Chapter 163 In the Blink of an Eye
Sarah pivoted, presenting Anthony with a champagne with aflute, her smile as sweet smile,as the bubbles within. "Let's head backdepart after this drink."
She held a glass of champagne in," she suggested, cradling her own hand as well.
"I'm not a big drinker," glass with an air of casual elegance.Anthony admitted as he accepted the glass out of politeness but didn't bring it to his lips. He always did drink with a courteous nod, though he refrained from raising it to his lips. "I'm not one for indulging in alcohol," he confessed. His reputation for moderation.
Even during was well-known, even in social events, with settings where his status, he could refuse and no one would dare pressure permitted him to drink.
decline without fear of reproach."But we haven't toasted tonightwe've yet to toast this evening," Sarah saidcountered, her voice tinged with a feigned tone of regret, although insidedisappointment. Internally, however, she was panicking.gripped by a rising panic. She had just used the lastexhausted her supply of the drug andshe had no more left.
Layla'sbeen relying on.The presence of Layla had given herignited a severe sense of crisis; sheurgency within her. She had to secure this manAnthony tonight, make a done deal that he couldn't escape from.
Worst to ensure an unbreakable bond. In the worst-case scenario, even if he discovered she was an imposter, after sleeping with her, he'd certainly offer a heftyher deceit, he would undoubtedly provide generous compensation.
And without it after a night spent in her company. Without this, she wouldn't receive a dime.
would be left with nothing."Anthony..."
," she began, her voice a soft plea. "Are you mad atupset with me, so? Is that why you won't share a drink?" Sarah pleaded with a forlorn tone.
FinallyAt last, Anthony relented and clinked glasses with her, takingacquiesced, his glass chiming against hers as he took a sip. He was completely, oblivious to the fleeting look of triumphtriumphant glint in Sarah's eyes.
InAs they journeyed in the Bentley, Sarah kept checkingfound herself glancing at the time. The drug would take effect within anthe hour, a. A thirty-minute ride, then drive, followed by another half -hour at the hotel would be just perfect. Heralign perfectly with her plans seemed flawless.
.The Bentley pulled upcame to a halt at the hotel entrance.
"Anthony, let's goproceed," Sarah said, barely containingurged, her excitement. barely concealed. She had deliberately worn achosen to wear a provocative black lingerie set tonight that wasevening, designed to drive men wild.
entice.However, Anthony saidannounced, "I have to go backmust return to the office."
"What? Back"Return to the office? It's so late; what's the emergencyAt this hour? What could possibly be so urgent?" Sarah's face turned pale.drained of color.
She had lied about being mistreated byfabricated a tale of abuse at the hands of her stepmother to trick Anthony into getting her asecure a hotel room at the hotelfrom Anthony. If he left now, her efforts would be wasted, not to mention that she had drugged him –in vain. Worse still, what if he metencountered another woman and she ended up benefiting from Sarah's scheme?
Sarah was extremely agitated inside.
"Yeah. There's some work I need to take care of."
"Is itwho reaped the benefits of her carefully laid plans? "Yes, I have some matters to attend to," he replied."Are they more important than me?" Sarah reached out to grab, her hand closing around his arm, pleading softly, "I was just. "I've been hurt tonight, and I really need some comfort. Can't you stay with me? Even just for half an hour?"
"I'm sorry."
," he responded."Anthony..., at least walkaccompany me to my room, then."
.""I'll have the driver takeescort you up," he said.
"But..." she hesitated.
faltered."Miss Adkins, please get out ofexit the carvehicle," the driver saidinterjected, opening the rear door.
Sarah clenchedgritted her teeth and cast, shooting a furtivecovert glare at him. Damn it, she thought, after allAnthony. Despite her persistence, Anthonyhe remained unmoved. Did he dislikefind her unattractive? Was she not appealingdesirable enough?
HavingWith no other choiceoptions, Sarah stepped out of the car.
"Good night," Anthony instructed the driver to leave.
He depart.While he did have plans to stop byvisit the office that night, but it wasn't an absolutea strict necessity. The reason he refused Sarah was that he deemed it inappropriate forHis refusal of Sarah's advances stemmed from his belief in the impropriety of a man and woman to bebeing alone together in such circumstances.
Sarah had made her Sarah's intentions crystal clearwere transparent, which only reinforcedstrengthened his resolve to maintain a respectful distance. He would fulfillaccommodate her wishesrequests, but he had no intention of pursuing anything beyond friendship with her.
.He didn't haveharbored no romantic feelings for her, soand thus, he wouldn'twould not touch her.
Out ofAs the corner of his eye, Anthony caught sight ofcar pulled away, a familiar figure appearing unexpectedly.
caught Anthony's eye. A woman was being harassedaccosted by a drunkard, struggling to free herself.
"Stop the car!" he commanded....
...
Layla was having a stroke of bad luck.
