Layla POV
I exit the car, and the doorman opens the door for me. I step inside, and the hostess smiles at me. “Welcome to Al Fiori,” she says with a bright smile. God, I wish I had her smile and bright white teeth all lined up perfectly straight.
“Hi, I am here to meet someone,” I say, and she smiles, waiting for me to continue, but I don’t even know who to look for. “Sorry, this is stupid,” I say, turning around on my heels, but I feel a hand on my arm stopping me.
“Layla?” I hear, and the soft grip disappears, and I turn to find a tall Greek God-type man smiling at me.
“Hi,” I say, trying to sound confident, and he smiles at the hostess guiding me to the table. His hand rests just on my lower back, barely touching me, but it still feels wrong. That’s where Richard touches me when he walks with me. James’s
Richard POV "You know how Savanna is," Dylan says, and I shake my head. I can't believe I am letting him convince me to do this. Just because he is in this weird relationship with her doesn't mean I have to endure her presence and go on a blind date to satisfy her needs. "You owe me big time," I say, and he chuckles, taking his scotch to his lips. He closes his eyes as the liquid goes down and takes a deep breath. "So, how are things with Layla?" he asks, and I look at him sideways while I close my laptop. The remodeling is almost done, and I have spent the entire day here supervising everything, getting everything that she might need. A microwave, a bigger fridge, snacks of all sorts, a coffee machine, and a hot chocolate station. Even the bathroom was remodeled. Everything suited to her needs. "She keeps
Layla POV “I am sorry,” James says when he opens the cab’s door. I look at him and smile softly. “It’s not your fault,” I say, and he takes a deep breath. James is in medical school and has to do some shifts in the hospital. While I was in the bathroom, he received a message asking him to go to work, something to do with a big accident at the Brooklyn bridge. “Who was that guy?” he asks, and I lean forward, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He nods with his lips in a thin line before I get in the car, and he closes the door. “Text me when you get home,” he says before the cab driver pulls into the traffic. I grab my phone to a text from Jo. Jo - “How is it going?” Me - “On my way home,” it’s the only thing I reply. I shove my phone back in my clutch as I look out the window. I feel the tears threatening to spill as soon as my brain
Layla POV“Hey, do you want me to drop the letter off at your work when I go out?” Jo asks while we eat our breakfast. She had been incredible all night; she slept with me, cradling and helping me make sense of my life.“Yes, please,” I say before bringing a spoon full of Froot Loops into my mouth. I don’t want to see him or anyone that works at that place anymore. He chose her, and I decided to move on with my life, far away from him, far away from any Ashford, for that matter.I have had my phone turned off since last night. I don’t want my mother to call me and make me cry again. I am going to spend the day mourning the life I could have had if Louise didn’t make an appearance, and after grieving all day, I will move on tomorrow.I will find another job, I will start
Richard POV “Come on, dad, please,” Mia says, and I shake my head. It’s unbelievable, she is still grounded, and she is trying to get me to let her go to some party. No way in fucking hell. She needs to learn the hard way. “I said no, Mia,” I finally say as she looks at me. She is sitting across from me at the dining table, and she shakes her head. The disappointment was plastered all over her face. “You are such a dictator, no wonder no one likes you,” she blurts out, and I feel like I have been hit by lightning on my head. Even my daughter knows that people don’t like me, I usually don’t care if people like me or not, but I am pissed that Layla thinks I am seeing her sister. I know that she lied and tried to manipulate me. I don’t believe that the story was exactly the way she told it. That doesn’t sound
Richard POV “Are you two stuffy asses ready?” Dylan asks as he enters the living room, followed by Mia, that is dressed like a whore. In what world did he think that what she wore was appropriate for a sixteen-year-old? She looks like she is twenty-something, her makeup is dark, and it’s too much. No way in hell my little girl will be dressed like that. “What the fuck are you wearing?” I bark at her, and she flinches, looking down at her dress, and her eyes meet Dylan’s and then mine. “It’s just a dress and some makeup,” she says, and I shake my head, pointing at the stairs. “Go get changed right now, and while you’re there, wash your face,” I say, and her eyes meet Dylan’s again before she groans in frustration and walks up the stairs. She knows better than to argue with me about that. I am not changing my mind, and I will never allow her to get dressed like tha
