DECEPTIONS OF THE DARK

prepared to give her a stern talking-to. Out of habit, she glanced over at her father's parking spot and felt a momentary surge of hope upon seeing his sleek, charcoal R

el since receiving the devastating news. Memories flooded back, seemingly insignificant moments now imbued with profound significance. Every word exch

on her key fob to lock her car. She entered the

looking for you. He asked to meet hi

?" Jinmi

shed slightly. "The

y's head. Silently, she padded down the hall, her shoes sinking into the luxurious, plush carpet. She briefly considered heading straight to her room to change, but decided

im, while her mother seemed oddly composed, likely aided by medication or Botox, Jinmi surmised. As she approached them, she caught sight of two men standing next to her brother. Though they were

else caught

ther, who halted his action

escued her from a perilous situati

, her knight i

le of

ly. It had gone off twice already, but she'd left it in her pocket, awkwardly pretending it

ma asked, once it

ther. Nothin

they were just getting ready for the after-work rush. It wouldn't be much longer till they'd be running off their feet, serving all t

her attention away and she tilte

liked to make people happy, no matter what. Jinmi turned off the grill and stepped out from behind the sta

e a prob

ant some of the apple chicken

he should. That kind isn't one of

her. They had the same way of running right over people, of expecting that everyone else should do

can just open it up," she said smu

We can only give people samples of the products we're allowed to give. That's not even the same

inmi and didn't want to get caught up in the fight. But Jinmi couldn't b

lazy." The woman glared at Jinmi, alm

so you can have a little piece, while we get in trouble. It's a package of sa

nd on Jinmi's arm, making her step away from the custo

p, but it sure isn't

ed open, and her face grew

p her comments to he

u two stay here. When I'm done

ing to the customer. They weren't sure what he said to her, but it seemed

think's goi

through her short black hair. "I

ant to los

g the stricken look on her friend's face. She reached over and took h

ant you to lose

thoughtfulness, but

m, frowning. "What did you think you were doing? Why on ear

gather nearby, pretending to shop w

. Jinmi and Mia looked at each other, preparing for the lecture. "I had higher hopes for

woman. She

stomers." He looked at them both, and his face softened. "You just need to be more diplomatic in how you say things. She just came here

ut she wasn't happy. It shouldn't be allo

emember: the custom

they don't know what

them with a wave of his hand and wal

sending it smacking into the wall as she walked through.

ne's ring

and her frie

portant." She snorted and pulled out her phone anyway

nto her voice, hoping to make it cle

you been? I've been

membered he couldn't see

ed to g

. My shift's not done f

u need to co

N

line. It wasn't his usual sigh of long-su

do this over the

s were looking at her. She glared at them before turning to face the

at don't you

oice breaking. "There was an ac

seemed to stop working; she'd have to run to catch up with the manager, explain w

ay? How b

art beat even faster, making it feel lik

l me. How bad is

tever was going to come. But even when he spoke again,

he's no

ha

, he's