Past Sins Revisited

by Mary Goldberger

  “Why?” His secretary asked as she took a bite out of the pastry in her hand.

  “It will be harder for him to find her,” Jake told them before he waved and headed to the elevators.

  Edric frowned as he got on the elevator before he turned and started back in the office as his secretary mumbled in confusion, “For whom to find her?”

  She shook her head and ate her last pastry as Edric closed himself in his office glancing down at the box in his hands a smug smile on his face.

  He walked over to the desk and sat down putting the box on it before he grabbed one and started eating it as he went back to work. His eyes widened briefly at his first bite and a gentle smile crossed his mouth. He continued eating and doing his work that there was only a few pastries left when there was a knock on his door and it opened to reveal his secretary with Sophia behind her.

  He hid his sigh at her appearance as he told his secretary, “Those are done, Mariah.”

  She nodded her head as she walked over and glanced at the box, and Edric said without looking up from the other paperwork he was looking at. “Don’t even think about it,” he told her.

  She laughed shaking her head as she picked up the work from his desk and Sophia said sharply, “What are you two talking about, Ric?”

  Edric glanced up at her briefly as his secretary said, “Someone had some pastries sent over this morning for him in appreciation.”

  Edric glanced up at her wondering why she didn’t mention it was from a woman and she rolled her eyes in Sophia’s direction, and he hid his smile as he turned back to his work.

  “Anything else, sir,” Mariah asked hiding her own smile as she caught the look in his eyes before she went back to work.

  “A cup of coffee would be nice,” he mentioned in an absent voice his attention focused on the work in front of him.

  “Ric,” Sophia said walking over to the desk and glancing down at the box that had a few more pastries in it before she brushed up against the box and it toppled to the floor.

  Edric glanced up quickly unable to react fast enough to catch the box while Sophia gushed, “I’m sorry, Ric, I didn’t know I was that close to it.”

  Edric didn’t say anything as he picked up the box while Mariah said with a slight frown, “I will get a broom, sir.”

  “Thank you,” he told her as she walked out of the room glancing at Sophia who smiled smugly as Edric bent down to pick up what he could.

  Mariah’s face clenched in anger as she hurried out to get the broom from the small closet putting the information on her desk as she went by it going back into Edric’s office.

  Sophia was standing by the window and Edric was folding up the box as she entered. “I will sweep the rest, sir,” Mariah said walking over but Edric shook his head taking the broom from her and began to sweep himself.

  “Ric,” Sophia said in astonishment as she swung around at the window but he ignored her.

  “I guess having carpet would be easier, huh, Mariah, although I like hardwood floors,” he joked getting a laugh from Mariah as he swept up the last crumbles putting the box in the trash.

  “I’m sorry, sir, that what was left ended up being wasted,” she told him as he dumped the swept mess in the waste bin under his desk before handing back the broom and dustpan.

  “So am I, Mariah, but it gives me a reason to ask for some more,” he told her and she chuckled as she got his meaning.

  “Ric, I will stop by and get some from at a little bakery I know,” Sophia told him only for him to shake his head.

  “I prefer the same ones from the one who made these,” he told her indicating the box that he folded in half and put in the trash. “But thank you, Sophia, for the offer.”

  Sophia demurred nicely but her eyes flashed with anger wondering why he was being so picky about where he got the sweets from, and she said, “I came to invite you for lunch.”

  Edric looked down at his watch before he said, “Unfortunately, Sophia, I have a meeting so we will have to do it another time.”

  Mariah smiled smugly before she said, “I have the files ready for you, sir, at my desk.”

  Edric nodded his head as his secretary walked out and he said grabbing his briefcase sliding his cell into his pocket, “I will walk you out, Sophia.”

  She nodded her head but her eyes were shrewd as they walked out stopping briefly to get the files from Mariah at her desk.

  They were heading out of the company when Sophia wrapped her arm over Edric’s cooed at him, “I can be a companion for you at lunch, Ric.”

  Edric thought about that for a moment before he shook his head and said, “It will only be a few men there and the only thing we will be talking about is business, so this time I don’t think so, Sophia.”

  He walked Sophia to her car and helped her in, and she pouted up at him. “How about we have dinner tonight, Ric, just the two of us?” She asked him an invitation in her brown eyes and Edric smiled kissing her lightly.

  “We shall see, Sophia,” he told her not promising anything as he stepped back and shut the door before giving a slight wave walking to his car.

  He started the car and after another wave to Sophia who was still sitting in her vehicle, he drove off heading for his appointment. At a stop light, he pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed a number waiting for it to be answered as the light changed.

  “Hello,” Calida asked wearily, and Edric smiled before he spoke.

  “Hello sleepyhead,” he said jokingly surprised at himself for joking with her as he made a right turn her necklace sliding to the floor for the first time since he put it up there. He frowned as he looked down at it but it would have to wait until he could stop to pick it up.

  “Hello Edric, did you enjoy the sweets Jake bought you?” She asked her voice less tired now.

  “I did, and I would like some more if that is possible,” he told her.

  He was surprised when she laughed before telling him, “I do work at a bakery and you can stop by anytime.”

