Love In A Hopeless Place (BWWM Romance)

by Anna Rudolph

  The elevator door opened and Lateisha was relieved to see that Rachel wasn’t at her desk. She knew from the fifteenth floor, if she wasn’t there to buzz someone in the door was left unlocked. It seemed like a security flaw but Lateisha wasn’t concerned about it. She pulled the glass doors opened and walked into the office. It was quiet and it seemed most everyone was out to lunch. Lateisha hurried down the hall to the kitchen, looking around for Bryce even though she knew it was a bad idea. Where was everyone? Was there some sort of meeting she wasn’t aware of? Then she remembered the lunch conference downstairs that she had set up. Probably most of the office was there and the rest were out to lunch. Relaxing at the idea of being left alone, by not only Rachel but also Bryce, Lateisha yanked open the fridge and sought out her lunch. Locating it pushed to the back by a large tray of sandwiches, she retrieved it and stood. Lateisha felt a presence behind her and turned around.

  “Hey.” It was Bryce.

  “I didn’t think anyone was here. All the rest of the associates are downstairs for the lunch meeting.” She looked behind him as if looking for a way to escape. This was crazy. It was just Bryce.

  Bryce smiled his thousand watt smile and Lateisha’s demeanor melted a bit. “John called me. He said you have some sort of filing system that you’ve created. He was pretty impressed. He even told me that you set up the lunch meeting and that everything is great.” He continued to smile at her and Lateisha felt her insides turn to jelly.

  She nodded, unable to speak right away. Bryce had never given her a compliment before. It was funny how she felt like a duck out of water in the fast food industry but somehow here she seemed to fit. Maybe she was more suited to Bryce’s world than she had originally thought.

  “Well that’s great! I’m so glad that you seem to be getting on well here. I’m pleasantly surprised and so was John. Keep up the good work.” Bryce finished speaking and leaned down, bringing Lateisha in for an unexpected hug. At first, it was awkward but then she relaxed in his embrace, the feeling of his arms around her making her feel secure and other emotions she didn’t want to discuss.

  He released her and looked down at her as if waiting for something more. “I’m just going to go back downstairs and eat my lunch in the office,” Lateisha mumbled, not wanting to make a big deal of the fact that she was eating alone.

  “What? No, come eat with me in my office. I’m not expected to be at the lunch meeting; that’s what John is for, so I was planning on catching up with some paperwork while I ate. I’d love the company.” Bryce inched closer, and suddenly looked as if he was going to take her hand.

  “I, it’s alright. I’m used to eating lunch alone.” Lateisha wasn’t sure why she said that, even if it was the truth. The only person she ever ate lunch with was Becky and that was rare.

  Bryce frowned. “What are you afraid of, Lateisha?”

  Lateisha sighed, keeping her distance was hard when they worked for the same company and it was only the first day. How would she do it for the next several months?

  “It’s okay, really. I need the peace and quiet after how busy John, I mean Mr. Wilson had me all day.”

  “Okay. I’ll check in on you later to see if you need a ride home.” Bryce turned, gave her one last look and then walked from the kitchen.

  Lateisha released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Being around Bryce was taxing on her mind and body. Fanning herself with her hand, Lateisha heated up her soup, contemplating how she would break the news about wanting custody of the baby. Bryce was a reasonable man and she had no doubt that he wouldn’t agree. But he would be angry with her and any chance they may have had at being a couple would be destroyed. Lateisha was well aware of that and she was willing to risk it, for her baby. The door to the kitchen area creaked opened again and Lateisha thought Bryce had come back to try to convince her again. Smiling she turned around. The smile left her face when she realized it was Rachel who had entered the kitchen.

  “Hello,” Lateisha said in what she thought was her best ‘leave me alone bitch’ voice.

  “Hello there, Lateisha.” Rachel circled around her like she was eyeing up her prey.

  “What do you need?” Lateisha asked, looking at Rachel warily. She was clearly up to something.

  “Oh nothing. Just checking up on Bryce and seeing how his lunch is going. We do that you know; Bryce and I. He doesn’t like to talk about it because we work together, but,” Rachel leaned in towards Lateisha as if she was telling her a secret, “we are kind of together.”

  Lateisha stepped back as if Rachel slapped her. She was lying. She had to be lying. The sound of the microwave beeping filled the small room and Lateisha turned to get her soup. She was mostly hiding her reaction from Rachel. If Rachel and Bryce were together it would explain her animosity towards Lateisha. Maybe she knew about the surrogacy and she despised the idea. But if they were together, why wasn’t Bryce having a baby with her instead? More confused than ever, Lateisha turned back around, ready to question Rachel about the situation a little bit more.

  “Oh. Bryce never mentioned that to me.” Lateisha wanted to make sure that Rachel knew they also had something of a relationship, to see what she would claim to know. Something about the story seemed fishy, but Lateisha didn’t have ownership of Bryce so she wasn’t exactly sure it was false either.

  “Hmmm, well he told me all about you. How he helped you out with a job because you were broke and how you’ve been a great help to him otherwise.” When Rachel said otherwise she lowered her voice and raised her eyebrows.

  Lateisha gasped, putting her hand over her mouth. She knew about the surrogacy which meant she must be telling the truth.

  “I, uh, I don’t know what you mean,” Lateisha stumbled over her words.

