The Setup

Chapter One

Layla woke up feeling sore. Her eyes flew open and she was shocked as to how long she had slept.

She stood up with wobbly feet and also with great difficulty. She was still muddled and couldn't remember anything that happened last night.

She only remembers having a few drinks with her boyfriend as he called her to have fun to liven up her damp mood.

She wore her clothes quickly and rushed out of the room. She didn't even notice the patch of red on the bed.

As she rushed out, she was greeted with strange glances but she didn't think much of it.

On getting home, she was shocked by what she met. Her sister and boyfriend were all loving to each other

"Why?" She asked feeling heartbroken.

"I never loved you. I only love Ella and besides I can't be with someone who goes around sleeping with men. Seriously I thought you were different but after Ella showed me who you really are, I was disappointed." Michael said acting all disappointed.

"Why are you saying such? You know I have always kept myself clean for you. Then why do this to me?" Layla asked quietly.

"Because you are a scheming slut. Take a look at your shoulders and neck. There are love bites scattered on your neck." Michael said shaking his head at the same time.

"That's not true!" Layla vehemently denied.

"Really? Take a look at your neck." Michael said harshly pushing the mirror into her hands. Looking at her neck, Layla was shocked.

"Have anything else to say?" Michael mocked.

"You have seriously disappointed me. We are nothing anymore." Michael said. Layla burst out crying immediately. She couldn't believe she had lost her innocence just like that and had been falsely accused by Michael.

"I suggest you go spend some time with your mother before she dies." Ella sneered enjoying her pathetic look.

Layla became angry and rushed to attack but was stopped by Michael who gave her a fierce kick on her belly sending her to the ground.

Looking at the both of them who didn't pay attention to her, she ran to her room feeling heartbroken.

On getting to her room, she decided to freshen up before she visited her mom. 

She was shocked to find blood on her thighs. She knew that her period passed just a few days ago, so why the blood?

She then realized why she found various love bites on her neck. She had lost her innocence and the worst part, she has no idea who defiled her.

She wanted to end her life but thinking of her suck mother, she decided to face what was in store for her. She got a call from the hospital which informed her about the critical condition.

Layla became more heartbroken and she rushed out of the house and ran to the hospital.

"Miss Layla, your mother is dying. She needs to undergo her surgery right away or it would be too late." The attending doctor informed her.

"But I thought she was still safe. Why does she need surgery urgently?" Layla questioned.

"The patient had been stimulated which caused an increase in her blood pressure. It seemed someone showed her or told her something that made her flare up. She is lucky someone saw her in time or she would have been no more." The attending doctor responded by feeling pity for her.

"How come?". Layla asked confusedly. She didn't have time to ponder over the doctor's words as she immediately ran to her mother's ward.

She cried helplessly as she watched her mother connected to various medical equipment.

"Mom, I've failed you. I couldn't even raise money for your surgery." Layla cried.

"Miss Layla?" She heard someone calling her and she turned to the source of the voice.

She wiped her tears as she asked with caution.

"Who are you?"

"Kingsley Steinfeld." He responded.

"What do you want from me?" She asked.

"Our boss would like to speak with you." He said.

"Your boss? Who's your boss?" She asked and Kingsley smiled.

"You would get to know him when you meet him." He thought she looked cute seeing how she looked at him with caution.

"Alright!" She said and they both walked to a very expensive car.

"Our boss is in there." He said opening the door for her to enter. She hesitated for a split second before she got in.

"Hello." She greeted the man who was seated with a noble gait. In his presence, she felt inferior.

"I was the man from yesterday." He said after some time. He turned to her and she was in awe of his appearance. 

"What do you mean? I have no idea what you are talking about." She said truthfully.

"Don't you remember me?" The man asked dissatisfied that she behaved cluelessly.

"No, I'm sure I don't know you. Is there something I am missing?" Layla questioned back.

"I was the one who took your innocence." The man shouted. Layla took a long time before she reacted.

"You bastard, how dare you? You just ruined my life." Layla cried.

"I'm sorry. I know apologizing wouldn't bring back your dignity but I'm willing to take responsibility for you." He said smiling which showed off his dimples.

For the first time, she felt that it wasn't that bad that she lost her innocence to such a handsome man.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" The man asked looking at the girl whose IQ had reached rock bottom.

"No, I don't know you. This is the first time I'm meeting you aside from the fact that my innocence was taken by you yesterday." She muttered.

The man raised an eyebrow to her statement and continually looking at her, he felt that she was quite pleasing to the eye.

"Miles Brooks." He said with pride.

Layla's eyes widened upon hearing what he said. She felt a bang in her head. She slept with the most eligible bachelor in the whole country.

"I see you know who I am, isn't that right?" Mike asked in a teasing tone.

"Yes…… no, I mean of course. Who doesn't know who you are? The famous business tycoon, Miles Brooks." Layla said with a forced smile. She didn't know whether she had to cry or she should laugh in such a situation.

"I'm willing to take responsibility for what happened last night. I have instructed my assistant to settle your mom's surgery fees so they should have begun her operation now." Miles said taking a look at his wristwatch.

Layla turned to him with wide eyes. She couldn't believe that he had already paid her mom's fees. Her mom would be getting better soon.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Brooks. I don't know how I'm going to repay you for your help." Layla said already tearing up.

"You don't have to pay me back. Like I said, I want to take responsibility for you and by doing that, I have to take care of your mom." Miles responded. He sat upright and Layla couldn't help but gulp. He had a powerful aura.

"How do you want to take responsibility for me?" Layla asked curiously.

"By marrying you!" He said. Are you crazy " Layla blurted. 

He turned to look at her with a sharp look and she felt scared immediately.