Tore

six | arise

"No, he's not old enough. I wanted to wait until he's 1."

"He got a bottle?"

I shook my head yes.

"Let's do it!" He laughed, we made our way to the Starbucks two building over from LUX.

"The usual for me and an Americano, for him."

"What's your usual?" LeSane asked,

I took a deep breath, "A venti caramel latte with shots of espresso, six pumps of caramel, five pumps of vanilla, four pumps of cinammon dolce, three pumps of butter pecan, and one pump of ameretto."

Our orders came out and we sat next to one another.

Everyone was staring and whispering. Why?

"Would you like to go out on a dinner date or something say, Wednesday?"

"That's in two days, geesh. I wouldn't mind though, I love our time together LeSane."

He blushed, "I love it too, you have such a beautiful aura."

"Aww I-

I felt my earpiece buzz, "Duty calls LeSane, I'll call you later love!"

"How about a movie tonight?"

"LeSane..I'll see. Call me when you get the chance."

"Make ya money ma'!"

I raced down the street! Kaine is on his period and he's being so agitating.

And once I reached his office he was at my throat!
--
Kaine

"What took you so long?" I asked,

"I stopped to talk to LeSane."

"UPS?"

"Yes, why?"

She asked clearly aggravated by my questions but I don't really give a fuck.

"He's just been the talk of the town—a lot lately. I don't know if I trust him around you."

"Why's that any of that your concern?"

We were interrupted by Noa's cooing. I picked him up from the stroller and rocked him gently.

"You are my concern." I whispered,

In my mind she truly is. I have to protect her and Noa.

Again—from myself and others.

"You are my boss. Not my father, not my brother, uncle, cousin, for damn sure not God. You're barely an associate. Damn sure not my man."

"As an employee. You're my concern, you know as an employee of mine, contractually. Did you forget? Let me finish next time."  I said smirking snidely.

I had to admit that what she said hurt me. We haven't been the same since the argument we had and even then the road was rocky.

"Fuck that." She said, shocking me.
..
Leigh

I stood there frozen. The intrusive thoughts won that time..

"In front Noa? Really? Krissy, can you come take Noa to the nursery for Ms. Christian." He asked.

"Yes sir." She took Noa out of his arms.

He started walking menacingly towards me.

"Fuck what? Hm?" He asked rhetorically before continuing, backing me up into a corner, his eyes turned black as steel. He closed the blinds in the process, his breath was even cold.

"You're nothing."

"Nothing?"

"An employee. A subordinate. For you to even think I would want such a disappointment to be my daughter, sister, niece, or woman is idiotic. Ask yourself, why would I want that. You're nowhere near my level and if you disrespect me again it's wraps for you, understand?"

There was an awkward silence.

"Fuck you!" I screamed as tears streamed down my face.

"Fuck you too!"  He screamed childishly, we heard the door click, catching our attention.

"Excuse me, Mr. Cole, is everything alright in here?"

"Yes, everything is fine. Actually, Ms. Christian was just leaving." I gasped audibly, causing Kaine to give me an even colder stare.

I gave him the most evil stare back, the coldest stare anyone could ever give.
..
Kaine

I got chills from how cold and piercing her stare was—it hit my soul.

"What's going on Loretta?"

"Nicolai, still wants that deal and I hear he's trying to get it anyway—by any means necessary. Even if it means manipulating our partners, by kicking down a few people, hiring those you fire, he wants a war over whatever you have. He's going to be at the Annual Gala so be ready."
--
Leigh

I hate coming out of Kaine's office.

I feel like the energy shifts and all eyes are on me.

Gladly, it's a holiday weekend and there's little work to be done and most of it could be done at home.

I usually lounged in the old mail room while hiding from the others.

I wanted to decorate it, plenty of ideas could be processed here, as I was walking out I bumped into Freddie, I tried to turn around because he asks me the same thing everyday!

"Leigh, what's up with you and the boss. Spill the tea, girl. Please tell me—I'm dying to know."

Freddie, a senior graphic designer asked, I rolled my eyes,

"You really wanna know?" I flipped my hair and smiled.

He nodded eagerly, flipping his own hair,

"Nothing. Employer and employee. I don't know why people think that we're a thing."

"Because the folks that's been working here since LUX  started—it was a coincidence that LUX standing for Leigh's Licensing Utilities and Xeroxing. Hm?"

"Stop it, no it's not. It's very coincidental."

"Very. You should ask him."

He raised his over-drawn eyebrow.

"Ooh, girl it's 5:30, time to go!" I heard him scream down the hall way down to the elevator.
--