Chapter 206 The One She Evaded
Layla heldEvadedCradling a cup in her hand and went, Layla made her way to the break room to fill it with water in. The chill of the break room.
The weatherseason was turning coldbeginning to creep in, and Samuel had reminded herSamuel's gentle reminder to drink warm water everyeach day.
While filling echoed in her mind. As she filled her cup, she mulled overher thoughts were consumed by a design in her head.
"Carefulshe had been mulling over."Watch out, you're splashing!"making a tensemess!" a voice warned.
, strained with tension, called out. Jane's hand quickly turneddarted out to shut off the water dispenser.
"Layla, did you get burned?" Jane looked at her, concern inscald yourself?" she asked, her eyes.
Accustomed filled with worry.Layla, who was more accustomed to Jane's coldfrosty demeanor, Layla felt uneasya pang of discomfort under her sudden caring gaze and. She gently shook her head, assuring her, "No, I'm okay."
fine.""Do you drink coffee? Let meI can grind you a cup. I have some excellentexquisite Malaysian white coffee beans a friend gavegifted me; they taste better thanthey're far superior to the regular black ones.""I'm not a fan of coffee."
""Ah, right. I don't like coffee."
"Oh right, I don't think I'verecall ever seenseeing you drink coffeewith a cup. But you're young, you have good energyfull of vitality and staminaendurance, unlike me. I'm over thirty, and I absolutely need a cupmy daily dose of coffee each daycaffeine to get goingfunction. You know how it is, we designers have so much are always swamped with work. I work so hard every day, toilingtoil away on theat my designs."
"A lot of every single day.""Many designers yourmy age start to slack off, but not me, I'm reallyincredibly driven. I even wonbagged the Tokyo Design Award last year."
Jane's intent was clearintentions were transparent to Layla, who had no interest in listening.
indulging her."Congratulations."," Layla said and then triedresponded, attempting to leave.
make her exit."Layla, are you in love? You look so beautifulradiant today, your skin looks as soft likeas a peeled egg, I'm so jealous.it makes me envious. If I had skin like yours, I'd wake up smiling from my dreams if I had skin like yours now."
". How do you usually take care offor your skin? Have anyAny skincare products toyou'd recommend?"
"I don't really do much for skincare."
"Figures, youth is your asset. Plus, you have good genes. Even without makeup or skincare, you're still so prettybeautiful. I also likeadmire your sense of style. ShouldHow about we go shopping together sometime? Oh, wait, we're getting off work early today. How about going today? I'll treat you to dinner at a fancy restaurant."
"No, thank you."
"You must!" Jane stepped in front of Layla, blocking her path, her. Her eyes ablazewere alight with enthusiasm and eagernessa fervent desire to please,. "Layla, I was wrong about what happened before. I was egged oninfluenced by Gioanna, but I actually have nothing against you. On the contrary, the first time I saw you, I thought you were incredibly beautiful, and I felt like we were meantdestined to be friends."
Layla started to feel nauseous.
Layla strongly dislikedfelt a wave of nausea wash over her. She had a strong aversion to people who presented one wayface to your faceyou and another behind your back.
"Layla, let's be good friends, okay?"
"I'm here to work, not to make best friends. As long as you, Jane, focus all your thoughts on your designs, your work won't be affected," Layla clarified to Jane before she left.
making her exit.As Layla's retreating figure exiteddisappeared from the break room.
, a voice called out, "Layla, I always knew you had the biggest heart; you're the best," someone called out.
Jane frowned.
It."Jane's face contorted into a frown. This was the first time Janeshe had ever tried so hard to please someone, and it was embarrassing.
Yethumiliating. Despite her efforts, Jane's heart was still filled with unease. What if Layla hadwas just like her, presenting a different face behind her back and was plotting against her?
InLater in the afternoon, when a new colleague was setdue to arrive, Susan calledsummoned Layla to go down withaccompany her downstairs to meet them.
The two women stepped into the elevator.
Silence.
, enveloped in silence. Layla staredfound herself staring at the descending numbers on the elevator panel, unsure what to say.
at a loss for words.Susan was fair-mindedimpartial and not hardeasy to work with, but there was no sense of closeness.intimacy between them. She was the typicalepitome of a strong woman, not very talkative butreserved yet efficient in her work.
Layla wasn't usedaccustomed to this quietsilence but, afterdespite racking her brain, couldn't come up with a suitable topic. Susan was seven years her senior, a sort of precedent, so interacting of sorts, making interactions with Susan wasn't asher less casual and free as it wasthan with a peer like Alice.
The shrill ring of a cellphone shattered the silence between Susan and Layla.
