Layla’s POV“Speak up,” I said calmly, and Aria moved closer.“We want to have ice cream”, Aria replied slowly. I heaved a sigh of relief. I thought something had happened, and the children kept it away.“Ice cream, why do you want ice cream?” I asked, driving out of the schoolAria folded her hands and pouted like a baby, and I chuckled.“We’ll get ice cream; stop looking at me like that” I started heading to an ice cream shop.“Yay!” Aria shrieked and Cho smiled.“If I buy you this ice cream, you must not cause any trouble at home,” I said, and Aria nodded in agreement.I drove into the lot and asked the children to follow me into the shop.Aria came out and held Cho's hands, and I watched them go in front of me. We entered the shop and ordered ice cream. While we waited for the ice cream, I asked the children to tell me what happened in school, and they took turns explaining what their teacher did, and I laughed.The waitress called us to take our ice cream, and I went to pick it
Layla’s POVBridget looked tired, and I decided to allow her to rest.“Your food is in the kitchen whenever you are ready,” I said with a smile, and Bridget noddedI noticed Bridget’s eyes were teary, and I moved into the room, determined to know what was happening.“Did Ethan do something to you?” I asked worried“No, Ethan didn’t do anything to me”, Bridget defended, waving her hands quickly.“If it isn’t Ethan, then what happened?” I said, refusing to give up.Bridget burst into tears, and I held her from falling. I guided her to the bed and made her sit down. I patted Bridget’s back gently as she sniffed.When Bridget finished crying, she looked at me, and I smiled.“Thank you,” Bridget said, returning the smile.“You are welcome, Bridget. Please tell me what is going on,” I said, pleading“Charlie had an accident this morning”, Bridget said, bursting into another round of tears.Surprised I couldn’t say anything, I looked at Bridget and saw how broken she was. “Is he fine?” I as
Ethan’s POVLayla drifted off to sleep right after taking her bath. I patted her, watching her closely. Layla looked troubled, and I hoped that she would open up and tell me what was wrong, but Layla could be stubborn.I woke up the following day, and Layla lay beside me, sleeping peacefully, careful not to wake her. I tiptoed to the bathroom and turned on the shower.“Ethan”, Layla called, and I knew the shower woke her up.“Yes, I’m in here”, I replied, shouting so she would hear.“I’ll be in Aria’s room to prepare her for school”, Layla said “Okay,” I said and continued washing my body.I came out of the bathroom and cleaned up. I hadn’t been to work and decided to wear a nice outfit. I opened the wardrobe and pulled out one of my favourite suits and wore it. I contemplated wearing a tie and finally decided on wearing a tie. When I exited the room, I met Bridget downstairs, with Layla ready to leave. “Bye baby”, I said to Layla, kissing her lips and headed out of the house.Brid
Ethan’s POVI continued with the work at the office and called Bridget to check and confirm if there was any meeting for the afternoon.“No sir, there is no meeting scheduled for this afternoon”, Bridget replied, and I dismissed her“Thank you. You can go prepare to leave,” I said “Okay, sir”, Bridget replied and left the office.I packed my bags and finished up the work I was doing. After a few minutes, I was good to go and came out of the office. Bridget was sitting down calmly, staring off into the air.“Bridget”, I called and got no response.I walked towards Bridget’s table and tapped on it, jolting her back to her senses.“Bridget, it’s time to go home”, I let out.“I’m sorry,” Bridget said quickly“It’s fine. Are you ready?” I asked, and Bridget nodded.Bridget attempted to carry my briefcase, and I refused, encouraging her to go in front. I followed closely and opened the car for Bridget to go in.I stayed quiet throughout the ride home, giving Bridget time to think. I rang t
Ethan’s POV“If sedar hasn’t been able to access my phone, how do we lock him out?” Layla asked“Lucas said to delete the message and reboot your phone”, I explained, and Layla deleted the message immediately and turned off her phone“Is that all?” Layla asked, and I nodded“Calm down; I promise to make sure sedar doesn’t get to you,” I said “Thank you”, Layla replied, and I could notice she was shivering.“Why are you still shivering?” I asked confused“I saw sedar today”, Layla announced, catching me off guard.My head began to boil, and I could feel my anger arising. And I checked Layla’s body to ensure no injuries or scars.“Where did you see sedar?” I asked, my expression darkening“I’m not sure it was sedar but—“Where did you see sedar?” I asked again, interrupting Layla.“At the parking lot, I took the children to go get ice cream, and I think I saw him” Layla explained “Did he come to you or do anything?” I asked fidgeting“No, I tried to follow Sedar and see if it was him,
