“Kneel and apologize. Now!” Zayne barked, and they dropped on their knees.“What’s happening? Please get up—” Layla gasped, jumping to her feet to help them.“No!” He scowled, startling her, and she turned to him.“What’s going on, Zayne? Why are you treating them like this? Just because they’re working here doesn’t mean you should treat them like slaves.” She insisted. What was wrong with him? Why was he suddenly mad at random people and punishing them in front of her? Was it to show her that he could do whatever he wanted?“Trust me, Layla, I’m being really nice. They deserve to be locked up for their stupidity.” He snarled at them, and they flinched. Their eyes were red and glassy, ready to let down buckets of tears.“What did they do that could be so bad?” Layla frowned. ‘Did they steal something from the school? If they did, why was he punishing them? Shouldn’t he have taken them to Headmaster Brenton? Why did he bring them to me?’“They’re the mastermind behind the rubbish you’
“No, I’m not doing anymore. I want to die!” Layla groaned, stumbling to the shade of a nearby tree where they had kept their things. She sprawled on the grassy ground, and her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath.Once she had taken her last bite of breakfast, Zayne had taken her to a secluded, grassy field to train. She had mentally prepared herself for whatever he had planned to throw at her, but nothing could have prepared her for the torture he had installed.‘Why did I agree to train with him? He’s worse than Prof. Victor.’ She thought, using her hand to fan herself. ‘At least we weren’t training under the hot sun. I’m under a shade, but it feels like my skin is cooking.’“Come on, you still have three more laps. Don’t be lazy.” Zayne hollered, jogging towards her, and she glared at him. More like she tried to glare at him. His body was distracting—too distracting. Even with his sleeveless tank top on, it drew her attention. The shirt clung to his body, accentuating his
“You mentioned them once. How many do you have?” Layla asked, lifting her head to stare at Zayne.“Quadruplet younger sisters. Troublesome little rascals.” He grinned, a soft fondness appearing in his eyes.“Quadruplet? That’s amazing.” She awed, fascinated by the thought of having just one or two, but four young siblings born at the same time was just wow. “What are their names? How old are they?”“Talia, Tiffany, Tiana, and Tallulah. They’ll turn twelve this year.” He replied.“Aww, they are still young. What’s it like having quadruplet younger sisters?” She asked, curious to know more.“They can be the sweetest little angels in one minute and evil demons the next. There’s never a dull moment when they’re around.” Zayne laughed, wrapping his hand around Layla’s waist and pulling her closer to himself. Their legs pressed against each other, but none of them seemed to notice. “Tiffany and Tallulah are the loudest, always playing pranks, running around or climbing trees. Tiana is the
Zayne’s jerked, startled by His sudden change in tone, and she lifted her head. His eyes were narrowed; the passion and hunger in them had burnt down to give way to the rage glinting in them.“Who told you I hated you? Was it Alaric? Nyssa? Who dared say that?!” Zayne snarled.“No one, I-I thought you did,” she stuttered. Why did he look so pissed?“You thought that?” He gaped at her; his eyes and face softened, almost looking like her words had stabbed him. “Why would you think that?”‘Is he seriously asking me that question?’ She tilted her head to the side. ‘Doesn’t he know how he acts and talks to me, or is he just pretending?’“W-well, it’s because you’re always really mean to me. I know there are times when you aren’t, but most of the time… you are.” She muttered, fiddling with her hair and staring at her lap. “You talk and act like I’m a burden. Like my very presence aggravates and irritates you. Like I’m worthless trash not worthy to be in your presence. You verbally bring me
“It doesn’t matter who I spent the weekend with or what I did. I just didn’t want to spend it with you.” Zayne droned, shooting her a sore look. “Don’t try to hide it; I know something went on between you guys over the weekend. It obvious.” Nyssa snapped, standing in front of Layla and Zayne and stopping them from walking away. “Last week you couldn’t look each other in the eyes, and now you guys are walking side by side. Side by side! Layla always walk behind you, behind us, as she should, but this wonderful morning, she’s walking by your side like she’s your equal. I’m not stupid, you spent time with her, didn’t you?” ‘This is getting out of hand!’ Layla thought, shrinking back as other students began paying attention to the unfolding scenario. A few had brought out their phones, recording the drama, and she cringed. Nyssa needed to stop. How had she noticed that small detail anyway? Layla didn’t even realise she was walking beside Zayne until she pointed it out. “You don
“Of course. If you sat with me, no one will dare touch you.” Zayne said and pulled her along. ‘He really is inviting me to eat with him! Me! Why? Isn’t he the same person that always couldn’t wait for us to go our separate way? How did he suddenly change his mind overnight?’ Layla thought as her mind reeled to the conversation they had because of the previous day. ‘Did what I say really hit him more than I thought? Is this his way of trying to show me that he wasn’t going to be mean to—’ “Layla? Are you in there?” He asked, waving his hand in her face, and she snapped out of her thoughts. “Uh… um… sorry I zoned out.” She mumbled. “Sit.” He gestured to the table, and she sat opposite him as he did. Small gasps rose in the air, and the murmurs grew louder. ‘Ignore them. Ignore them.’ She told herself as she dropped her bag and stared at the crisp, beautiful tablecloth. Two waiters were beside her before she could speak, took their orders, and left as swiftly as they had com
“So what are you going to do about Nyssa?” Layla asked as the waiter dropped a plate of waffles and a cup of hot chocolate before her.“Why do I have to do anything about her?” Zayne replied, digging into his breakfast of avocado toast.“Are you really cutting her off?” She specified, picking her fork and knife and poking at the blueberry toppings.“Why not? She tried to hurt you and doesn’t respect my boundaries.”“That’s kind of harsh.” She whispered. She might not have liked Nyssa, but if she were in her shoes, she would have felt crushed too.“Why?” He blinked, dropping his own fork and knife, and stared at her.“Because it seems like you led her on, only to drop her when you were tired with her. It’s really sad.” She sighed, picking up her cup and taking a little sip of the chocolate. Her stomach and tongue danced to the wonderful rich taste, and she took a larger gulp.“How did I lead her on? I didn’t promise her anything, nor did I hint about getting into a relationship with he
‘They made it worse?!’ Layla frowned, staring at her desk. Just like the previous day and the day before that, she had come to her seat only to meet her desk cover with cuss words written on it. The words ‘monster,' ‘slut,’ and ‘whore’ were the most prominent insults. Before, it was just written with marker and ink, but it seemed someone had gotten the idea to carve it into the wood, making it impossible for her to get it off. Her classmates stifled their laughter behind her, not even bothering to hide that they were the ones. A particular set of eyes glared into her back, sending shivers through her. She didn’t dare look back, already knowing who they belonged to. Nyssa. After the drama that happened between Layla, Zayne, and her two days ago, Layla’s life was slowly spiralling into chaos. Nyssa was out to get her, and her method was playing cruel pranks and using bully tactics on her. The snake in her locker was the cruellest Layla had experienced, and she feared for the w