Betrayed by Trust (5 page)

It was Friday night and
Caitlyn hadn’t talked to Blake since she handed him those papers on Wednesday. She tried calling him but his secretary claimed he was out of the office. That was fine. He knew how to reach her. In the meantime, she planned to meet her siblings for their monthly outing.

Telling her sister and brother about
Blake wasn’t going to be easy but she didn’t want them to find out from someone else. With him being the CEO of a major company in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, it wouldn’t be long before the news swept through the society pages.

Caitlyn
paused outside of Bridget’s door before knocking. She took a few deep breaths and knocked on the door. Matt, Bridget’s husband, answered the door. She hugged her tall and handsome brother-in-law.

“They’re in the back,” Matt said, after kissing her on the cheek.

“Thanks. So how are you?” she asked, as she followed him to the den.

“I’m thinking about switching jobs. There’s rumors of layoffs, so I’m not waiting around to find out.”

“I don’t blame you.”

Caitlyn
, at thirty-four, was two years older than Bridget and a few shades lighter. Caitlyn greeted her sister with a hug. “You’re late,” Bridget said.

“Traffic,” she responded.

Bradford, their younger brother, sat in the corner on the phone.  He kept his hair closely shaven. On this night, his head was bald and the light reflected off his perfectly round head. He threw his hand up and waved to acknowledge he saw her. She walked over to where he sat and bent down to hug and kiss on the cheek.

Bridget commented, “He’s going to die with that phone next to his ear.”

Before Caitlyn could add her comment, Bradford had disconnected his phone call and said, “I can’t help it I’m popular.”

“Your player ways will catch up with you one day,” Bridget said.

“All of us can’t be like you. Settle down and have the house and white picket fence with a dog named Spot.”

“My dog’s name is Doodles.”

Bradford looked at Caitlyn. “Spot. Doodles.  Whatever.”

“Why do I always have to play referee?”
Caitlyn plopped down on the sofa and crossed her legs.

“Because some folks refuse to grow up,” Bridget responded.

Bradford scooted up to the end of his chair. “You better be glad I don’t hit women.”
Caitlyn intervened. “Look. If this is all you’re going to do, I’m leaving. Now apologize to each other.”

They each mumbled something under their breath before saying, “I’m sorry.”

“All this refereeing has gotten me hungry. What’s for dinner?”

“Come on. The food’s ready.”

Caitlyn looped her arm through her brother’s and they followed Bridget into the kitchen. “My favorite,” Bradford stated, as they each took turns and washed their hands in the kitchen sink.

“I was in the mood for Italian.” Bridget handed each one of them plates.

“Me too,” Caitlyn said, as she piled her plate full of lasagna and salad.

Matt got his dinner but didn’t join them at the dinner table.  The conversation remained light as they ate.
Caitlyn went back and forth in her head on her approach of revealing the upcoming nuptials to Blake.

“Matt and I are having a baby,” Bridget blurted.

It took a few seconds for it to register. Bradford offered his congratulations first. Caitlyn followed. “Congratulations sis. I know how much you want kids.”

“We’ve been trying for over a year now and I found out earlier today.”

Caitlyn reached for Bridget’s hand and squeezed it.

Bradford said, “I don’t have a big announcement like
but I am dating this twenty-six year old. She might be the one to make me settle down.”

Caitlyn
rolled her eyes. “You said the same thing about the forty year older last month.”

“Yes. Well, she tried to control me and I’m not one to be tamed.”

Bridget and Caitlyn both laughed. Caitlyn listened as her thirty year old brother discussed his active dating life. One thing about Bradford, he didn’t discriminate when it came to age or race. She doubted the twenty-six year old would be around long, but it was entertaining to listen to him.

Bradford switched gears and said.
“I read on the internet that Banks Telecom might be in some financial trouble.”

“Good,” Bridget responded. “Now they’ll see how Dad felt.”

Caitlyn knew this was the opening she needed. It was either now or never. “I have a major announcement to make myself.”

Bridget and Bradford ignored her and continued to talk about
Banks Telecom. Bradford said, “I still think Caitlyn was crazy for taking a job there.”

“Me too,” Bridget said. “
Blake Banks is probably just like his uncle.”

