Bittersweet treats

The world was passing her by, and she couldn’t care less for it. She just lost hers. And not even for a moment did the earth stop. Everything she knew was now a far away memory, haunting her. For a moment she resented the sky for being so blue and bright; even in heartbreak, the French scenery was still breathtaking. So grand and romantic, Harvey would’ve loved it. Oh, Harvey, she felt her heart fall apart. Would he ever forgive her? No. She had to let him go. He deserved the world, and not just the lie she offered him. She could never keep up the illusion of Robyn Banks, she could not outrun who she truly was.

Can I make him happy?

She had been a liar and a thief her whole life. Nothing wrong with that, her mother made an entire career out of it. Secrets will get you far- blackmail certainly goes expedite things your way. So she grew up stealing them. She charmed her way into a renowned university only to have easier access to her targets. Young men from well established families willing to give up anything for her. She’s always had that strange effect on them… And why shy away from using it to her advantage. She’d let them spoil her with all sorts of gifts while she infiltrated, and poisoned their lives. Assignments were simple. Create a scandal here, steal an artefact there, find out their deepest darkest secrets, nothing too demanding really! And she’d always leave the moment it was completed, she’d never look back. Until she met him. Harvey Lovelace.

She had been staring out the cabin’s window for hours now, and the tears that had stopped rolled down her cheeks left small speckles of mascara in their place. Harvey would have offered her his handkerchief, or softly wiped them after himself. She missed how kind his touch was. He would have held her hand as she went on and on over the clouds and all their cute different shapes. She’d even order a second dessert just to hear him talk about pastries and all the intricate techniques that go into making them. He would get so passionate about them and nothing made her happier than watching stars light up in those gorgeous hazel eyes.

But can I make him happy?

Robyn quickly wiped away the new tears forming as the waiter brought her a silver tray of delicate treats. Something sweet for my bitter Birdie, said the note. Irene knew she would be here. Her mother was always right, and Paris was no exception. Robyn stared at the violet macaron in disgust. She had to cut ties with that woman. But how? Adler had connections everywhere in the world, and there was not one person who did not owe her a favor. ‘Identity thief?, was the first thought that crossed her mind as she started frantically looking for a pair of scissors in her purse. New hair, new me, I think it goes. Or is it short hair, don’t care, I- her fingers had stopped on a tiny piece of paper. Folded with great care, and a small golden seal keeping it shut. She never opened the notes Harvey left her after their first date. Like she never opened any of the ones that came after. She preciously store them in a jewelry box locked away in her room, but always kept the first one near her.

It felt heavy in her hand. Probably the last words she’ll ever see from Harvey. Open it. She never felt deserving of his love. She thought one day, she’d have the courage to open them all and receive all the love Harvey had for her. You’ve wasted it. Open it. She cautiously broke the seal, and a necklace fell onto her lap.

Dear Robyn,

Thank you for the wonderful evening! Who knew tea and sandwiches by the lake would make studying so enjoyable! Although I think it was your company that made everything perfect. You looked beautiful last night, and in the envelope you’ll find a necklace with a daisy pendant. I saw you picking them when I walked you back to your dorm and now I think of you when I see them. No worries about wearing it if you don’t like it. I won’t be offended. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Harvey Lovelace

Memories of that day came back to her softly, soothing the ache in her chest. The laughs they shared after she made him a crown of the freshly picked daisies. Something about them and his freckles in the moonlight made perfect sense together. She remembered perfectly the moment she fell for him. When he pricked himself, cutting the sandwich- how clumsy- he quickly became livid at the sight of blood. She took his hand in hers and wiped away the droplet of blood before covering it with a small bandage. ‘You’re quite the funny doctor’ she laughed before softly kissing his hand. He suddenly blushed profusely, muttering some silly explanation for his blood aversion. She didn’t really listen, her eyes admiring the scars across his kind features. Kintsugi, was the word she was looking for. He was like art, broken pieces put back together again with gold. Perfectly imperfect, and devastatingly handsome. But he did not realize that. “Is something wrong”, he look so worried, “I’m sorry, I know the scars can be quite jarring-

She playfully put a finger on his lips to quiet him, “I was just thinking about how handsome you’d look with golden frames!” The flush of his cheeks turned to a bright red, and she could not help herself but give him her brightest smile.

“Did you not enjoy the sweets, Birdie?”

Startled by her mother’s voice, Robyn looked up only to find Irene Adler across her table. “You’re truly missing out’, her fingers softly gracing the violet one, ‘they are exquisite” as took a bite. Adler did not have one care in the world, and found the hatred in her daughter’s eyes quite entertaining. “That’s good. Keep that anger for your next assignment. So you don’t disappoint us again.” She pulled out an envelope from her purple coat. “Read it through, and sign your name. Your real one.”

She hadn’t signed that name in an eternity, she almost forgot about it. But this contract was written to her birth name.

Charlotte Adler