“Good morning sunshine,” Lyric said cheerfully as she walked into the break room.
“Fuck you,” Jena mumbled angrily.
“Don’t be like that love bug. I got my nut, so Spencer is all yours again,” Lyric replied, right as Javier entered the room.
He was all smiles as he followed behind Lyric like a dog in heat. Jena was sure that he wouldn’t have been smiling so hard if he knew that she got ate out by her ex in his office the night before. The mere sight of Lyric disgusted her and she left out of the break room before she said something that she would later regret. When Jena walked back over to her cubicle, she saw Spencer walking down the hall talking to Mr. Malone. They made eye contact briefly but he quickly turned his head.
“Did you read that email that was just sent out? I wonder what’s going on?” Sabrina whispered when she walked over to Jena.
“No. What does it say?” Jena questioned as she sat down.
“Never mind that. Why are you in here looking like Stevie Wonder with shades on?” Sabrina questioned.
“I wasn’t feeling good last night and I barely got any sleep. They might think I’m high with how red my eyes are,” Jena replied. Sabrina was cool but she would never put her in her personal business like that. She told her what she wanted her to know and nothing more.
“I have some eye drops that can help with that. Trust me, I’ve come straight to work from the club a few times. They work wonders. Come on in the bathroom and I’ll drop a few in your eyes,” Sabrina offered.
Jena didn’t even think twice before she grabbed her purse and followed Sabrina to the bathroom. She was right and the drops cleared her eyes up in a matter of minutes. Jena put on a little makeup and she no longer looked as bad as she felt. When she and Sabrina exited the bathroom, most of the employees were gathered in the open area talking.
“What the hell is all this?” Jena whispered.
“That’s what I was telling you earlier. Mr. Malone sent out an email about a staff meeting. I wonder what’s going on now,” Sabrina replied.
“He needs to relax a little. He just came back to work today and he’s starting up already.” Jena frowned.
She went to put her purse up and get her coffee before joining everyone else out front. Spencer walked out but he didn’t even come near her. It was like he was purposely avoiding her like she was the one who’d done something wrong. When Lyric came out followed by Javier, Spencer frowned and shook his head. He was a damn fool if he thought that Lyric still wanted him. She used him to get back at Jena and his dumb ass fell right into her trap.
“Are you and Spencer mad with each other or something?” Sabrina questioned.
“Fuck Spencer,” Jena spat angrily.
She watched as his eyes followed Lyric’s every move. Just like he was doing with Jena, Lyric never even paid Spencer any attention. Jena wanted to laugh because that was good for his pathetic ass. When Mr. Malone came out a few minutes later, she was happy. Jena was ready to be done with the meeting and get back to her desk.
“Good morning everyone. This meeting will be brief as I know that we all have work to get back to. I’m sad to say that Martha, my secretary of many years, will be retiring next month,” Mr. Malone said as he pulled Martha close and gave her arm a friendly squeeze.
“I know that’s not why he called us out here. I know that she’s your auntie and all, but Martha is old as dirt. She probably should have been retired,” Jena whispered, making Sabrina giggle.
“She was already retired from one job when she started here,” Sabrina pointed out as Mr. Malone continued.
“Not to worry though, she’s been doing a great job of training her replacement. Please help me congratulate Nova Franklin, who will be taking Martha’s place as my secretary.” Mr. Malone smiled.
The entire room erupted in applause, but Jena was in shock. She had been there way longer than Nova and she didn’t even know that a better position was up for grabs.
“That’s fucked up. You’ve been here longer than she has,” Sabrina said, seemingly reading Jena’s mind.
“Yeah but my cousin is not besties with the boss and his family. Now we know where she’s been disappearing to every day,” Jena replied.
“Bitch was training for her new job,” Sabrina hissed, as Mr. Malone raised his hand for everyone to simmer down.
