"Caitlyn, you got to understand. Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money. I have my student loans and bills.”
“You sold me out for ten thousand. You could have at least held out for one hundred—or a million! You’re a piece of work.” His words fueled her scissors as she ripped and cut at the remainder of his clothes, stuffing them in a trash bag as she continued to rant. “I can’t believe you agreed to break up with me for money. I should have kicked you to the curb months ago.”
“Come on baby. Open up.”
At his request she opened up the door, throwing the trash bag at him knocking him off his feet. “Screw you, Charles. Here’s your stuff and lose my number,” she yelled.
“You didn’t have to hit me,” he whined.
Standing in the doorway she glared at him with rancor shooting from her eyes like fierily darts. “You better be glad that’s all I did,” she glowered through gritted teeth.
“Come on, baby. We can still see each other on the side. He won’t have to know.”
Caitlyn stood now with one hand slamming on her hip. “It was over the moment you accepted the money so don’t call me. Don’t try to see me. Forget that you ever knew me.”
She slammed the door. To think she had spent the last twelve months with Charles. She wasn’t going to lie to herself and say she loved him, but she did care about him. She thought she could possibly grow to love him. Fortunately for her, only her pride was hurt. Not like the time she fell in love with Bryon Matthews.
Caitlyn met Byron her freshman year in college and they were inseparable; or so she thought. Between working at her father’s store and going to school, her free time was limited. She thought Bryon understood; until she got off work earlier one night and caught him with another woman. It broke her heart and no matter how much Byron begged and pleaded, she could not forgive him. She not only lost her virginity to Byron, but her heart.
The phone rang bringing her back to the present. “I ought to make you pay for my stuff,” Charles yelled from the other end.
Click. Caitlyn hung the phone up because she refused to listen to him. She let the rest of his calls go to voice mail. He cursed her out in each message and she vowed to get her number changed the next day. Fortunately, she had gotten her locks changed as soon as she got home that afternoon after learning of his betrayal. She knew she shouldn’t have cut up his stuff, but she needed an outlet for her anger. Besides, she thought it was better to cut up his stuff than to stab him with the sharp scissors that were now placed on the nightstand.
One problem down and another one to go. She had to figure out when would be the best time to accept Blake’s proposal. She had decided to accept because with her married to him, his guard would be down. He would never suspect her to be behind some of his business failings.
The Banks family haunted her and her family for the past two years because of their unscrupulous business practices. Like uncle, like nephew. If it wasn’t for a Banks, her father would be alive. He wouldn’t have died from a heart attack from the stress of losing his business. She imagined herself opening up several stores. Crenshaw Groceries no longer existed because of the greed and heartless actions of men like the Banks. Yes, Banks would pay sooner than later. She updated her journal with the day's events, closed it up and closed her eyes; dreaming about the ways she would make Blake squirm in and out of the bed.
Chapter 3
Caitlyn waltzed into work the next day wearing her designer shades and two piece lavender dress suit accenting her long legs. She was oblivious to the stares until she reached her floor. Every time she got near someone, their conversations would cease. She knew she was looking good, but for everyone to pause in her presence, something was wrong—dead wrong.
Tasha Green, one of the few people she had befriended since working at Banks Telecom, was waiting for her at her cubicle. Tasha and Caitlyn had met at several social networking events prior to Caitlyn working at Banks. Once she was hired, Caitlyn looked at Tasha as an ally and got the inside scoop on everyone. She trusted Tasha, but she wasn’t comfortable sharing her plans about Blake with her or anyone else that worked at Banks Telecom. “Caitlyn, we need to talk,” Tasha said, while thumbing through a tech magazine.
“What’s up?” Caitlyn could still feel eyes on her. People would look away when she turned to look in their direction.
“Rumor has it you got the boot. That’s why everybody’s surprised you’re here.”
“People need to mind their own business.” Caitlyn went about her morning ritual. She hooked her laptop into the docking station on her desk and put her purse in her desk drawer.
