Cake Love: All Things Payne

by Elizabeth Lynx

  Tiffany nods and brings her hand up to my arm and gently rubs it. "Denial is a powerful thing. Denial keeps us going. Some people live in denial, always expecting the worst to happen so that if it doesn't they can feel relief instead of grief." Tiffany waves her hand at David before continuing, "While others live in denial that only the best will happen, so they can continue to work hard without facing the truth or the possibility of a bad outcome." She pats me on the arm.

  I sigh wondering how this is supposed to make me feel better.

  "Morgana is also living in denial Henrik. She’s like me, expecting the worst to happen. If she keeps you away then she won't have to hurt again, only she doesn't realize that living with constant pain is worse than anything else you could do to her."

  "What am I supposed to do then? Just wait and hope she realizes this on her own? I have been patient for six weeks Tiffany. Seeing her today made me realize I don't want to be patient anymore. I want her back."

  Tiffany laughs at me. Actually laughs while shaking her head.

  "What the hell is so funny Tiffany?"

  "You, Henrik. You are so blinded by her rejection that you have no idea how to win her back."

  I am really ready to shake her. This isn't funny.

  "If you know how to help me than I am all ears Tiffany." I grip the chair to prevent my hands from lunging at her. I know she is only messing with me, but I’m just not in the mood.

  "You have to talk to the last person you ever wanted to see again. The one who knows everything."

  Her grin practically takes over her whole face as her eyes dance in merriment. I don't like the riddle game that she’s playing with me. I open my mouth to yell at her just as it hits me who she is talking about. In a rush of breath escaping my mouth, I whisper, "No."

  Chapter 9

  Payne’s Anti-Rule 3: Be Careful when Looking The Devil Directly in it's Eyes

  I spot her immediately since her dark, drab clothes are a deep contrast to the bold blues, yellows, and reds of the small coffee shop’s décor. Sporadically placed around the shop are small black tables and chairs, canisters with dark brown fragrant coffee beans, and the spawn of Satan herself, Evaleen Bechmann. I don't even bother ordering coffee as I want this meeting over as quickly as possible. I take the seat across from her and look up into her devil eyes. Oh did I say devil eyes, I meant bitch eyes.

  She squints at me causing the tan skin of her brow to tighten from the restrictive bun of her dirty blonde hair. My eyes sweep down to notice she is wearing a very dark navy suit, almost black, but it might as well be a potato sack for how well it forms to her body.

  "Payne," she sneers.

  "Bechmann," I mutter and despite myself, I smile, having missed our banter, it somehow reminds me of Seinfeld and Newman. I am growing soft as I reflect longingly at my time with Evaleen.

  "Why am I here?" she demands and then brings her cup to her lips for a small sip.

  "Morgana."

  "What about her?"

  I let out a breath trying to focus on what to ask her. What can I say? How is Morgana? Why won't she be with me? I think Evaleen would have a field day with that last question.

  "I want her back, but she won't have me. I was hoping you could help me win her back."

  There is a loud cackling sound and for a moment I think someone brought some chickens into the café, but then I realize it’s just Evaleen laughing. I have to wait a good minute before her laughter subsides.

  "Oh my God, thank you for that Payne. I really needed a good laugh today. Stress at work, you know. Oh that's right, you don't know, as you are unemployed." She starts laughing again but not for as long as before.

  "Okay you've had your fun. If you must know, I’m starting my own business that I know Edgar has shown interest in investing in, maybe even Jacob as well." I lift my chin in the air as her smile fades.

  "Whatever Payne, you aren't my problem anymore; the fact you aren't in Drake's life either makes life that much sweeter. So, why oh why should I help you win her back?"

  I didn't think I would have to bribe her, which is stupid on my part. Of course, she is going to want something for giving me information. My eyes dart around the coffee shop as my brain rapidly thinks of things she would want. After about a minute it hits me.

  "Give me a piece of paper and a pen," I ask as I lean back in the chair.

