1 Chapter 1

The sun shines outside of the Sweet Desires Bakery. After rising to the top by using the connections Kamaria got from college, the bakery is one of the top Hallah and black-owned bakeries in Philly. The smell of melted chocolate, cheesecake, and cinnamon buns filled the whole bakery. Most of the workers weren't expecting Kamaria to be in the kitchen today. She only pops in to make sure they had enough ingredients before restocking the whole kitchen. Her hijab was also tied differently as to not touch the pastries. Collectively they decided not to say anything as there are custom orders that need to be prepared as well.

"Mara, Sister Khadija wants to speak with you about catering for her daughter's birthday," Rahina says as she walks into the kitchen.

Kamaria quickly washes her hands as Rahina leads her to Sister Khadija. Being like family to Kamaria there was no way she wasn't going to say no. Sister Khadija wore a green jumpsuit with a white cardigan. Her bamboo earring showing with her hijab wrapped like a rosette turban.

"Mashallah Kamaria," Sister Khadija says, getting up to hug Kamaria. "You've gotten so big since I've last seen you. How is your mother?"

Kamaria smiles and says, "Mom's doing well. Having to take care of Abdul's children over the weekend has made her busy."

She motions for Sister Khadija to sit down, as she takes a seat in front of her.

"You want me to cater for your daughter's birthday? I just want to know when so I could be there as well," Kamaria says.

"It would be in two weeks on Saturday. Aisha really likes those cupcakes I bought from you during Eid," Sister Khadija says.

Kamaria pulls out her planner and sees that Rahina planned her to be off that day. She looks up to Sister Khadija, after jotting it down.

"I see on your Instagram you make custom cupcakes," Sister Khadija went on. "And Aisha is really into cherry blossoms after her trip to Japan. Would you be able to make some cupcakes inspired by that?"

"It's possible. But I do feel more comfortable with making a cake based on that concept for a more detailed approach," Kamaria says. "But that would depend on how many people are going to be invited."

"It's a block party."

Kamaria chuckles. She didn't expect anything less from Sister Khadija parties. Everyone in the neighborhood knew she threw the best parties for any occasion. This was going to be no exception.

"I could do a cake as well as cupcakes that way the kids can have the cupcakes," Kamaria says.

"That would be perfect," Sister Khadija says with a smile. "How much do I owe you?"

"It would be fifteen hundred. But you can pay me half today and the next half when I arrive."

Sister Khadija gets up and hugs Kamaria again. This time putting a few hundred dollar bills in her hand.

"This is a gift since I missed you last Eid," Sister Khadija says with a sly smirk. "And I will be paying all of it today. You don't need to butter me up, we're family."

Sister Khadija links her arm with Kamaria and walks towards the register. Kamaria wouldn't take the money outright unless the person forced it down her pocket. So Sister Khadija had to make sure that she paid the full amount for the catering and the three hundred she gave Kamaria.

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The buzzing of the tattoo machines running throughout the shop helps Seiya concentrate on his newest sketch. His coworkers kept bugging him about being able to tattoo flowers. Flowers weren't something he primarily focuses on Seiya didn't notice the lack of customers requesting him now. When James hit him with the new rule of having at least two customers a day or you're fired, Seiya took the time to focus on flowers. Slowly he tried his sketches on people. But today seems to be one of those days.

"Hey, Seiya," James said popping into the art studio. "Since there aren't many customers can you go to that new bakery down the block for some of there god-tier brownies."

"God-tier," Seiya says sacasticly.

"Yes, god-tier. Take some cash from the register and get everyone some of those brownies."

"So you could eat them all. You know you're the only chocoholic in this shop."

"Just get the fucking brownies."

Seiya gets up from his sketches and leaves the studio to go to the front desks. He takes a twenty-dollar bill and a ten. Walking out the door to the new bakery.