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Authors: Hailey Hogan

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BOOK: Betrayed by Trust
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Chapter
19

 

Caitlyn’s rapid heartbeat seemed to overshadow all other sounds in the room. She paced back and forth questioning her sanity for agreeing to go along with Blake’s proposition. She checked her reflection in the mirror for the umpteenth time. Satisfied with what she saw staring back at her, she smiled. The smoky gray evening dress would match Blake’s eyes perfectly. The hours spent at the beauty salon were well spent. Her hair was pinned up with a few cascading curls flowing down on the sides. The style accented her oval-shaped face and dimples that were a family trait. Only thing left for Caitlyn to do was to remove her glasses and replace them with contacts.

Her cell phone beeped to indicate she had messages. Putting the phone on speaker,
Caitlyn listened as her siblings pled with her to think about what she was doing one last time. She decided not to return their calls and hoped they would show up and be on their best behavior if they did. Blake left a message to confirm he was on the way.

At the last minute,
Caitlyn decided to call Tasha and warn her of the real purpose of the party. Tasha didn’t answer her phone. “Oh well, she’ll find out like everybody else.”

She retrieved the ring from her jewelry box. The two carat princess cut ring glistened as she placed it on her fingers. Her mother and father gave her a pair of diamond earrings and a matching necklace when she graduated from college. She put those on as tears formed in her eyes.

“I’m not going to cry,” she told herself, as she used the tissue to wipe her eyes. Caitlyn missed her parents. It saddened her because she felt like her dad would be disappointed in her decision to marry Blake, because he was a Banks. Her mother on the other hand would tell her to follow her heart. Her heart and mind were in constant turmoil over these new feelings for Blake.

A knock at the door
made Caitlyn push the thoughts to the side. “Coming,” she yelled.

Caitlyn
peeped through the peephole out of habit. A man standing in a black uniform and hat was outside the door. “Who is it?” she asked.

“I’m your limousine driver. Mr.
Banks asked me to get you,” he responded.

“Give me a minute and I’ll be ready
,” she said, as she opened the door.

Blake
stood outside the white stretched limousine as she walked down the walk way. Caitlyn felt like she was on the red carpet as people in her apartment complex stared. “You look stunning,” he said, as he bent down to plant a kiss on her lips.

The driver opened the door. She gathered up her dress and entered, with
Blake right behind her. The ride over to the Hilton Anatole ballroom was pleasant. “I booked an executive suite to give us time to unwind while the guests arrive. At seven we’ll make our grand entrance.”

Caitlyn
rubbed the palms of her hands together. “Everything’s moving so fast.”

Blake
reached out and placed his hand over top of hers. “Relax. We can do this.”

“From this day forward, everything is going to change.”

“Change is good, right?”

She sighed. “That’s what I hear.”

Caitlyn had been to the hotel before for several events and a couple of dates but the executive suite Blake booked left her speechless. Everything she could have imagined wanting, he made sure was there. He even had several extra pair of hosiery just in case she needed to change. She hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. Her stomach reminded her of the fact; especially after seeing several delectable trays of seafood. She made a straight beeline for the trays.

“These are delicious,” she said, in between bites.

“I recall in one of our conversations you mentioned your love for shrimp and crab cakes.”

“I’ll have to add some more brownie points to your score.”

“When can I cash those in?”

“I’ll let you know, but in the meantime, can you pass me another one of those stuffed shrimp?”

“Anything for you, dear.” Blake placed a few of the stuffed shrimps on her plate. He held one in his hand and fed it to her.

“Mmm
. Delicious.” She licked her lips.

Blake
focused on her mouth. She took one of her stuffed shrimps and fed him. He kissed her fingers.

“Are you nervous?”
Caitlyn asked.

“Who me? Of course not.” His eyes sparkled.

“You’re lying,” Caitlyn responded.

Blake
placed his hand over his heart. “You see right through me.”

Caitlyn
laughed. “You’re so full of it.”

Caitlyn
enjoyed their little cat and mouse game. The phone rang interrupting them. Blake answered and after hanging up, he said, “It’s time. Most of our guests have arrived.”

Caitlyn
’s nerves had her sweating so she stopped in front of the mirror to make sure her make-up wasn’t ruined. “You look fine,” he assured her.

She patted her forehead with a napkin and threw it in the trash.
Caitlyn retrieved her purse. “Okay. I’m ready.”