  "Okay." Evaleen is weary but digs in her square black purse that hangs from her chair and produces some yellow post it notes and a blue pen. I take the pad and pen from her and write down what I know, then slide it to her.

  Her eyes scan the note and then go wide. She glances up at me and for the first time since I met her, she looks unguarded, even youthful and dare I say, pretty.

  "Really? He really said that? When?" Her blue eyes sparkle and for a moment, I’m happy for her.

  "About five years ago when you were still just an HR admin. He always has."

  Her eyes flutter and I begin to see how men find her attractive.

  "But, the others. I mean, there have been so many."

  I shrug. "That's a guy for you. Some people bury their hurt in alcohol or food, some in sex."

  She shakes her head and I see the ache in her eyes. She takes a deep breath before turning her gaze back to mine. Her devil eyes are back. It's her coping mechanism. I realize at that moment just how similar we are. The tough mask we put on to hide our pain. Maybe that's why I don't like her, I see too much of myself in her. Most people like seeing themselves in others, but not me. It reminds me of all that I hate.

  "Thank you for this, Payne." Evaleen holds up the paper before clearing her throat. "Do you see that barista behind the counter? The tall guy with the shaggy light brown hair."

  I turn and look at him as he busies himself making a drink for a customer. Turning back to Evaleen I nod. “Yeah, what about him?”

  "That is Drake's ex, Trevor Trance."

  My eyes widen and I whip my head around to scrutinize him further. He’s thin but with some muscle, like a runner. His nose is a bit too big for his face, but adds to his attractiveness. Scanning Trevor, I see nothing about him that screams competition to me. Especially his beady eyes, like he would be cast as a villain in a movie if he were an actor.

  I turn back to look at Evaleen who is casually sipping her coffee. “Does Morgana know he works here? Oh shit! Is she seeing him again?” Jealousy and rage start to flow through my veins, as I contemplate a way to destroy coffee-smelling, beady-eyed Trevor.

  That's why Evaleen suggested this place, because she knows Morgana is going to show up. She wants to destroy me by having me witness that beady-eyed dirt bag touching her.

  "No, she doesn't know he works here. You see Payne; I had to look this guy up because there is a potential problem that involves him. When Drake entered the Executive Development Program, I had to contact her ex. I found out...well I won't tell you how I found out, but I discovered that Drake and her ex have a viral history so to speak." Evaleen's smirking at me.

  "Morgana has a sexually transmitted disease? Did this guy give it to her? Does she not know?"

  Evaleen grunts in frustration and rolls her eyes before sitting up. "No. Just let me finish. Apparently Mr. Trance filmed them having sex many years ago and then put it up on the Internet. Only he never told her about it. She knows though. She found out later and broke up with him, then she had to change her first name because doofus put their first names in the title."

  I...can't...even. That motherfucker! Automatically, my hand clenches so tight that I feel the skin in my palm begin to break from my fingernails.

  "Whoa! Calm down Payne. What are you going to do? Go over there and beat the crap out of him? Get you kicked out or even thrown in jail. How is that going to look to future investors for your new business? I am telling you this for a reason. Do something with it, but don't go all caveman with it. That's just stupid and really won't win her back."

  I take a few breaths and count to ten, twice. Feeling
slightly more relaxed, I nod my head at Evaleen. My mind starts to function again as I try to figure out what I'm going to do.

  "How is she at work? Is she enjoying being an executive?" I ask Evaleen as I hunger for any sort of information about Morgana.

  Evaleen smiles while playing with the paper sleeve of her cup. "Yeah. She has your old job, Payne. She walks in your old office every day and doesn't have to worry about having to deal with assholery anymore."

  I don't know what shocks me more, that Morgana is now VP of Sales and Marketing or the news about fuckwad filming her during sex.

  "What? They gave her my old job?"

  "Not really. About a week after you left, they hired a replacement but the idiot didn't know a hole in the ground from his own asshole, so they fired him about a week before Drake came back from New York. Since she knew the most about the job out of anyone at Mimir, they let her have it temporarily until they can find someone with more experience."

