Layla POV
I open my eyes and smile as I feel Richard’s arm resting across my stomach. Today I am going to get his Christmas present, and I have to say that I am extremely excited about it. I can’t wait to see his face. I can’t wait to see his reaction.
I look at my phone that is resting on the table next to the bed, and I have no notifications. Jo hasn’t messaged or called since she left a few weeks ago. This is the longest we have been without talking, and I am worried about her. I need to call her and see how she is. This has gone way out of hand, and if she doesn’t contact me, I will contact her. We have been friends forever, and we need to sort this out.
I know she didn’t mean what she said. I miss her, and I need her close by. I need my best friend around. Especially with what I am about to do. I move Richard’s arm from
Richard POV“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I ask Layla as I put my shoes on. She looks at me through her lashes, only raising her eyes momentarily from her book.“I am sure. Go, have fun,” She tells me, and I take a deep breath. Layla has been behaving really weirdly since yesterday. She’s up to something, and I don’t really like it when she behaves like this. I like to be in control, and not knowing what she is up to is driving me crazy.“I’ll have my phone with me at all times,” I tell her, and she nods and smiles without even bothering to look at me. She’s been in that same position for ages today. Isn’t she tired of reading?“What are you reading?” I ask, and she takes a deep breath and closes the book leaving a finger marking the page she was reading. She looks s
Layla POV “Thank you for your help,” I tell Mia, and she nods, smiling. I wrap my arm around her waist as she wraps her around my shoulders, and we just look at the big Christmas tree in front of us. Her smile is massive, so big I never thought she would smile like this. “You’re welcome. I can’t wait to see Dad’s face,” she tells me, and I nod. I look around the room, and I can’t believe we managed to pull this off. Obviously, we had some help from Dylan and Fred. Fred knew what we were doing, and he kept asking Fred to take his sweet time in the locker room so Richard would stay out longer than he would like to. “Do you think he’s going to like it?” I ask, and she nods. Her smile is wider as she looks at the candy canes hanging from the ceiling. I basically made the living room into a mini North Pole. The fake snow machine starts working, and it looks magical. All the lights and all the decorations, even the t
Layla POV "Merry Christmas," I hear Richard say in my ear. I stretch my arms, and when I turn around in bed, he is looking at me with sleepy eyes while holding a black square velvety box. I frown, looking at him. He sits up, and I follow him resting my back against the bed's headboard. "Merry Christmas," I tell him, and he smiles, offering me the box. My hands are shaking. And when I open it, my heart almost stops, and my hands keep trembling. Richard rests his hands on top of mine, steadying them while I look at the most beautiful diamond necklace and matching earrings I have ever seen. This must have cost a fortune. When did he get these? He spends every waking hour with me, either at home or at work. "I am sorry about last night. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I just got caught by surprise," he tells me, and I nod.&
Richard POV “Oh MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD,” Mia behaves historically, jumping up and down and smiling like a child. I can’t believe how happy she looks, and I never thought she would react like this, not in my wildest dreams. “Dad? Why didn’t you tell me?” She asks when she stops jumping. I look at Layla, and my heart is still beating fast, so fast that it actually hurts. “Because I wanted it to be a surprise to the both of you,” I say as I bend down on one knee and do what I was supposed to do all alone, be the one proposing. I slide the ring into her finger, and her hand is trembling. Her other hand is resting over her heart. “I want to see,” Mia says as she pulls Layla’s hand in her direction and smiles with wide eyes. “It’s beautiful and HUUUGE,” she says. Layla giggles, and she looks at her ring wit
Layla POV The car stops in front of the steps that lead to the main house, and my heart beats fast. The last time I saw them, dinner went badly. I take a deep breath as Richard offers me his hand to help me out of the car. I take it, and he guides me up the steps and into the house. There are loads of photographers here, and they all call Richard’s name, and some of them call mine. It still gets me a little to think they know who I am. I just don’t know why people would want to know anything about me. “May I take your coats?” A woman with a Southern accent says, and I smile as Richard helps me get my coat off. He gives it to the woman, and as soon as she takes them away, we are greeted by an older couple. Their eyes are locked on my fully tattooed arms, and I take a deep breath as Richard wraps his arm around my waist. “Mr. And Mrs. West, this is my fiancé, Layla
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
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“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“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