“It’s your word against mine you know,” Rachel said, her voice full of venom.
“Not likely. Every area of this building, besides bathrooms, is video monitored, with sound.” Horror played across her face for a moment.
“It doesn’t matter. I have a personal relationship with your security guard and he will help me out on this,” Rachel said with confidence.
“Oh, you mean Dale Winters? I fired him yesterday for tampering with security footage.”
Rachel’s face went sheet white and she began to shake.
“It’s over Rachel. I’m having you arrested and fired.”
She shook her head but didn’t say anything. Five minutes later security showed up and escorted her out of the office. Bryce sighed; glad to have dodged the crazy bullet and even gladder his father insisted on heightened security in the building. He’d have to thank his dad for that when he visited him next winter; hopefully with Lateisha and their baby by his side. After finishing up with security, Bryce headed down the stairs, taking two at a time, hoping Lateisha hadn’t left the building yet.
*****
“Lateisha! Can I see you a minute?” John bellowed from his office.
Lateisha looked around frantically. She had to get out of this building or she was going to lose her mind. Never in a million years would she have thought Bryce was lying to her. Or that he would be with someone so manipulative and bitchy. Stalling a moment just in case John came looking for her, Lateisha turned and headed towards the double glass doors, glancing over her shoulder as she went.
“Lateisha! Where are you going?” John asked suddenly behind her.
Where did he come from so fast?
“I was, uh, heading out for a quick coffee. Do you need anything?” Why did she ask that when she knew she wasn’t coming back?
“No. I just needed to see you a moment in my office. It’s important.” He had a strange look on his face and he wouldn’t meet her eyes.
With a frown she realized she was probably being fired her first day of work. Nice.
“I’ll be right back. I promise.” Dammit, why did she say that?
“It really can’t wait,” John said, rubbing his face anxiously.
John was a rather attractive man, and if she wasn’t head over heels for Bryce she may have been attracted to him. Maybe Becky would be interested… No, she wasn’t coming back here ever again.
“John, er, Mr. Wilson, I really have to run out for a moment but I’ll be back soon.” Lateisha turned and grabbed the door handle ready to pull.
“I can’t let you leave, Lateisha.” John grabbed her arm and a nervous shiver wracked her body.
What was going on? Did he think she did something wrong? Lateisha turned and looked at his hand on her arm and he moved it quickly with a sheepish look on his face.
“I’m sorry for that,” he motioned to her arm with his head. “But well, Bryce asked me not to let you leave.” A mild flush filled his cheeks and John turned away from her for a moment.
Anger and shame flooded back and Lateisha turned on John. “Oh he wants me to wait, does he? Tell him I said he can kiss my ass! I’m not waiting around for shit. Not after what he did to me. I should have never signed those damn surrogacy papers or moved in with him and quit my job. Now what do I have?” Lateisha began to sob uncontrollably, something she could only attribute to pregnancy hormones.
“Lateisha,” John said softly. It unnerved her. He hadn’t done much but yell since she started that morning.
“Just let me leave. Please.” She knew she looked pathetic but at this point she didn’t care.
Without protest, John stepped aside and Lateisha marched from the door with her head held high. Once in the elevator the waterworks began again. This time she was unable to stop them and she wasn’t sure how she would make it home this way. The elevator jerked to a halt and Lateisha stepped from it when the doors slid opened. The lobby was of course swarming with people and Lateisha looked like someone had just run over her cat. Smoothing her skirt down and fixing her hair, Lateisha walked through the lobby, ignoring the few stares and whispers that were following her. A noise from the other end of the lobby caught everyone’s attention and they soon ignored her.
“No! Please let me speak to my fiancé. Bryce! Bryce help!” A woman was yelling at the top of her lungs and it was echoing in the marble lobby.
Unable to curb her curiosity, especially since the woman was yelling Bryce’s name, Lateisha stopped short of the exit and looked back. It was Rachel, she was being escorted from the building by two police officers and she was fighting them and screaming. Her perfectly blow dried blond hair was disheveled like a lions mane around her head. Confusion made Lateisha rock back on her heels. What was going on? Where was Bryce and why was this woman being led away in handcuffs? Lateisha didn’t have to wait very long for her answer. A loud bang from across the room in the direction of the stairwell made her jump. Bryce came barreling from the door, sweat dripping from his forehead and his usually perfectly crisp and pressed suit rumpled, his suit jacket missing altogether. His usually slicked back, prim and proper hair was wild around his face. Lateisha was more confused than ever. Was he running to save Rachel from being arrested? What could have happened after she left the office that resulted in her being led away in handcuffs? Lateisha watched Bryce and he caught her eye. Instead of running past her to where a still shrieking Rachel was being led out the revolving door, Bryce ran towards Lateisha. He stopped in front of her and leaned over with his hands on his knees, panting.
“My God, Lateisha. I didn’t think I would catch you before you left, especially when John called me and said that you yelled at him and then left the office.” He bent over again, gasping for air, his face unnaturally red.
“I didn’t yell at him.” Despite what happened, Lateisha still cared about Bryce and he did not look well. “You look like you’re going to pass out, please sit down, Bryce.” She grabbed his arm and led him to a love seat set up in the corner of the lobby.