Capítulo Cinco(Chapter 5)

The day wore on for Damon. Logan's encounter was the only interesting thing that happened for the whole day that's if you would count his meeting with heavy french accented Mr. Rochefort. He was in another meeting with the board and hopefully the last meeting for the day. He looked up at the clock. It was almost 6pm. The meeting was scheduled to end soon. This meeting was a lot easier for Damon. Everyone spoke clear, unaccented English. Soon, Damon was called to give the closing remarks. Finally! He was tired anyway. He gave a brief summary of the meeting and after a couple of handshakes, everyone left. Damon sank into his chair. It was 6pm on the dot. He called his secretary to drop the minute of the meeting on his desk. After a few moments, he got up and headed to his office. As he entered, he saw the coffee carriers on his desk. The image of Layla's face immediately etched itself in his mind. He thought of calling Natalie to return them but he decided to do it himself. At least he would have the opportunity to feed his eyes with a glimpse of her and anyway, was going home soon, so why wait.

He took the carriers and headed downstairs. The walk to the coffee shop felt longer this time. Maybe because he was walking alone. It was 6:30 now. He soon reached the coffee shop. He opened the door gently and went in. It was empty again apart from Carmen mopping the floors. Seemed it was almost closing hours for them as well. Carmen saw Damon and straightened up.

"Hello. Your that guy that came here with his friend."

"Uhmm... Yeah," he replied. "Is your friend still here?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'll go get her." Carmen finished up and took the mop and bucket inside.

She headed inside and found Layla cleaning out the coffee machine.

"Eeeee!"

Carmen sounded like a sugar pumped five year old. Layla nearly jumped in fright.

"Carmen! Qué te pasa?"

Layla had had enough from Carmen for a day. She just wanted to go home and now, she had a splitting headache from a her screeching.

"Oh my god! That cute guy from earlier is here and he wants to see you!"

Layla rolled her eyes and put off the machine. Was this why she was being bothered?

"The one with the rude friend? Is that why you are acting like you got to pee really bad?"

Carmen rolled her eyes. Layla could be a piece of work sometimes. Why couldn't she just let her guard down, open her eyes and smelled the coffee. This was a potential boyfriend and not just any one, a rich one and she was acting like the Grinch.

"Just go meet him and stop acting like the coffee Grinch."

Layla was just not in the mood. She turned back to the machine.

"I don't want to."

Layla was uninterested and continued to clean. Carmen rolled her eyes. It was time for her to be the good friend she was. She grabbed Layla's arm and dragged her out to the front.

"Hey! Stop! What are you..."

Layla stopped struggling and was soon face to face with Damon. She looked at Carmen furiously who winked naughtily.

"I'll leave you two alone."

Layla watched her leave and turned to Damon.

"We are closed."

Her voice was cold and unfeeling. She didn't want to deal with this right now.

"I can see that. Uhmmm...I came to return the carrier and apologize for my assistant's rudeness."

Damon dropped the carrier on the counter and Layla headed to the cash register to give him the change.

"No. You really shouldn't bother. Keep the change."

Layla rolled her eyes. She just wanted him to leave.

"I don't want to keep the change. Please give this to your assistant so that he won't bother me again."

Damon smiled. This girl was a tough cookie but he was happy to try a bite.

"Logan is actually really nice if you get to know him."

"Well, good for him. If the carrier and the change is why your here, you can leave now, I'm closing up and it's getting late and..."

Layla was interrupted by the sound of her phone beeping. It was a text from Carmen. Hadn't she done enough damage already?

"Be nice and stop being rude!"

Layla had had enough.

"Carmen, tú me trajiste aquí! No quiero hablar con este rico arrogante!"

Damon smiled. Her Spanish sounded elegant with her accent. Too bad he knew a little as well.

"I'm not arrogant you know."

Layla was stunned and looked at him in shock.

"You speak Spanish?"

"Solo un poco. Mi español necesita trabajo."

Layla was mesmerized. His voice was a deep pleasant sombre when he spoke Spanish but he didn't look like a Hispanic. She blushed at what she had said.

"I am really sorry. I didn't mean to sound that way."

Damon smirked. Now he was getting somewhere.

"Apology denied."

Layla was stunned. Was he playing games with her? What did he mean by 'apology denied'? He was definitely arrogant. Only arrogant dickheads denied apologies.

"Well, what do you want?"

Damon smirked.

"Keep the change for starters then we can get to the rest of it. But I'm thinking maybe, dinner, tomorrow."

Layla wanted to reject. Her phone beep again. It was Carmen with another text.

"You better fucking say yes!"

Damon noticed the text and smiled. What an encouraging friend. She was lucky to have her.

"Fine, yes. But only to make it up to you for being rude."

"That would make me very happy."

He gave his most handsome smile and stretched out his hand for a handshake. Layla took his hand and they shook firmly but briefly.

"I didn't quite get your name?"

"You didn't ask," replied Layla reluctantly.

"Well, I'm asking now."

Layla sighed deeply. She was definitely going to tell Azaera all this when she got home.

"Layla. Layla Hernandez."

"Then in that case, Damon. Damon Prince."

Layla nodded and gave a polite smile. Damon let go of her hand and left, but not without throwing her a wink. Layla scoffed it off and Carmen came out of her hiding place.

"That was great. You just bagged a hot date. You almost blew it you know."

"Well, aren't I the luckiest girl in the world," said Layla sarcastically.

Carmen giggled and nudged her bit.

"Suck it up Grinch face. His Spanish is very sexy. Can't believe you called him arrogant."

Layla exhaled sadly.

"Can we please just go home. I want to see if I can bleach my mind and forget this ever happened."

Carmen giggled and they started packing their stuff. All the while, Layla thought about Damon. He was not as bad as the other rich folks she knew. Unethical? Yes. Cunning? Yes. Sexy? Definitely! She chuckled quietly to herself. Carmen had done it again. She had a rush of thoughts about her date tomorrow but she pushed them all to the back of her head. Take it one step at a time. It would be too hard. He was just like any other guy but richer.