He didn’t answer. What the hell could he say? According to what Iyana was saying she’d been in love with him all this time and he’d been too daft to realize it. And the irony of it all was that her feelings for him, now coming to the surface, was what had sunk him like a stone.
“I was jealous,” Iyana was saying. “So jealous I couldn’t see straight. That’s why I quit and that’s why I did what I did.”
Iyana shook her head again, as if trying to free her mind of the memory. “There’s absolutely no excuse for my behavior. All I can say is, I’m sorry.” She gave him an earnest look. “I hope you don’t think I came in here to ask for my job back. I think we agree that would be impossible. I loved you from a distance but as an employee I should never have overstepped my bounds, not even emotionally. The problem was all on my end.” She sighed. "And now it’s time for me to accept reality and move on.”
When Rome still said nothing she tilted her head to one side and on her face was a look of regret. “Is there anything I can do to make things right?”
Rome didn’t have to think twice before he gave her his answer. After the stunt she’d pulled when he’d invited her to speak with Arie he would never trust her again. Maybe he could forgive but he would never forget.
If there was any hope of salvaging his relationship with Arie he would have to do it himself.
“No,” he said, his voice firm. “There’s nothing you can do. Absolutely nothing.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Five days and counting. Arie knew she was probably being an idiot, refusing to see Rome, but she couldn’t help herself. The truth was, she was scared.
She loved him so much that it was easy for him to hurt her and with Iyana that was exactly what he’d done. How could she trust him to get close again? But despite her fear she was suffering terribly. She was dying to see him.
She'd come into office early that morning, intent on losing herself in her work. That plan ended up being a joke. Instead of working, she’d stared at the computer screen then at the papers on her desk then at the telephone then at the closed office door. She’d got up and paced the floor. She’d gone to stand by the window where she’d stared out at the parking lot for several minutes at a time. After that she’d gone and flopped back down in her chair. She’d gotten up and then she'd done everything all over again, and it was all in an attempt to keep her itching fingers from grabbing the phone and dialing Rome’s number.
Thank God she’d planned to swing by a banquet hall where she would be catering a wedding in the next two weeks. At least that would take her out of the office and provide her with some distraction that would hopefully take her mind off the man she loved…the same man who made her clench her fists every time she thought about his betrayal.
She hopped up from her chair for the third time but this time it was to grab her purse. She would not linger a moment longer. Time to get some air.
She was halfway to the door when the phone on her desk began to ring. She hesitated, feeling like she should ignore it, but then the dutiful side of her won out and she dashed back to her desk and picked up the receiver. It was Marilyn, the receptionist.
“Miss Jackson is here to see you, Arie.”
Arie frowned. “Miss…Jackson?” She couldn’t recall an appointment scheduled for this time. She didn’t even know who this ‘Miss Jackson’ was. “From?” she asked, hoping the company name would jog her memory.
“She didn’t say. All she said was, she needs to see you urgently.”
That made Arie raise her eyebrows. Weird. “Well…okay,” she said, her voice hesitant, but she hung up the phone and went to hook the strap of her handbag on the back of her chair then sat, making ready to greet her visitor.
But when the door opened it wasn’t a potential client who walked through the door but the woman who had turned her life upside down. Miss Jackson was none other than Iyana.
Arie stood and as soon as Marilyn had closed the door the words flew out of her mouth. “Why did you come here? What’s this about? Have you come to finish the job?”
Iyana looked startled by her vehemence. She stayed right where she was by the door and put up her hands, palms facing forward. “Please, I’m not here to cause any trouble. If you’ll just hear me out, just for a minute, I’ll be out of here and out of your life for good.”
Arie stared at her, the suspicion rising within. She didn’t trust this woman as far as she could throw her. “Go ahead,” she said, folding her arms in front of her. “Say your piece and then go.”
Iyana looked uncomfortable. She probably took note that Arie hadn’t even bothered to offer her a seat but remained standing herself, watching and waiting. When she spoke her voice was hesitant. “I know you probably hate me and you have every reason to. I came here to tell you how sorry I am for all the trouble I’ve caused.”
Arie’s eyes narrowed. “Did Rome put you up to this?”
“No, not at all.” Iyana shook her head vigorously. “He doesn’t even know I’m here. Please don’t tell him I came to see you. He hates me enough already. I just…I just had to see you to explain that he had absolutely no idea how I felt about him.” She drew in a deep breath then let it out with a heavy sigh. “I know I gave the impression that there was something between us but it was a lie. I only did that because I envied what you had. I was hurting so…I wanted you to hurt, too.”
As Arie watched, Iyana drew her bag in front of her, as if protecting herself. “Rome is a good man. He doesn’t deserve to lose you because of me. He did nothing wrong. I just wanted you to know that.”
For the life of her, Arie didn’t know how to respond. What do you say to the person who successfully screwed up your life, made you think the man you loved was a cad, and then showed up out of the blue to sing his praises?
“I’m not here to ask you to forgive me,” the woman said, filling the awkward silence. “I just wanted to set things straight. Thank you for seeing me.” She turned to go but then she paused and turned to look back at Arie. “And like I said before, I think it’s best if you don’t tell Rome I came to see you. I doubt he would appreciate my dropping in on you like this.” She turned away again and took a step toward the door just as it swung open.
“Arie, I’m tired of this. I have to see you.” Rome burst into the room, looking flustered and impatient. “Why are you avoiding m-?” He came to an abrupt halt, the words hanging in the air as his gaze fell on Iyana. His brows lifted in surprise then, just as quickly, they fell, gathering into a dark scowl. “You again? Haven’t you done enough? What mischief do you want to make now?”