  I smile picturing her doing my old job. It makes me happy knowing that it is her there and not someone else. Some stranger who doesn't know the company or the people, but has a great resume taking over my position doesn't settle well with me. “She’s good, isn’t she?”

  I watch as a small smile erupts from Evaleen’s face before she gushes with pride, "Yeah, I would almost say she is better than you, but you did have more experience at the job, and at times it shows. Honestly, I wish Mr. Mimir would just give her the job. I know in a few months Drake will be best for it. Plus, people trust her and enjoy working with her."

  "They sure didn't like working with me."

  "I know I didn't." We both laugh at Evaleen's remark.

  "Look Evaleen, I can't remember why we grew to hate each other, but—“ Evaleen cuts me off before I try to make amends.

  “—I do.” My brow pinches and I tilt my head. "What was it?"

  "It was about six years ago, I had just started at Mimir a few weeks earlier. It was someone's birthday so there was cake in the conference room on the executive floor. I stood near you and Edgar but wasn't part of your conversation. I overheard Edgar saying, 'She seemed really nice when I met her.' I looked over at him and his eyes were staring right at me. I figured you both were talking about me, the new hire. I admit, I shouldn't have been eavesdropping but I was new and wanted to make sure I was making a good impression, especially with the people running the company."

  She sighed and then laughed a little before shaking her head. "That's when you stated, 'The Ice Queen wouldn't know how to be nice if it came and gave her a nice kiss...on the ass.' I was floored at how you described me. I always tried to be serious and a hard worker but never had I once been described like that before. I set up a meeting with you to find out why you said that, and when I asked if I had done anything to offend you, you looked me straight in the eye and said yes. You then described the tremendous amounts of errors in the HR paperwork and complained about the delays in various HR meetings. Obvious someone was at fault so, and I quote, 'It must be the new girl because who else would fuck up in this manner.' End quote."

  I don't remember any of this. I would never have called an employee Ice Queen. There is only one other person I ever said that about.

  "From that point on Payne, I hated you. I set it upon myself to make your working life at that company a living hell. If I had a chance to make your job a little bit harder or make you have to work later, I did it." Evaleen's arms crossed over her chest and she’s glaring at me. If what she said is true then I don't blame her for hating me.

  "I'm so sorry Evaleen. I don't remember that specific conversation with Edgar, but I do know that the only person I ever called an Ice Queen was my mother. I never would have said that about an employee, especially a new hire. I didn't know you. As for the way I treated you when you asked if I offended you, well that was all me. I was an asshole for a very long time. If it isn't already glaringly obvious, I have a lot of anger issues." I chuckle and the corner of my mouth tilts up in an impish grin.

  "For a long time I thought the best way to deal with people was to just point out the mistakes, even if it wasn't their fault. I am sure you weren't responsible for the errors in the forms and meeting schedules. I know for a fact that you were too junior at the time to have any control on scheduling mistakes. You just happened to be in front of me at the time and made the mistake of asking me if I had a problem. I'm sorry. That was no way to treat you. I hope you can forgive me."

  We sat in silence for a moment as Evaleen just stared at me. Her mouth opened and closed a few times. She didn't expect me to apologize. The old me would never have admitted I made a mistake, but the old bitter Henrik died the day Morgana walked out of my office at Mimir. I wonder sometimes if I just left the old me in that building, in that office. I can’t help but wonder if I ever returned, would the old, bitter me come roaring back to life?

  Who knows? It doesn't matter anymore as I will never be setting foot in that office again.

  "Well, I better let you get back to work Evaleen. For what it's worth, you are good at your job. I never let anyone say a disparaging word about your work. You are a hard worker and I admire that about you. Thank you for letting me know about Morgana."

  I stand and push the chair back in, as Evaleen remains seated, staring forward as if I’m still directly in front of her.

  "Payne. Drake’s first name is April." Evaleen smirks as she tells me.

