An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

I Can't Go Home

LENA POV

"Lena, you have someone asking for you? A Mr. Rodriguez?" Michelle knocks on my desk, and I roll my eyes as I look at the clock seeing that it's only a little past 9 in the morning, and I had been typing out the notes from the last work meeting.

"Who?" I scoot back in my chair as she grins from ear to ear, leaning on my desk which was always extremely annoying because Michelle was the absolute nosiest person I had ever met, and she was just insistent in being in my business and Denni's. "And why are you announcing I have a visitor? I am a receptionist the last time I checked. I'm not that high up on the ladder."

"Oh, I was down by the front door when security..."

"Yoo-hoooooo!!!!! LENA ADAMS!!!!! Lord have mercy is your security guard mean or what? He made me pull out my driver's license and sign a paper like I was entering a government building!!!!!! How are you, baby?????" Julius makes his way to my desk as I rub the bridge of my nose and sigh for sure I was happy to see him but not at my place of work especially unannounced.

"I'm good, love," I answer as Michelle stays leaning against my desk, and I glare at her. "He's my friend. Thanks for letting me know," I say to her in a stern voice as she slowly walks away and half smiles.

"Look at you all fancy pants! This is a GORGEOUS facility!!!!! Did you paint those?????" He pushes his glasses up his nose now as he points to a couple of paintings not far from my desk as I laugh and shake my head.

"No, Jules. No one has seen my paintings except for a few people, but why did you come down here to my place of work? You couldn't call ahead of time to see if I was even here or come to the house like a normal person or what?"

"Well, for your information, missy, the last time I came to your house,  I was chased out with a pitchfork by none other than the Queen of England, herself, and let me tell you, she was not regal. I thought she was Satan's grandma!" He whispers behind his hand as I lean forward to hear the last part before pulling back and laughing.

"You're ridiculous, Julius. Denni is a lovely person. But, come on and walk with me while I refill my coffee mug in the break room."

He follows close behind me now as he continues to talk, "Well, I came here so we can discuss, you know."

Turning to look at him, I laugh again. "No, I actually don't know, Jules. I'm not a mind reader, baby."

"You know...the L E T T E R S?" He spells it out as if I'm dense as I roll my eyes and push open the break room door.

"Julius, I really don't wish to discuss that here at my place of work. Do you want some coffee?" I fill up my mug as I head to grab my cream from the fridge.

"No, thank you. But listen, I drove to Tessy's condo yesterday, and well, I saw her car, but no oneeeee answered the door. So, I found a payphone nearby and called. No answer. She must be hiding!!!!!!"

"Haven't you ever heard of a cab? The letters said she was in Africa, Julius. I...I only read mine, but Stef told me about that part."

"Welllllll, I drove to Jerry's but the man was too damn busy to listen to my speech! Can you believe he got in his car and drove right on off to work!!!! I mean, the nerve of him when his daughter is walking around with blue hair and leaving you and Steffy to take care of her! She just seems so damn lost!" He says rather dramatically, but I am rather annoyed to hear that Jerry was actually right here in town because I know Stef kept calling him in regards to what was going on to Stefanie and he was continuing to ignore her. At this point I wasn't sure if he cared or what his deal was, but I really was two seconds away from going over there and giving him a piece of my fucking mind.