hung back like a gruff bodyguard. Sky pretended he wasn’t there and gestured to the stranger. “What’s your name?”
“Ryan.”
“Hi, Ryan. I’m Sky.”
“I know,” he said, his voice shaking.
“Are you nervous?”
“No. Just… it’s hot.”
“That’s Belize for you.” She slipped behind the counter and speared a brownie.
Joon joined her and leaned over to whisper, “What are you doing?”
“Giving my new friend a brownie.”
“He’s not your friend, Sky. He works for the man who smeared your store’s name and caused you to lose thousands in profits. We shouldn’t be rolling out the welcome mat for people like him.”
“Just stay out of my way. I know what I’m doing.” She pasted a smile on her face and added lightly, “Okay?”
More jaw clenches.
Sky sailed away from Joon and slid the brownie over to Ryan. She took the seat across from him and settled one leg over the other.
Ryan’s brown eyes landed on the brownie. She could see his mouth watering. Chuckling at his expression, she encouraged. “Go on.”
He broke off a piece from the edge and tasted it on his tongue. “Whoa.” Ryan pulled back and stared at her. “This is incredible.”
“It’s the sauce on top.”
“No wonder this place is so popular.”
“Thank you, Ryan.” Sky folded her hands on the table and leaned closer. “Now, I understand that you have your rules and I don’t want to put you in a bad position. Is it okay if I ask you a few questions? All you have to do is nod yes or no. And if you feel I’m crossing a line, you can choose not to answer.”
Ryan swallowed, thought it over and then nodded.
Sky heard when Joon walked closer, but she didn’t look at him. “Was it really an anonymous tip that brought my store to your attention.”
Ryan hesitated.
Sky held her breath and hoped that Joon didn’t do anything crazy to scare off her lead.
Finally, Ryan shook his head.
“No?” Sky dug her fingernails into her palms. “So that was a lie?”
Ryan remained silent.
Joon rushed into a chair, the legs squealing so loudly against the tiles it made them both jump. In a hard voice, he demanded, “Was the person who targeted us a woman named Hanna Park?”
“Hanna?” Sky’s heart galloped when she thought of the woman. “Why would she do something like that?”
Ryan cleared his throat.
Sky looked over. Saw him shaking his head. Her chest expanded with relief. Hanna was ruthless and cold-blooded, but she wouldn’t drive Sky’s store into the ground, would she?
Joon collapsed into his chair, his lips twisted into a frown. “That doesn’t make sense. I was so sure it was Hanna.”
“All this while, you thought Hanna was the culprit?”
“She wanted your store.”
“Yeah, but if my kitchen got condemned and Sweet Treats lost its reputation, there wouldn’t be a store to acquire.”
Joon Gi rubbed his chin as if the thought had just occurred to him.
Sky restrained the eye roll and faced Ryan. “So the culprit was a man then?”
“Yes.”
Joon turned to her. “Who could that be?”
“I have no idea.”
Ryan looked left and right before clicking out a pen and scribbling something on a piece of paper. “I really can’t say more, Ms. Johnson. But a month ago, this person visited the department. The day before we raided your store, he sent a gift for Director Grayson. I don’t know what was in the box though.”
“Probably money,” Joon said through gritted teeth. When Sky looked at him, he explained, “That’s the oldest trick in the book. Wire transfers and checks are traceable. The only way to complete a perfect bribe is with cash.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I guess you’d know right.”
He huffed.
“Thanks for the brownie, Sky.” Ryan plucked his keys from his pocket. “And I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.”
Ryan saw himself out and Sky snatched the napkin from the table, waiting until he’d left to reveal the name.
Joon looked over her shoulder. “What does it say?”
“Joon.” She glanced up, shocked and horrified. “It says Tyler Ho.”