Layla’s POVAccording to Ethan, Sedar hadn’t gained access to my phone yet, and I could still lock him out. “How do I lock him out?” I asked I was scared of Sedar tracing me and having access to my phone; with one click, everything I had ever worked for would be destroyed by sedar. Determined not to let that happen, I looked at Ethan, desperate for a solution.“Lucas said to delete the message and reboot your phone”, Ethan explained, Without wasting time, I brought my phone out and deleted the message, turning the phone off. I turned it on back after a few minutes and wondered if it worked.“Is that all?” I asked, and Ethan nodded“Calm down; I promise to make sure sedar doesn’t get to you,” Ethan said “Thank you”, I replied, and I couldn’t help but shiver; Sedar was on to me, and I had a slim chance of getting him before he got me.“Why are you still shivering?” Ethan asked, looking worried I contemplated telling him about seeing sedar today and racked through my brain to see if
Layla’s POVBridget sniffed tears in, and I pulled her towards me, hugging her tightly.“Do you promise?” Bridget asked“Yes I promise,” I repliedI heard a knock on the door and went to open it. Richard walked in with his briefcase, looking gloomy.“Richard, I’m so sorry for everything that’s going on”, I said, guiding him to the dining to meet Bridget.“Thank you”, Richard muttered, taking a seat.“Let me leave you to talk with Bridget,” I said, clearing the plate on the table.“Thank you Layla”, Bridget said, tapping me lightly on my arm.“you are welcome”, I whispered and took the plate to the kitchen.I couldn’t hear any
Layla’s POV“Can I go see Cho?” Annabeth asked, looking sober.“Of course, Bridget is with her, though” I chipped in.“Thank you”, Annabeth replied and headed upstairs.I waited downstairs, and Bridget came down a few minutes later.“Annabeth insisted on staying with the children” Bridget announced“Okay, what about Aria?” I asked“Aria fell asleep as soon as you left”, Bridget replied, and I nodded“Okay, I’ll check on the children soon,” I said“I’ll be going to my room now,” Bridget said, and I nodded“I’ll be going to mine, too,” Richard said, getting up from the couch“A
Ethan's POV Layla held Aria's hand as they walked through the toys section of the mall, happily grabbing everything that caught Aria's eyes. It was good to be free again, to not be watching over our backs. It had been two months since Sedar was finally caught and even know it still felt unreal. He was such a nuisance for so long it was weird with him gone. All the drama we went through because of him. I remember Layla suggesting we go to Nicole out of desperation and frustration and to be honest I was about to give in but I knew good would come of exchanging oke devil for another. We decided to not go that far and I was grateful we didn't, unfortunately even if we wanted to it was too late. Layla got a call from a family about two weeks later that Nicole had ended her own life. The warden said she was constantly screaming to be let out and that someone should call me or Layla but they didn't because that was unreasonable. A while after she hung herself. Layla was frozen to t
Layal's POV"Okay." Annabeth's weak response came from the other side of the phone. Thank heavens maybe my little speech had knocked some sense into her."Okay? so you'll come stay here right?" "Not yet, I'll stay with a friend for a while. I want to stay with you guys but I can't risk messing up your lives even more." she sounded tired and I decided to let this matter rest for now. "Which friend?, where's Derek?", he had taken her home but he never called back so I guessed he was still with her."He left a while ago."He left?! Could he be any more of an asshole. He comes, drops a bomb like that leaves the two of us in a mess and then just drops her at home to be by herself. What was all the love talk about if this was all he could do. "He left you like this?" I was really starting to direct the anger i fel towards Derek, which obviously wouldn't end well. "It's not like that, i asked him to leave me alone. He kept apologizing when he wasn't at fault and I knew letting him see me
Layla's POV Watching Annabeth leave felt like my world came crashing down on me. I couldn't believe my eyes when Derek showed me that picture, immediately my mind clicked and made the connection it was like my brain just went into autopilot. It felt like the cinema all over again, realizing that Sedar had been so close to me again, I had been so close to death. I was thankful for Ethan who caught me before I fell, God knows him being there was what helped me calm myself down. Then Annabeth had started her meltdown, I had expected a shocked reaction but not something of that intensity, she looked like we just told her, her entire life was a lie. "Annabeth wait." When I had tried to grab her when she dashed upstairs she basically pushed me away and snatched Cho. My reaction to that was slow, what had I done wrong? I was in as much shock and disorientation she was feeling so why was I the one getting this reaction from her. To be honest I was disappointed that Ethan just stood ther
Ethan's POVI watched silent as Annabeth took a pause from her episode took a breathe and look at us, she seemed more composed but still rattled up. "I've got to leave." She said I shot off up the stairs"Why? Where are you going?" Layla called after her and follow her up.I turned to Derek, in less than a minute he'd wreak absolutely havoc on us all. This is why I didn't involve Layla in my conversation with Lucas, I didn't see her as weak, no but I also knew that certain matters are delicate so they should be handled delicately. "When did you figure it out?" "Last night. I was going to tell you guys first but..." I raised a hand to cut him off, it didn't matter if he wanted to tell us earlier or not what did matter was that we had found Sedar and he was awfully closer than we thought, this entire time."Wait, just wait." The sound of a door shutting and hurried steps called out attention. Annabeth was basically running down the steps with Cho is her arms, she was leaving with h