They took an exclusive elevator reserved for executives up to the ballroom where their party was in full swing. She could hear the music when they arrived. They were d
irected through a side entrance. She glanced around the curtain and was relieved to see Bridget, Matt, and Bradford standing near the front. She would focus on them when she made her entrance. Blake whispered, “Ready?”

She gave him the thumbs up signal.

The music stopped but the noise level took longer to die down. Soon afterwards, it quieted down enough for Blake to be heard. He spoke into the microphone. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I know for some of you it was very short notice.”

Blake
went on to say.  “I know everyone is curious about my big announcement.”

She heard a few people yell “yes.”

“I won’t keep you in further suspense.  Have you ever met someone and you knew the person would have a lasting effect on your life?  Well, that happened to me, when I met this special woman. My life hasn’t been the same since she walked into it. She’s put a smile on my face and as some folks would say, some pep in my step.”

A few people laughed.

“For all you single ladies, I’m no longer on the market. I want you all to meet the future Mrs. Banks. That’s right. I want you to meet my lovely fiancée.”

Caitlyn
stood amazed at Blake’s speech. She almost believed the words he said herself. That was her queue to come out on stage. He extended his hand. She walked to where he stood and took a hold of his hand. Mumbling could be heard throughout the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,
I introduce to you Caitlyn Crenshaw, the future Mrs. Banks.”

Before she could react, her eyes were blinded by the flashing cameras.  When her eyes adjusted,
Caitlyn scanned the room. She could tell some of the people in attendance, mainly her co-workers, stood in shock. Her eyes locked with Tasha's and she waved. Her eyes locked with her ex-supervisor and if looks could kill, she would be dead on the spot. She looked at her brother and sister. She couldn’t tell what they were thinking. She would soon find out because they were headed in their direction.

 

 

Chapter
20

 

“If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t be here.” Bridget whispered in Caitlyn’s ear, while giving her a hug.

Caitlyn
responded, “Thank you. We’ll talk later.”

“Yes, we need to.” Bridget removed herself from
Caitlyn’s embrace and faced Blake.

Caitlyn
said, “Blake, this is my sister Bridget.”

“Call me
Blake.” Blake extended his hand. Bridget shook his hand, but reluctantly.

Matt shook
Blake’s hand. “I’m Matt, Bridget’s husband.”

Caitlyn
continued to make the introductions. “This is my brother Bradford and...”

“Sierra,” the petite woman
, hanging on Bradford’s arm interrupted and said.

“Nice to meet you all.” Bradford didn’t refuse to shake
Blake’s hand, but he didn’t have much to say either until Blake said, “The Saints need you right now man.”

Bradford responded, “Don’t count them out yet. Reggie Bush is a force to be reckoned with.”

After talking about football for a few minutes, Blake got a server’s attention and each person took a flute off the tray, except for Bridget. Blake looked in Caitlyn’s eyes and said, “Here’s to a wonderful life with my future wife.”

Bridget rolled her eyes. Matt squeezed her hand. Matt drank his champagne faster than he normally would have.
Caitlyn gulped hers down fast. Other folks vied for Blake’s attention.


Blake, I’ll be right back,” Caitlyn said, as her family moved to the background to allow others to get closer.

“Don’t leave me to face all these people by myself.”
She stayed by his side but kept an eye on Bridget.


Caitlyn, you don’t know how surprised I am,” Diane said, as she made her way through the receiving line.

“It all happened so fast,”
Caitlyn responded. She barely looked at Diane. She tried to keep Bridget in her view. She could tell Bridget still wasn’t too happy about her plans.

“No wonder I didn’t get any opposition f
or your promotion,” Diane snapped and walked away.

That got
Caitlyn’s attention. “No, that heifer didn’t,” Caitlyn said, unaware she had spoken out loud.

“My boy. Congratulations,” Trent said, giving
Blake a hug. “And my new sister-in-law.”

Caitlyn
hugged him; although her mind was on Diane. She would have to set her straight.

“If you change your mind, I’m still available,” Trent joked.

Caitlyn plastered on a smile. “I don’t know. You might be too much for me to handle.”

“You’re probably right.”

They all laughed.

Caitlyn
commented. “Where’s your date? What was her name? Cassie.”

“She didn’t work out. Too clingy.”

“Or too dingy if you ask me.”

Trent hit
Blake on the back. “I like her. She’s definitely a keeper.”