Layla POV Today is my first day at my new job. I managed to get something straight away; I knew that working for Ashford Media would open up a lot of doors for me. I just never thought I would work at a hospital, the same hospital where James works. He managed to get me an interview for secretary checking in patients. “Layla, it’s time for your break”, my new supervisor says, and I smile as I place my headset down and stretch my arms above my head. I am starting in the middle of the day shift. I started at four in the afternoon and will finish at midnight, and tomorrow I will start at two and finish at ten, so it’s not too bad. “Okay, thank you, do you want a coffee or anything?”, I ask as I pull away from the desk, and she shakes her head. I smile, grab my purse and walk around the desk toward the cafeteria area. James is meeting me there for coffee if he can. I grab my phone and dial his number, but there’s n
Layla POV I walk back to work, and as I sit at my desk, I open my laptop and type "Ashford," and Amelia Ashford appears first. I guess that's his daughter. I open the file, and I start reading everything that it says. She needs a transplant, and she's on the list. Poor thing. I keep reading, and I close hers. After all, I don't really understand the medical terms in there, and it's none of my business what is happening. Then I scroll to find Richard Ashford's file. I open it and see he's been discharged with some bruises and nothing too significant. Poor Richard had six stitches on his head. I flinch at the thought. I take a deep breath, put my headset back on and focus on work. There are people needing my help right now, and I can't get distracted by Richard, even though he is the only thing on my mind. He is the only person I can't stop thinking about. Even after everything that happened, my heart still beat for him.
Layla POV"So, what are you going to do?" Jo asks as she takes a small sip of her tea. I look at the tv, but I am not even paying attention to what is passing. I close my eyes momentarily and rest my head back against the back of the couch, shaking my head slightly."I don't know. I don't think I should meddle", I say. Jo takes a deep breath, and I can feel her shifting in her seat. She puts her tea down and turns to face me, bringing her feet up onto the couch."Look, I know I have a thing for meddling in your life, and I know I cross many lines that I shouldn't, but…" she says, pinching the bridge of her nose and taking a deep breath if gathering the courage to speak. "I think you should go see him. You have some sort of history with the guy. He is going through some tough shit, and you can't let your sister bully you for t
Richard POV“I can’t believe this is actually happening” I let out and Dylan smiles as he adjusts my butterfly tie. I take a deep breath and I have to say I am nervous as hell. The door opens and Fred walks through the door.“Hey, how are you feeling, old man?” He asks before he pours himself a glass of champagne. I shrug my shoulders and Dylan looks at Fred shaking his head.“He is nervous as fuck” he says and Fred laughs as he crosses his legs.“I bet you are, after all, it’s the second time you're doing this,” Fred says and I shake my head focusing on his face.“Third,” I say and his mouth opens wide and Dylan frowns looking at me.
Layla POV “What are you doing?” I ask as Richard blindfolds me and guides me to the car. I smile as he places one hand on my lower back while the other holds my hand. “Come on, where are we going?” I ask but again all I get is a small kiss on the lips after we are inside the car. The drive takes more than one hour. I have no clue where we are now. There are so many places that he could’ve taken me in one hour or so. When the car comes to a stop and Richard helps me out of the car I feel the cold wind blow and I realize we are somewhere open, without buildings or trees. My hair flies in every direction and I bet I will look like I have a helmet on my head. “Where are you taking me?” I ask at the same time he scoops me off the floor. I let out a small squeal as I feel him going upstairs. Where the hell are we? “Good evening Mr. Ashford” I hear someone say.