“I knew it wasn’t true because you would have called me.” Caitlyn didn’t respond. Tasha asked, “You would have called me right?”
“Of course. You would have been one of the first to know.” Caitlyn assured her as she logged on to her computer. She glanced at the clock. “I’ll meet you at break. I have a conference call I’m late for.”
Tasha stood there for a few seconds before leaving Caitlyn’s desk. Once Caitlyn was left alone, she unhooked the earpiece from her ear and went to her immediate supervisor’s office. She didn’t wait on an invitation to come in. She closed the door as soon as she crossed the threshold. “Diane is something going on I should know about?”
Diane Langston, her fifty year old boss, didn’t wait for her to elaborate. Instead she responded, “Sorry you got caught up in the rumor mill. With the economy and layoffs blooming throughout the telecom industry, you know people will talk.”
“I was just checking. I would hate to put in a full day of work only to find out I was fired.”
“On the contrary. You’re one of my best employees. In fact, you’re up for a promotion. I’m just waiting to get your paperwork signed and I was going to tell you.”
Caitlyn sighed. “That’s a relief.”
Caitlyn turned to walk away but halted when Diane asked, “How did the meeting go?”
She plastered a fake smile on her face and lied. “He wanted to commend me for my hard work.”
“Really…I thought…oh well, never mind. We shouldn’t have any problems getting your promotion approved.”
Caitlyn excused herself from Diane’s office. A man carrying a huge arrangement of flowers met her at her desk. “Caitlyn Crenshaw?” he asked.
“That’s me.”
“Enjoy,” he responded.
“Wait,” she said, as she retrieved money from her purse to tip him.
He shook his hand. “No need to. It’s been taken care of.”
She assumed Charles used some of his money and sent her the colorful floral arrangement to say he was sorry. She searched for the card. It read, “Sorry for yesterday. Can we start again? Meet me for lunch. A car will be waiting downstairs at one.” It was signed J.
A mixture of excitement and anger stirred within. Caitlyn was angry at herself for feeling excited about having lunch with herself sworn enemy. She slipped the card in her purse. Caitlyn would accept his proposal and once married, she would threaten to expose him for the fake he was. She was sure he didn’t want people to know their marriage would be based on some contingency in his uncle’s will.
Her supervisor could keep the promotion because Caitlyn was going for the ultimate raise. It wouldn’t bring her father back, but it would make her life a whole lot easier. She could be her own boss. Her mind went over all of the things she could do with a million dollars. With her CPA, she could open up her own accounting firm or even invest in re-opening Crenshaw Groceries. She had a little time to think about what she would do with the money.
After working for a few hours, she met Tasha in the break room. “I want to run something past you,” Caitlyn said, as she sat across from her.
Tasha held her hand up. She was talking on her cell phone. “My girl’s here. I’ll call you back when I get to my desk.” She flipped her phone close. “Frank says hi.”
“I don’t see what you see in him.”
�
�Don’t hate. Frank knows how to put it down in and out of the bedroom.” Tasha fanned herself.
“You’re a freak and gold digger rolled into one. How can you live with yourself?”
“It’s not easy being me.”
Caitlyn chuckled. “You’re a mess.”
“Since you’re all in my business. What’s up with Mister Charles?”
“Charles is history so please don’t say his name around me.”
“And you’re just now telling me. I’m upset.”
Caitlyn looked around the break room. It didn’t appear that anyone was listening. She scooted her chair closer to Tasha. “What I’m about to tell you, you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone else.”
“You don’t trust me?”
“Promise me.”
“Caitlyn. You know I don’t like making promises unless I know what it is I’m promising.”
“Okay. Then I’ll just keep my information to myself.”
