..
Leigh
This morning, I hopped in the car quickly heading to Starbucks to order coffee for the whole office, remembering everyone's orders by now.
But today I couldn't help but to feel anxious.
What if I ran into LeSane, while running my errands?
What would I say to him? He's usually out and about at this time.
What's the right call here? Do I ignore him? Dap him up? A head nod? A hug or a handshake? I don't know!
I ordered thru the app so it was a quick pick up.
There's no sign of him, I evaded him.
I got my portable cart and rolled it, quickly grabbing my order, "Thanks Nancy!"
I couldn't walk the far walk, I compartmentalized the cart to its cup holder function, I had my new security carry it up to the office.
As I was walking, I felt a tap on my shoulder, it was a man with flowers and a note.
"Leigh C.?"
"Yes."
"From a gentleman."
It was a bouquet of white roses with one single red rose in the center.
"From Dubai, I' apologize for the mistake I made. Meet me?"
"Thank you sir." I ran as fast as I possibly could.
"Kaine. Kaine, Kaine!"
"Hm?"
I busted into his office and he was drinking his coffee calmly, his arms so happened to be opened.
I ran into them.
Kaine
I was just getting off of a call with a business associate and as soon as I was about to sip my coffee, Leigh ran into my office blubbering in fear,
"Leigh, Leigh, what's happening? Young talk to me." I said as I sat my coffee down, holding her in my arms.
"He—he-he's here!"
I noticed a trail of flowers behind her,
"I would think so, he still works around here. He came on to you?"
"No, he delivered flowers.. how'd he know we'd be back? How'd the delivery guy find me?"
"Leigh, sit down."
Leigh
I took a deep breath,
"I promise you that he can't hurt you as long as I'm around. We'll increase your security detail."
"It's not about that Kaine. I'm in love with him and I can't deny I had feelings for the man."
"He knows what time I wake up, lay my head down at night, he knows our history, he knows where you live now, he knows we're getting married.."
"Algorithm?"
I shook my head, smacking my teeth, "No, never. He just knows about my other skeletons."
"Anything regarding security? Passwords or codes?"
I shook my head, "No."
"How would you like to move forward?"
"I don't know." I broke down,
"You saw what he was capable of."
"I'm capable of worse."
..
LeSane
I watched as she ran her errands.
I'm so embarrassed by my actions.
It tore me up, not being able to do our regular routine.
Why did I yell at her the way I did?
She was willing to be with me in secret.
But I'm nobody's secret or second option.
"Aye, you see that woman, give her these flowers, I got $150 for you." I told this bum.
I watched interaction from afar, leaving once I saw her run away from him.
..
Kaine
As she gave me a rundown of what she told LeSane, I had to keep my cool, what she didn't need was a reprimanding.
But I could yell at the top of my lungs right now.
"He could easily use that shit and put it out to the press. We gotta get married asap."
"Why?"
"To erase him. We have more history. I can wipe his whole phone of you."
"You can?"
He nodded,
"But for now, I have a surprise for you. Wipe your face."
I grabbed her hand, walking her thru my office, and into hers.
She gasped, "You accept now?"
She nodded in excitement, "Wow, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you. My own office."
"You also have a promotion. You are now the Head Assistant and Technical Office Manager. But not only that, once you have my last name, you will be the CTO."
"Seriously?" She said on the verge of tears.
"As a heart attack. Chief Technical Officer."
"Let's plan this wedding."
..
"Okay, so I'm thinking beach and chapel vibes. Invite the office, the crew, and our parents."
"Leighton?"
She shook her head, "Mary?"
I shook my head.
Her brother, Leighton, resented her and could barely stand her. Her mother, was able to forgive her, and Leigh was able to tolerate her mother and father. But Leighton, didn't want anything to do with anyone.
My aunt Mary, I hadn't talked to her in a decade. She was so disappointed in the decision that I forced Leigh to make, it went against everything she believed in.
"I don't want anything extravagant or offensive. Just simple."
I nodded in understanding. She'd always been a lover of the simple things.
Okay, let's get to work.
..
Leigh
I was allowed to leave work to start planning my "dream" wedding.
I ran around the city trying to find dresses, tuxedos, and white flowers that weren't roses.
"Kaine, please remember to send out those invites. I'm going cake tasting today."
"I won't forget handing them out today Leigh."
"It's gonna be so awkward.," I sulked,
"What is?"
"Basically confirming the rumors.."
"That's the point. Can't chicken out now, It's for the greater good. I'll talk to you later LC."
He said abruptly.
"Ok.."
As I was walking down the street, I bumped into a tall figure,
"I'm so sorry.."
"Oh Leigh, I apologize."