Layla POV“How is she? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I ask Dylan as he takes a deep breath after telling me that Jo spent Christmas in the hospital. We both had shit holidays.“You were recovering from brain surgery. Do you really think I was going to tell you that Jo had a panic attack and ended up hooked up to fluids in the hospital?” He asks as if I am the crazy one.“Yeah,” I say, grabbing my phone and dialing Jo’s number. She answers almost on the first ring.“I am sorry, I am so sorry, I really am sorry,” she says as she answers, and I feel my heart beating so fast I can’t even cope with it. I place one hand over my chest where my beating heart is and take a deep breath.“No,
Layla POV“I open my eyes, and I find my mom sitting on a chair next to me. I frown and look around, realizing I am in a hospital room. I blink several times until my vision focuses but no luck. I lick my lips, but my tongue is so dry it feels like I have sand in my mouth. Argh, my entire body hurts. I try to remember what happened, but I really can’t.The door opens, and Louise walks in, followed by Mia. When her eyes meet mine, the biggest smile appears on her face while my sister stays exactly the same way. “Layla, finally,” Mia says as she ruses to stand next to me. My mom hearing the voices opens her eyes and walks to me, holding my hand between hers.“Oh my God, how are you feeling?” My mom asks, but as I try to speak, it becomes a little difficult. I frown as my voice doesn’t sound the same. “Relax, baby, you ha
Richard POVWe’ve been sitting in these uncomfortable chairs for hours. Mia is asleep with her head resting on my shoulder while my brothers are wide awake with me. I keep trying to push away the horrible feeling I have in the pit of my stomach. I take a deep breath, and Mia opens her eyes.“Is everything okay?” She asks. I offer her a small smile and stand up. My entire body is aching at this point. We have been here for hours without news because we are not related to Layla. Her mother is on the way, and even though I said I am her fiancé, the doctor, and not saying anything. This is ridiculous.I have tried to throw money around, I tried to offer a big donation to the hospital If they allowed me to go see her, but it didn’t work. My father kept asking me to stay calm. This is a hospital, people are sick, and at least we know she is
Richard POVWhen we arrive at the house, I feel every hair in my body rises. I shake my head as I cross my arms in front of my chest. I am behind the police barrier, and they're not allowing me to go inside with them. This is ridiculous. He could be hurting Layla as we speak, and they are here playing police officers and trying to negotiate with him. Just fucking go inside and bring her out. Or even better, let me go inside, and I will bring her out after I knock him down.Jude is standing next to me, and he is keeping my father and my brothers updated while I walk around like a maniac trying to escape the torture I am being put through. “When are you going to invade the place?” I ask the detective, and he looks at me as if I have three heads. What the hell is wrong with people?“We need to make sure he is alone. I can’t just send my men blind,” he says, and I scoff as I shake my head
Layla POV“James, let me go,” I plea as he tightens the zip ties around my wrists. It hurts me, and I flinch as he stands in front of me, his nose almost touching me. I feel the tears rolling down my cheek while he smiles and rubs his nose over my cheek as he inhales deeply. I shut my eyes tightly, turning my head away from him.“You smell so good,” he finally says, and I feel my stomach turning. I have no clue where we are, it’s dark and there’s only a small light in the corner of the room. I can see windows, but it’s too dark outside to even know where we are.“James, please, let me go,” I cry but he doesn’t move. He stays in front of me, and slowly, he places both his hands on my legs I try to push him away but my ankles, but I can’t. I have zip ties around my ankles as well, holding me on the chai
Richard POV“Pamela dear, there’s been a mistake. You are not sitting here. You’re on my table,” my mother says, and I swear I could just shout at her right now. This woman is infuriating. The way she tries to make Layla feel shit in front of her is crazy. I look at my mother with a smile, and I can tell by Dylan’s eyes he knows what I am about to do. “Excuse me, I need to freshen up,” Layla says, walking away before I even have a chance to do anything.“That was rude,” Pamela says, and I look at her as Mia rests one hand on my arm. “Dad, don’t,” she pleas with me, and I take a deep breath. I take one step closer to my mother, and between greeted teeth, I start talking. “Layla will sit next to me, whether you like it or not, she is my fiancé, and you better keep up with the program
Layla POV After the silent auction, we are all taken to the dining area. This is an event like a wedding, with round tables with beautiful linen spread all around the room. Big vases with red and green flowers and ornaments. I have to say that Cruella can definitely put on a show. She really knows what she is doing. Kudos to her. Mia walks to her table, and she scrunches her nose when she notices who’s sitting next to her. Richard walks to her, checking on the sitting chart, and I can tell he is not happy either. I have no clue where we’re sitting, and when he offers me his hand, I take it, and he places a small kiss on my finger next to my beautiful diamond ring. I can feel my cheeks go warm. Damn, this man has the ability to leave me flushed. “I promise I will make this right,” he says, and I frown, looking at Mia and then at Richard, and that’s when I realize