  I nod. "April, that's a nice name. Too bad she had to change it."

  Evaleen nods and gets up. Gathering her things, she taps me on the arm just before she heads out.

  "Payne, I just wanted to say I wish you the best of luck with your business, and if anyone can make something work, I know it's you. You’re smart and good at what you do."

  I watch her in stunned silence as she exits the shop. After a moment, I turn my attention to the front counter where Trevor is waiting by the register. I make my way to the front never taking my eyes off him.

  "Hello sir. What is your drink preference today?" His nasally voice causes my stomach to churn.

  "So, you’re the dipshit that forced Morg...April Drake to change her name." I cut straight to it.

  The blood drains from his face as his eyes drift over my body. I have at least a few inches of height and definitely many more pounds of muscle than he does.

  "Um, what do you want?" his voice cracks as he asks me.

  "I want you to apologize to her."

  His eyes dart around the shop and he whispers, "Where is she?"

  I pluck the pen from his shirt pocket and grab an old receipt left on the counter. I write on the paper and push it to him, tossing the pen at him.

  "Call this number. Tell her to meet you here tomorrow at noon. You need to talk to her. When she gets here you take whatever shit she throws at you and you beg her forgiveness."

  He leans back looking for something. I am suspecting it's his co-worker who I saw walk out the door behind Evaleen. I guess this was a bad time for Trevor to have his co-worker go on break.

  "What happens if she doesn't show up?" He shrugs like that is a possibility.

  "Are you trying to weasel out of this?"

  He seems to be gaining more confidence as a line forms behind me.

  "No," he shakes his head refusing to look me in the eye, "but what if I contact her and she can't make it or wants nothing to do with me. I can't MAKE someone do something they don't want to." He smirks at me.

  Cocky little bastard.

  "I will be here tomorrow at noon. If she doesn't show, and especially if you don't show, I will wait. I will keep coming back until you show and if you don't, I will find out where you live. Trust me when I say you don't want to see me again."

  "Okay. Fine, but I still don't understand why she is so upset about this. The video has over a million hits!"

  I roll my eyes at him. "You’re a disgusting excuse for a man. What the hell she ever saw in you I don't know."

  "Whatever dude. Just because you
’re her boyfriend or husband or whoever doesn't mean you have the right to bully me." He folds his arms over his chest, standing tall trying to appear bigger than he is, like you would to intimidate a bear.

  "I'm not anything to her, but I will be something to you if you don't follow through on this. Oh, and I heard that Morg... I mean April's father is an ex-Navy Seal. I’m quite sure he would be so happy to hear that I found you after all these years. Of course, if you do as I say, he never needs to know of your existence." I smile at him as his eyes grow large.

  "Fine. I will. Tomorrow at noon."

  He grabs the paper and shoves it in his pocket. I start to turn away but stop and lean over, never breaking eye contact and making my voice sound low and clear, "Oh, and don't mention me showing up to make you do this. It wouldn't sound sincere if she knew I made you do it."

  "Yeah. Of course."

  I nod at him and walk toward the door. A wave of relief washes over me knowing I am helping Morgana, even if it's just a little bit.

  Chapter 10

  Payne’s Anti-Rule 4: Observe and Learn but Stay and Play

  It is now noon the following day and I’m sitting in a soft leather chair. It is in the back by a corner and partially obstructed by the counter from the view of the rest of the tables. If I lean to the left, I can see the coffee shop.

  I hear the bell of the door swinging open and see Morgana enter. Her eyes dart around the place but keep coming back to the register. She spots Trevor. I know this because her sexy dark stocking covered legs come to a halt in the middle of the café.

  God, she looks so good, even in her cute little yellow raincoat. I smile remembering the last time I saw her in it at a different coffee shop. She turns slightly toward me, but her gaze is directed toward the floor so I don't think she sees me. Her soft red hair swings and I see her lips move. She is conversing with herself. I chuckle knowing she is probably talking to her brain. That seems to be the organ of choice with her.