Authors: Jamela
I was glad he stopped for a breath so I could say something before he went any further. “Ray, I’m not interested in you like that. I’m in love with John. I guess you haven’t talked to him, but everything is okay between us. We are back together. John and I found out that I’m six weeks preg…..”
“Ray, are you all right?!” I said rushing over to help him. He had fallen to the floor.
“You’re pregnant? Is that why you’re staying with him? Doesn’t it matter that he cheated on you? How do you know if you can trust him?” He asked looking up at me. I helped him up and into a chair and just looked at him for a minute. “I should have realized his feelings were this deep. But he covered it so well. What am I supposed to do about this? I sure can’t tell John, that’s for sure.” I walked away from Ray. I could see he was upset, stunned and about to cry.
“I’m sorry. I hope I never did anything to lead you on. Ray, I’ve always told you how much I love my husband.”
“Yeah, I know that. But I also know you can’t tolerate a cheater. I just knew you and John would be through when you found out about Cynthia. I just knew it. Then I would be able to love you openly. You have no idea how hard it is to hold this in, Leslie. Especially around John, I’ve been telling you all along how I feel, Leslie. Couldn’t you see it?”
“Ray, listen to me. I am in love with John. John is in love with me. We are together because we love each other. Ray, I found out what really happened with Cynthia, John wasn’t cheating on me. You said yourself Cynthia has a “thing” for him and that is exactly what it was. I’m sorry, but I can’t love you the way you want. But, if this is gonna cause a problem I can stop working here. My pregnancy is high risk, anyway. I have to go. You make up your mind and give me a call. Until I hear from you, I won’t be coming in to work.” I said walking out of the office. I drove home and was never so happy to see my husband as when he walked through the door a few hours later.
Ray didn’t bother to call all weekend. On Monday morning he called from the office. “Can you come down so we can talk? I have something to discuss with you. It won’t take long, I promise.” He said. So, I got myself prepared to see him. I had a lunch date with John later and I was hoping Ray wouldn’t put me in a bad mood. When I arrived at the office, there weren’t any clients waiting to be seen. In fact, Ray had already done the payroll and had the bank deposits ready to take to the bank. He didn’t seem to be in a bad mood, so I was hopeful this would go quickly. I’d hate to have to stop working with him simply because I love what I do. I help people get their lives back. Finding jobs is rewarding and I make a difference. I don’t want to give that up, but I’ll just have to see how things go.
“Good morning. What is it you want to discuss?” I asked standing near his desk.
“Don’t look so scared, Leslie. I won’t hurt you. Please, have a seat.” He said pointing to a chair. “I just wanted you to know, I thought about our last conversation. I understand where you are coming from, though I admit I don’t understand why. I have to respect your choices and your feelings. With that said, I decided it would be best to give you a few weeks off and then, if you want to, you can return to work.” He said and waited. “Please, let her accept that, it’s the only way I’ll get to be around her.”
“Oh, okay. I could use some time off. This pregnancy is difficult so that would be a big help. How long do you want me to take?”
“I’m thinking a month. During that time, if I need any help, I’ll use one of the temps to answer the phone. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to do anything to endanger the baby. I can see how much it means to you.” He said walking over to help me up. “So, you go on home and get some rest. I’ll be checking in on you from time to time.”
“Okay, I’m glad we could work this out. I guess you’ll be seeing John for your regular Saturday golf date?” I asked walking to the door.
“Yup. Don’t you worry about the office, everything will be okay.” He walked me to the car and opened the door for me. He stood there looking at me for a moment once I was inside. “Pregnancy agrees with you, Leslie. You are even more beautiful. But, you have a good day.” He said as he turned to go back into the office.
I attended to a few errands until it was time to meet John for lunch. Since my stomach was still a little upset, we just drove to the park and had a light snack. We talked about the events of the last couple of weeks and how fast things had happened. Then I thought about something, so I asked John “Honey, Ray said something interesting to me the other day. He said that you knew Cynthia had a “thing” for you. I know he knows her in passing. But how would he know what’s going on? I mean, did you tell him?”
“No, actually, I didn’t. You know I don’t discuss my personal problems with him. I mean, we are good friends but I draw the line at some things. Ray mentioned to me one day while we were playing golf, I had a secret admirer at work. That’s how I found out about how Cynthia felt. Shortly after he told me how he knew her, she really started trying to get my attention. I didn’t think much of it because I wasn’t interested in her. I figured she’d see that and move on. But up until a few weeks ago, she was doing everything she could to be around me. Funny, I never realized it, but thinking back, I can see it now. We even had lunch a few times. Someone else was there, but I guess she was getting to know me she thought.
“That’s odd. John, I don’t want you to get upset by what I’m about to tell you, okay? I know you and Ray are friends. But did you know he claims he’s in love with me?”
“Oh, he tells me all the time I don’t deserve you. He says you would be better off with him. But he’s laughing and joking when he says it. Why, do you think he really feels that way?”
“I KNOW he does. I know because he’s told me several times over the last few days. John, he told me he’s in love with me and he has been since we met him. I told him if it was going to cause a problem, I’d stop working with him. Apparently he’s been telling you all along, but not making it seem serious. I took it as a joke at first, too. I guess I should have paid more attention. What do you wanna do?”
“Well, let’s talk to Ray and straighten this out. I’d hate for us to be wrong. He’s a good friend, in fact, the only real one I have. So, lets go by and talk to him when I get home from work.” He said leading me back to the car.