“Folks don’t get ahead in business being nice, so I’m sure he is,” Bradford commented.

Irritated, Caitlyn took her fork and clicked it on her glass which got their attention. “I said I have an announcement to make.”

“Don’t get your feathers ruffled,” B
ridget said.

“Before I tell you
, promise me you’ll hear me out first.”

Bradford
said, “We’re listening.”

“Charles and I broke up.”

Bridget clapped her hands. “Glad you finally wised up.”

She looked at Bradford but he didn’t have any extra commentary.  Her breathing got heavier. “I’ve accepted
Blake Banks proposal. We’re getting married.”

Bradford spit out his drink. She handed him a napkin. Bridget sat speechless. Bradford yelled, “Are you crazy? How could you sleep with the enemy?”

“You’re going to dishonor our father’s memory by marrying him. I told you working at his company would be disastrous,” Bridget yelled.

Matt rushed into the room. “What’s going on in here?”

Bridget’s face turned beet red. “My sister has informed us she’s getting married.”

Matt wrapped his arm around Bridget’s shoulders. “Well congrats.”

Bridget pulled away and stormed out the room. “She’s a traitor.”
Matt followed behind her. Bradford said, “Always the drama queen.”

“If you two would have let me explain before over-reacting, I would tell you why I agreed to marry him.”
“I’m waiting.” Bradford leaned back in his chair.

Bridget now stood in the doorway with arms crossed.
Caitlyn responded, “His business is crumbling and he needs me.”

Bridget said, “Matt, get me the phone. I’m calling Charter Forest right now. She needs to be admitted to the psych ward.”

“I’m not crazy.”

“Three against one says you are,” Bradford said.

Matt said, “Hey, I’m not in this.”

“
Matt!  Well it’s two against one. Majority rules.” Bridget added.

Caitlyn
stood up. “I knew telling you’ll about this was a bad idea.”

Bradford poured himself a drink. “I don’t trust him or anyone with the last name Banks. Why do you have to marry him?” Bradford asked.

“I can’t say right now. I just need you two to trust me.”

Bridget and Bradford mumbled between themselves.
Caitlyn couldn’t understand what they were saying. Bradford was the first to speak. “If you feel this is something you need to do, I’ll support you.”

“Can you convince Bridget to do the same?”

Bradford took big gulps of his drink. “You’re on your own.”

Blake attempted to keep a low profile over the weekend. He spent the weekend by himself going over his personal and professional life. He wasn’t satisfied with either. He hoped the decision to live out the last will and testament of his uncle would be fruitful in all areas.

Monday mornings were usually filled with meetings, but Joan informed him several people had cancelled. He read a
n article online about the rumors about his company. He had hoped it wouldn’t get out, but soon he would have to address the rumors. For now, he had a woman to romance or pretend to romance at least.

“Joan, can you get
Caitlyn on the line?” he asked, over the intercom.

“I sure will,” she responded. Less than a minute later, she returned. “She’s on line one.”

“Cat. It is okay if I call you that isn’t it?” he asked in a cheerful voice.

“I would prefer if you called me
Caitlyn,” she responded.

“Did you miss me?”

“Like a wart,” Caitlyn responded.

“Ouch. You’re bad for the ego.”

“I aim to please.”

“I called you to ask you for lunch and also inform your supervisor you’ll be in a meeting with me the second half of your day.”

“What project are we supposedly working on?”

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something. You seem to be very creative. Look, I have a meeting to go to. I’ll have a car waiting for you at one. Same place as before.”

Blake refused to wait for her to respond and disconnected the call. Caitlyn wasn’t one to be bossed around and he actually found the trait attractive. He needed to watch himself around her. The thought of her caused him not to be able to perform last week with Samantha.

In between meetings, Joan pulled him to the side. “There’s more going on between you and
Caitlyn isn’t there?” she asked.

Blake
closed the door to the conference room before responding. “I trust that what I tell you won’t leave this room.”

“Of course not.”

“You’re one of the few people that know about the financial state of our company. Caitlyn is the key to helping us save it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but I trust you. Uncle Jack left me some money however it came with conditions—one being that I marry Caitlyn Crenshaw.”

