Sweet, Sweet Revenge

by Nia Arthurs

  Sun Gi could almost feel the breeze fluttering his black hair; the sun warming his back; the call of seagulls fanning overhead.

  Then someone tapped him on the shoulder.

  The illusion shattered.

  He gritted his teeth in annoyance as a voice croaked beside him. “Hey, man. You’re—”

  “What?” He spun and glared at the guy who’d foolishly sparked a conversation. A cold, calculated sweep told him all he needed to know. Brown skin. Black, shifty eyes. An old T-shirt, jogging pants and socks with slippers.

  Maybe a day-laborer. Possibly a bum.

  Whoever he was, the stranger had ignored Sun Gi’s intense leave-me-the-hell-alone vibes. So this guy wasn’t very sensitive or fashion forward.

  The stranger ducked his head and shook it slightly. “Nothing.”

  That’s what I thought.

  Sun Gi turned back around but the interaction had left him sour. This was why he hated crowds.

  His phone buzzed.

  A glance down revealed his fiancée’s picture. The ache in his head grew more intense as he raked his gaze over Hanna’s straight hair and shrewd black eyes. With a swipe of his thumb, he rejected the call.

  A few seconds later, he got a notification.

  New message.

  Deciding to delay the inevitable, he ignored the little banner and clicked his phone off. Sun Gi felt someone staring and used his periphery vision to scope out his surroundings.

  Cream, orange and pink walls. Large display counters filled with Belizean breakfast favorites like fried jacks, johnny cakes, and croissants. A huge sign on the wall read ‘Sweet Treats Café’.

  No one seemed to be paying him any mind though.

  Sun Gi turned a smidge to the right and noticed the guy from earlier sneaking peeks at him. The sigh in his chest begged to be released, but he held it back. Mind over matter.

  Getting stared at was nothing new. Creole children especially seemed enamored by the peculiarities of his face—the narrow eyes, the high cheekbones, the pale skin—but a Korean in the Caribbean was still sensational to a few older locals.

  Nothing new to see, man. Asians have been here for a while.

  As the staring continued, his annoyance mounted.

  Sun Gi clamped his mouth together and tried to keep his temper in check. He really did. But the punk kept looking, brown eyes landing on him and then darting away.

  How long am I supposed to put up with this crap?

  Wheeling around, Sun Gi barked. “You gotta problem?”

  “No, man.” The stranger shot his hands up. “It’s just…”

  “What?”

  A shaky hand extended, finger pointed at his pants. “Your fly’s down.”

  Sun Gi stiffened. A comeback along the lines of ‘no, it’s not’ tunneled through his head and down to his mouth, but a subtle dip of the chin revealed that the guy was right.

  Sun Gi’s pride kept him from showing any gratitude. Instead, he dealt with the zipper and cleared his throat.

  That wasn’t embarrassing at all.

  The sooner he got out of here, the better.

  Unfortunately, the line snaking in front of the display was going at a snail’s pace. He tapped his foot against the orange tiles and struggled with giving up and leaving.

  Even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew he wouldn’t act on it. Not after everything he’d been through today to make it down here.

  No, he’d get what he came for.

  Only then would he leave.

  The line moved again.

  Most of the customers already knew what they wanted and were conscientious enough to order quickly. A point for the Belizean working class. There was still some good in humanity.

  Sun Gi preferred to be served as soon as he walked in, but that was his ego talking. He knew the differences between fact and fiction.

  Fact: nothing in Belize was expedited. Everyone moved at an island pace as if the world would slow down and wait.

  That was a personal pet peeve and one he tried not to dwell on.

  The line moved again.

  Sun Gi shuffled forward.

  The lights in the display case drew his eye to the pastries laid out in crisp checkered paper. Sun Gi dismissed them with a flick of his tongue. He had no interest in the stuffed jacks—as golden brown and delicious as they were.

  No, he was here for something else.

  For her.

  Sun Gi held his breath when his gaze landed on Sky.