  “True, but I can’t guarantee that it will be your pastries that I’m eating,” was his comeback and he smiled when she laughed again.

  “Okay, I will make some more tonight and have Jake deliver them tomorrow,” she conceded to Edric’s delight.

  He was about to suggest that she make them at his home after they had dinner, but he stopped himself as he said, “Okay, I will wait for them and so will my secretary. I had to give her some because she said they looked good.”

  “Jake was telling me about her so I will make her own box so she can help with some new creations I’m coming up with,” she confided to him. Then she teased, “That way you won’t have to share, you greedy man.”

  “Greedy, huh,” he said softly with the right note in his voice and he heard the slight indrawn breathe from Calida.

  She cleared her throat a few seconds later before she told him, “Anything else, sir?”

  He laughed and told her ‘no’ as he pulled up at his destination and they hung up a few minutes later with a satisfied look in Edric’s eyes as he realized that going this course was making it more easier for him to get close to Calida.

  He nodded his head as he grabbed his briefcase stopping briefly to pick up the necklace noticing the broken clasp and climbed out of the vehicle placing the necklace in his pocket with the remainder to have it fixed later.

  Chapter 6

  The following morning, Jake walked in the office with two boxes one smaller than the other but Mariah’s eyes lit up and she immediately intercom Edric.

  “Your pastries have arrived,” she informed him in a light tone.

  Edric was out of the office a few seconds later and there was a flash in his eyes although no one noticed it as he smiled at Jake. “So you were nominated to drop the pastries off again,” he remarked.

  Jake laughed as he admitted, “No, Calida was going to come but something came up and she needed to deal with it so I came in her place. This one is for you, Mariah,”
handing her the smaller box before turning to Edric, “and this is for you, Edric.”

  Mariah sighed in satisfaction as she opened the box and her eyes widened as she asked, “Are you sure that these are less in calories?”

  Jake nodded his head as he said, “Calida said to try them before you decide that they looked good from their looks alone.”

  Mariah nodded her head as she picked one up and bit into it only to stop for a second before she started chewing. “Not bad,” she said after she swallowed. “What did she put inside it?”

  Jake held up his hands and said, “I know nothing about baking so don’t ask me any questions about them. I believe Calida put her number on the box so you can call her to let her know what you think.”

  Mariah nodded her head as she finished that one pastry and looked at the others a little more hesitant. Jake laughed and told her, “Calida said, for helping her, you can ask her for anything and she will make it.”

  “Really,” Mariah said her eyes alight with wonderment.

  “Really,” Jake confirmed with a chuckle.

  Edric listened to the conversation between the two before he said, “So did Calida leave any message for me?”

  Jake shook his head before he smiled and suggested “But I believe she put a message inside the box.”

  Both he and Mariah laughed as Edric went inside his office closing the door behind him before he opened the box.

  “See you later,” Jake said heading to the elevator just as the doors opened and Sophia stepped out giving Jake a searching glance before she walked away, and Jake glanced after her before he frowned catching the doors as the elevator began to close. He walked inside letting the doors close his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared in the direction that Sophia had gone.

  Edric walked over to his desk where he sat down and opened the box the note sitting on top folded in half. He picked up the note as he glanced at the other desserts noting there were different ones from yesterday added in today’s batch. He smiled when he noticed that they were all ones he liked and his smile turned into a chuckle as he opened the note.

  Have I become your personal baker, Mr. Walwyn? Next time, I might have to use your kitchen so I can make sure that you are well stocked and don’t have to keep getting deliveries from me. Calida

  He laughed lightly as he closed the note up putting it in the top drawer of his desk where he put yesterday’s note and he find himself knowing that although he had originally thought about inviting her to bake in his home, he didn’t want to stop her delivers which was keeping him in contact with her. He didn’t analyze why the thought left an unpleasant feeling in him so he pushed it away and made himself remember that it was all part of the plan.

  “Ric, I…” Sophia said opening the door and walking in only to stop when she saw the box sitting on his desk in front of him.

  Her lips tightened as she switched the box in her own hand to the other as she closed the door behind her and walked over to his desk.

  “Ric, honey, I’m sure that these pastries are much better than those,” she said in a cajoling voice as she placed the box on the desk.

  Edric raised an eyebrow but he didn’t comment as she opened the box showing the pastries she picked out inside. She smiled at him in triumph as she said, “There is blueberry and chocolate filled tarts, and…” she began identifying the others as she pointed them out not seeing the look that had settled on Edric’s face.

  “Sophia,” he said catching her attention as she lifted one out of the box and handed it to him.

  “Try it,” she said with a smile. “It is from one of the best bakeries in town.”

  “Mrs. Treston’s,” he asked as he took the pastry and took a bite.

  Sophia laughed as she shook her head and said, “Now why would I go there when this place is more expensive and has better quality?”

  Edric didn’t comment as he forced himself to swallow the bite he took and he looked up at her wondering if she had even tried it as Miss Dawson knocked on his door.

  “Here are the papers that you were waiting for, sir,” she said walking over to the desk glancing at the two boxes. “You have enough sweets to last for the rest of the week.”

