Chapter 6

Layla woke up early. She took her bath and dressed up quickly before Mia would arrive to pick a dress for her. As she stepped out of the mansion, Mia rushed in.

Mia looked at her from head to toe in surprise, and she quickly bowed her head, apologizing, "I am sorry for coming late, ma. I didn’t know you were going out early."

Layla beamed lightly. "It’s fine. Picking a dress isn’t hard. Besides, I decided to wear what I am comfortable with."

"You should have called me, ma. I am always at your service." Mia let out in guilt.

"It’s fine." Layla grinned.

Mia stretched out her hand to collect the bag that Layla was holding, but Layla didn’t give it to her.

"Don’t worry, I am going out alone. You won’t follow me around anymore." Layla announced.

"Why ma?!" Mia asked in shock. "Did I do anything wrong?"

"Not at all. You did nothing wrong. It’s just that some things are better done alone," Layla smiled, comforting. "I have discussed it with the chairman, so you don’t need to worry about it. You are still my secretary, but you won’t be going out with me every day. I will let you know when I need your help."

"Okay, ma. There’s no need to ask the president; you are my boss, and I must follow whatever you say." Mia announced.

Layla cracked up. "I’m only your acting boss in public; President Mason pays your salary."

Mia understood Layla, and she didn’t bother to say another word. She scanned the compound, looking for Michael, but she didn’t see him. "Where is the driver, ma? Did you send him on an errand?"

"No, I told him last night to take today off because he isn’t also going with me. I’m going alone." Layla declared.

"But, ma, are you sure there is no problem? If there’s anything you want to do, you can confide in me." Mia was worried.

"Who are you for me to confide in you?" Layla flung a question, and Mia looked down, saying nothing.

Layla beamed lightly and walked toward the parking lots.

"One more thing, ma." Mia said, raising the middle finger of her left hand.

Layla turned to her, asking, "what’s it?"

Mia pointed to the car, saying nothing.

Layla understood what she was trying to point out, and she walked back to her, smiling. "You are worried about the car, right?"

Mia nodded. 

"Don’t worry. I am licensed to drive. And even if I don’t have one, I am Theodore Layla. So, who will question me?" She said.

"So, can I go now?" Layla sought permission.

Mia nodded. "Yes, ma. If anything happens or you need my help, let me know."

"Sure, I will." Layla smiled. She veered around and walked to the parking lot.

‘Now, the real mission begins!’ Layla thought to herself as she put her bag down and laid her hand on the steering wheel. She sighed and started the engine, and she drove out of the compound.

Mia watched as the big blue gate automatically closed. She took out her phone from her coat chest pocket and dialed an unknown number, and it didn’t ring twice before the person she called picked it up.

"Hello," the person said.

"Leo, Layla has gone out now, but she didn’t allow me or Michael to follow her. Keep your eyes closed on her and keep me updated about her movements."

"Sure."

She ended the call and returned the phone to her pocket. She looked back at the gate again and walked into the house.

*************

Immediately as Layla drove out of Tribeca, she increased the speed and drove recklessly, like she didn’t need her life anymore.

"Since I have this opportunity, why not use it?" She said this to herself and tried to enjoy herself in a way she felt was right.

She rolled down the car glasses and put her hand out of the window, enjoying the breeze.

"Uh!" She screamed happily.

TWO HOURS, FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

PROFICIENT INVESTMENT

As Layla drove closer to Proficient Investment, she slowed down, and as she sighted the company at a little distance, her heart began to beat at its highest rate, and she quickly parked the car at the roadside.

"What’s going on?" She wondered, placing her hand on the left part of her chest and breathing heavily.

She closed her eyes and rested her head on the steering wheel for a few seconds. And after she felt relaxed, she raised her head.

"I can do this, right?"

Without giving herself an answer or waiting for motivation to arrive, she started the engine and drove gently into the company. She parked, and to avoid negative thoughts finding their way into her mind, she quickly picked up her bag and sunglasses and got down.

She wore the glass in a stylish motion and held her bag lightly with her right hand, holding the key with her left hand.

She looked at her front and walked into the company, elegantly dressed in a brown coat and trousers that were tight from lap to knee and baggy from knee to down.

She walked a little faster and didn’t bother to respond to greetings until she got to the top floor because she didn’t want the courage that she held in her to vanish before she get Asher.

She entered the top floor, grinning. "Good morning, guys!"

Her voice caught the staff members’ attention at once, and they looked at her. They smiled back at her and responded. "Good morning, ma."

"How’s your night, and how’s today going?" She cared.

"Fine." All the staff except Aria replied.

Aria sighed and answered alone. "All days are the same in this office."

"Is the CEO around?" Layla asked.

"Yes." Aria nodded.

"Okay, I will go see him." Layla said and walked toward Asher’s office.

Aria quickly stood up and walked out of her seat, blocking Layla. "Ma…"

"What’s going on?" Layla looked confused. "I just want to see your boss."

"I know, but..." Aria looked down. She didn’t want to relay Asher’s message to Layla.

