Cake Love: All Things Payne(44)

"You came up with that idea so you are smarter than me too. What I do...correction, what I did, I learned over the years. You came to work at Mimir and in a few months came up with an idea that is saving the company. So, you see why I had to tell them it was mine?"

Anger fills my vision. Mad at myself for focusing on how much he has changed as if it is a good thing. Henrik has changed. He has become a liar and a coward. In the month he has had to think about all this, he still believes it was necessary to steal my idea. I angrily try to pull from his grasp but his grip is firm.

"No Henrik, I don't see. You have had your fun, now if you don't mind, my family is waiting for me. My food is probably getting cold."

"Morgana. I'm not explaining this right. I'm not used to having to explain myself. There are many things I have been doing recently I'm not used to. What I mean is, you need to be at Mimir. They need you. You don't need them. You don't even need me. So, because I'm selfish and need to see you happy, I lied to them and told them it was my idea."

"That doesn't even make sense Henrik—“ He puts his hand over my mouth, effectively cutting me off. I can smell myself on him and start to become aroused once more. It’s moments like this that I wish my body had an off switch.

"Shh. Let me finish. You had told me Evaleen knew of your idea. Do you really think she would have let me get away with passing your idea off as my own?"

I try to say no but his hand muffles my words, so it sounds like, “Memmo.” Henrik’s brow creases in confusion so I end up shaking my head.

"Exactly. When I saw her face light up as I explained your idea to the Mimir brothers, I knew she would destroy me. She has wanted me out of that company since, well that's her story to tell, not mine. But, I went into that meeting with them so I could be fired and they would start to see you as I do."

Henrik moves his hand away and steps back, letting go of me. I try to wrap my head around all of this. He lied to save me, to save my career, and in the process destroy his. Mimir was his life and to a certain extent his only family.

"But you love working there as much as I do Henrik. Why would you walk away from that?"

He has moved to sit on the toilet seat as I walk over to him. Henrik looks up at me and gives me a sad smile.

"Because—“ Henrik is cut off from the door to the bathroom opening and I hear Aria.

"Morgana! Are you in here?"

Henrik takes my hand and brings it to his lips to brush a sweet kiss across the back. His eyes grab a hold of mine and he mouths the word 'go' just as the handicap stall door swings open.

Aria is standing there with a sneer on her face. She brings her arm up and points at Henrik. “You! Don’t you touch her!” She grabs my arm and yanks me back. Henrik stands and opens his mouth, but is cut off again by Aria.

"Save us from your pathetic lies Mr. Payne! Your dark, sexy thing may have Morgana fooled, but I see who you really are. Oh, by the way, I talked to my dad about what you did, and he thinks Morgana has a case against you. That's right, my dad the 'lawyer' is ready to sue!"

No she hasn't. The last time she talked to her dad was two years ago.

"Aria, it's okay. He's not—“

"No Morgana, it's not okay. He tried to steal your idea, not to mention the multiple times he got you fired using his 'Vixen-Magic' on you!"

She is tugging me with her as we head to the door.

"I think you mean Voodoo-Magic, Aria."

Aria waves her hand in the air and then grabs the door, opening it. Once we cross over the threshold, she pauses and leans back inside.

"Morgana doesn't need some pervy guy who likes to hang out in women's bathrooms!" She raises her voice loud enough for the wait staff to hear. I turn my head just as I see a gray haired man that is balding on top in a black suit with a look of determination striding toward us.

"Is everything alright ladies?" He stops just in front of us.

"No. I just caught some creeper in there trying to watch my friend pee," Aria explains as she pulls me back toward our table.

Just as I take my seat, my food already waiting for me, I turn to see Henrik being escorted out of the restaurant by the balding man and another large guy with blond hair in a black suit. Henrik turns his head to me and smirks, tapping his fingers to his head to give me a small salute.

"Who was that Morgana?" My mom's eyes dart between me and Henrik.

"You have all just witnessed Mr. Henrik Payne, Morgana's former boss and major dirt bag, being escorted from this fine restaurant. I just hope they rough him up a bit before kicking him out," Aria explains as she digs her fork into her fish and pops a morsel in her mouth, chewing with satisfaction.

All eyes turn to me in confusion. I groan. Aria knows all about Henrik, while my parents and grandma only know that Henrik and I occasionally flirted. I tend to keep any details about my sex life far from my family’s ears. It seems a bit disturbing to explain to my parents that my boss kept getting me fired because we like to have sex on office desks.

But now that Aria has opened her big mouth they will want some explanation. So, I tell them, glossing over the intimate bits. My father is turning red and I can tell he is planning in his head how to dispose of Henrik's body so no one will find it, until I tell them what Henrik told me in the restroom. That he lied to save my job.