  Time slowed. A cheesy pop song blared through the café’s speakers. Sun Gi forgot about a reality for a minute and got sucked into a different dimension. One where only he and Sky existed.

  He watched as she bent over to grab a stuffed jack from the counter with an iron prong. The pastry rolled around, evading her reach. She laughed, brown eyes flashing with good humor.

  After a few more moments of trying, she got the stuffed jacks into a plastic bag and handed it over to someone, a smile lighting her beautiful face.

  His heart thudded.

  When Sky smiled, the world sort of shifted. Her big brown eyes sparkled with laughter, joy and warmth. God had put the sun in her eyes. There was no other way to explain it.

  With her curly hair brushed back into a short ponytail, he could peruse every inch of her brown skin. The smooth forehead. The bunched cheeks. Plump lips.

  A natural beauty, Sky wore no makeup or flashy clothes. Her hair was often frizzy and her nails clipped short and bluntly. She wasn’t his usual type and yet he’d never seen anyone more stunning. Couldn’t get her out of his head.

  Man, I could stare at her all day.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket.

  He dragged his gaze away from Sky to read the banner on the screen.

  Another message from Hanna.

  He shoved the phone back into his pocket, his gaze automatically finding its way back to Sky.

  There were many reasons why he shouldn’t feel the way he did.

  Well, more like two. Two reasons. Huge reasons.

  The first was, obviously, his engagement.

  Hanna Park. Glamorous. Feminine. Cold. Ruthless, especially when it came to her family’s realty business. They’d gotten engaged six months ago, but they’d known each other since forever.

  Even if he and Hanna had a business-like understanding, she wouldn’t approve of his slight obsession with the owner of Sweet Treats Café.

  And then there was the tiny issue of his brother.

  Namely, Sky was Joon Gi’s girlfriend.

  Sun Gi knew his hyung adored Sky. Eagerly. Foolishly. To the point that he didn’t even bother hiding it.

  Sun Gi stood no chance with Sky, but that fact had done nothing to curb his feelings. His heart up and decided that Sky was the one. Screw everyone else. That was the lot he’d been given.

  “Next,” Sky said, gesturing to the man in front of the line.

  Their eyes met.

  Her smile beamed straight through him, cutting past his chest and heading straight for the organ that was misbehaving behind his ribs.

  Sun Gi had studied biology and chemistry all through high school and junior college. He knew that love, infatuation, lust—they were all just hormones reacting, neurochemical pathways randomly firing off at will.

  But then Sky looked at him.

  And he knew that it couldn’t be raw biology.

  “Next,” a voice said in the background.

  Sun Gi was too busy admiring Sky to notice. When someone nudged him in the back, he glanced over and found a woman with a baby on her hip and a toddler at her side, scowling at him.

  “You’re next, mister,” she growled.

  Well, someone hasn’t gotten her coffee today.

  Sun Gi thanked her with a dip of his head and forlornly trotted to Jo’s side of the counter.

  Jo’s brown eyes were like his, narrowed and slightly tilted down at the corners. She had light brown skin and long, curly hair.

  “What’s up w
ith you?” She asked, smirk in place. “This is the seventh time you’ve visited the store in two weeks.”

  “You’re counting?” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I didn’t know you cared.”

  “You wish.”

  Joon Gi struggled to maintain the conversation when his entire being stretched toward the woman at Jo’s side.

  Was he disappointed that he hadn’t been served by Sky?

  Yeah, a little.

  Okay, a lot.

  But seeing her was enough for now.

  “What do you want, Sunny?”

  His head whipped around to take Jo in. “It’s Sun Gi.”

  “Sunny rolls off the tongue, though. Don’t you agree?”

  He scoffed. Jo had made it a habit to poke fun at him every time they met. The routine was getting old. “I’ll just have a stuffed jack.”

  While Jo served him, Sky bounced over. “Sun Gi, it’s great to see you again.”

  “You too, Sky.” There. That was safe and unassuming.

  “Hey.” She beckoned him closer with a crook of her finger.

  Excitement buzzed through his chest. “Me?”

  “Yup.”