“
She’s smart; she’s beautiful and she’s feisty. I think you’ve met your match in Ms. Crenshaw.”

“For some reason you don’t seem
as surprised as I thought you would be,” Blake observed.

“As you know I was good friends w
ith both your aunt and uncle. I’m sure your uncle wouldn’t have added the clause without a good reason.”

“
Caitlyn has been one of my best employees but as my woman, I don’t know how that’s going to work out.”

“I’ve seen you two together. There’s some chemistry there.”

“Sparks of conflict.”

Joan laughed. “Two competitive spirits coming together makes for an interesting relationship.”

“No comment.  I am concerned about what the employees are going to say when I announce our engagement.”

“I’ll handle any backlash
. Don’t worry yourself with it.”

“Thanks Joan.”

Blake felt relieved that Joan would be supportive of this new phase of his life. The rest of the morning went by fast.  He called his driver and waited in the car for Caitlyn to arrive.  He wrapped up his call while Caitlyn took a seat next to him.

“How was your day?” he asked.

“Busy, but manageable,” she responded, as she flipped open her cell phone. “I’ll call you back.” She looked back at him. “Now what were you saying?”

“Nothing, but how beautiful your dimples are when you smile.”

“I guess. I’ll have to stop smiling when I’m around you then.”

“You won’t be
able to resist. I’ve been told I have a great sense of humor.”

“Those are from women who were trying to impress you. Me, you can count on me telling you the truth.”

Blake moved closer to her. “That’s good to hear. We’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next year, so I look forward to hearing the truth for the next three hundred and sixty-five days of the year.”

“You can count on it.”

His cell phone vibrated. He glanced at the caller ID display. It was Trent. He needed a diversion, so he answered. “Blake speaking.”

“O
h, you’re trying to act like its business.  You’re with a client or your new love?”

“No, I’m not with a client right now. I’m going to lunch. How may I help you?”

“I’ll let you get back to your lunch. I was checking to see what happened to you this weekend.”

“I’ll call you back.”
Blake hung up the phone. Blake turned his attention towards Caitlyn only to notice her staring at him. It made him uncomfortable. He couldn’t think of anything to say to her. He turned up the volume on the stereo and poured himself a drink.

“That was rude. You could have offered me something to drink,” she snapped.

“The last time I did, you handed it back to me letting me know it was ‘nasty.’”

Caitlyn
rolled her eyes. “I’m sure the bar is stocked with other stuff besides overrated champagne.”

She reached over him and the strawberry scent in her hair filled his nostrils
. Her breast grazed his leg and his body reacted. Blake hoped Caitlyn didn’t look down or she would be in for a surprise.  Caitlyn pulled open the door to the mini bar and picked up a cold soda.

“
Cat?”

“
Caitlyn.”

“Excuse me.
Caitlyn. Why the attitude?”

“I don’t have an attitude.”

“Yes, you do.”

She opened up her drink and took a sip. “No, I don’t.”

“I don’t want to argue with you.”
“You’re the only one arguing.”

Before
Blake realized it, he had leaned over towards Caitlyn and kissed her. Their lips locked and instead of her pushing him away, her mouth invited his tongue inside. He darted his tongue inside of her mouth and he could hear her gasp or was he gasping? Both were entangled with the other; oblivious to the car stopping. The sunlight beaming through the door the driver opened ended their tongue entanglement.

Caitlyn
brushed her fingers across her lips. He attempted to straighten out his pants before exiting. He thought of something disgusting to get his body to deactivate the desire that had poured through his body. To think it was only a kiss. He had to get a grip over this physical attraction.

Neither spoke to the other during the first part of lunch.
Caitlyn was the first to break the ice. “Why did you do that?”

“You wouldn’t shut up,” he responded.

“Let’s not make this more complicated than it has to be.”

“Why don’t we go with the flow and see where it goes?”

“No. We have an agreement. We’re only to show displays of affection when in the open but otherwise, its hands off.”

“That’s not something I agreed to.”

“Check out your list. It’s number twenty-eight.”

“We might need to re-negotiate, because that list of yours is going to keep me in trouble.”

Caitlyn chuckled. Blake found himself smiling too.