Trial of Marriage 2

Part 11

Two hours had passed since the group arrived at Angelique’s, and she set them up in her dining room with everyone spread out at the table. Courtesy of Bryn, pizza was ordered for lunch and when their stomachs were filled it was back to work. There was a lot of note taking on Angelique’s part so that she could keep everything straight. It three weeks the office will be officially open for business; nevertheless, Bryn had clients already in cue seeking their service. There were folders handed out to all her co-workers with jobs and what was needed from them. To sum things up, Bryn wanted her team to begin creating sample designs so that she could approve them which Angelique liked because it gave her time to redo any of her drawings if need be. The day had been hugely productive and it wasn’t until Angelique heard the door close that she realized it was after 5:00 p.m. 

She left the room and walking out to the foyer she saw Trey was placing his keys in a ceramic dish that sat on table beside the front door. “Hi handsome,” she said, nearing him ready to place a kiss on his delectable lips. 

He held her around the waist reciprocating her affection. “Mmm, I’ve been missing that all day.” 

“Have you now?” 

“Hi Trey,” Bryn yelled, from down the hallway. “We obviously lost track of time, that or everybody wanted the overtime they’re definitely going to be getting today.”  

Angelique laughed. “Bryn, you’re too funny, although, I like the sound of overtime pay.” 

“Ah huh, I thought you would,” she said grinning. “I have the folks in there getting things cleaned up so we can get out of your way.” 

“Bryn, that wasn’t necessary, I could have taken care of it all.” 

“Angelique please, you were gracious enough to supply us with a space to work in, the least we can do is clean up and not leave a mess for you.” 

Angelique turned around leaning against Trey. “Thank you, you won’t get any argument from me.” 

“I didn’t think I would.” 

She touched Bryn’s arm. “Visit with Trey, I’m going to check on the others,” she said and then marched away. 

He gave Bryn a friendly kiss on the check. “Good to see you. I hope you know you’ve made my wife an extremely happy woman.” 

“That sentiment goes both ways, I’m glad to have her on board. Anyways, let me head back and get my folks out, Angelique told me you have to pick up T.J. from your folks.” 

“Yeah we do, but before you run off I want to say congrats. I’m glad things have been working out for you Bryn, I really mean it.” 

“I never doubted you didn’t, thanks Trey,” she said grabbing his hand before letting it go to find her workers. 

***

Trey had been in his office when everyone left, and Angelique was upstairs changing into jeans and a top before going to pick up their son when the doorbell rang. He went to get the door and after opening it was taken back. 

“Hello Trey.” 

Before answering he looked back at the stairs, Angelique was nowhere in sight. “What are you doing at my first door, Chad,” Trey said, his tone unwelcoming 

He crossed his arms, a smug look on his face. “Is that how you great an old friend Chum?” 

“I’m not your goddamn chum,” Trey said, his voice rough and low. 

“What was that you said? Trying to keep your voice down for the wife eh?” 

Trey was going to respond until he heard Angelique. “Trey did I hear the doorbell …oh, Chad it’s you,” she said. Walking to the door she said, “Did you forget something?” 

Trey’s eyes promptly turned to her then to Chad. What he wanted to say he couldn’t, not in front of his wife. Inside he was a volcano ready to explode; however, it would do him no good to do so at the present. Instead he stuck his hands that had turned into fist inside his pockets to prevent him from punching the scoundrel in the face. 

“I believe I left my cell phone in your powder room. Do you mind if I take a quick look?” 

“Babe, I’m sorry, this is my co-worker Chad, and Chad this is my husband Trey. We were on our way out, but if you’re quick please go right ahead and look.” His wife was emotionless and a bit rude, but it didn’t bother him one bit. It did concern him some because the attitude she displayed was unusual, and normally she was polite to people. 

Chad took his leave, Trey and Angelique was alone. “Babe, this Chad person is your co-worker?” 

“Yes.”  

She was doing one word answers, he knew something was wrong. “Is he giving you a problem? You don’t seem that friendly toward him.” 

“I don’t know him, but I can’t be friendly to someone who isn’t the same way back.” 

“He said something to you?” 

“Not exactly, it just seems like he doesn’t like the fact that I’m running the office and not him. He never said it, I only sense it. Trey, I don’t want you to worry about it and besides working together doesn’t mean we have to be friends.” 

“That’s going to be a bit awkward don’t you think.” 

“Not if I don’t let it get to me which I won’t. I’m head over heels crazy about this opportunity and not him or anybody else is going to make me feel otherwise.” 

He stared at her wanting to say something, anything, but the words never came. In the hallway they could hear Chad’s footsteps approaching. 

Reaching them he held up his phone. “I did leave it, my apologies for having to come back and intrude on your time.” 

Angelique nodded. “I’m glad you found it,” she said, before turning to Trey. “I need to run upstairs real quick before we head out. I’ll be right back.  Goodbye Chad,” she said, not bothering to face him before strolling away. 

Trey watched her as she left, and when he turned his attention back to Chad he saw that he was ogling his wife. Angelique never bothered to look back and that gave him the opportunity he needed to grab Chad up by the front of his shirt, shoving him outside. He shut the door behind him. 

“Are you out of your goddamn mind? Don’t you ever let go about eye fucking my wife ever again or I will …” Trey had both hands fisted around the collar of Chad’s shirt, the tone of his voice menacing. 

Chad interrupted, pushing back on Trey’s weight. “Or what?” he said, roughly shoving Trey off him. “You’re lucky I haven’t done more than eye fuck your pretty little wife. Do tell how you managed to get such a beauty? I’ve never bedded a black beauty before, but then again, first time for everything.” That was it, Trey fisted up her hand to sucker punch Chad and Angelique opened the door.  

She stared at them both. “Is everything okay? Chad, I thought you were gone.” 

“I’m leaving now. See you in three weeks, Angelique. Trey, hope we get a change to meet again, he said, then turned away, striding for his car. 

“Trey is everything OK, I can see you’re upset. What did he say?” 

He rubbed his neck thinking what he should tell her. “I can see why you don’t like him, I get a bad vibe from him. Ang, I don’t want you working with him.” 

“What?” 

“Tell Bryn the truth or I might have to kill that guy.” 

“Trey I’m not quitting a job I just started, and I’m not going to let you kill that jerk to rot away in prison,” she attested, walking to him cupping his face in her hands. “Baby, I love you for being protective, but he doesn’t have enough power in the world to make me fail. So he’s going to have to suck it up because like or not, I am his boss.” 

He loved the spunk she had and although he didn’t want to he nodded, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Let’s go get our kid,” he said, putting him arm around her shoulders as they headed for the car.