  His gaze darted to her lips. Plump. Brown. Slightly glossy. Sun Gi’s throat went dry as he leaned closer. This near to her, he could see the lighter flecks of brown in Sky’s eyes, the dimple in her cheek.

  What is this woman doing to me?

  “Since you’re like family, why don’t you call ahead? I’ll set your order aside for you so you don’t have to waste your time waiting in the line.”

  “Oh.” He swallowed. “Yeah, sure.” Idiot. Did you think she’d actually kiss you? In front of everyone?

  Sky stepped aside to deal with the other customers and Jo took her place. She gave him the total and then eyed him.

  He eased back. “What?”

  “Is it the lighting or did your ears just turn red?”

  His hand shot to cover an ear, and he felt the heat there. Abandon ship. Go now! Sun Gi took a step back.

  Jo raised a palm. “Aren’t you going to pay for that?”

  “Of course I was going to pay,” he murmured. Honestly, he’d felt so exposed that the thought had slipped his mind. “Here.” He slapped the money into her hand and sprinted for the door.

  Jo’s voice rang behind him. “Thank you, valued customer! Come again!”

  The door slammed, ending the greeting.

  Sun Gi clutched the warm plastic bag to his chest and barreled to his car. The moment he got in, he tossed the stuffed jack to the back seat and caught his breath.

  He was getting sloppier. Today, he’d been able to shrug Jo off but if he kept sniffing around Sky, it wouldn’t take long until they all saw right through him.

  Sun Gi checked the time on his phone.

  The meeting with the suppliers was supposed to start now.

  He called the manager and explained that he was running late. After the call ended, he clicked the messenger app to read Hanna’s texts.

  A picture of a wedding dress popped up on his screen.

  HANNA: I’m going to Maimi to get something like this made. What do you think?

  Sun Gi groaned and tossed the phone.

  This wedding was driving him crazy, but it was too late to back out. He’d just have to find a way to give up on Sky. No matter how crazy he was about her, Hanna was his future.

  CHAPTER 2

  SWEET TREATS HAD a habit of filling up very fast. One minute, no customers. The next, the building was stuffed to capacity.

  It happened so consistently that Jo was starting to get suspicious. Felt like a set up to her. The customers probably gathered in the dead of night, all agreeing to swarm at the same time.

  Or it could be that school and work starts at eight.

  The latter made more sense, but personally, Jo preferred her conspiracy theory instead.

  The bell on the door jangled as the last customer trotted out of the store. Jo collapsed against the counter and swiped her forehead with the back of her hand.

  “Girl, I am so done,” Sky croaked. “My feet are about to bust out of these sneakers.”

  Jo chuckled and stared at Sky’s dainty shoes. “I hear you.”

  “How’d you do this alone before?” Sky balked, expressive brown eyes widening in horror. “I’d die if I had to man the counter alone for the morning rush. Just drop flat to the ground and perish.”

  “It got busier after you started posting pictures of the store and the menu online. Things weren’t this hectic before.”

  “Still…”

  Jo squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “Don’t feel guilty. I really appreciate your help. It’s so much easier with someone else to handle the counter with me.”

  She meant that sincerely. Truth was… Jo was beyond happy that Sky had started to pitch in every morning.

  Together, they met the rising demands of the soccer moms, trade school kids, and office workers fueling up for the day. No matter who stepped into Sweet Treats, Jo ensured that they left with a smile.

  Unless they were all out of stuffed jacks, of course.

  Few people smiled when they heard that news.

  “You ready to do it all again later?” Jo looked over and smiled as Sky dropped into a chair behind the counter.

  “Can I have a minute to catch my breath?” Sky begged.

  “Sorry.”

  Sky leaned her head back and rotated her shoulders. “I need a massage.”

  “If your boyfriend were here, I’m sure he would have obliged.” Jo teased. Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “I thought Joon Gi was going to stop by today?”

  At the mention of her boyfriend’s name, Sky brightened. “He’s setting things up with the workers at the dock. The shipping company is having some trouble.”