“One more big announcement and I’ll let you all be on your way. Effective immediately, the receptionists, security officers, and mailroom will now be under the supervisor of Ms. Lyric Carter. I don’t have to introduce her because we all know who she is. Lyric has been an asset to me and this company for three years now and I’m hoping for many more. All requests that were previously sent to Martha for my review will now be directed to Lyric. If you have any questions or concerns, please get with Lyric after this and she’ll be able to assist you. Javier, we have a meeting to get started,” Mr. Malone said as he walked away, with Javier and some of the other attorneys following behind him.
“Oh shit,” Sabrina said in shock as she and Jena went back to their desks.
Once again, she read Jena’s mind and said exactly what she was thinking. Lyric was now their boss. Jena felt like she was in the twilight zone. She was all set to have a private meeting with Mr. Malone but there was no need to. Knowing how he felt about Lyric, it probably would have been a waste of time anyway. Jena never really called off but there was no way that she could stay at work the entire day. As if the night before wasn’t enough, she was hit with even more bullshit and she just couldn’t take anymore. She felt like shit and her heart was broken. She hated that she now had to report to Lyric but that’s exactly what she was about to do.
“I think I’m gonna go home for the day. I don’t feel good,” Jena said to Sabrina.
She really wanted to go home and have another good cry, but she couldn’t say all that. Instead of going into Lyric’s office, she decided to send her an email. She needed the rest of the day and probably the next one off too. It didn’t take long for Lyric to reply and give Jena the okay to leave.
“I hope you feel better boo. Call me if you need anything,” Sabrina said as she walked Jena out.
“Thanks girl. I just want to get back in my bed,” Jena replied as she climbed into her car and pulled off.
She was barely out of the parking lot before the tears fell from her eyes and cascaded down her cheeks. Although she started the drama when she slept with her best friend’s man, she just couldn’t seem to catch a break lately. Lyric made her point when she blackened Jena’s eye when it first happened but that obviously wasn’t enough. She just wasn’t going to be satisfied until she hurt Jena the exact same way that she’d hurt her. As usual, Lyric won, but Jena was tired of being on the losing end. As much as she loved her job, Jena knew that it was time for her to start looking for something else. She couldn’t stomach the idea of answering to Lyric and it was never going to work. She hated that she didn’t finish college but school just wasn’t for her. Sabrina told her that they both should take the test for a state job and that’s exactly what Jena planned to do. Lyric might have one that round but Jena was still in the fight. Their beef was far from over and she had Jena fucked up if she thought so.
Chapter 14
“Good morning cousin,” Nova said when she saw Lyric get off the elevator.
“Hey cousin,” Lyric mumbled groggily.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to kill over any minute now,” Nova replied.
“I started my cycle last night and these cramps are kicking my ass.” Lyric frowned.
“Why didn’t you stay home? You know Mr. Malone won’t mind,” Nova replied.
“I wanted to, but I have to take his place at a meeting this morning. He’s at another appointment but he’ll be here as soon as he’s done,” Lyric replied.
To her dismay, Spencer was running the meeting and Javier and a few other attorneys were going to be there as well. Spencer was working on a small case that he needed some assistance o
n. Lyric hadn’t really said much to him since their intimate moment a few days ago. He spoke to her all the time, but she barely spoke back. After leaving early on Wednesday and calling off on Thursday, Jena had come back to work that Friday morning. Her and Spencer must have broken up because they didn’t even acknowledge each other anymore. Lyric didn’t care one way or another and she had no remorse for what she had done. After fixing her a cup on coffee, she popped a few Advil and went to the conference room for the meeting. Javier was already there and he saved Lyric a seat right next to his.
“Are you okay baby?” Javier whispered once she sat down. They had a few other attorneys in the room but they were engaged in various conversations.
“Yeah, but I’m leaving once this meeting is over. These cramps ain’t no joke,” Lyric replied.
“Is there anything that I can do?” Javier asked.
“No boo, but thanks.” Lyric smiled.
