He meets her

## 3

      After a long day at school , Layla and Lydia left with aching knees and throbbing ache in the head as a result of the punishment meted out by the principal .

To make matters worse, the girls were suspended for two days , one Layla dreaded with every fiber in her .

“ I'll come see you in the evening Layla .” Lydia breaks the silence that ensued between them immediately they got to her aunt's restaurant .

“ u..mmmm...see you in the evening then ” Layla answers absent-mindedly , Lydia pulls her into a warm hug ; she understood what is going through her best friend's mind but if she doesn't return home first, her Mom would be worried sick .

  “ I'll come later , you can trash that Aunt of yours into the dustbin ” Lydia joked as the girls burst into laughter . 

 “ You are such a nitwit to decide to stand right there and laugh when loads of work awaits you . ” Lady Sia remarks sparing the girls disdainful looks .

“speak of the devil ” Lydia mutters to herself before leaving the spot . 

  Layla's POV 

      “ Good afte——” 

“ keep your greetings to your stupid self . What is good about noon ? ” My aunt interrupted my intended greeting ; I barely remembered the last time I greeted her completely without being cut short or completely ignored like no one spoke to her .

I quietly turned avoiding Lady Sia's eye as I made my way to the kitchen, a strong hold pulled me firmly and then I felt a deep sting followed by spinning sounds that echoed in my ear drums .

Balls of tears rolled out of my eyes and mucus from my nose which i managed to sniff in.

“ Must I remind you to see to the toilet every night after the close of the evening ” Lady Sia uttered sternly with a glint of pleasure in her eyes .

It was obvious she loves me in pain, tears and desperation .

She walks away while I quietly returned to the kitchen gently covering my face with a full scalp sheet .

I did not wish to arouse pity from Benjamin Moore who practically played partial roles of a father in my life .

“ Here ” A soft familiar masculine voice spoke patting me softly on the shoulder .

“ I ....am fine .... I'm fine ” I mutter forcing a smile on my face ,my eyes were cloudy and tears withheld threaten to let loose any minute if he mentioned a word. 

  “ Shhhhhhh...” Benjamin hushed me 

He gathered a pack of ice , put them into his handkerchief and placed them on the left side of my cheek .

It stung badly and I grind my teeth against each other .

“ I saved lunch for you ” he added gently lifting the bag of ice from my face ; I burst into tears uncontrollably and he pulls me into a hug 

“ You will be fine darling ,just a matter of time .” he managed to encourage me before oncoming footsteps was heard .

 It was lady sia .

   I hurriedly threw my bag to its corner and grabbed my favourite apron and joined Benjamin who beamed a smile at me.

** Alpha Kingston home ** 

          Lydia's POV

“ mommy ...... these boxes are large, I am curious .” I spoke touching the beautiful boxes the omegas had just rolled into my room . 

My mom followed suite , she held a little case in her hand with beaming smiles . I knew definitely something was up her sleeves .

“ Mom , what's going on ? ”

“ Baby , it is something little for a befitting princess that you are ” 

My mom replied making my cheeks red like tomato used in making paste . I gently got out of the bed and then reached for the blue box first and opened it. 

It was filled with velvets dresses of different kinds 

“ Mom ! ” I exclaimed touching the dresses each had its unique design . I knew why this was happening and without wasting any more time , I began trying all dresses for my introduction .

      After an hour , I finally settled for an orange corset velvet dress , it was designed with sequins and pearls that dazzled even in the day .

“ This looks absolutely gorgeous on you baby and this green dress should be kept for Layla ” Mom said checking me out with a bright smile .

“ would he even like me mom ?” I inquired trying to ascertain answers from my mom 

 “ Of course who wouldn't be captured and mesmerized by your astonishing beauty , skin like diamond , your face radiant like the moon .” 

“ Mom !” I called out as she said sweetly of my beauty 

“ Ummm, i should go give her this evening” I quickly chirped in .

I got out of the dress in a jiffy and dashed out of my room with a little nylon bag containing Layla's dress. 

“ Don't be long ” my mom yelled after me .

*** **

     The drive was seemingly long and Ashton's stomach rumbled and grumbled lowly as he yawned .

 He removed his sun glasses and then takes a quick glance at his wrist watch .

The drive had been on since three o'clock and now it was almost six o'clock . He adjusted uncomfortably in the car whilst looking for where to fill his growling stomach .

“ I think that is a good spot to eat ” Ashton said to Jerome his right hand man and beta .

“ Should I pull up ? ” he ask waiting for Ashton's response 

“ Yes , I'm starving ” he answered shortly and Jerome drove into the parking lot swiftly like a whirl wind . 

   Immediately Jerome parked correctly , Ashton steps out of the car into the restaurant which wasn't bad looking either . All eyes peered at him , the ladies drooling and the men cockily while some enviously but that wasn't why he was here .

He was here to eat. 

He had merely settled in his booth when he felt someone calling out to him , it seemed like a string was pulling him .

He takes a quick look at the restaurant but couldn't find what pulled so hard .

 “ Are you okay ? " Jerome speer 

“ No .... I can feel and smell her. She's somewhere around . ” Ashton mutters trying to control his inner wolf man Nate .

“ Who ? ”

Ashton looked towards the counter area , a lady stood at the edge holding a menu , she looks up and their eyes meet .

“ There she is ” he whispered to himself .