  Her lunch forgotten, she began to back towards the door. She had to get out of there. Off of the sixteenth floor and possibly out of the building. What was she going to do?

  “You know what I mean, Lateisha. I saw you in your cheap polyester pants when you came in that day. The whole office knows. You’re a whore and a liar. He’ll never love you like he loves me. You don’t fit in here and you never will. You’re trash and he only wants you for one thing and when that’s over he’ll toss you aside.” Rachel backed Lateisha against the wall closest to the door and spit the venomous words at her, little drops of spittle flinging in her face as Rachel spoke.

  Shaking with anger, Lateisha put her hands up, to force Rachel away. Before either of them could say another word the doors burst opened and Bryce came in. Lateisha looked away from him, afraid to see pity, or anger in his eyes. She also didn’t want him to see the hurt and shame in hers.

  “What the hell is going on here!?!” Bryce exclaimed, stopping in front of the women.

  “Bryce, darling, I’m so glad you showed up. This, woman, was verbally abusing me and was about to become physical until you burst in.” Rachel began to fake sob and threw herself at Bryce.

  Stunned, Lateisha took a minute to move. Finally she found her voice. “I guess I was just a naïve imbecile for falling for you and your lies, Bryce Henderson. I quit. I never want to see you again. You’ll hear from my lawyer regarding the baby.”

  A strange look appeared on Rachel’s face, almost like the mention of a baby was news to her. But she said she knew? Not wanting to wait around to find out, Lateisha pushed past them and stormed out to the elevators, tears streaming down her face. What had she been thinking falling in love with the lying bastard?

  Chapter 9

  Bryce could only stare as Lateisha stormed out of the room. What was happening? What had Rachel said? Determined to put an end to this, Bryce pushed the woman off of him and looked down at her, fake tears drying on her face.

  “What the hell is going on, Rachel?” He watched her demeanor change from sobbing to defensive.

  “She threatened me, Bryce. She told me that you would fire me because she was your mistress and you had to do what she t
old you. I just saved you. She wants your money, I can tell, I know women like her. I…”

  “You are women like her,” Bryce barked.

  Rachel jumped back, her tears suddenly dry and her back ramrod straight. “What are you implying?”

  “Rachel, I’ve told you countless times that I’m not interested in you and that you need to remain professional and do your job. You are to call me Mr. Henderson at all times and never put your hands on me. Is that clear?” Bryce had enough of her antics and was going to speak with human resources first thing tomorrow to see what he could do to get rid of her.

  “Bryce, what do you mean? I thought you felt what I feel? That woman, she was only trying to use sex as a way to get what she wanted from you. But I love you. I always have.” Rachel moved towards him again trying to embrace him.

  “Don’t touch me or I will have you led out of here in handcuffs.” Bryce stepped towards the door but Rachel moved with him.

  “Bryce, please. Where is this coming from?” Rachel grabbed his arm and Bryce stepped back again, putting his hands in the air.

  “I’m calling security,” he said turning and snagging the phone on the wall.

  The security guard at the front answered on the first ring and said he would be right up.

  “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.

  A crowd had begun to gather, but the security guards in the front ushered people away from them. “You have to believe me, Lateisha. I’ve never so much as touched Rachel let alone was engaged to her. She’s just my pushy assistant. I thought she was harmless until today.” Bryce stopped, gasping for air. One of the security guards handed him a cup of water and he gulped it down.

  “Why should I believe you? She was all over you and she knew about the baby. She said when you were through with using me for what you wanted I would be thrown out like the trash.” Rage began to build in Lateisha again and she stood, ready to leave Bryce panting on the love seat alone.

  He reached for her. “Please
sit down and let me finish.” Lateisha sat. “After you stormed out, Rachel told me she slept with the security guard, Dale Winters, in order to obtain security footage of you and me having sex in my office. She wanted to use it to bribe me and to force you away from me. She thought you and I were having an affair, Lateisha. That’s what she meant. No one else besides John knows about our baby. And that’s why I had her arrested today.”

  Lateisha’s mouth gaped open like a cod fish. She was wrong, about everything. The man she loved wasn’t engaged to someone else and playing her. He was sitting right in front of her, dripping wet with sweat and beet red from running to catch her before she left. The part that made her convinced he felt the same way about her as she did about him was that Bryce never let down his prim and proper, raised in Britain, rich boy act for anyone. But here he was, covered in sweat with wild hair, sitting in the lobby of his own building, oblivious to those that surrounded him and explaining to her why she shouldn’t run away from him. Lateisha’s chest ached with how much that meant to her, and what she did next showed Bryce exactly how much. Ignoring the periphery of people that security was holding back, Lateisha scooted closer to Bryce and wrapped her arms around him, her mouth seeking his and cutting him off mid sentence. Instead of balking or pulling away, Bryce pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. That’s when Lateisha knew he loved her too.

  Seven months later...

  Ripping the last bit of wrapping paper from the gift, Lateisha stood, her hand flying to her aching back. She looked down at the pile of gifts around her and smiled. Her baby shower had been the best occasion she ever experienced. Besides her wedding. Moving her hand from her back to her rounded belly, Lateisha stooped to start gathering the remains of the unwrapped gifts and shoved them into a bag.

  “What are you doing?” Bryce asked, snatching the trash bag from her hands.

  “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m cleaning up.” Lateisha growled, snatching the trash bag back from him.