Chapter 2

Layla's eyes slowly made their way to the speaker and that was when she realized that she didn't walk into a wall, it was a human being.

Not only that, it was the same guy she walked in on earlier.

"Oh, my God!" She whispered in shock as panic set into her.

"I am so sorry, I didn't—" she began to say but the incredibly handsome man in front of her raised his fingers to her lips.

"Who are you?" He growled.

Before her she watched his eyes darken as he stepped away and looked around them as if searching for someone.

"Who employed this clumsy woman here?" He barked.

And for the first time, Layla noticed the tension in the room. It was as if everyone held their breaths when she barged into him and now they were all looking at their feet, probably regretting why they had stepped down for lunch.

"Mr. Smith sir..." Layla stuttered not wanting any trouble for the other staff.

His angry eyes returned to her face and marched out of the canteen at once.

Layla felt like the ground should open and she should be swallowed.

She had officially pissed off the president of the company and now he was going for her supervisor.

There was no way she wouldn't be sacked.

What would she do now? How was she going to get money for her friend?

Scared beyond her brain, Layla ran after the president. She tore through the stairs, not caring about the elevator till she got to Smith's office.

But as she stepped close to the door, it suddenly flew open and the president stepped out.

As he passed by her, she felt the hair under her skin stand erect. Her heart drummed as if indicating something else other than fear —but try as she may in those split second, she couldn't figure it out.

"Layla!" She heard Smith call from within the office.

She snapped out of her thoughts and stepped into the office.

Before he could speak, she went on her knees. "I am so sorry sir. I know I am here on probation... You could have sent me away —but you didn't. Please don't throw me away now," she begged clutching her hands together.

This work was the last hope she had. If she lost it, everything she held dear was going to be snatched from her.

She couldn't let Fey die. She had to do whatever it took to keep this job.

"I am sure this position you are in will come in handy in the future but right now, I need you to sit." Smith was calm for someone who just got yelled at.

He adjusted his tie and sat at the edge of his sit, motioning to Layla to do the same.

"Thank you so much. I promise I won't let you—"

"He requested that I fire you." Smith interrupted Layla's words of gratitude.

Layla felt like the world had come to a stop. Everything went silent and her heart beat roughly against her chest.

"And I will appreciate it if you left the premises but he said you should see him as you are leaving," Smith added and like a snap of two fingers, Layla jolted back to life.

If the president was requesting to see her, maybe there was a way she could convince him. She was not a lazy worker. She was very smart. She could handle everything they threw at her, all she was asking for was a chance.

"Okay," she muttered getting off the chair.

Smith scoffed. He read her intentions and they irritated him. The foolish girl almost cost him his job 

"If you know what's good for you, go in there apologize and leave because one more mistake and we can get you arrested!" He said to her retreating form.

Layla could not produce a response. Her body was shaking. She was on the verge of total break down but she held on firmly.

She closed Smith's door and walked to the door she had gone into that morning.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Then she pushed it slightly open. She popped her head inside for good measure and those stormy grey eyes greeted her.

"Come in," He growled.

His voice was suddenly so deep, it felt inhuman.

With trembling hands, she stepped into the office and closed the door behind her.

She stood in front of the table and waited.

"Take a seat," he instructed. His eyes never left her face.

She pulled out a chair and lowered herself into it.

"Now, I am sure Smith has told you everything..." He trailed watching her features begin to morph into sadness.

"Please sir, I know I messed up twice—"

"Three times!" He corrected.

Even though Layla could not recognize the third time she had messed up, she agreed with him.

"Yes sir... But I promise, I am a very good worker. I am smart and very committed," she said. "Today is just not my day. Give me a chance and I promise to make it up to you."

The president stormy eyes seemed to shift and Layla hoped that meant something. It had to.

"You forgot to mention that you are also very clumsy and careless. This is a cooperating firm. We don't need beautiful clumsy women roaming around here..."

"Sir, please—"

He raised his hands and she sealed her lips at once.

"I have a better offer for you," his eyes darkened again as the frown on his face dispersed.

Layla felt the same tug she felt in her heart when she was coming up to hear her predicament. But just like the first time, she couldn't understand what it meant.

Tears pooled at her eyes but she quickly wiped it as she feared he might change his mind yet again.

"I can do anything as long I will get money. I really need it please," she begged.

A devilish grin covered his face.

"I will give you back your job after this deal... The condition is that you move into my house and become my fianceé for two months."