Ethan's POVI could hear the noise increasing slowly from downstairs, I had warned Layla this would happen. I tried to ignore it at first but then they had to be shouting for me to be hearing them this clearly. I put my laptop aside, stretched my limbs and walked downstairs. I got there to find Layla, Derek and Annabeth sitting round the dinner table, Layla's eyes were already in my direction by the time I reached them. She had most likely heard me coming. The discomfort they were putting her through was very evident on her face. I was already pretty much irritated, trying to work and being disturb by meaningless quarrel was very annoying. "I warned you." I said in my head as I looked at Layla, I was definitely going to rub this in her face later."You two know you're in another man's house right? A man who's trying to get work done and who has kids upstairs." They both shut and sat frozen with their eyes fixed on me. Personally I would have just kicked them out there and then. I
Layla's POV"It's nothing really, I just felt like maybe he was right" she waved her hand dismissively."Who?" "Derek", shit what had he said again"What did he say again?" I felt my fist instinctively clench, I was starting to feel like Annabeth was actually right in this. "Again, nah he said it when he brought you over to my place. That you had issues too and I was acting like my man drama was the center of the world." She looked to the side, it was obvious she was hurt by it.That was too much, this had gotten way too much. "Give me a second." I grabbed my phone and marched upstairs."Where are you going?" "I'll be right back." I barged into the room and Ethan looked at me confused."What's gotten into you?" "I'm going to interfere. I'm calling Derek to come over right now so I can settle whatever this is that they have going on." His eyes widened in shock and he shook his head, "Don't Layla. You sure you want to be in the cross hairs of whatever it is they have going on?"
Layla's POVThe house had been on lockdown for the past two days, yes, because of Sedar and also because Ethan was an overly protective person. Did I like being locked up in here all day? No. Could I do anything about it? Also no. All that could be done was wait it out and pray it needed soon. Ethan also worked from home to keep me company and lessen the agony of my situation. I told him numerous times that he could go to work and I'd just ask Annabeth to come over but I guess he saw through that lie. I was just looking for a way to get him out of the house so I could sneak out. His maid, America brought us all of the groceries and supplies we needed so there was no way to use needing to go shopping as an excuse. It was nice to be cared for but this was pretty much the same feeling that made me move out in the first place, unfortunately this time that wasn't an option."What is on your mind?" Ethan asked, this question snapped me back into the reality, I looked around, yep still stu
Ethan's POVI watched her step into Derek's car and drive off, I didn't exactly like the idea of her being out in the open after seeing Sedar stalking us but there was no winning an argument with Layla, the best I could do was give her a curfew to be back home. I called Lucas when she left, she was right about us needing to find the leak in our whereabouts that Sedar was tracking is with. "Didn't we just get off the phone?" He said sarcastically."I'm calling about Sedar. Again." "Did he show up again?" "No, but you remember how we talked about finding out how he knew where we were. Well Layla has a theory about it, she thinks it has something to do with Annabeth. Apparently all the times Sedar has showed up unexpectedly were when she went to places she'd already told Annabeth she was going to." "Was Annabeth the only one she told? That's a pretty wild assumption." He sounded skeptical, which was reasonable. Even I thought it was a shaky suspicion."No but she's the only common p
Layla's POV "What do you want me to say. Oh hey don't date whoever that creep is. I love you. Is that it?" I just stared at him, what the heck was that? So what he loved her now?. He stared back at me like a moron and then his expression softened and I took as a sign he realized he'd just lashed out at the wrong person."I am sorry." He did his puppy dog eyes look."I'd love to say it's fine but it's nothing, you two really need to take a minute and sit down to talk." The rest of the ride was absolutely silence, he walked me to the door and kept apologizing for the way he acted but all I did was nod. "What happened between you two?" Ethan saw the look on my face when I stepped in."More like what the heck is happening between two of them" I threw my bag on the couch and fell into his arms "Who are we talking about right now?" "Derek and Annabeth." "Oh, those two. Wait, they're still at it? I thought it would be over by now. Aren't they taken it a bit too far?" Even Ethan notice