  “When’s the business opening again?” Jo dropped to a heap on the floor and leaned her hands back on the tile. “I keep forgetting.”

  “It’s next week Thursday.”

  “You don’t look happy about it.”

  “Why would you say that?” Sky asked.

  “Because of the three giant wrinkles that suddenly appeared on your forehead when I mentioned Joon Gi’s business.”

  “You caught me.” Sky threw her hands up. “I’m trying to be supportive, but I’d prefer if there was no opening ceremony at all.”

  “Why?”

  “It hasn’t even been a year since Joon’s scandal and arrest. He’s inviting all the local news outlets and I know how they’re going to spin this.”

  Jo spoke in a baseball announcer voice, “Local Businessman Previously Arrested For Bribery Opens New Store’. This is it, Folks. The Asians really are taking over.”

  “Exactly.” Sky rolled her eyes. “But you know Joon. Even though the press is going to rake his name through the mud again, he believes that all publicity is good publicity.”

  “Hey, at least he’s getting back on his feet.”

  “True. I just…” Sky stared at her hands, “I wish he wasn’t so determined to prove… whatever it is he thinks he needs to prove.”

  “Is he still moving out?”

  Sky nodded sadly. “I’ve heard of couples moving in together after dating a while, but moving out? Not so much.”

  “Joon Gi has a lot of pride, but that’s not a bad thing. I’m sure he’ll still spend as much time as possible with you.”

  Sky nudged her with a foot. “Look at you, being all marriage-counselor on me. When are you going to put your own advice to practice and start dating?”

  “You sound like my mother.” Jo squinted her eyes. “Are you sure you’re not at least quarter Korean?”

  “Maybe. We’re all so mixed up here in Belize anyway, but don’t try to change the subject.”

  “Me? Why would I?”

  Sky wiggled her finger. “Its been… how many years since you had a relationship?”

  “Nine. And before you say anything else, I’m blessedly single and loving it
.”

  “You know,” Sky stretched out of the chair and nudged closer to her, “I’ve been noticing the way Sun Gi keeps hanging around the store lately.”

  “Sun Gi?” Jo scrunched her upper lip.

  Sky nodded. “Don’t you think there’s a reason for that?”

  “Maybe he’s like all the other customers who love your stuffed jack recipe?”

  “Noooo.” Sky drew out the word like she was speaking to a toddler. “I think there’s more to it than that. I think Sun Gi might be interested in you.”

  Jo burst out laughing. “You’re crazy.”

  “I am not.”

  “That’s it. I’m calling your boyfriend.” Jo pulled out her cellphone. “I’ll tell him you need to see a doctor ASAP.”

  Sky pounced on the phone and dropped to the floor beside her. “Hear me out—”

  “There’s nothing to hear. Besides, he’s engaged.” She shot her friend a dubious look. “Why are you trying to push a man who’s nearly married on me?”

  “He’s not married yet…”

  “Really? That’s your excuse?”

  “Look, about Sun Gi, it was just a joke. Kind of. It’s just weird, you know? His relationship with Joon is super strained and he could send one of his employees to buy him breakfast.”

  “So your point is?”

  “That you’re stunning and you deserve all the happiness in the world.”

  Jo groaned. “You finally found a guy who treats you right and now you want everyone to have their own romance, is that it?”

  Sky winked and struggled to her feet. After dusting her hands off on the back of her jeans, she extended it to Jo. “Come on. You should head to your grandmother’s store before she calls and scolds me again.”

  Jo took Sky’s hand and stood. “I still can’t believe she called you like that. So embarrassing.”

  “If it’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Korean women in Belize are feisty.”

  “Women in Belize in general are feisty,” Jo snorted. “Trust me. Both my grandmothers are nothing to play with.”

  Sky laughed and agreed.

  Jo smiled along but she knew that her friend didn’t really understand.

  No one did.

  Growing up as both black and Korean, her experiences were unique. Jo wasn’t ‘black’ enough for one side of the family and she definitely wasn’t ‘Asian’ enough for the other.