Tasha
made her way up to the front of the line. “Congratulations.” She hugged Caitlyn and whispered in her ear, “I got a bone to pick with you.”

“I called to tell you, but you never answered your phone.”

“No excuse. You had plenty of time to tell me.”
They turned in Trent’s direction after he cleared his throat a few times. Caitlyn introduced them. “Tasha, this is Blake’s best friend Trent.”

Trent picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. Bridget actually saw
Tasha blush. Tasha never blushed. “You two must be the most beautiful women in the place tonight.”

“You’re probably right,”
Tasha responded.

Blake
looked at Caitlyn and they laughed.  Blake said, “I hate to break up this love fest, but there are folks behind you.”

Trent said, “Oh my bad.
Tasha, let’s move over here. I would really like to talk to you more.”

Tasha
said to Caitlyn before moving, “You’re forgiven.”

Joan
walked up and hugged Caitlyn. “Take care of Blake. He might not admit it, but he needs you.”

“But…”
Caitlyn started to say something else, but stopped herself.

“You d
id a great job,” Blake said as he hugged Joan.

They spent the next thirty minutes shaking hands
with business associates and friends and accepting congratulatory comments. Caitlyn’s emotions were on a rollercoaster ride. She was happy that most folks seemed to be sincere but she couldn’t help being concerned about Bridget.  Would her decision to move forward with marrying Blake, cause a wedge between them?

When the
crowd thinned out Caitlyn made her escape. She looked for Bridget. Matt informed her, “She’s in the bathroom. Since she’s gotten pregnant, morning sickness seems to hit at the oddest times.”

Caitlyn
made a beeline for the bathroom. She paused before going around a corner when she overhead someone say, “No wonder she got the promotion. Sleeping with the boss is a guarantee.”

The other woman said, “The
position was supposed to be mine. I ought to sue.”

“If I were you, I would,” the other said, trying to encourage her.

Caitlyn stood and waited until they were out of hearing distance. She rushed into the bathroom. She forgot about the two ladies when she saw Bridget standing at the sink wiping her face.

“You okay?”

“I am now. This morning sickness should be called all day sickness because the slightest thing can set my stomach into a frenzy.”

“Maybe the doctor can give you something for it.”

“Ha. And maybe I’ll win the lottery. No. I have to ride this out.”

“You’re making me change my mind about having kids,”
Caitlyn said.

“I wish I could change your mind about marrying that man,” Bridget snapped.

“Sis, we’ve been through this.”

“It’s not fair to you. You deserve better. You deserve what Matt and I have.”

“I will. Just not right now.”

“You need to let this quest for revenge go and move on with your life.”

“I can’t. Not now. I’ve come too far to stop now.”

“It’s never too late,” Bridget assured her.

“But…” Caitlyn cut herself off as Diane pushed through the bathroom door.


Caitlyn,” Diane acknowledged her, before entering a stall.

“Who is that?” Bridget whispered.

“My ex-supervisor.”

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just need to get something straight.”
“You need me to stick around?” Bridget asked.

“No. I got this.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

Bridget looked away from the stall and looked in the mirror and reapplied her

lipstick. “Let me get back to Matt before he starts worrying.”

“I’ll be out in a minute.”
Caitlyn waited for Diane to exit the stall.

Diane exited and bumped into her. She jumped. “Ooh, you scared me.”

Caitlyn didn’t waste any time. “I don’t appreciate the comments you made earlier. I got my promotion fair and square.”

“I’m not saying you didn’t work hard, but it’s interesting your promotion happened so fast
.”
“You’re the one who recommended me. Did I come to you asking for it? No.”

“I know that and you know that; but you know others will be talking.”
“They’ll only be talking because you’re adding fuel to the flames.”
“Caitlyn, I’ve always liked you, but lately your demeanor has changed. Hearing you’re engaged to the CEO makes me understand why.”

She moved closer to Diane. Diane moved back bumping into the sink. “Let’s get one thing clear. I’ve worked hard for my promotion and if I hear you’ve said otherwise, you will have to answer to me.”

Diane stuttered, “I haven’t been saying anything.”

Caitlyn
’s main focus had been on Diane. She hadn’t realized other women had piled into the bathroom. A hush fell over the room. No one dared to say anything to her after watching the scene. Caitlyn stormed past them in search of Blake.

 

 

BOOK: Betrayed by Trust
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ads

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