Caitlyn knew Tasha was going to give in because she was the type of person who hated not being in the know. Tasha had a reputation of being the queen of drama and a known gossiper. Caitlyn purposely tested Tasha with information previously to see if she could be trusted not to repeat it. She didn’t allow too many people into her inner circle but Tasha had shown Caitlyn she could be trusted. Caitlyn hoped she wouldn’t be making a wrong decision entrusting Tasha with the information she was about to share.
Tasha's cell phone rang. “I got to take this call. It’s a customer. Meet me for lunch so you can tell me details.” Tasha flipped her phone open.
“Can’t. I have a lunch date,” Caitlyn responded.
Caitlyn pushed her chair away from the table. Tasha motioned for her to wait. Caitlyn pointed at her watch and said, “Got to go.”
There were a few times Caitlyn almost confessed to Tasha about her real reasons for working at Banks. For some reason, each time Caitlyn was prepared to talk to Tasha about the Banks, something would interrupt them. Caitlyn needed someone to talk to, so she vowed to try again later.
In the meantime, Caitlyn had to mentally prepare herself for her lunch date with Blake. Her emotions were all over the place. Should she act the same and be her normal cheerful self or resort to the woman with an attitude that she displayed during their last encounter? It all depended on Blake’s actions. Her mom used to say, “You catch more bees with honey.” On this day she planned on pouring it on thick.
Chapter 4
Blake checked his watch. It was fifteen minutes after one and apparently Caitlyn wasn’t going to show up. The driver swung the door open and Caitlyn entered the limousine before he could react. His eyes could not stop ogling her long legs. Why hadn’t he noticed how sleek and athletic they were before? Her floral perfume attacked his senses. The fragrance wasn’t familiar but alluring.
“Thank you for joining me,” he said, as he extended his hand out.
Caitlyn ignored it. “Let’s get one thing straight. This is just lunch.”
“Of course.” He picked up a bottle of champagne and poured two glasses. “Here’s to a great lunch.” He handed her one glass.
She took a sip and frowned. “This is nasty.” She handed the glass back to him.
How could she turn her nose up at a vintage bottle of Dom Pérignon? He could kick his uncle for putting him in this predicament. He could have at least picked out a woman who knew about the finer things in life. It’s obvious she didn’t. They rode the rest of the way in silence.
As they rode in silence, Blake recalled reading the letter his Uncle Jack’s attorney recently gave him.
Blake’s emotions were like a see-saw—up and down as he read the letter. “I know you’re wondering why I put the stipulation about marrying Caitlyn Crenshaw in my will. Two reasons: One was to make amends with her family. What I’m about to say might make you look at me in a different light, but I hope not. Robert Crenshaw, Caitlyn’s dad, came to my bank for a loan to save his business a few years ago. We’ve been to the store before—Crenshaw Groceries. You may recall it closing its doors a few years back.
When the loan got to the final stage of approval I rejected it. Robert’s credit was a little shaky because of the economy, but I could have approved it if I wanted to. I didn’t because Lord forgive me for even admitting this, but I didn’t because Robert took my first love. His wife, Barbara, had been my first love and I couldn’t forgive him for it. Robert and I were best friends growing up and for him to steal my girl, well that to me was an unforgivable act. It took me these latter years to realize Barbara wasn’t a piece of property and I should have just let it go.
Before you think otherwise,, I loved your Aunt Ann like there was no tomorrow, but you know me. It may take me thirty years, but if I feel you’ve done me wrong, I’ll get you back.”
“Yes, that sounds like you alright,” Blake said, as he continued to read.
“A year after turning down Robert’s loan, it seems, he lost his store. By this time, I had lost my sweet Ann. I tried to make amends with him, but he refused to listen. I offered Robert money with no interest, but he turned me down flat. I felt guilty about it and even saddened when I learned of his death. The sight of his grief stricken children, touched something in me that I can’t explain.
