Chapter 195 The Quandary of Friendship
The Quandary of FriendshipAlice's heart was racing.
Thuddingpounded in her chest, the rhythm so hardintense it felt likeseemed as though it could jump out ofmight leap from her throat.
Yet this was a completely different This sensation fromwas a stark contrast to the fluttersfluttering she had once felt for the man standing before her—. Now, it was tension that consumed her, the panicfear of makinghaving made a blunder.
Butgrave mistake. She found herself questioning, what had she done wrong this time?
"Alice," Phillip's voice was ice-cold. Towering over her with his heightsliced through the air, icy and unyielding. His towering stature dwarfed her petite frame, his presence a force that completely overpoweredoverwhelmed her rather diminutive stature.
."Um..." Alice's voice trembled meeklywas a mere whisper, her hands nervously twisting the fabric of her dress at her side.
."You like me, don't you?"
he asked."...Yes."
"The other night, it was you who drank willingly, right?"
didn't you?""...Yes."
"I invited you into my room, and you didn't say no. You knew full well what might happen."
refuse. You were fully aware of the potential consequences."A blush crept up Alice's cheeks burned hotter., a burning reminder of her actions. She admitted to herself that the alcohol had made her heady and bold, but he was right—she was at least fifty percenthad been aware, enough to say norefuse if she truly didn't want itto go. Yet, she hadn't.
And for that, she felt utterly ashamed.
This realization filled her with a profound sense of shame."Everything that happenedtranspired last night was consensual,. There was no manipulation, no sweet talk about being my girlfriendpromises of a relationship," he stated plainly.
matter-of-factly."Mhm."
"You came onwere so strongassertive, I thoughtassumed you were experienced, so I figured. I didn't needthink I needed to feel responsibletake responsibility for your 'first time.' You ledmisled me on," he claimed, clearingaccused, absolving himself of any obligation.
guilt.Tears swirledwelled up in Alice's eyes as she bit her lip, holding back a dam of struggling to keep her emotions.
Tightness gripped in check. A painful lump formed in her throat painfully as she retorted, "When you said you didn't want a relationship, did you mean just with me? Do you think I'm not good enough?"
Phillip didn't respond directly answer but instead . Instead, he asked, "What do your parents do?"
"...My dad's a truck driver, and my mom's a homemaker."
"That figures. My dad's an executive, and my mom's a university finance professor. They expect a lot from whoeverhave high expectations for anyone I bring home. Flings are one thing, but relationships are another; they're about matching social status. You get it."
understand."This project will last at least two years, we'll. We'll cross paths often, and rumors don't look good won't reflect well on either of us. Let's keep last night to ourselvesbetween us. And keep your friend in check, too. No more disturbances."
disruptions."Alice raisedlifted her red eyes.tear-streaked face. "Are you talking about referring to Layla? She came to see you last night?"
"Yeah, ringing my doorbell like a madwoman"Yes, she was banging on my door in the middle of the night, chewingberating me out. What, does she live by the ocean to be so concernedWhat business is this of hers to be so concerned?" Phillip snorted.
"Come on, we'rescoffed."We're adults; don't be a sore loser. Making a scene like that is embarrassing."
With those partingfinal words, Phillip turned and walked away.
Alice stood frozenremained rooted to the spot, her pallor contrasting sharply withpale complexion a stark contrast to the redness inof her eyes.
"Ding—" The elevator doors opened, and Layla stepped out of the elevator,. "Alice, what happened?"
"You"Are you okay? He—" Layla reached out, but Alice slapped her hand away.
"Don't touch me."
"You went to see Phillip last night, didn't you?" Alice glared ataccused, her furiously.
eyes blazing with anger."You had blood on your dress, and when you wouldn't tell me what happened, I panicked..."
"I didn't ask you to interfere. Aren't I embarrassedfor your interference. Haven't I been humiliated enough?" Alice spat out, bristling likeretorted, her demeanor akin to a cornered animal,. "This is my business, I didn't need you to defend me!"
Her fists clenched tightly.
at her sides."I'm sorry, I was just really worried..."
But Alice wouldn't hear itwasn't interested in hearing her apologies; she turned on her heel and ran.
fled.Layla stood there helplessly, a picture of helplessness. Had she really done the wrong thing?
"Layla."
As she pondered, Mr. Lee's voice cameechoed from behind her. She pretended notchose to hearignore it and hurried away.
"Wait up." Mr. Smith Lee caught up to her, faced her with an easy his demeanor, and asked, relaxed. "What's wrong? YouAre you still upset?"
"Not at all," Layla responded, her tone icy cold.
."You're still young, with a bit of a temper," Mr. Lee Smith shook his head,. "I had too much to drink last night, said things I shouldn’t have. Don’t take it to heart."
