Chapter Seven
CALEB
Sitting opposite Cora is not something that I ever expected to be doing on a Monday morning. I always wanted to talk to her and explain myself, but I knew that she would never give me that time.
“I’m sorry, Cora. I loved you too. I just…,” I don’t know what to tell her. I left her for a job opportunity and I couldn’t face saying goodbye. That doesn’t sound quite right.
“Caleb, let me speak first. We had a great relationship, or so I thought. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, but I guess it was one-sided. When you left, you broke my heart. It took me a long time to get over you, so I am still questioning my sanity here, but I am hoping that we won’t see a lot of each other because you’ll be working. I don’t need to know why you left, it’s probably best if we just forget it. Let’s start this assignment as if it’s our first meeting.”
I look at her, talking about the past is going to stir up a lot of feelings, maybe it’s best to leave it for another day. “Okay.” I put my hand out for her to shake. “I’m Caleb, pleased to meet you, Cora.”
I watch as her top lip turns upward slightly. She shakes my hand. “I’m Cora.”
“So, Marion, my housekeeper, is going to be here in about half an hour. She wants to know what kind of food you like and what your plans are. Then we will need to go over our relationship and how we are going to play it for the wedding.”
“Oh yes, the wedding. Of your ex. She made it further than I did, anyway.”
“Ouch. Tillie was someone who slid into the role very well. It’s like she was born to be a trophy wife. She was only after the money and that suited me. But then she cheated on me with Daly Foster.”
Cora starts laughing and I watch her. Her face lights up when she tips her head back and laughs. I remember I used to always watch her face, it would light up at the smallest thing. She’s very expressive and so beautiful.
“Daly Foster, from kindergarten?” Cora went to school with us, so she knows him well. She also knows that we have always hated each other. On the football pitch, in the classroom, and with girls.
“Yes, I know. Karma’s a bitch, right?” I laugh with her.
“For sure.” She looks at me and I think we are going to be okay.
Just then the elevator door opens and it’s Marion. I stand up and walk over to her to take the bags that she is carrying. She hands them to me as she does every day when I’m. “Morning, Caleb,” she says with her high pitched voice.
“Morning, Marion, I want to introduce you to Cora, my wife.”
She looks at me with joy. I told her what was happening and that Cora is going to be playing the part of my wife, so we need to pretend at home just in case someone comes over.
She walks over to Cora, who has already started to walk toward her.
Cora holds out her hand, but Marion ignores her hand and hugs her instead. She whispers in her ear. “I’ve heard about you over the years, you’ve always been the one who got away. I hope it works out for you. I’m here for you.” But of course I hear her.
I clear my throat. “Marion, let me make you both coffee. Take a seat.” Marion looks at me then smiles and takes a seat. I leave the two of them chatting as I walk into the kitchen.
I use the Keurig to make the coffee and I hear Cora’s laugh. God I missed that laugh, it tugs at something deep inside me. What the hell am I doing? I am not going to be able to keep her at a distance, I want her.
Carrying the coffee over to the two of them, Cora looks at her cup. “Two spoons of coffee, one spoon of sugar, and a small drop of milk. I’m assuming you still take your coffee that way.” I smile at her. Her lips turn up and she can’t help the smile.
“Actually, no, but that’s only because I don’t want too much sugar.”
“I’ll make you a new one.” I stand and move to pick up her cup. But she pulls it away from me.
“I’ll drink it. This is how I really love my coffee, I just don’t make it this way.” She lifts the cup to her lips and takes a sip. I watch her closely as she closes her eyes and takes a sip. I watch as she swallows and I see her smile. God I want to make her smile more. Thus is definitely going to be torture.
“So, did you discuss food, allergies and everything else while I was gone?” I look at both of them.
“Yes, we did,” Marion says. “Cora likes to cook, so we negotiated that she cooks at the weekend so I can have time off. But don’t you think that I’m going to take a cut in my wages.” She looks at me, smiling. I nod my head.
“Thanks, Marion. So, Cora, I’m off for the day, do you want to start going over the files? We need to learn everything about each other before the wedding next weekend.”
“Actually, Caleb, don’t forget Sunday dinner.” Marion smiles and then stands. “I’ll see myself out. Cora, good to meet you and I can’t wait to get to know you better.” She nods her head and then turns to walk away.
“See you soon, Marion,” Cora says to her retreating back. Then she turns her gaze toward me and her smile disappears. “Sunday dinner? Is she talking about you going to your parents? I won’t be going so what is she talking about?”
I take a deep breath in. “Yeah about that. I kind of told the family that you will be coming with me to Sunday dinner. It’s as much a tradition now as it was back when we were teenagers. Mom can’t wait to see you again.”
“Caleb, what the fuck? I can’t go to Sunday dinner with your family. Our relationship is not real. They know that, right?
“I guess we’d better make a start, but are you sure you don’t need to go to work? I can go over the files myself.” She looks uncomfortable. I could go to work, I have loads to do, but I want to spend the time with her.
“No, I’m fine. I took the day off to make you comfortable and show you around the apartment.”
“Well, you’ve done that. I know where everything is. I can read the file on my own. I’m sure there’s not that much to learn.” She smirks at me. I used to love her sass and defiance.
“Honestly, it’s not a problem at all, Cora. I want to make you feel at home and I can answer any question you might have. Now, let’s move to the garden, it’s a beautiful day, we might as well make good use of it.” I stand and take the file from her before moving toward the stairs leading up to the garden.
“Let’s get to know each other better. I know about us when we were younger, so tell me all about you since then,” I ask.
“You mean tell you all about how I’ve been since you walked away from me and broke my heart? That’s going to be fun.”
She is going to make it so hard for me, but I am determined.