Chapter 2

Layla's POV

I smiled brightly as I read the message on my phone. "I can't believe it!" I exclaimed, pumping my fist in the air. "I just got the job at the city's most influential club house!"

I remembered sending an application a month ago, and they really chose the best time to reply.

Seems like fate has finally smiled on me.

Now, I could take a loan to pay for my mother's treatment. I heaved a sigh of relief.

I hurried to her ward, feeling a mix of emotions. She lay frail in her bed, her eyes sunken. I broke down in tears, feeling guilty. She worked so hard for me that she neglected herself.

I became so determined to care for her, to fight for her, just as she had always fought for me.

"Mom, I won't let you down," I promised, holding her frail hand in mine. "I'll do everything I can to make sure you get the treatment you need."

She weakly shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.

The next day, I fasted and prepared for my interview. I really need money because I don't want to drop out of college. I had to continue my mom's legacy as an actress, to make her proud. And I had to pay for her hospital bills, to give her the best chance at survival.

I got the job as a waitress, and I took the loan to pay for my mom's treatment.

As I worked tirelessly, my mom's condition worsened. But I refused to give up. I held on to hope, to the belief that we would overcome this, together.

I visit her everyday after work to take care of her.

"Layla, I'm so proud of you," my mom whispered one evening, her voice barely audible. "You…you are my everything. Keep shining, baby. Keep shining."

I held her close, tears streaming down my face. "I will, mom. I promise. I'll keep shining, for both of us."

One fateful night, my boss, Mr Davis, asked me to work extra hours. "Layla, you will have to work till midnight. The house is full."

I scrunched up my face, worried about my mom. "But sir, you know my mother is sick…"

"Do I look like I care?" He sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You are lucky to have a job here. Get to work this instant or face a pay cut of half! Now move!"

"Okay sir." I reluctantly agreed, knowing I had to do whatever it took to get money to pay for my mom's treatment.

"As I served wine to the guests, my beauty caught the attention of many. My pale milky skin radiated under the dim lights as I move about the club in my uniform.

A suspicious-looking man caught my eye. He signaled me to come over, and I hesitated at first, but my job required me to make guests comfortable.

As I approached him, the aura he exudes was domineering. His chiseled features and ocean blue eyes, piercing through the dim light, left me breathless. His gaze was mesmerizing, drawing me in like a siren's call. Every step closer, my heart raced with anticipation.

His sharp jawline and chiseled cheekbones accentuated his dashing good looks, making him a vision of male perfection.

"What can I get you, sir?" I managed to stammer, my voice barely audible.

His response was low and husky, sending shivers down my spine. "Get me to a room." His commanding tone was unmistakable, yet his eyes betrayed a hint of vulnerability.

I hesitated, taken aback by his request. "What?" I asked, feigning disbelief.

He repeated his demand, his voice laced with a sense of urgency. "I need a room. Now."

"With all due respect sir, I am just a waitress here, let me get the security for you.

As I was about turning away, he pulled me back. "I can't wait." He said. Perspiration beaded on his forehead, his eyes clouded with pain.

My curiosity piqued, I wondered what could have happened to this gorgeous stranger. Could he have been poisoned? I shook the crazy thought off my head. His gaze held a depth of sorrow, a plea for help. I relented, my resolve weakening.

As we made our way to the room, his weight leaned heavily on me, his muscular frame towering over mine. His scent, a heavy mix of spice and leather, enveloped me, making my heart race.

Damn! This man his heavy. I pray he doesn't pass out, else, I abandon him here.

Finally we got inside. He collapsed onto the bed, his eyes never leaving mine.

Are you okay sir?" I managed to ask.

He nodded slightly. As I turned to leave, he pulled me back. And the next statement he made turned my stomach.

"Undress me," he whispered, his voice husky and seductive.

My heart skipped a beat.

"What?" I exclaimed in shock.

"I don't repeat myself." His metal voice resonated deeply on my inside. His gaze seemed to bore into my soul, leaving me vulnerable and exposed.

With a sense of trepidation, I reached for his shirt, my fingers brushing against his chest. His eyes never left mine, their intensity burning a path through my very being.

His breath fanned my face gently.

And then, just as I was about to remove his shirt, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vice. "Wait," he whispered, his eyes flashing with a hint of danger. "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

My heart raced as I stared into his eyes, unsure of what lay ahead. And then, everything went black.

With a swift motion, he pulled me closer, his lips descending upon mine with a hunger that left me breathless. The kiss was deep and consuming.

My mind struggled to maintain control, but my body betrayed me as I surrendered into his world of passion.

My hands roamed over his chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath the smooth skin. His hands were everywhere, sliding under my clothes, exploring, teasing. Every touch ignited a fire within me, a burning need that only he could quench. I gasped as his lips left mine, trailing a scorching path down my neck, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin.

He lifted me effortlessly, placing me on the edge of the bed, his body pressing against mine. The heat between us was unbearable, our need for each other a palpable force. With a swift, practiced motion, he rid me of my clothes, his eyes darkening with desire as he took in my naked form. There was a moment of stillness, a breathless pause before he claimed me completely.

His touch was a perfect blend of rough and tender, each movement calculated to drive me to the brink of madness. He worshiped my body with his hands and mouth, leaving no inch unexplored. I writhed beneath him, lost in the overwhelming sensations, my moans echoing in the room.

When he finally entered me, our movements were synchronized. The intensity of his gaze never wavered, locking me in place as he drove me higher and higher, the pleasure building to an unbearable peak.

We moved together, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths ragged and labored. Each thrust sent waves of ecstasy crashing through me, my nails digging into his back as I held on for dear life. His pace quickened, his movements becoming more erratic as we both neared the edge.

And then, with a final, shattering cry, we were both sent tumbling into the abyss of pleasure. The world around us faded into insignificance, leaving only the two of us, entwined and sated.

We lay there entwined and sated, I felt a sense of wonder wash over me. Who was this stranger and how had he managed to awaken something so deep within me?

His grip on me softened, his touch now gentle and soothing. As the darkness lifted and reality seeped back in, I realized that this was only the beginning.

With a final, lingering kiss, he pulled me close, his voice a soft whisper in my ear. "Let us never cross paths again."

"What!" I exclaimed, shock and confusion coursing through me. "Why? What do you mean?"

But he just smiled, a sly, enigmatic smile. He wore his clothes and vanished into the night.