Loves Deception

Chapter 21

Seven Years Later...

Layla rushed into her office, threw her briefcase and purse on top of her desk then flopped down into her swivel chair. She took a moment to breathe and shuddered, trying to chase the cold away. She pressed the botton on her computer starting it up. It would take five minutes so she used that time to walk to the breakroom for coffee. She had a coffee maker in her office but she liked to walk to the breakroom from time to time, working hard to get rid of the antisocial title her cowarkers had labeled her with.

When she had first arrived at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in   Chicago, Illinois seven years ago she was a mess. She was going through a depression and didn't have time for after work happy hour or water cooler gossip. She just wanted to come here to escape her drama, do the job she was hired for and hopefully forget the painful life she left behind.  She had started out as a level two Patient Intake Administrator. She had been living with her best friend for no less than a week when she got the call that changed everything. The position she had applied for had been filled but with her references and gleaming resume they wanted her for a higher position. She had said yes without hesitation. Two weeks later she was saying  her goodbyes to Naomi and David at the airport and her belongings were being shipped after her. Her best friend was truly her rock through it all.

She had briefly talked to her mother just before boarding the plane and she had understood her decision and respected it. They had even started speaking once, sometimes twice a day. There were plenty of days where she felt like throwing in the towel. She would call her mother and say she was ready to come back home and her mother would always ask. "Are you in a funk today or are you really ready to give up." She would tell her to think about on it and call her back. Each time Layla called her mother gave her words of encouragement to keep going in her life. She smiled, waving absently to her boss as she passed him. Her mom had recently come to visit her and fell in love with the city. But she hated the snow and cold weather. She vowed she would only visit when the temperatures were in the eighty's to high ninety’s.

Layla loved the cold though. The bone slicing winds and freezing cold made her feel at least something inside. She loved the white blankets that covered the city and shut everything down. She would curl up by her fireplace many a nights with coffee or cocoa, and the latest romance novel. She had been in Chicago for seven years and could count on her hands the number of times she'd  went out. Not that she didn't get asked out by co-workers or men. She had her share of dates but nothing ever came of them. Her fault she would admit. She just didnt want what they wanted. At least not with them.

She regained focus as she entered the breakroom on the floor. Today was casual Friday and people were especially chipper despite the cold. She waved and spoke to people as she made a beeline for the finished coffee pot. "Hey Layla!" a group of female coworkers called to her. She turned and courteously walked over. "Hi, ladies." She greeted them. "Girl I love those jeans and thigh boots. When are we going to go shopping. I love your taste. Us big girls know how to look good too.” The woman slapped five with another larger plus sized woman at the table. "Anytime you want. Just send me a email, but it's best to go on weekends that way if we spend the whole day shopping we can rest up the next day" They shared a laugh. "So a couple of us were going to that new club on Ponce to check out the open mic night. You wanna join us." A thin, beautiful light skinned woman named Jada asked. They always tried to include her. "Uh" she didn't have any plans tonight or any night."Sure, Yes! When?" she askedx smiling. "I'll email you the information today with my cell number." "Ok great. Thanks guys I can't wait. I'll catch up with you during lunch." She waved to them and walked over to the coffee pot. Empty. "Shit."

She opened the top cabinets looking for more coffee but came up empty. She bent over to search the lower cabinets. Nothing. As she stood up, grumbling she came face to face with Ethan Genis. Her co worker who just happened to have a crush on her. Ethan was a caucasan. Which didn't matter to Layla IF she was looking for a man. He was also the sexiest white guy she had ever met. His blond hair was cut low on his head and he had green eyes and perfect teeth. He was in very much in shape and had a tan seemed like all year round. Today he was wearing a crisp button down  and designer jeans for Casual Friday. "Good morning Layla. How’ve you been?" He smiled happily at her. "Morning Ethan. I’m good, and you?" She asked respectively. "Same as you. Just glad today is Friday" He chuckled "Yeah the week has been pretty hectic, everybody is looking for some R&R" He nodded. "So uh, what about you? You have any plans this weekend?" He asked, hopeful. "Ah no, no plans for me. Just a date with a good book" she joked seriously. His eyes shone. Oh god. Here we go. He cleared his throat. "So a couple of people were talking about that new club on Ponce. I know you like poetry and thought maybe you'd like to check it out with me this weekend. Or we can go with some of the coworkers if you want?" He rushed to say, giving her two options with the same outcome. She thought a moment. She was already going with Jada and the other ladies. If he and another group tagged along it would just be a big outing, not a date. Right? What the hell. "Sure Ethan, I'd love to go. In fact I can meet you there. I’m joining a couple of the ladies from the office there anyway." His smile faltered a little. "Uh, ok. Ok that’s great." He would agree to anything just to get her out with him. "So we can meet at the club and we'll go from there." He reiterated the plan again to confirm that she in fact was going out with him. She gave him a closed, tightlipped  smile and nodded. He stood there watching her. Ok, did you forget something?  She cleared her throat. "You wouldn’t happen to know where the coffee is would you Ethan?" He blinked as if coming out of a trance. "Ah, yeah. Coffee. There is a whole box on top of the fridge. I can g-" "No, no. Thanks though, I'll see you around." "See you Saturday right?" He asked eagerly. "Of course" She gave him a weak smile and walked out of the break room, coffee abandoned.