His Favorite Sin

5.2: FALL

Present

The days were shorter than the nights, and the temperature dropped lower and lower. From above, the city was a canvas of green, yellow, red, and orange as most trees shed their leaves, conserving their energy for the next season approaching. It was obvious winter was drawing closer, and everyone had begun dusting off their coats, which they had packed up since spring. This year had been the warmest, and talk of global warming had dominated the news throughout. It was a relief to many to get back to a cold season.

Cora’s pea coat offered her all the warmth she needed when she stepped out of the house. Tammy drove them both in her Honda, the trip mostly silent as Cora could feel her editor’s loud disapproval in the passenger seat. She was going against Tammy’s advice, even though that was what she employed Tammy to do – advise her.

Tammy was good at her job, and all her clients could attest to that as she had helped make successful authors out of them. She knew the rights and wrongs, the dos and don’ts in her line of work. She could see a lot of wrongs and don’ts in the path Cora was taking, but her client was stubborn and resolute.

‘Are you having money trouble?’ Tammy sighed after managing to be quiet for eight minutes. Cora turned to her, puzzled, as Tammy shared her gaze between Cora and the road. ‘Is that why you’re doing this? You need the money?’

They were on their way to seal the deal, and Tammy had literally and physically wrestled with Cora to abort this mission, but all attempts had failed. Cora had made up her mind.

Cora did need money, but it wasn’t her driving reason at all. ‘No’

‘Then what is it?!’

‘I know what I’m doing, Tamara.’ Cora sighed.

‘No, you don’t! I don’t understand why you would agree to a deal like this, but whatever your reason, it’s still a stupid idea. And if you would just give me a little more time, I would get you a better company.’

‘You didn’t this past two years.’

‘So that’s it? You’re scared I won’t find another publisher? If that’s what you’re afraid of and is making you act so impulsive...’

‘It’s not. Tamara—’

Tamara hit the brakes as they reached a stoplight, and the car screeched to a halt. ‘Then what is it? Tell me!’ Cora briefly closed her eyes and sighed as she felt a headache coming on from her editor’s persistence.

She really wished she could tell her friend the truth. She wanted to, especially with Tammy’s scrutinizing gaze boring holes into the side of her head. Her eyes flickered up to the traffic light and wished it would magically turn green instantly so they could continue their journey and reach their destination more quickly, but the red light remained, as if mocking her, no, warning her of how wrong her decision was.

‘Don’t keep me quiet, young lady.’ Tammy snapped beside her.

‘Tammy—’

‘Is it Isabel??’

‘What?’

‘Did you know her before the dinner? Was that why you were acting so weird? Have you met her before? Is she the one twisting your arm into this deal?’

Cora sighed again, realizing what Tammy was getting at. Funny, she wasn’t so far off from the truth. ‘Tammy, no, I do not know Isabel, and she isn’t forcing me into anything. Now, can you please drive so that maniac can stop honking?’ Behind them, the continuous blaring sound of a car horn signaled the driver’s impatience as the stoplight had turned green five seconds ago.

Tammy said nothing more and wheeled them forward, not before “elegantly” flipping the driver behind the bird.

It was when Tammy finally parked her car and turned off the ignition that she frowned and faced Cora quizzically once more.

‘Why did you ask to meet Lance Dvorak?’ Cora had already anticipated this question was coming, and she was prepared.

‘If he’s going to buy the company soon, shouldn’t I get to know my future partner?’

Tammy snorted and shook her head. ‘This contract wouldn’t make you a partner but a fool.’ She pointed out before stepping out. She had the right to be upset. Cora didn’t feel as confident about her decision anymore and was starting to feel a bit queasy.

The fresh breeze instantly picked up a few wispy strands of her hair that she had left intentionally to fall over her forehead as Cora stepped out of the car. She had spent half the morning straightening every lock and deciding whether to go full formal and confine them all in a high bun or let some strands loose just so she wouldn’t appear stiff or perturbed. She wanted to look like Tammy, how she always seemed at ease, no matter the social setting. Tammy could wear jeans to a formal dinner party and still own the room. It wasn’t the outfit or the way she styled her hair. It was just her.

Starling House had its own private secluded property where the office building was situated. They took the thin concrete path paved amidst the neatly trimmed grass. Round-pruned shrubs lined both sides of the walkways leading to the large building. Featured atop the unique architectural structure was the sleek, artistic logo of the starling bird in mid-flight, with its wings spotting fiery highlights and its tail extended.

Just as Tammy reached for the handle, the glass door swung open, revealing Isabel. ‘Welcome!’ She smiled, a little too wide for both girls. ‘Glad you could make it. Come on in.’

Tammy forced a smile back and proceeded in while Isabel held the door open, but just as Cora was about to follow, Isabel stopped her. ‘Oh, uh, he’s waiting for you behind.’

Cora paused and shared a look with Tammy. ‘You did ask for a meeting with him, right?’ She c****d her head at Cora. ‘Why did you ask for a meeting?’ Isabel still had that weird smile on as she questioned Cora, trying to hide the curiosity in her eyes but failing awfully.

‘Just business,’ Cora replied.

‘Business you can’t discuss with everyone else around as we prepare for the contract signing?’

‘Yes.’ Tammy responded coldly behind her before her client could, and Cora watched satisfied as Isabel’s smile faltered. She nodded and fixed her expression.

‘Just follow the walkway to the back, and it will lead you to a little garden. When you’re done, we will be inside waiting for you two.’

Cora followed Isabel’s instructions, not before Tammy gave her a stern look that said, ‘be careful,’ while she and Isabel went inside.

Their office was much larger than it appeared from the front, and as Cora continued walking, she noticed another structure to the side, looming in the distance. The entire compound screamed money, and when she got to the garden, she couldn’t help but marvel at the mix of vibrant colors. A gardener was raking up the lost leaves and piling them in a wheelbarrow before she took a turn on the paved lane. She could feel her heartbeat quicken as she noticed a bench not far away, amidst the greenery.

She noticed the figure sitting on it, long hair pushed back with dark sunglasses over his eyes. He gripped the top of his cane with both hands, resting his chin on his knuckles.

A sparrow was perched on the bench’s backrest beside him, the bird’s round dark eyes trained on her. Lance's sunglasses hid his eyes, but it felt like he was staring directly at her, and the smirk playing on his lips caused her to believe that maybe he could see her.