Chapter Forty-One

“You like this?” I ask her, setting the remote control back down. I stride to the sofa that directly faces the tv and lower myself onto it, sitting Layla beside me. She scowls, her eyes already watering. “No no, please don't cry on me. At least wait until Lia gets back.”

Her lip quivers, and she opens her mouth, a cry falling from her parted lips.

“Do you need something? Water? Juice? A cupcake?” I blurt out in a panic, hoping to get an answer from her. I feel stupid, trying to converse with a crying child.

“Wait,” I let out, an idea clicking. My hand reaches into my pocket and fetches my wallet. I look up from it and back to Layla as I open it. I fetch a $100 bill from it and extend it towards her. “If you stop crying right now, I'll give this to you.” I tell her but she doesn't quite, she simply looks from the money to me, her watering eyes practically judging me for being stingy. “You are right, I can do better.” I murmur, hastily retrieving a few more dollar bills from my wallet.