  Sophia smiled and reached for the box Calida sent as she said, “Ric doesn’t need this one so why don’t you pass it among the employees.”

  She barely got the lid down when Edric stopped her by grabbing her hand. “Mariah, try one of these please,” he said indicating the box Sophia bought over getting a frown from her.

  “Ric, I bought them for you, not for you to give to your employees,” she scowled at him.

  Edric didn’t say anything as Mariah picked up a pastry and took a bite out of it only to start coughing a few seconds later.

  “It’s good, isn’t it?” Sophia asked her with a smug smile.

  “Only if you like dry,” Mariah said bluntly. “Even the ones I got today are better than that one.”

  She turned to leave but Edric stopped her at the door as he asked, “Can I get a cup of coffee please?”

  “No problem, sir,” she said with a nod before she disappeared out of the office.

  Edric’s eyes were still on Sophia and she leaned closer to him as she said, “She really doesn’t like me, you know, Ric.”

  Edric knew exactly why Mariah Dawson didn’t like her but he didn’t say anything as he let her hand go and eased the box Calida made for him out of her grasp closing the lid tightly. “Thank you, Sophia, but I’m wondering why you got blueberry?”

  Sophia smiled reaching out a hand to him and rubbing it down his cheek as she said, “It’s your favorite, Ric, as I remembered from five years ago at that party you gave.”

  Edric’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about what she was talking about and when it hit him, he sat back in his seat removing himself from her touching distance.

  “Of course,” he told her with a smile and a few seconds later his phone rang.

  “Excuse me,” he muttered as he picked it up and began to talk as Sophia continued to stare at him. She glanced over at the box he had closed and then down at the box she had brought the top still open before a satisfied smile crossed her lips. She straightened up and walked around the desk so she could give him a kiss and whisper something in the ear that wasn’t attached to the phone before she headed for the door.

  Edric’s green eyes followed her as he listened to his business associate on the other end and after the phone call was over, Mariah came in the office with his cup of coffee.

  “Mariah,” he said as she placed the cup on his desk. “Find something to do with that.” He indicated the box Sophia had left getting a sigh of relief from Mariah.

  “I thought you were going to get rid of the box Calida sent over,” she told him and shook his head.

  “I know what I like,” he told her before glancing up with a smile. “Although I appreciate the gesture on Sophia’s behalf, she picked what she liked like blueberry, and as you noticed, Calida’s are ten times better.”

  Mariah frowned as she stated, “There wasn’t any blueberry in yesterday’s box. Is there any in today’s batch?”

  Edric smiled and shook his head as his phone rang again, and as he answered it she excused herself going back to her own office with the other pastry box wondering what to do with it. Just as she was making a decision, the woman who Edric hired to keep the office clean walked out of the elevator, and Mariah smiled as she said to her, “I have a box of pastries here although they are not good, you can have them if you would like.”

  The woman smiled hesitatingly as she took the box from Miss Dawson’s hands before she walked away to start on her duties for the day glancing down at the box.

  Mariah watched her lift the box and sniffed it a smile going across her face as she entered the small room that housed her supplies, and Mariah shook her head lightly as the phone rung on her desk getting her attention.

  Over the next few days, Calida sent many boxes to their office while
Mariah felt as if she was going to explode with all the sweets she was getting.

  “No more,” she moaned when she heard the elevator ding at the end of the week only to look up in surprise when a female’s laughter rung around the office.

  “Tired yet?” The woman teased her brownish-blonde hair up in a ponytail and her hazel eyes sparkling with laughter as she held two boxes in her hands.

  “Yes,” Mariah groaned looking down at her stomach.

  Calida laughed as she stepped forward and put down the smaller box in front of her. “Jake said you wanted only one slice of a crumble peach pie,” Calida told her watching as the woman’s eyes widened at her words.

  “Calida,” she whispered looking at her.

  “In the flesh and you are Mariah if I’m not mistaken,” Calida said with a note of joking in her voice. “But this is for helping me so thank you and if you ever want, just give me a call and I can see what I can do for you.”

  “Do you do cakes?” Mariah asked, and Calida nodded her head although she gave her a questioningly look.

  Mariah didn’t have time to tell Calida why she asked as her phone rung and before she answered it, she said, “Mr. Walwyn had an appointment early this morning so he hasn’t been in yet. If you would like, you can wait in his office. He should be here in about twenty or thirty minutes.”

  Calida bit her lip but Edric’s secretary didn’t give her time to respond as she answered the phone and Calida sighed as she walked over to the open office door.

  She glanced down at her watch before she stepped in telling herself that she would give him thirty minutes before she left as she walked over to the window looking out after putting the pastry box on Edric’s desk. She wondered briefly if he had received any information regarding her brother but pushed the thought aside because she doubt if he did, he would share it with her.

  She had been standing there for at least twenty minutes when a harsh female voice said, “What in the hell are you doing in Ric’s office?”

  Calida flinched at the name ‘Ric’ although she knew it was his nickname but she much preferred his real name to the nickname. She turned as she remarked, “I merely waiting for him to return. Miss Dawson knows I’m here and invited me to wait for him inside his office.”