Layla knewwas acutely aware that his so-called drunkenness was justsupposed inebriation was nothing more than a convenient excusepretense. She resolveddecided to let it slide silently let it go, not wanting, unwilling to callconfront him out.
"I've got to head out, we'redirectly."I must take my leave. Our meeting up soon."
"It's fine, I'll be quick and is imminent," he announced."Rest assured, I won't holddelay you up. Layla, I do admirehold you. But in high regard. However, if I wanteddesired the company of a young ladywoman, it would be all too easyeffortlessly achieved without having to force anything.any coercion. If you're not into it,interested, there are no hard feelings. Let's just droplet it, okay?"
be, shall we?" he proposed.Layla remainedchose to remain silent.
"Ah, I know you'reknew you were a sensible girl," Mr. Smith Lee saidcommented, patting her shoulder.
She instantly recoiled from his touch.
Mr. Lee's instantly.A smug, middle-aged smirkgrin spread across hisMr. Smith's face, "So touchy, don't tell mesensitive, surely you're not still a virgin?"
Layla frowned,untouched?"A frown creased Layla's face, a sense of revulsion creepingseeping in.
"Just kiddinga jest, don't be so uptighttense," he saiddismissed, ignoring her discomfort and reaching to ruffletousle her hair.
"Not everyone likesappreciates that typebrand of 'humor,'" Layla said sternly, battingretorted, swatting his hand away. TurningShe turned her head, she caught to find Gioanna smirking coldly at her.
After an unpleasantin her direction.Following the distasteful encounter, Layla headed back toretreated to the sanctuary of her apartment for the night. Before succumbing to sleep, she initiated a video-chatted call with Samuel.
"You seem downrather low today," Samuel observed fromnoted, the video,backdrop of his office skyscraper view visible behind him as he fiddledbusied himself with documents in his suit, glancing uppaperwork, stealing glances at her now and then.
intermittently."It's nothing, probably just tiredfatigue from being out the last couple of dayspast few days' activities," she respondedreplied, propped up on her bed, chin resting in her hand, eyesher gaze fixed on the screen.
"Tired"Exhausted from having funa good time?" he teased. "Want to trade places?"
"Sometimes work's "Work can sometimes be more relaxing," Layla sighed. Working onCrafting designs felt far less stressfultaxing than dealing with people.
navigating human interactions.She glanced at the chat window again. The five messages she'd sentdispatched to Alice wentremained unanswered. Alice's usually carefree attitudetypically nonchalant demeanor made this silence all the more concerningalarming. Was she reallygenuinely upset?
Did I really mess up?
truly err?Samuel closed his files, looking athis gaze fixed on her earnestly, "What happened?"
transpired?""It's just... I got intohad a tiffdisagreement with Alice."
"That's normalpar for the course, isn't it?" Samuel chuckled. "Friendships are the most complexintricate relationships - constantly squabbling and reconciling in an endless cycle."
of bickering and making amends.""But Alice and I aren’t like that, we're not petty. We’ve never had a falling out before. It might be my fault – even with a good relationship, I shouldn’t meddleinterfere in her love liferomantic affairs." Layla sighed, "Why are you shaking your head?"
"I'm jealous."
"Jealous? Overenvious.""Envious? Of what?"
"You seem to care more about her than you do about me, hence the jealousy."
Layla offered a bittersweet smile, "I'm already feeling down,low, there's no need to rub salt in the wound."
"Okay, okay,"Alright, alright, send me a virtual kiss me through the screen.. Cheer up and get some rest, alright?"
"Hmm. okay?""And what about you?" she asked casually.
"Startinginquired nonchalantly."Are you starting to care about show concern for your fiancé who's been pulling eighteen-hour daysshifts?" There was a twingehint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Has it been that long?"
"What,"Do you think I'm rushing back for any other reason?" Samuel had been cramming a week's worth of work into three days, almost never seeingbarely catching a glimpse of his bed.
"You're workingpushing yourself to the bonetoo hard. I want to see you too, but not at the costexpense of your health. Please, don't push yourself too hardoverdo it, okay? I'll be waiting right here at home for you," she implored, her voice laced with concern.
worry.Her words only made Samuel more eagerintensified Samuel's eagerness to get backreturn to her, everyeach minute and second countedprecious,. B but he nodded and saidassured, “Alright, I'll take it easy."
...
...The nextfollowing morning, Layla arrived atstepped into the Eilish Group lobby with, a breakfast for two breakfasts in hand.
her hands.As soon as she enteredcrossed the threshold, she felt eyes piercing through her. Itthe weight of numerous eyes upon her. The lobby seemed as if everyone was whisperingto hum with whispers about her.
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