Layla POV
My phone starts ringing, and I jump out of bed. I look at my side, and Richard is asleep on his stomach. One hand under the pillow and the other on top next to his head. I pass a hand softly through his hair, moving it from his eyes, and he moves a little. I grab his shirt from the floor and walk toward the kitchen to get my phone. It stopped ringing, but when I reached the kitchen, it started ringing again. It's James. Shit.
"I am sorry," I whisper as I look back towards the door, afraid that Richard might hear me.
"I was worried. I even called Jo, are you okay?" he asks, and I take a deep breath leaning against the sink and fiddling with the button on Richard's shirt.
"I am fine, I just had something unexpected happening, and I completely forgot to call you," I let out, ashamed of myself. I should'v
Layla POVRichard left early. I know he has things to do, but I already miss him. How is that even a possibility? I rub my eyes and smile at the memory of last night. We made love all night, and he worshiped my body as I did the same to him. He made me feel special, and he made me feel like I am the only woman in the world that actually matters.We haven’t discussed what we are to each other or if we come out publicly, but I don’t care because I have him. He is mine, and I am his, and that is all that matters. I gather the courage to stand up, and parts of my body I didn’t even know existed are aching. How is that even possible? I know he bent and made me put myself in positions I have never been in before, but damn, this is a whole new level of acrobat pain.I walk out of the room, and I can hear Jo in the kitchen slamming the cabinet door. I take a deep breath, and when I walk into the kitchen
Richard POV "I can't believe this is happening right now," I let out in a huff. I have been waiting for HR to send me another secretary, but they can't find anyone with the credentials I want. How is that even possible? I put the phone down and decided not to talk to them anymore. I grab my phone and dial Layla's number. "Hey, handsome," she says as she answers, and just hearing her voice makes me calmer. She has that effect on me, she is the most amazing woman, and she manages to keep me controlled without even trying. "Come back," I say, and I can hear a giggle on the other side of the line. "Are you laughing at me?" I ask, and it grants me another chuckle, and I, for once, am smiling now. I like how she thinks I am trying to be funny when I am completely serious right now. "I told you I am not working for you," she tells me, and then I hear her curse u
Layla POV"Hi Mia, it's a pleasure to meet you," I say, and I honestly mean it. It is a pleasure the meet the girl that came from the man I love, she is part of him, and that makes me like her straight away. She looks at me, then at her dad, and shakes her head in disapproval. Well, I should've seen that coming."I can't believe you are doing this. How could you, dad? Now you're fucking some lowlife?" Mia says, and I am taken aback by her words. Lowlife? How entitled can this girl be? How can she speak to people like that? Richard's mother follows her without another word, and I can tell Richard is about to explode."Well, that went great," I say, trying to fake a smile, but it's too hard. I feel humiliated; I feel like I shouldn't even be breathing the same air as Richard, let alone spending time with him, being in a couple with him.
Richard POVIt's been a hell of a long day, and I am looking forward to having a shower and a nice dinner. I hope Angie made something pleasant. At the end of the day, she always makes Mia's favorites, that girl managed to get into Angie's heart, and she does everything and anything for Mia. All she has to do is ask, and Angie is there.I open the door, immediately smell lasagne, and smile. I love Angie's lasagne. I look around, and Mia is nowhere to be seen. I sure hope she is in her room, but before I check, I walk into the kitchen to find Angie making a salad."Oh My God, you scared me," she says, taking her shaky hand to her chest. I smile softly."Sorry, Angie, didn't mean to," I say, and she nods, "Is Mia in her room?" I ask, and all I get is a frown. Why is she frowning? Mia has to be home, right? She should be home, and she left my office hours ago.
Richard POV"Have a seat, son," My dad says, and I frown, watching as my mother sits next to him, crossing her legs. I take a deep breath, undo the buttons from my jacket, and sit next to Pamela. She looks at me and then focuses her eyes back on my parents, and I can tell she is uncomfortable."Okay, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" I ask, and my mother clears her throat and looks at me, raising her head high."Mia will stay here with us for the next foreseeing time," she says, and I rest back on the couch and laugh. I can't control myself, and when I stop, I look around the room. All three of them are looking at me with wide eyes and open mouths."Is this some sort of sick joke?" I ask, and my father clears his throat as he stands up and walks to the bar.
Layla POVWork was a nightmare today. And I can't wait to get home and sleep. As I open the door, I see Jo grabbing her jacket, and I frown. She's going somewhere. Jo starts shaking her head as if trying to ask me not to say anything. "Where are you going?""I'm going to see my parents for a couple of weeks. Mom wants me to spend Thanksgiving with them," Jo says. I look down at my shoes, and I just start walking away."Have fun," I say. I know it sounds more venomous than it should. But we always spend those dates together. And I guess I am jealous because she has loving parents, and I don't. She has people that want to be around her for her."Layla?" Jo calls for me, and I stop walking, turning to face her."I know we had plans for Thanksgiving, but you have a boyfriend now, a man that kisses the floor
Layla POV"Come in," Richard says, and I nod slightly. His house is impressive, simple, all in dark wooden colors and white. The floor is laminated, and it even shines oil, how polished it looks. I look around as he guides me to the living room gayer taking my jacket off and placing it near the door."This way is the kitchen, he says, pointing to his right. I look but can't really see inside through the double doors, and he guides me to the living room. Where a big tv hangs on the wall, and the couch is massive and dark brown. I smile at the sight of it. I love a good couch. I can imagine cuddling up to Richard under a blanket and watching a film here.In the middle of the coffee table is a big flower vase. Fresh flowers. I can smell them, and I have to say I am surprised. I wouldn't take him as a natural fresh flowers kind of guy."You're very quiet," Richard whispers in my ear as he pulls me into an embra
Layla POV"Mia, can I come in?" I ask in the hope she will let me in. I hold my breath. Waiting for her response, but instead of words, I watch as she moves the curtains and she stands in front of me with her arms crossed in front of her chest in a contained kind of way."What do you want?" She asks, and I nod slightly. I look into her eyes, and they are just like Richard's. She looks so much like him that it is overwhelming. The way her eyes hurt looks just like his downstairs."I would like to talk to you, woman to woman," I say, and her eyes change. She doesn't look as upset. She looks respected. She nods slightly, moving away from the doorframe and allowing me into her room. It's every girl's dream room, and it looks like a princess lives here."Wow, your room is beautiful," I say, and she ignores my comment sitting on her bed watching me. She is still no