Sugar, Spice & Secrets

30

The sun cast a warm glow through the windows of the bakery, illuminating the cozy space with golden light as the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. Despite the hustle and bustle of the lunch rush, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as I worked alongside my colleagues, lost in the rhythmic motions of kneading dough and shaping pastries.

As the afternoon sun reached its zenith, a spark of excitement fluttered in my chest at the thought of surprising Caleb at his office. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but one that filled me with a sense of anticipation and joy. I had never done anything like this before, but the idea of seeing his face light up with surprise was enough to dispel any lingering doubts or fears.

As I quickly glanced at the clock, realizing it was almost time for Caleb's lunch break, I decided to freshen up before surprising him. With a swift motion, I untied my flour-dusted apron and slipped out of my work attire, opting for something a bit more casual yet charming.

Stepping out back into the bustling bakery, I caught Zoe's eye and flashed her a grin. "Hey Zoe, I'll be right back! Just need to step out for a quick errand," I announced, excitement bubbling within me at the thought of surprising Caleb.

With a skip in my step, I made my way back to the kitchen and grabbed a small box of pastries that I had prepared earlier. Each one was crafted with care, a sweet token of my affection for Caleb.

As I cradled the box in my arms, the scent of freshly baked treats wafting up to meet me, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in my chest. With a smile on my lips, I hurried out of the bakery and set off on my way to Caleb's office, eager to see the look of delight on his face when he saw what I had in store for him.

Finally, I arrived at the nondescript building that housed Caleb's office, my heart pounding with anticipation as I climbed the stairs to the second floor. With a deep breath to steady my nerves, I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. The sound of voices drifted through the air as I made my way down the corridor, my pulse quickening with each passing moment.

As I greeted Caleb's colleagues with a warm smile, I couldn't help but notice the flicker of surprise that crossed their faces. It wasn't the kind of surprised welcome I had expected; instead, it was tinged with a hint of unease, as if they had been caught doing something they shouldn't be.

I exchanged puzzled glances with them, searching their faces for any sign of what might be amiss. They seemed to be exchanging furtive looks amongst themselves, their expressions guarded and tense.

"Julie?" One of them finally spoke up, their voice tinged with uncertainty. "What are you doing here?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered, as I scanned the room for any sign of Caleb. But he was nowhere to be seen, and a sinking feeling began to settle in the pit of my stomach.

"Is Caleb around?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light despite the growing sense of apprehension that gnawed at me.

The colleagues exchanged another glance, and a tense silence fell over the room as they hesitated to respond. It was then that I knew something was wrong, that the surprise I had planned for Caleb might not go as smoothly as I had hoped.

"He's... not here right now," one of them finally answered, their voice barely above a whisper. "He stepped out a while ago."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and a wave of disappointment washed over me as I realized that my surprise visit had been in vain. But even as my heart sank, a stubborn flicker of optimism remained, urging me to believe that there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for Caleb's absence.