Betrayed by Love by Hailey Hogan

things in the mail; but we don’t want to take a chance. The sooner we find out who is behind it, the safer you’ll be.”
    “Scare me more will you,” Eva responded, as she wrapped her arms around herself.
    “GT Securities will ensure your safety. Trust me,” Trevor responded. He looked at Brenda. “Can you leave us alone for a few minutes?”
    “Sure, you’re the other boss man.” Brenda gathered up a folder and left the room.
    Eva couldn’t look at him. “She didn’t have to leave.”
    “You should have stayed away.”
    “If I didn’t know better, I would think you sent those pictures to me, to stop me from telling your fiancé that we’ve been knocking boots.”
    Trevor grabbed her arm. “You know better than that. I will do whatever I can to protect you; but you need to stay clear of Cheryl.”
    “Why are you really here Tre?”
    “Because I care about you and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
    “If you cared so much, you wouldn’t be marrying another woman. Tell her you changed your mind. You still have time,” Eva persisted.
    “I wish it was that simple,” he responded.
    “In that case, I must do something I should have done the moment I got the invitation in the mail. As of this moment, we are no longer friends. I would prefer it if Garth handled my case. I will only deal with you if he’s busy, understood.”
    “You can’t be serious.”
    “For the first time in a long time, all is clear. You made your choice. Peace be with you.”
    Eva left Trevor in the room to ponder what she said. Once on the other side of the room, she exhaled. She glanced at herself in the mirror. On the outside, it looked like she had it all together, but here she was suffering from low self-esteem. That’s what it had to be; otherwise, she would not be allowing Trevor or any other man to treat her the way he has treated her. She was vowing off men unless they served her purposes.
     
    ***
     
    Garth tossed and turned the entire night. Images of Eva invaded his mind and groin. The shades he wore hid the bags under his eyes. He spoke to patrons as he made his way to his office. Caroline wasn’t at her desk, so he slipped into his office hoping to avoid an inquisition. He flipped the light switch and stopped in mid-step when Trevor swirled his chair around.
    “About time you got here,” Trevor said.
    Garth took off his jacket and placed it on a rack. “I didn’t know I was on a time clock.”
    Trevor stood and walked around the table. He didn’t sit but instead paced the floor.
    He did his best to ignore him. He sat on the edge of the conference table, waiting on Trevor to make his next statement.
    “I bet you’ve been feeding Eva stories about me haven’t you?”
    Garth shook his head. “Man, you got issues. I have a number to a psychiatrist and I’m sure she’ll get you in today.”
    “Everthing’s a joke to you. You supposed to be my boy, but you’re nothing but a backstabber.”
    He stood up so that he and Trevor were face to face. “I’ve entertained you because I know you’re going through some things, but let that be the last time you raise your voice at me. I’m not your child.”
    “What ever. Stay away from Eva.”
    “If you were so concerned about her, you wouldn’t be marrying some other woman. Now get the hell out of my face.” Garth stared him in the face and walked around him towards his desk.
    “This is just like senior year. You knew I wanted to take Pam to the prom, but you went behind my back and asked her.”
    Garth couldn’t believe what he was hearing. That happened ages ago and he was still holding a grudge. “If memory serves me correctly, it was your suggestion that I ask.”
    “I was kidding and you know it.”
    He shook his head. “You need to grow up. It’s a doggone shame for a thirty year old man to act like you do.”
    “Leave her alone. She’s vulnerable right now. You’re the last thing she needs in her life.” Trevor backed off and started