That clever, vindictive little?—
This isn’t just any hot chocolate mix.This is premium Swiss cocoa that costs more per ounce than most people spend on lunch.And it was my last canister.
Eve Lopez just crossed a line.
I dump the ruined drink and head back to my desk, mind already working on my revenge.She wants to play games?Fine.But she’s about to learn I don’t play fair.
By the time I reach my desk, I already have a plan forming.Eve’s sitting there looking perfectly innocent, typing away like she didn’t just commit a felony against imported chocolate.
“Everything okay?”she asks without looking up.“You look a little...bitter.”
“Hilarious.”I settle into my chair, pulling out my phone.“Just making some calls.”
Her fingers pause over the keyboard for a fraction of a second.Good.Let her wonder.
The first call is to my dry cleaner about my suit from yesterday.The second is to confirm a client meeting for next week.The third is about ordering replacement cocoa powder from my usual supplier.Completely mundane calls, but I make sure to keep my voice low and speak in vague terms.
“Yeah, I need that handled by Friday...No, the usual method won’t work this time...Make sure it’s exactly what we discussed.”
Eve’s trying to act like she’s not listening, but I catch her shooting glances my way every few minutes.Her typing has slowed considerably, and she keeps tilting her head slightly in my direction.
“That was expensive cocoa,” I mention casually as I hang up from my last call.
“Was it?”Her voice is perfectly neutral, but I see the slight tightening around her eyes.
“Imported from Switzerland.Sixty dollars for a small tin.”
Now she looks up, and I catch a flicker of guilt before she masks it.“That’s...ridiculously overpriced for chocolate powder.”
“It’s not just chocolate powder.It’s a premium blend with specific flavor notes.”I lean back in my chair, watching her carefully.“The kind of thing you can’t just replace.”
“Maybe you should stick to the break room coffee like the rest of us peasants.”
“Maybe you should stick to pranks that don’t cost me sixty bucks.”
We stare at each other across our desks, the tension crackling between us like live wire.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says finally, but there’s less conviction in her voice now.
“Right.”I turn back to my computer.“Well, I’m sure whoever messed with my cocoa will enjoy the surprise I have planned for them.”
That gets her attention.“What surprise?”
“Oh, you’ll see.Eventually.”
I don’t actually have a surprise planned yet, but watching her squirm is almost worth the loss of my premium cocoa.Almost.
* * *
Around noon,Joshua stretches dramatically.“I’m starving, but I can’t leave.Veronica’s been breathing down my neck all morning about these social media metrics.”
“I need to grab lunch anyway,” Eve says, gathering her purse.“I’ll pick up sandwiches from Danny’s for everyone.What do you want?”
“Turkey club,” Steven calls out without looking up from his screen.
“Pastrami on rye,” Flora adds.“With extra pickles.”
“And I’ll have the Italian combo,” Joshua says.“Plus one of those iced coffees.You know, the ones with extra sugar that you hate?”