A few minutes later, Spencer and a few more people entered the room and he got the meeting started. Lyric took some notes on her laptop for Mr. Malone since Spencer needed his help with a few things. Javier was his usual condescending self and challenged everything that Spencer said. Lyric was so embarrassed for him because he made Spencer seem like he was incompetent. Javier was even worse than usual and she was sure that she wasn’t the only one who noticed it. When the meeting was over, everyone went their separate ways. Lyric went to the break room for water and Spencer came in right behind her.
“What’s your man’s problem?” Spencer questioned as he looked over at her.
“I don’t have a man. If you’re referring to Javier, maybe you should ask him,” Lyric replied.
“What’s been up with the attitude lately? We were good just a few days ago,” Spencer said.
“We were never good boo. Just because you made me cum a few times doesn’t change anything between us. I still don’t fuck with you or your girl,” Lyric noted.
“I don’t have a girl,” Spencer corrected.
“And I don’t give a fuck,” Lyric replied as she walked away.
As soon as she stepped out into the hall, she cringed when she saw Javier and Mr. Malone walking her way. Javier was all smiles until he saw Spencer walk out of the break room after her.
“Spencer, how’s everything going with your case?” Mr. Malone asked.
“Everything is going fine. I’m sure Lyric has a few notes for you from this morning’s meeting,” Spencer replied.
“Yes, and I’ve already emailed them to you,” Lyric noted.
“I think it needs work,” Javier snapped, making Spencer clench his fist in anger.
Unlike Javier, Spencer wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He grew up in the ninth ward of New Orleans in one of the roughest neighborhoods before his family were able to move into a better one. He was hood and so was his language. He tried to keep it professional in the office, but Javier was about to bring out the Desire Project in him.
“Okay, well, I’m free for a few minutes. Maybe the three of us can sit down and look over a few things. It’s a small case but I need to make sure it’s another win for the firm,” Mr. Malone replied.
“Do you need me to do anything else? I’m not feeling good and I’m going back home if you don’t,” Lyric said while looking at her boss.
“No, I’m fine. Go home and get some rest. I hope you feel better. Call me if you need anything,” Mr. Malone replied as he patted her shoulder.
He walked away with Spencer and Javier while Lyric headed straight to her office. She grabbed her personal items and let everyone know that she was leaving for the day. Thankfully, it was the weekend and she didn’t have to be back at work until Monday.
When Lyric made it home, it was only after eleven that morning. She took a quick shower and put on her comfortable pajamas. After watching tv for a little while, she popped a few more pain pills and drifted off to sleep. When she got up hours later, she was surprised to see that it was dark outside. She grabbed her phone from the night stand and saw that it was almost seven that evening. She had several missed calls from Bronx, Javier, and her mother. Lyric wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone until she got herself something to eat. Her cramps had subsided but she still didn’t feel like cooking. She had used Uber eats several times before and she was about to use them again. Before she had a chance to pick up her phone, it rang and Javier’s number appeared.
“Hey boo,” Lyric said when she answered the phone.
“Hey baby. How are you feeling?” Javier asked.
“Much better. Thanks for asking,” Lyric replied.
“I called you a few times. What are you doing?” he questioned.
“I just woke up about five minutes ago. I’ve been sleeping since I left work and I’m still in bed. I was just about to call and order me something to eat,” Lyric replied.
“You don’t have to do that sweetheart. I’ll come get you and bring you to get something to eat,” Javier replied.
“That’s okay Javier. I’m comfortable and I don’t feel like doing anything,” Lyric whined.
“Come on baby. The fresh air will do you good. I’ll even take you to Copeland’s to get a chocolate fudge brownie. I know how much you crave chocolate during this time.”
“You always did know how to make me change my mind. Give me about twenty minutes to freshen up and throw something on,” Lyric requested.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon,” Javier replied before hanging up.