John went back to work and his supervisor called him into a meeting. Cynthia was there and so was the regional manager. “Ms. Wells, we have a complaint against you for sexual harassment made by Mr. Jameson. This outlines behavior by you over a period of six months that is in direct conflict of this company’s policies. What is your response?” Asked Mr. Barrington, the regional manager.
Cynthia flipped through the papers in front of her. “I don’t really have a response, except, I find him attractive. I believe he’d be better off with me than his present wife. Besides, I was led to believe his wife was being unfaithful to him.” She said looking directly at John.
“What gave you that idea?” John asked her.
Cynthia looked around the room without answering. “Answer the question Ms. Wells.” Instructed the supervisor, Mr. Brown.
“His wife’s boss. He’s a friend of mine and he told me how she works so hard at the office doing things she doesn’t need to. And I know that Ray, her boss, is in love with her. She wouldn’t still be working there if she wasn’t cheating on her husband. I know he’s told her how he feels. So, she must be cheating. So, I decided I’d go after what I wanted. And I did.” She said smugly.
“Wait a minute. You and Ray, know each other so well, you discuss my wife and I? How long has this been going on?” Asked John in shock.
“Ray is an ex-boyfriend of mine. He was the one who told me I should go after you. He said it would only be a matter of time before we both had what we wanted and everyone would be happy. I still feel that way. You just can’t see it.” She said looking intently at John.
“Ms. Wells, your time with this company is now complete. You are no longer an employee. Please return your keys to the office, your parking pass and any company manuals or other property of the company’s to Liz at the front desk. John, I’m sorry this has happened to you. In the future, please, do not wait so long to report questionable behavior by other employees, male or female. This meeting is confidential and over.” Said Mr. Barrington rising.
As John stood, Cynthia walked past him and rubbed her hand across his chest. “You can still be mine. I’m sure of it. And Ray will have your wife, too. Wait and see.” She said as Mr. Brown jerked her hand away.
“Touch him one more time and we’ll see about pressing charges for assault!” Said Mr. Barrington.
John stood there in shock. “How could I be so blind? Ray was behind it all? Here I am thinking I had a friend, and all this time he’s been stabbing me in the back.” John went to his supervisor’s office and asked, “I have a lot to deal with. Could I take the rest of the day on personal leave? I really need to see my wife and talk to her.”
“Sure John. I’ve never seen anything like this. In fact, take a couple of days. You have the accrued time. I wish you the best. And John, stay away from Ray, please. I don’t wanna have to come see you in jail. Besides, you’re the best salesman we have and I’d like to keep you, okay.”
John drove home and as soon as he got into the house, he gave his wife the longest kiss he could. “Leslie, I love you with all my heart. My love for you grows stronger every day. I had a meeting today and discovered some interesting news. Sit down, while I fill you in on everything.”
I didn’t know what to expect, but I could tell it wasn’t good. I sat down and John told me about the meeting. He got angry as he told me everything and he was shaking and clenching his fist. I knew I had to do something to make sure he didn’t see Ray. “John, at least we know why all of this stuff was happening. Let’s go away for a little while. I think we owe it to ourselves. Don’t you?” I asked hoping he would jump at the chance.
“Leslie, I have to see Ray. I need to talk to him. He has to understand he’d better stay
away from you! I mean it. If I find out he’s come near you, I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him and not think twice about it. All this time he’s been pretending to be my friend. I can’t believe I never saw it.” He said shaking his head.
“John, you have to stay away f
rom Ray. Not because I’m trying to protect him. But I am trying to protect you. I don’t wanna have this baby alone. I want you in this child’s life, but not through prison bars. Think before you do anything. We’ll find a way to work all of this out. But we have to think clearly and be smart about it.” I said hugging him and kissing him.
“Now, come over here and sit with me for a minute. I don’t feel well.” I said as we walked to the sofa.
A few hours later I was in the emergency room. The doctor determined my pregnancy was more high risk than initially thought. I would be on bed rest until I delivered the baby. While we were at the hospital, Ray had called to speak with John about their golf date and the children had told him we were at the hospital. We looked up and he was standing outside the room. They would be keeping me for a few days to run some test.
Before I could say anything, as I reached for John, he had stormed out of the room and had Ray by the collar. Ray was the smaller of the two men, and John was getting the best of him. He was slamming his fist into his face, side and anywhere it could find a place to rest. Ray was trying to unsuccessfully defend himself. It took a few moments before the hospital staff realized what was happening. By the time security got there, Ray was a bloody mess. His shirt was torn and he was clutching his head. John only had bruised knuckles. One of the nurses took Ray down to emergency for treatment. John on the other hand was escorted out of the hospital once Ray said he did not want to press charges. I couldn’t believe what I’d seen. I’d never seen John so angry that he used physical violence. I get the feeling John would still be hitting Ray if those three guards hadn’t pulled him off. Finally I settled in and tried to get some sleep.
A few hours later, John called me. He apologized for his behavior and told me not to worry about anything. He said he had most of it out of his system. I let him know the doctor had returned and said I could go home in the morning. John said he would come pick me up. I hung up and tossed and turned for most of the night. The next morning, John walked into my room with wrapped knuckles. I ran and gave him the biggest hug and kiss he’d gotten in a few weeks. These last few weeks had been trying for me and us. I went from having a perfect marriage and job to a cheating husband and now I’m six weeks pregnant with my faithful husband back in my arms. All of this done at the hands of someone who felt they could make each of us happy by getting what they wanted. Boy, things sure can change drastically. John and I drove home and made plans to go out of town for a while. We needed some time away. This time I wouldn’t have to worry about getting pregnant and we wouldn’t be so trusting of our friends from now on.