Layla breathedlet out a silentquiet sigh of relief.
Susan's expression, her breath barely stirring the air around her.Susan's features softened as she spoke, "Victoria Sinclair, is the kidchild asleep? I'm afraidI fear I won't be able to make it home until eight tonight; you go ahead and. Please give Oliver aher bath, and I'll join her to sleep."
"Babe?"
for bedtime."She paused, her voice a tender whisper, "My love?""Mommy misses you too."
"Be good, mommy. Mommy will come backreturn after work."
With a soft "Muah," Susan kissedpressed a kiss to the phone.
She smiled tenderly Her smile was gentle, a mother's radiance endowinglove lending her with an unmatchedunparalleled warmth.
"You have a child?" Layla asked.
"Yep.queried, her tone filled with surprise."Indeed. Three years old," Susan replied, confirmed, a hint of extra tenderness tugging at the corners of her mouth curling with an extra doseas she spoke of tenderness when mentioning her own child.
"That's wonderful."
"Yes. My son daughter is veryexceptionally well-behaved," Susan smiled againSusan's smile returned, her teeth gleaminga stark white.
Layla glanced again at contrast to her lips.Layla's gaze drifted to Susan's ring finger;, finding it was unadorned.bare. She had notnever heard Susan mention a husband or children at work, so she had assumedleading her to assume that she was single. After all, in this day and agemodern era, the number of single women approaching thirty wasn't small.
nearing their thirties was not insignificant.Susan gave Layla the impression that she wouldn't voluntarily bring up her child voluntarily, but she wasn't hidingconcealing it either.
The elevator reachedcame to a halt at the lobby.
Susan stepped outwas the first thento step out, but she quickly stepped back in,retreated, accidentally stepping on Layla's foot behind her.
in the process."What's wrong?"
"Nothing," said Susan responded, her shoulders hunched,tense and her back stillturned to the elevator with a tension in her demeanor.
Layla gazed out, an air of unease surrounding her. Layla's gaze shifted to the window when, where a tall man, standing at nearly six foot three, wearingclad in a slate-gray suit, passed by. A beautiful woman with curly hair chased after himwas hot on his heels in her high heels, attemptingtrying to link arms with him. The man seemed indifferent and, briskly withdrewpulling his hand.
away.Layla recalledremembered how Susan appearedhad seemed to be avoiding someone theduring their last time they spoke.conversation. Could it have been this man?
"They're gone," Layla saidannounced as their figures vanisheddisappeared through the doorway. Susan's tense expression finally easedrelaxed, her heartbeat gradually slowing down.
returning to its normal pace.She wondered why he had returned after years in Europe. She hadn't expected her first sight of him after four years to be within the company of another woman.
What woman? She was his wife. They were the strangers now.
Susan gave aSusan's bitter smile that quickly fadedwas fleeting as she straightened her back and walked out ofexited the elevator with her usual composure.
Nighttimepoise.Night had fallen whenby the time Samuel returned home, his clothes carrying the scentreeking of alcohol. He was late. PullingHe pulled Layla, who had justfreshly bathed, into his embrace, he showeredshowering her with impassionedfervent kisses.
"You... You haven't showered yet," she murmured.
"Dirty," she teased playfully chided.
."Have you been drinking?"
"Umm... Don’t..."
Layla's petite figure was gently laid on the bed, her bathrobe loosening with the movement. As Samuel collapsed beside her, a sensewave of emptiness washed over Layla.
Is'Is this it? her' Her delicate brows furrowed.
in thought."Do you have a problem with that?" Samuel's deep chuckle resoundedechoed, his face handsome even through the haze of alcohol.
in his drunken state."You're doing this on purpose," Layla's eyes brimmedsparkled with desire, and her entire demeanor was swayed by Samuel's kisses.
Lazily proppedPropped lazily on one elbow, Samuel’s hand traced soft patterns on Layla's smooth skin. "Baby, I feel the same as you, but remember, you said we can’t break our vow for the first three months. I’m just following your rules, can't blame me for having thoughts."
Layla shot him a look and pushed his hand away, feigning indifference. "I don't want it at all."
Internally, she thought, Revenge is a dish best served cold. Just wait. Next time, she would make sure he suffered a hundredfold.
"Alright, how could I bear to make my treasure uncomfortable? I’ll be gentle..." Samuel promised.
"Samuel Holland, stop it," Layla rebukedadmonished him, yet his full-throated amusement followed. Callinglaughter filling the room. When she called him by his full name, she sounded like a little cat that had been ruffled kitten, utterly adorable.
endearing."Did you investigate Gioanna?" she asked.
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