"Why are you doing this?" Layla questioned.

Aria breathed deeply in frustration. She closed her eyes and opened them to relay the CEO’s message.

"Actually-"

Before Layla could complete her statement, Asher came out of the office.

"Aria, what's-" Asher faced Aria, but as he sighted Layla, he paused and walked closer.

He stretched his hand forward, confused. "What’s going on here, Aria? Haven’t I ordered you to never allow her into this place again?"

"Don’t worry, your days are numbered," he threatened Aria, shifting his attention back to Layla.

"What are you doing here?"

Layla turned to him properly and bowed her head, smiling. "Good morning, sir."

"What’s good about the morning that you are here disturbing my staff? What are you doing here?" Asher questioned.

Layla ignored his impolite manner and stated, "first, I want to apologize for making my presence inconvenient for you yesterday."

"It’s okay, you can go now." Asher said. His face frowned with irritation at Layla’s presence.

"And also, I want to fix an appointment." Layla said.

"With me or my staff members?" Asher asked.

Layla pointed at him. "You."

Asher chuckled. "Okay, my schedule throughout this year is already filled up and tight, so there’s no space for people of your caliber. Maybe you should come back next year."

Layla beamed lightly. "Next year is fine."

"Then, don’t show up till then." Asher said and turned to his office.

"But do you think things will be like this forever?" Layla threw a question.

He turned back to her, confused. "What do you mean?"

She crossed her hand on her chest and boldly looked straight into his eyes. "I only want to meet you now because of your influence. Have you ever thought you may be nobody by this time next year? Nothing lasts forever."

He chuckled for a few seconds and lightly hit his chest twice with his thumb. "If nothing is the only thing that lasts forever, then I will be nothing."

"Do you think this is the best thing to do?" Layla raised a question in a low voice.

Asher smiled devilishly. "I am never after doing the best thing, I only chase to have the best thing."

She mimicked his smile and loosened her hands from her chest. "That’s why you can’t distinguish between what’s right and wrong, right?"

"Right things were long lost in the world. All we are left with are those things human beliefs are wrong. The world is dark, and no one can light it because it’s too late," he lectured her.

"To survive, I mind my own business and never care about others. I make my decisions and set targets, and to the lucky me, what your kind believes is wrong yields a good result for me,"

He paused for a few seconds and wore a wicked smile. "To me, people like you will never take a step ahead of me in success. You will either beg me to lend you a ladder to climb up to success or appease me to back you there."

Layla nodded, beaming. "Yes, you are right. The world is dark, and it's getting darker every day. And that’s why people like you are living a comfortable life,"

She hit her hand on her chest lightly, declaring, "but I, Layla, won’t leave the world the way I met it."

He nodded. "You still have a lot to learn from geniuses like me,"

"No one has ever left the world the way they met it. Impacts in life are just different. It varies from good to bad." He enlightened her.

"Is this the right way to behave? Why are you the opposite of what people believe you are?" She asked. "Why don't you show the world your true colors and see if they will still love you?"

"Which of your questions should I answer first?" Asher asked in slow motion.

Layla couldn't help but let a surprised sound leave her mouth. "Hun?!"

"Young lady, I am two-faced because I need to be, and even if I show my true color to the public, they will still love and chant my name." He answered.

"Why will they love you?" She queried.

"Because I am rich." He answered with simplicity.

"Money doesn't do it all. Do you think what money can't do doesn’t exist?" Layla questioned.

"What money can't do exists, but what money can't solve is rare," he replied. "If I am in a situation where money can’t take care of it, influence will do a clean job, and I get both."

"What will you do when revenge comes?" She queried.

Asher laughed hysterically in a mocking manner. "Revenge my foot?"

He took some steps closer and whispered. "Weak people like you are the ones who are afraid of revenge. Revenge is my servant, and I order it around. I make it visit and destroy my enemy in place of me."

"One day, revenge might turn its back on you." Layla foretold.

"Yes," he nodded. "But not soon. Not even in this life."

"This isn't right," Layla said.

He smiled cutely, curtsying his head a little. "Thanks for your advice, Lady Layla. You are overstaying your welcome. Please leave."

"But-" Layla wanted to talk, but Asher cut her off.

"If you think challenging me with words will create a space for you here, you are wrong," he declared, warning, "let this be your last time here because I am not interested in being a business partner with someone that doesn’t even know the basic rules of life,"

He pointed to the door. "Should I have the security men drag you out or you will leave?"

Layla snickered. "Drag me? Do you know who I am? I am Theodore Layla. No one can touch me. Do you think your security men will listen to orders that will send them to jail?"

He stared at Layla and gave her a warning. "No matter who you are, to me, you are just an ant. And if you aren't careful, I will step on you, and there is no way you won't lose to me."

"Is this a threat?" Layla asked.

"Yes, it is. And there is nothing you can do to me." Asher beamed.

Layla sighed and fixed her eyes on his. "Then, wait and see. I will show you I am capable of doing what you can never imagine."

"Is this a battle line?" Asher asked.