I learned as much as I could about the Crenshaw kids. Caitlyn reminded me of you: determined, goal oriented, and a workaholic. Yes, your uncle thought playing match maker and offering money to Caitlyn would be like killing two birds with one stone. You would get someone to love you as much as I loved her mom and your aunt and I could leave the Crenshaws some money to try to make up for what I took from them when I refused their dad’s loan.”
The sound of the door opening snapped Blake back into the present. The driver held the door as Caitlyn exited. Blake admired the voluptuous view as she exited. She was normally not his type. Although she wasn’t fat, she was a little thicker than the women he usually dated. He had to admit her weight was well-proportioned and in all the right places that appealed to most men; including him.
Blake led them into the restaurant of the Four Seasons located in Las Colinas, one of the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. He wanted to take her to a nice restaurant but to a place where they wouldn’t run into her co-workers. The waiter led them to a table with a nice view of the villas.
“I hope this is to your satisfaction,” Blake stated.
“Not bad,” Caitlyn responded. She viewed her menu without once looking up at him.
“Order anything you like.”
“I plan on it,” she snapped.
His cell phone rang. It was Trent. He hit the ignore button. Blake was used to entertaining clients from various backgrounds, but he could not get a handle on Caitlyn.
Their last encounter didn’t end well so he proceeded with caution.
“So tell me. Why did you single me out for this lame proposal?” Caitlyn asked, as they waited on their food.
“For reasons unbeknownst to me, my uncle selected you,” he lied.
“Blake, let’s be honest with one another please.”
“I’m trying my best.”
“Try harder because I can’t see your uncle asking you to marry me and you not know the reason.”
Blake contemplated telling her about the letter. He wasn’t sure he wanted to reveal it all to her at this time. While he was thinking about what to say, Caitlyn said, “Tell me about your uncle and I’m not talking about the stuff I can pull up on the internet.”
Blake smiled as he thought about his eccentric but rich uncle. The uncle who helped put him through college and encouraged him to get his MBA and start his own company. “Uncle Jack was a fine man. After my mother and father were killed by a drunk driver in a car accident, he took me in and raised me as his son. It’s because of him that I am the man I am today.”
Caitlyn seemed to be startled by his revelation. “Sorry to hear about your parents. What about your sisters and brothers?”
“I’m afraid I’m an onl
y child. My uncle’s wife wasn’t able to have children. She died a few years ago. I think my uncle died from a broken heart. She was the love of his life. I haven’t met a woman who could compare to my Aunt Ann.”
“Interesting,” Caitlyn responded. “Your Uncle it seems was a well known business man. He started his first bank in a Dallas suburb and then branched out until he had several branches all over the city. Why didn’t you follow in his footsteps?”
Blake said, “Uncle Jack wanted me to, but after interning at a telecommunications company during college, my desire was to advance in that field. I worked for one of the top phone companies in the world and learned what I could. With Uncle Jack’s support, I started Banks Telecom. Banks Telecom was built on the premises of us taking on jobs and doing installations that phone companies outsourced to outside vendors.”
The waiter placed their plates in front of them. The conversation slowed down Blake picked over his food, but Caitlyn seemed to have a hearty appetite.
Caitlyn looked at Blake and then down at his plate. “You on a diet or something?”
“No. I’m not hungry.”
“Hey, it was your idea to come to lunch not mine.” She continued to eat her food.
He used the napkin to wipe the sweat from the palm of his hands. She was unnerving him. This was his show. He needed to get control of the situation. His business depended on it.
“Caitlyn, tell me about yourself.”
She laughed. “It’s obvious you know more about me than I know about you. You knew I had a boyfriend and how to get rid of him. Which by the way, I do want to thank you for that.” She held her glass up and tilted it his way before taking a sip of her lemonade.
“I’m sorry for intruding but I needed to make sure you had no reason to turn me down.”
“You could have tried the old-fashioned way. You know wine and dine and throw in a little romance.”
“That would have been dishonest and one thing you can say about Blake Banks is he’s an honest man.”
Betrayed by Trust Page 2