Although Lyric had taken a shower before she went to sleep, she jumped out of bed and quickly took another one. For some reason, she never felt as clean as she wanted to around her time of the month. Once she was done, she threw on a pair of black leggings with the matching shirt. She slipped her feet in a pair of PINK slides and waited for Javier to come. About five minutes later, he was calling to tell her that he was outside. Lyric grabbed her keys and purse and rushed out of the house. She frowned when she walked outside and saw Javier leaned up against his Lamborghini. She hated that car and no one knew that better than he did.
“Why are you driving this one? I thought you only drove it for special occasions,” Lyric said as she walked up to him.
“It’s always a special occasion when we’re together,” Javier replied, making her blush.
As soon as he opened the door to let her in, Lyric immediately buckled her seatbelt. When Javier got in, he pulled off without even asking her what she wanted to eat. He drove towards New Orleans East and Lyric knew that not many restaurants were out that way. She didn’t want to go all the way on the Northshore, so she stopped him before he even tried.
“Where are we going Javier? I could have gotten something to eat right from Outback. I don’t want to go too far out,” Lyric said.
“I know baby. I just wanted us to take a ride and talk,” he replied.
“You need to slow down Javier. You’re driving too fast,” Lyric said nervously as she held on to the arm rest.
“So, Lyric, tell me. When did you start fucking Spencer again?” Javier asked calmly as he increased his speed and bypassed two cars.
“Oh, my God, Javier! You’re gonna kill us!” Lyric panicked.
“Answer my question!” he barked angrily.
“I am not fucking Spencer! Are you crazy?” Lyric yelled.
“Yeah, I am, but only when it comes to you. I suggest you answer my questions truthfully before I accidentally lose control of the wheel,” he replied, sounding like he was in the courtroom.
Lyric didn’t know exactly how fast he was going but everything that they passed seemed like a blur. Her stomach was in knots and it wasn’t due to cramping. She felt like she wanted to throw up, even though she hadn’t eaten anything.
“Is he worth dying for Lyric? Huh?” Javier questioned as he almost slammed into the back of another car.
“Javier please, you’re scaring me,” Lyric said as tears fell from her eyes.
She was praying that a police officer saw them or someone ca
lled to report it at least. Her phone was in her purse but she was too afraid to move. She held on to the arm rest and silently talked to God. Lyric had never been a religious person but she needed Him now.
“Do you know how I feel right now Lyric? Of all the men that you could have slept with, you chose to go back to the one no good muthafucker who hurt you the most.”
“I didn’t sleep with him!” Lyric screamed.
“Yeah, well, explain this shit to me,” Javier snapped as he threw his phone in her lap.
It was a video but Lyric didn’t want to play it. She was too afraid to find out what was on it. The still shot was of Spencer’s office door and she knew that it couldn’t be good. At Javier’s insistence, she finally pressed play but no one was on the video. It was only a video of Spencer’s office door but moaning could clearly heard in the background.
“What the hell is this Javier?” Lyric questioned.
“Go to the next one,” Javier instructed.
When Lyric went to the next video, her heart dropped when she saw herself exiting Spencer’s office with him walking out right behind her. She didn’t have to figure out how Javier got the videos because she already knew. That bitch Jena was dirty but Lyric had underestimated her. When Jena walked in on them the first time, Spencer made sure to lock the door once she left. She obviously didn’t go far if she had videos of them. Spencer had walked Lyric out back to her car and Jena probably used that as her opportunity to get away without being seen. As bad as Lyric wanted to wait for her in the parking lot to beat her ass on Monday morning, she knew that she couldn’t. Being that she was a supervisor now, she had to move differently. Once again, she had to give Jena a pass.
“It’s not what you think Javier,” Lyric said, happy that he had decreased his speed.
Her happiness didn’t last very long because things got even worse soon after. Javier got on the Twin Span Bridge and started driving even faster. Lyric just knew that her parents were going to be identifying her body when it was pulled out of Lake Pontchartrain. Nothing but water surrounded them for miles and Javier was driving like a mad man. He was swerving in between cars doing well over one hundred miles per hour. Lyric was paralyzed with fear and breathing was becoming a hard task.
Heartbreak And Past Mistakes Page 16