Chapter Nine: The Sweetest Confusion
The office of Pearson Specter Litt was abuzz with confusion and delight as employees trickled in that morning. On every desk sat a work of edible art: for the women, a bouquet of intricately crafted chocolate flowers, each petal painted with delicate, edible gold and pastel colors; for the men, small, detailed chocolate cars that looked almost too good to eat.
Each came with a note:
For the women:
С 8 Марта!
For the men:
Поздравьте девушек с 8 мартой.
Everyone was baffled.
Rachel was the first to speak up, holding up her note. “Okay, am I the only one who doesn’t know what this says?”
Mike looked at his note, frowning. “No clue. Is this… Russian?”
“It’s definitely Cyrillic,” Rachel said. “But why Russian? And who’s doing this?”
The associates gathered in small groups, marveling at the craftsmanship of their chocolates while puzzling over the notes.
---
In Louis’s office, the spectacle was even more extravagant. A towering chocolate cake sat on his desk, its layers visible through a transparent side panel made of hardened sugar. The top was decorated with edible flowers and a chocolate figurine of a cat wearing a tiny bowtie.
A note rested beside it:
Louis,
Happy 8th of March! Don’t forget to celebrate the women in your life.
— A Friend
Louis read the note twice, his face scrunched in confusion. “The 8th of March? What does that even mean?”
He poked his head out of his office, shouting into the bullpen. “Does anyone know what this is about?”
His question was met with shrugs and murmurs.
“It’s Russian,” Rachel called back.
“Why Russian?” Louis asked, more to himself than anyone else. He glanced back at the cake, unable to stop himself from cutting a slice. One bite in, and he was both furious and in awe. “Damn it, this is incredible.”
---
Harvey walked into Donna’s office holding the chocolate car he’d found on his desk. “Donna, care to explain why I’m suddenly driving a chocolate Lambo and getting cryptic Russian messages?”
Donna glanced at the car and smirked. “Maybe you have a secret admirer?”
“Yeah, well, my secret admirer has some explaining to do,” Harvey said, tossing the note onto her desk. “What does this even mean?”
Donna picked up the note, reading it with practiced nonchalance. “It’s a Russian phrase. It means, ‘Congratulate the women on March 8th.’”
“Why Russian?” Harvey pressed.
Donna shrugged. “Maybe they wanted to keep you guessing.”
Harvey narrowed his eyes. “You know something.”
“I always know something,” Donna said, smirking.
Harvey studied her for a moment, then pointed at the chocolate car. “If you figure out who’s behind this, let me know. And tell them they have excellent taste in cars.”
Donna waited until Harvey left before leaning under her desk.
“Harry,” she whispered sharply.
Harry poked his head out, grinning. “Did they like them?”
Donna gave him a look. “They’re obsessed. But why Russian? You’ve got the entire office spinning in circles trying to figure it out.”
Harry shrugged, popping a piece of leftover chocolate into his mouth. “It’s International Women’s Day. Russians celebrate it big. Thought it’d be fun to shake things up.”
“And Louis? Why the cake?”
“He’s Louis,” Harry said simply. “He deserves something extra.”
Donna sighed, leaning back in her chair. “You’re unbelievable.”
“But you love me,” Harry said, grinning.
Donna shook her head, though she couldn’t help smiling. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Let me keep having fun?” Harry offered.
Donna laughed, reaching for her coffee. “You’ve got the whole office wrapped around your little finger, you know that?”
“Maybe,” Harry said, his eyes sparkling. “But it’s fun watching them try to figure it out.”
---
By lunchtime, the office was still buzzing with speculation.
“Do you think it’s a client?” Rachel asked Mike as they walked toward the kitchenette.
Mike shook his head. “A client wouldn’t know enough about us to make this personal. Whoever it is, they’re here. They know us.”
Louis passed them in the hallway, holding a slice of his cake. “When I find out who this is, they’re getting an entire feature in my mudding club newsletter. This is art.”
Rachel and Mike exchanged a glance, trying not to laugh.
---
Back at her desk, Donna glanced down at Harry, who was now sketching designs for his next creation.
“You’ve set the bar pretty high,” she said.
Harry grinned. “Good. Keeps things interesting.”
Donna shook her head, her smile softening. Whatever chaos Harry brought into the office, it was worth it.
And as the day wound down, the chocolate bouquets and edible cars continued to spark joy—and just a little bit of confusion—throughout Pearson Specter Litt.
