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Now I wished Mag was here because he had improved everything, not just the glass display cases, but the register and the kitchen too. The bed in my room had been replaced with a new desk and computer, and I got the message I wouldn't be sleeping here again. Talon had added several expensive looking security monitors to the walls.
Mag had even brought in my mail and stacked it on my desk. When did he have time to do all this? A small package sat on top of several letters.
"Your appointment is here," Celeste called from the front door.
I dropped the package and rushed out to meet Tamika. A beautiful Black woman waited for me with a big smile plastered on her gorgeous face. She had really high cheekbones, fantastic makeup, and big luscious brown curls. She wore a short cranberry skirt with a black jacket. Cute and smart. I loved her already.
I couldn't hold back my excitement, and I hugged her before stepping back. "Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm so excited. Hope you don't mind me hugging you."
She smiled and her whole face lit up. "No, no. I don't mind at all. I'm excited too. Thank you. Everyone I've met so far has been a man much older than me, so this is refreshing."
"Good, good. Well, not good that you're only meeting older men but glad you met me. So, this is my grandfather's bakery, which is mine now because I inherited it when he died.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Thank you." Her compassion wrapped around the heavy grief in my chest and soothed it a little. "It's recently upgraded, like this week." I swung my arm out like Vanna White. I'd never felt more proud of our little family bakery.
"It's beautiful and such a great location."
"Let me show you around."
We checked out the sales case, but her eyes were glued to the kitchen. "Oh my God." She ran her fingers over the dials on the new oven. "This is a chef's dream."
"Just so you know, I'm free to change the menu however I like, so if you wanted to reimagine the baked goods, that's fine. If you want to introduce other food, that's great too."
Her eyes grew wide. "You'd consider adding other Asian foods?"
"I'd consider adding anything you want to make, Asian or whatever you like. This place is a blank slate right now. I just need some help. I might even be willing to sell it someday."
Her mouth twisted through several emotions and finally emerged with a brilliant smile. "I would love it. I'll take it. Oops. I should've waited till you offered, but it's just so perfect, and I like you."
"I like you too, and I am offering."
We chatted for a while longer and agreed to the salary and terms. I told her I'd call her up when the shop officially opened again. She promised to inform her other job offers that she was unavailable. We set a date to meet again in two weeks to go over her ideas for the menu.
I walked her out past Celeste and watched her walk down the street. We were both grinning and waving. I was still smiling when I walked back into my office and sat at my desk, happy with myself for bravely meeting someone new and making positive changes in my life. Mag was a big part of it, and he was helping me out financially, but this felt like an important step forward.
The mail was mostly bills and advertisements. Inside the package was a small rectangular box encrusted in mini gems that sparkled in the lights. Was this a jewelry box Mag sent me to hold my ring when I wasn't wearing it?
I flipped open the lid and a puff of red smoke came out with a hiss. It smelled awful, and I tried to swat it away with my hand, but it was too late. I'd inhaled alot of it.
"Celeste!" The acrid smoke burned my throat and eyes. I coughed and tried to hold my breath, but my limbs felt heavy and the room began to spin.
Celeste rushed in through the haze, her hand covering her nose and mouth. She reached me, her eyes watering from the fumes. She tried to pull me up, but she was weakening too. She stumbled, her strength fading.
Just as we reached the door, Celeste collapsed beside me. The red smoke swirled around us as my vision darkened. "Mag, I love you."
If I died, I wanted him to know he was my everything. He'd see it on the security footage and hopefully hear it.
Then my world went black.
Chapter 35 On The Move
Magnum
"The code word for cover blown is 'Let's visit the library.'" Zac Fontaine glared at me, and I scowled back.
Fontaine—the FBI Special Agent in Charge of the missing children's case—was getting on my nerves.
