Chapter 35 - Richard Ashford

Richard POV

“I’m staying in the hotel across the street,” Layla says, and I turn to face her. I pull both our masks off of our faces as I look at her while she fixes her hair. She is stunning. This woman has the ability to leave me fucking speechless. We look both ways before running across the street. I guess I am paying her well if she can afford a room here. I feel on edge as I could bump into people I know, and it’s still fucking early.

Holding her hand, we walk inside and straight to the elevator. I am well familiar with the location as I used to come here with Sandra. I never took her home. She was Mia’s headmistress, after all. I close my eyes momentarily, hoping to get away with this when I hear my father’s voice behind me. I let go of Layla’s hand immediately.

“Father,” I let out through my greeted teeth. Of all the people I could bump into, it had to be