***
Kayla stared at the woman approaching her seat, in surprise. Though Kayla was still supposed to be on leave, she was only in the office to pick up some files which she wanted to work on from home. Kayla wasn’t even dressed for the office. She looked her usual hot self in jeans and a sexy cowl-neck top. Her head had been bent low whilst she rummaged through her drawer so she hadn’t seen who had come out of the elevator when she heard the ping.
But when she looked up and saw Lucy Broody, strutting confidently towards her, she froze. What did Dean’s mother want in her office, Kayla thought with dread. Was she also coming to show her exactly how disgusted she was with her behaviour like her sons had done? Kayla swallowed nervously and stared at the elegantly dressed woman as she approached.
But for her face, which clearly showed she was elderly, one would think Lucy Broody was a model. Not only was she tall, but she was extremely elegant. Talk about aging with style, Kayla thought with inner pride. When Lucy got to Kayla, she simply placed her lovely and obviously expensive Chanel bag on Kayla’s desk and opened her arms to Kayla. Kayla didn’t hesitate for even a second, she quickly went around her desk and stepped into Lucy’s motherly embrace, and held on tight. God, she needed that, Kayla thought with a deep sigh as she buried her face against the older woman’s neck.
“Are you okay?” Lucy whispered, rocking a trembling Kayla as though she were a child. At Kayla’s nod, Lucy pressed a kiss to her hair and informed Kayla softly but firmly.
“We’re going out for lunch. Get your bag. Now where the hell is Cole?”
Kayla was so surprised at Lucy’s orders, she started laughing softly. “Cole is in his office, Dr. Bro… Lucy.” Kayla quickly corrected herself when Lucy wagged a finger at her.
“Good. I’m going to talk to him to give you the rest of the day off so…”
“Oh you don’t have to do that, Lucy. I’m on leave. I’m only here to pick up a file.” Kayla said with a smile.
“Good. I’ll still talk to him anyway.”
Kayla laughed at that and pointed at Cole’s door. “Walk right in, Ma’am.”
Kayla couldn’t tear her eyes off the door Lucy had gone through. She was still in shock. With a shake of her head, she pushed the file into her bag and locked up her drawer. Then she sat down and waited for Lucy. She didn’t have to wait for long. Lucy came out with a laughing Cole, who had his arms around the older woman’s shoulder.
“I promise, Lucy. I’ll come by with her on Sunday.” Cole was saying.
“I can’t wait to finally meet her. When’s the wedding by the way?” Lucy asked, looking up at Cole.
“We’ve decided to hold on till she’s done with college. Her dad says she can’t get pregnant till she’s done with college. And my plan is to put a baby in her stomach immediately we step out of that church. So…” Cole drawled, making Lucy laugh loudly and Kayla, flush with embarrassment. She hadn’t even waited for church at all, she thought with shame.
“That’s how it’s supposed to be done. But sometimes, nature pushes stubborn people, to make a faster trip to the church.” Lucy drawled, turning her head to wink at Kayla.
Oh no, please don’t say anything, Kayla thought frantically. Cole didn’t know about her pregnancy. Neither did he know about her deferring her law course. She wanted to be the one to tell him. She just wasn’t ready yet.
“At this particular point, I’d love it if nature gives me that push.” Cole chuckled. “So I can blame it on nature.”
“You can push nature, you know…” Lucy retorted making Cole burst into laughter. And this time, Kayla couldn’t help but laugh too. “So I’ll be expecting you on Sunday,” Lucy said and turned to Kayla with a brilliant smile that looked so much like her son’s. “Ready?”
“Sure.” Kayla got up and fell into step beside Cole and Lucy.
“How’s the learning going, Sexy?” Cole asked Kayla.
“I’m on it,” Kayla answered evenly, feeling guilty for lying to her boss and best friend. “I’ll give you a call this evening okay?”
“I’ll be expecting it.” Cole grinned.
After giving Lucy Broody kisses on both cheeks, Cole left the two ladies alone to go enjoy their lunch and went back to his office to call Dean. He thought he should inform his friend that the two women in his life were out for lunch. Cole smiled to himself, imagining Lucy and Kayla’s obvious topic for lunch…Dean. He just had to tease his friend. Little did he know…
***
“Fuck, Dean!” Cole swore, clutching the phone as if it were Dean’s neck. “You shouldn’t have broken up with her.”
“I know,” Dean muttered. “But I was angry. Hell, I’m still angry.” It had been two weeks since Kayla walked out of his home and he still didn’t know how to approach her. “I wish I could take back what I said, Cole. But…how could she do that to me?” Dean’s frustration could be clearly felt through the phone. “We are in a relationship for goodness sake. She should be able to tell me anything. That’s what people in love do, right?”
“Listen to me, Dean. We both know Kayla is most comfortable with me when she has problems. But even me, she hasn’t said anything to. She was obviously scared and you must try to understand her. She’s not as strong or resilient as she lets people think, you know. Besides, she didn’t go through with it. Shouldn’t that count for something?” Cole was almost shouting at that point.
“I was hurt and angry, Cole.” Dean’s voice raised in anger too. “I felt betrayed okay? I’m only human.” Then he gave a deep sigh and swore. “Fuck! I don’t know what to do. I told mum just last night that she’s pregnant and we’ve broken up but I didn’t go into detail. Now she’s going to listen to her side first.”
“And that’s what you’re worried about?” Cole asked incredulously.
“Dude, you know my mother. She’s going to kill me.”
“You have to fix this, Dean. She’s pregnant. This is not the time for her to feel alone and depressed. If you really love her as much as you claim, fix this.” Cole said quietly, his heart heavy.
Contrary to what everyone thought, Kayla was a very soft-hearted person. All that toughness was for appearance… to shield herself from people’s cruelty. Moving from one foster home to another could do that to people. Cole could imagine the tears Kayla had probably shed alone in her house. His heart went out to her.
“Please, Dean.” Cole pleaded quietly.