Chapter 18

JAKE

The moment that she looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes, I realized that I will never be the same again. It is a beauty that I have never seen before and I have seen a few beautiful women in my life. Her blue eyes and rosy velvet lips that are opening just slightly while she looks at me make me weak at the knees.

Then suddenly I realized that my hand is on her hand and I quickly pull my hand away. This is the first time in how many months that I have actually reached out and touched another human being. I can not believe that I am so irresponsible and then I quickly stand up.

"I am sorry but I have to go"

LAYLA

I never thought that Jake Anderson would be such a gentleman. The way that Stacey describes the rule of never touching, looking, or talking to him made me think that he is stuck up. But when he bent down to my level and put his hand on my hand, my complete impression of him changed.

When I felt his strong hand on mine, I instantly calmed down as if he can make me feel relaxed. But when he said that I should look at him when he talks to me and he didn't say it as an order but he asked me with a, please. I could hear his respectability.

So, I turn to look into his face and he is even more handsome up close. But then it is as if he was startled by something and I started to wonder what I said wrong. I then just look back down at my lap and say to him.

"Yes, I understand"

Then before I could blink my eyes he is gone. It is strange how he can take the warmth that he portrayed with him and now there is only a coldness left. I can not believe that on my first day of working with the crew, I got to meet him face-to-face.

I put my hand on my hand where he touched me and it is as if I want to treasure that moment. While I'm still in dreamland someone interrupts my thoughts.

"Excuse me?"

I look up and I see a man with blonde hair and dark eyes gesturing to the seat next to me. It is clear that he must sit next to me on the plane and I am in his way. I quickly stand up for him to get to his seat and then I say very apologetically.

"I am so sorry, I didn't realize"

"Don't worry..."

He takes a seat next to me and then he says.

"I am Jason and you are?"

"I am Layla the new stylist. What do you do?"

He takes his hair back with his hand and then he shyly answers me.

"Let's just say I am a sound technician"

I do not understand why he is so modest in answering me as if what he is saying is not completely the truth.

"Oh, okay, please to meet you. How long have you been working for Jake?"

"A little over four years and I guess today is your first day?"

I can not help but laugh nervously because it is kind of nerve-wracking to meet a lot of new people on the first day.

"It is that obvious, hey?"

He leans over to me and then he lowers his voice while he smiles.

"Do not worry, your secret is safe with me"

So far, everyone I have met on this plane seems to be very nice people. They are very accommodating and welcoming. If this is a taste of things that is yet to come then I am sure I will fit in nicely. Then the pilot comes on the loudspeaker and says that we are ready for takeoff. I quickly take a pill that would help with my motion sickness because flying is not exactly the thing that I like to do.

JAKE

I quickly make my way back to my private room and I lock the door behind me. Usually, Mark will share the room with me but right now I need a minute to myself. I am trying to figure out what just happened to me when I met the new girl.

I am usually very careful when it comes to meeting new people even before I could turn into a wolf. I would rarely speak to someone that is here for the first time and now I even went and touched her hand. I do not know what it is about her but she just instantly pulled me into her exquisite beauty.

I look at my hand that touched her hand and I can not help but laugh a little. I think back about how she did not want to look into my eyes and how nervous she was when I was next to her. I can not believe that she has made me laugh two times already. I know now then I should be very careful around her as it seems like I can not control myself.

Then I take a seat and I pour myself a glass of champagne. I know it might be a bit too early but I need to relax as I do not want the wolf to come out yet. I need to get through this plane ride without anyone see me changing. Then there is a knock on the door.

I stand up and open the door only a little bit.

"Am I sitting with you today?"

It is Mark, I guess we have a lot of things to discuss about the world tour but I can not help feel too afraid to let him in. So I lie.

"I think I just want to sleep. Can we talk when you get there?"

I can see that he is not completely happy with my answer but he nod and agrees. Then he turns around and I close the door behind me. I plunge down in my seat and I start to wonder when my life is going to return to normal.

I start to hate that woman called Madeline and it doesn't seem like I am going to forgive her anytime soon. I look out the window as the plane leaves the tarmac and I know that my journey is only beginning now.

LAYLA

As soon as the pills have kicked in I feel much better. Then I realized that maybe I have drank one too many glasses of water and I should use the bathroom as quickly as possible. I have of course no idea where the bathroom is and so I turn to Jason that has decided to put in some earphones.

"I am sorry for being such a drag but do you know which way is the bathroom?"

He laughs a little and I can not help but be enticed by his smile.

"You are not a drag, it is that way"

"Thank you, I owe you one"

Then I start to walk in the direction to where he pointed and soon I am faced with three doors. Not one of them has a picture that shows me this is for boys and this is for girls. So, I pick the one in the middle.

Then I open the door and I am shocked by what I find. I slam the door closed and just stand against the door breathing heavily.

"What the hell were you thinking, Layla?!"