07

Erica shook her head with a smile on her face, while Jessica shrugged and head to the counter to get Barbara’s order.

Barbara ate her cakes, sipped her earl grey tea, while Erica had her Darjeeling tea. She ate a piece of chocolate cake with strawberry filling, while Barbara finished her cakes piece by piece, terrified Erica just stared at her. Usually they would talk about random stuff, but every time the cafe had new products, this was what happened. By the time they walk out of the cafe, Barbara hold 3 pieces cake which she haven’t finished from ten that she ordered. She probably would gave them to Martha, Andrew and Alice. Barbara went in the limousine and waved goodbye to Erica, while she drove her car toward the ten floors building across the cafe, went straight to parking basement of Binder Corp.

When she got out of the car, two of security guards noticed her immediately, she called them over and handed over bags of cupcakes. Each of them have two large bag in their hands. « Can you guys hold them for me ? Rupert and Jack, right ? »

The mention of their names took them off guard. They really confused, how can their boss’s wife knew their names, while even another employees didn’t, except the superior and another securities. « Yes, ma’am ! » They answer in union.

They followed her inside, after she entered, everyone in the room literally had their mouths wide opened. When Erica kept staring at them, they immediately closed their mouths and continued their jobs. Erica approached the receptionist table, « Melissa, can you ask Heather is Arnold available for any disruption for me ? » she asked sweetly.

Melissa, the receptionist’s eyes widened. Erica never came to the office before, how in the world she knew her name.

Erica clasped her hands and snapped Melissa out of her thought. « So, can you do me the favor ? »

« Y-yeah, of course, wait a second, Ma’am ! Please have a seat ! » she answered nervously and directly Erica to a sofa beside her desk.

Erica smiled at her and decided not to sit down. Instead she went around, gave all the securities a box of cupcakes each. She gave it by herself and called their name one by one. Shocking everyone by her awareness of their names. She went back to the desk after she sure everyone on that room got their share, « So ? » she asked immediately while holding one box, when Melissa just put down the phone.

« He is available for about an hour or two. » Melissa smiled to her.

« Great, thank you ! Here, have some cupcakes » she handed over the box. « There are five inside, you can share with your siblings at home. »

Melissa hesitantly took it, surprised by her knowledge of her family. Both of their parents had passed away two years ago, without any money left for their children. Melissa literally took over father and mother role to her four sibling. It was a struggle till she found part time job at Binder Corp. Mr. Arnold Binder helped her with her money issue, and asked her to work at Binder Corp full time in return.

Erica noticed Melissa’s shock. She grabbed her hand, squeezed it, « You can come to us when ever you need help. And I’m glad you still wear that watch. See you later, then. »

She touched Melissa’s watch and went in the elevator with Rupert and Jack following, still holding the bags but with less boxes inside, leaving Melissa dumbfounded, wondering what she mean. Then, questioning herself did Erica knew the watch was a gift from Mr. Binder at her first Christmas with the company two years ago.

Erica went to each floor and handed over the boxes to everyone, again and again called their name without mistake. Left everyone wondering how she knew or even remembered those names. They did met in her wedding party but was that enough to make she memorized all of their names ? Indeed it was enough since she had a really good memory. One encounter and she would remembered that person forever.

When she finally reached the top floor, she was alone with two boxes left. Rupert and Jack already backed to their spot after the eighth floor and got their share of cupcakes. This floor just have one long desk for Arnold’s secretary, on the left was a stair that lead to his office. Heather, the secretary looked up and have same expression with everyone that she met in the office, it was funny at first couple of floors, but started annoyed her after five floors, what they thought she was, an alien ? She just don’t get what made them reacted that way. Better ask Heather or I will never know.

« God, why are you doing that ? » she frowned. « Is there something on my face ? » she asked while touching her face to find any dirt or anything..

Heather snapped out of her thought and gave Erica a reassuring smile, « No, your face are flawless. »

« Then why everybody stared at me like I am an alien ? »

« Everybody ? »

« Yeah, I went to every floor. »

« Wow, why ? »

« Well, I gave them some cupcakes ! » she lifted her hand showed the boxes in her hand, and gave one to Heather, « And this one is for you. »

« Thank you. It’s sweet of you Mrs. Binder. »

« Soo, answer my question ! »

« Oh, yeah. It was your outfit. »

Erica pop-eyed and looked at her black white stripped dress. « What’s wrong with my dress ? I don’t see any dirt or hole. »

« Hahaha… You are pretty funny, Mrs. Binder. Nothing wrong with your dress. It just… » Heather hesitated to continue.

« It just, » Erica indicated her to go on.

« It just looked like a couple outfit. Did you guys purposely plan it ? »

Erica confused, « Couple outfit ? With who ? »

« Of course, Mr. Binder. Who else ? » she answered with bright smile.

« R-really ? I don’t have chance to meet him this morning, so I have no idea what he wear.. »

« Then, maybe it was your chemistry doing the job. » she teased.

Erica rolled her eyes, terrified. Seriously, first at his parent house and now, here I am got teased by his secretary because of our similar outfit. I really pick the wrong dress today. How similar are they this time ?

« Ehmm, sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. » Heather looked guilty for making Erica discomfort. Way the go, Heather, now you give her a reason to make you to have a hell of job. She scolded herself.

Erica smiled at her which made Heather relieved. « It’s okay. I just surprised, or took off guard to be exactly. »

They laughed.

« So, » Erica said after their laugh ran down, « are you sure he isn’t busy ? »

« Hundred percent ! » Heather nodded firmly.

Erica took a deep breath. When she saw Heather was staring at her, she asked, « What’s wrong ? »

« Nothing ! » she chuckled. She continued when Erica frowned at her, « It’s just funny. You are meeting your beloved husband, yet you look like you are going to a war. » she laughed.

Erica laughed with her, but it was fake. You have no idea how true is it. Erica thought.

« Well, I assume that was for him right ? » Heather pointed the last box in Erica hand.

« Yes ? » Erica didn’t knew why, but that ended up as question.

« Why don’t you bring it in with you. Now is his past noon snack time. » she looked at the wall clock. « Do you want me prepare his coffee ? »

Erica almost blurted yes, when she realized, she should be his wife here. « No, I will do it. Just show me the place. »

Heather led Erica to a room at the right of her desk. « You will have everything need here. Call me if you need me. » she winked at Erica.

Erica laughed, « Hahaha, thank you. »

« Anytime. » She left Erica by her own.

Espresso. That’s the only thing that came to Erica mind. During the three months of his fake pursuing, he didn’t talk much about himself. Most of the stuff she knew was from Barbara. But, he seemed always ordered espresso every time they went to a cafe. Better take the bet rather then made completely fool of her self for not knowing her husband favorite coffee.

So, she made an espresso for Arnold, and a caffe latte for herself. She placed the cupcakes on plate, these cupcakes were specially made for him with less sugar and dark chocolates. Something she knew for sure about him was he didn’t like sweet at all. She put the cups and plate on the tray, opened the door. When she walked passed Heather, she took a peek at the tray and smiled at Erica.