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Chapter Two: Frosting and Fire

Chapter Two: Frosting and Fire

The warm smell of vanilla and cinnamon filled the air as Kristian piped buttercream onto a freshly baked cake, her apron dusted in flour. The little bell above the door rang, but instead of the usual cheerful customer, in walked a tall man in a black suit, his expression as cold as a winter storm.

Albert Grayson.

His piercing eyes scanned the cozy shop, finally settling on Kristian. “Are you in charge here?” he asked, voice calm but clipped.

Kristian looked up, her smile polite. “Yes, I am. How can I help you?”

Albert pulled out his phone and tapped a screen. “You were supposed to deliver a custom cake for a corporate event at my company this morning. It never arrived.”

Kristian blinked, surprised. “Wait, what? We didn’t have any corporate order for today.”

Albert crossed his arms. “It was prepaid, confirmed, and scheduled for 9 a.m. But nothing showed up. I had to send someone last minute to a grocery store. Do you understand how unprofessional that is?”

Kristian flushed, her brows furrowing. “Excuse me? We don’t miss orders. If something went wrong, I want to fix it—but don’t come in here acting like I ruined your empire.”

Albert’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t have time for excuses. Either you take responsibility, or I take my business elsewhere.”

Kristian stepped around the counter, now face to face with him—well, almost. He still towered over her, but she didn’t back down. “I’m not afraid of your threats. Maybe check with whoever placed the order. We don’t deliver without full confirmation. If someone in your office made a mistake, it’s not my fault.”

Albert clenched his jaw. “My assistant said your shop confirmed it.”

“Well, your assistant must’ve called some other ‘Sweet Something’ because I personally handle every order.”

They stared at each other—frost and fire, businessman and baker—both refusing to yield.

Just then, Evan rushed in from the back, holding a clipboard. “Kristian! I found it. There was a call from ‘Graystone Corp’ last week, but the customer never finalized the payment. You told me to put it on hold.”

Kristian turned back to Albert with a smug smile. “Graystone Corp, huh? Looks like your assistant didn’t finish the job.”

Albert exhaled sharply, clearly irritated—not just with her, but with the situation. “Fine. Seems there was a miscommunication.”

Kristian crossed her arms. “An apology would be nice.”

He blinked. “For what? Pointing out a mistake?”

“For barging into my shop like an angry CEO ready to sue over a cake!”

There was a pause. Then, unexpectedly, Albert’s lips twitched—was that a smirk?

“You’re bold,” he said. “Most people don’t argue with me.”

“And you’re arrogant,” Kristian replied, turning back toward her counter. “Most people don’t walk in here like they own the place.”

Albert took a step back, his expression unreadable. “I’ll keep that in mind. Perhaps I’ll place another order—properly this time.”

“Only if you promise not to throw a tantrum if the frosting’s not up to your high standards,” she said without turning around.

He almost smiled.

And just like that, he walked out of the shop, the doorbell jingling behind him.

Kristian exhaled, shaking her head. “What a storm in a suit,” she muttered. But something about the way he looked at her… left her heart just a little off rhythm.