I listened to all of this like I was in a trance, with a looming sense of growing horror that made me want to throw the windows at the far corner of the room and scream into the trees just so I would see the birds scatter.Anything in that moment would’ve been better, I thought to myself, as Malcolm
Layla’s POVThe skin on my forehead creased as I drew back to give Malcolm a long hard look, and I was sure that the expression on my face accurately summed up the emotions running through me as I seized him up.To the old man’s credit, he didn’t look away. In fact, he maintained steady eye contact
There was no need for words, I realised, because even when I was laughing I’d known on a deep level that he was being dead serious with me.It was just that accepting it happened to be an entirely different thing altogether.But now it was sinking in, and I felt the knowledge spread through me with
Layla’s POVMalcolm knew that with such an offer, he would have me exactly where he wanted me. Almost as if to further prove his point, the old man got up from his seat with a heaving sigh, fingers tight around the walking stick as he stood to his full height and cast a final look at me before slow
On my part, I felt my nerves fire up all at once at the sight of him so near within my grasp, and when he started to move I too took a step forward, closing the distance between us until we were standing, staring into each other’s eyes.For a split second it felt like everything had paused around us
Layla’s POVOnce more, I was left fearing the worst while I waited for a response. Hector, sensing my agitation, gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze and it helped a long way in gathering up every little bit of willpower I could muster to not repeat myself again, though each second that passed by
When I could no longer take the silence, I blurted out that I was sorry and watched the glazed look clear out of my mate’s eyes as he glanced down at me.He said nothing, not immediately at least. But there was no need to.In a single look, he’d already pinpointed what it was that I was apologising
Layla’s POVIt was Ella speaking.I realised this within moments of hearing her voice, and I took several steps away from the door until I bumped into Hector, which made me glance over my shoulder at him.His hands snaked absentmindedly over my shoulders as we locked gazes, and at the quizzical look