He was about to scurry off,
"Wait!"
"LeSane, come back."
He walked back slowly to me,
"Hey.."
"Hey.."
"What are you up to?"
"Deliveries, you?"
"Cake tasting."
" Oh—um, congratulations, um—formally."
"Thanks I—,
"Im sorry, Leigh. I can't stand this.."
"What.."
"Would you like to.. have lunch..as friends? Today?"
"But I thought you said you—
He grabbed me by the waist,
"Fuck that, I want you. But I can take my L. But what I can't take is not having you in my life, at least as a lunch date."
"Sure." I beamed.
I'm so easy to please.
"Wanna come cake tasting with me?" I asked, stupidly.
"Won't your fiancé be offended?"
"I'm sure, he wouldn't mind. He's too busy. But first we have to get you out of these clothes,"
..
LeSane
She took me shopping.
Buying me a quick outfit from Zara.
"Okay, we're going to get some Cava, then head to cake tasting. Let's go!"
She pulled my arm and led the way.
Once we made it to Cava, we sat, and engaged in a real conversation.
"So, Leigh."
"So, LeSane."
"Why are you doing it?"
"Doing what?"
"Marrying this guy? I understand if it's for the money.." I laughed humorlessly,
She laughed, "Yes, he's loaded but he's honestly not that bad. He understands me and it's not for the money."
"So, what's it for?"
"We have a connection. History beyond time."
"So, it's cause he fucks good?"
"LeSane!" She said shocked,
"I'm just asking. I could probably do you better."
"Really?"
"Yea.."
"We can see about that.."
"No we can't. You're a married woman."
"Not yet." She mumbled.
"You love him?"
"I do." She said confidently.
"Then why you here with me? Flirting with me?"
..
Leigh
"Do you believe two things can be true at the same time LeSane."
"Of course."
"Well, admittedly, I love my fiancé. But I also liked what we had."
"That's absurd Leigh."
"You said it yourself."
"Of course, I loved what we had but it blew up in my face Leigh. Not yours. I imagined you as my wife. And you rejected me."
"I had to. For my own sake. For yours!"
"Who do you want?" He asked,
"That's not a question with a simple answer."
He looked down saddened, "That settles it then."
"He's busy and until I say I do, I can do me."
It's true.
I know that he and I agreed to keep a low profile if we were dating outside of our "engagement" to "get it out of our systems" but I had no intention of actually doing it, until this very moment.
Him, grabbing me by my waist and him not being intimidated by Kaine, gave me a sense of relief, since the last time we spoke.
"You ready for this though Leigh? Is Noa?"
"Noa adores Kaine. He even...never mind."
"He what?"
"He called him Daddy, it was the cutest thing."
He became crestfallen, once again.
"Oh, y'all serious."
"Yea I mean we are getting married. Can't get anymore serious..I still haven't talked to him about it though. It was really something that touched my heart. Noa's dad literally left him so heartbroken."
I looked at the time.
"Ready to go taste some cake."
He nodded and we walked down the street to get to the bakery.
"Welcome, soon to be Mrs. Cole and who I am assuming is Mr.Cole's brother? Where's Mr. Cole?"
"Hayward, he couldn't make it. So I brought a friend, instead, be nice."
"Ok, first, German chocolate."
..
Kaine
I watched as they entered the bakery together.
I left work early to surprise Leigh, I knew she'd want me there.
I just knew it.
But then, I saw UPS by her side.
"Noa, you wanna surprise Mommy."
I got him out of his car seat and into his stroller.
I watched as they enjoyed their first slice, laughing humorously.
I waited until he walked away from the table to enter the bakery, Leigh was too distracted tasting the lemon-berry cake.
I walked in with my finger on my lips, letting everyone know to be quiet.
I walked up to her, parked Noa, grabbing her waist tightly with one arm, and covering her eyes with my hand, her body stiffened.
She knew that she was in trouble.
"Please let this be a figment of my imagination."
"It's not.." I whispered,
I turned her around,
"Kaine! You're here, wow, I was not expecting you and you brought my baby.."
"Yea, give me a hug LC."
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her neck slowly, leading up to her ear.
"You had the nerve to bring another nigga, but that nigga, to our wedding cake tasting, seriously Leigh?"
"We're just friends.."
I let go of her,
"Friends or not Leigh. That shit hurt and it's embarrassing as hell."
" I didn't think it through, I'm sorry."
..
LeSane
I watched as they embraced. I quickly, left, without saying goodbye, only sending her text.
"My place. 8:00."
If she wanted to be sneaky or just needed a friend. I'll be there for her.
I always get what I want.
One way or another.
Kaine Cole, your girl, is mine.
..