After escorting Alicefound herself in the throes of a particularly vexing string of misfortune. Having just seen Alice safely to her apartment, she'd beenshe was left waiting for her ride when a drunkard started hassling her, attempting to embrace her.
an inebriated man began to harass her, making unwelcome advances. "Come on, beauty, have another drink with me," he slurred.
, his words heavy with the weight of alcohol. "Don't ignore me, sweetheart. I'm a nice guy," he insisted.
, his voice a grating echo in the quiet night. "Come on, let's go to a bar or a hotel, your call."
"Get lost!" Layla was annoyed, tryingretorted, her patience wearing thin. She attempted to push the drunkard away. Before, but before she could, a hand reached out, grabbing the drunkardman and shoving him aside forcefully.
with a force that was startling. "Are you okay?" a concerned voice laced with concern asked.
The man's voice wasbelonged to a man, gentle, his presence and comforting, like a spring breeze.
caressing her face. "Anthony," Layla's eyes lit up. He with recognition. Once again, he had come to her rescue once again.
. "You little punk, think you can meddle?" the drunkard swungspat, swinging his fist, aiming for towards Anthony.
"Be careful!" Layla warned, quickly shieldedpositioning herself in front of Anthony with her body.. She hadn't wanted to get physicalresort to physicality, but she was more than capable of taking onhandling a drunkard.
A strange feeling stirred inwithin Anthony. It was the first time a woman had ever protected him.
Layla stood in front of him, her petite likeframe reminiscent of a fierce eagle guarding its young, her gaze intense and adorably courageous.
Before the drunkdrunkard could reach themland a punch, Anthony's driver knockedintervened, knocking him out with a swift punch, leaving that left him howling in pain.
"I'll take you home," Anthony said.
offered. "Thank you," Layla got replied, climbing into the car.
The image of her courageouslyLayla bravely defending him lingered in Anthony's mind, leaving him somewhat dazed. "You shouldn't have stepped in front of me. You're a woman."
"And what's wrong with being a woman? Don't underestimate a woman's fighting capability. My dad owns a martial arts gym; I've been trained," she retorted.
A martial arts gym? Angel's father owned one too.
He had mentioned it to Sarah before, but she always cleverly changed the subject.
Layla and Sarah. ThoseThe names soundedechoed in his mind, eerily similar.
Anthony's mind began to wander into confusionspin with speculations he could not quite grasp;speculation, the edges of a mystery that eluded his reach. Howevergrasp. Yet, his fondness for Layla was unmistakable. From that initial spark of recognition and warmth, his feelings had grown stronger with each passing day.
It was, after all, just their third encounter.
Affection wais like that, isn't it? Capricious anda capricious thing, elusive by nature.
When she was near, he could feel his heartbeat quicken just slightly.
"My place is just up ahead," Layla said, pointing out her apartment.
The cabbiedriver pulled over.
Layla flashed Anthony a grateful smile. "Thanks, Anthony. I owe you dinner sometime. Goodnight."
"When's that?" he asked before he could help himself.
"Dinner?" Layla scratched her head, slightly embarrassed. She hadn't really thought that through. It wasn't for lack of intention, but more of a 'we'll see what happens' kind of thing.
"Busy with work, Anthony?"
"I can make the time."
"Then how about I give you a call when I'm free?"
"Sure." Anthony nodded, already eager for their next meeting.
"Goodnight." Layla got out of the cab, only to find several police cruisers parked at her building, with neighbors gathered around.
"What's going on?" she inquired with natural curiosity.
"They caught a creep."
"A creep?" Her eyebrows raised.
An old lady nodded affirmatively. "Yep, followed a young office lady into the elevator and started getting handsy. Horrible stuff. Thankfully, the security saw it and called the cops in time."
"There's just too many bad people around these days. Saw on the news a couple of days ago, a woman in her twenties was dragged into a stairwell. They haven't caught the guy yet. Be careful yourself, young lady."
The comments sent a chill down Layla's spine.
"Let me walk you up." Anthony's voice came from behind her.
"Anthony?" She turned and there he was, dressed in a crisp white tuxedo, like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.
"You forgot your purse." He handed her the bag, feeling a wave of relief that he had decided to follow her out. The conversation he overheard convinced him she needed someone - it just wasn't safe for a woman alone.
"The young lady's boyfriend's quite a looker!" The old ladies cooed with dreamy expressions.
Layla shook her head, "No, it's fine. They just caught the guy, it's safe now."
"Not necessarily. Better to be safe with your boyfriend here taking you upstairs," the women insisted, nudging Layla closer to Anthony. "Good looking, make sure you take care of your girl!"Feeling cornered, Layla had no choice but to accept his escort with a resigned "Trouble you then."
"Good looking, make sure you take care of your girl!"
Feeling cornered, Layla had no choice but to accept his escort with a resigned "Trouble you then."
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