Chapter 35

LAYLA

I am sitting in the private room on the airplane with the famous Jake Anderson. He is practically giving me a job as his stylist after I thought that I have completely messed it up. I can see the humbleness in his eyes and it is almost as if he is asking me if I want to be his stylist.

The moment I thought that I wanted to be his stylist, I could not help getting a burst of happiness in my heart because I know that I am going to see him for at least six months. I know that I just told myself that I should not think about him but now he is even more in my thoughts.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity. I will do my very best to make you look good for your fans"

When I say it, it is almost as if I am stabbing myself in the heart because I do not want him to look good for his fans but I want him to look good for me because he wants to.

JAKE

Layla just decided to be my stylist and I can not be happier. She has made not just my day but the entire world tour. I just have one problem, I do not know if she feels the same way about me as I do about her.

She just seems like someone that would know when I hide things from her and I know I am going to hide a lot of things from her. How can I expect her to be mine if I can not be hers completely?

I can not stop the sadness from filling my heart and then I put my famous fake smile on my face.

"I am glad that you have accepted the opportunity..."

LAYLA

Suddenly I see his demeanor changing right before my eyes. Just a minute ago he was looking happy and in control but now he almost seems sad. Then I frown and say.

"What is the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?"

I can see that he has no idea what I am talking about and then he says confused.

"What do you mean?"

"I am sorry if I'm being too forward but you said, there are a few reasons why you wanted to see me but let's start with a congratulations? What were the other reasons?"

Then suddenly and without warning my stomach takes another turn. I move around uncomfortably trying to just control it.

JAKE

I remember how I said there were a few reasons but all of a sudden I do not feel like talking to her because it would only make me more unhappy that I can not have something with her. I realized that I have to think of something to say quickly before I make a fool of myself.

But then I see her face turning pale white and she looks a little bit uncomfortable. I can not stop myself from being concerned and then I say.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah...I mean, well...oh god!"

She jumps out of her chair and runs to my restroom. She slams the door behind her and then I hear those famous sounds. She is throwing up in the toilet. I can not stop feeling worried about her.

I quickly stand up and walk to the door. I softly knock on the door when I hear no sounds coming from the restroom and then I say.

"Are you doing okay in there?"

LAYLA

I have this way of embarrassing myself at times that I really do not need any embarrassment. I can not believe that I have just thrown up in the restroom where Jake Anderson's room right next to it.

I stand up with my hands on the basin just staring at myself in the mirror. Then I hear a knock on my door and I hear him ask if I am okay. There is no way of redeeming myself and I can just as well face the music.

I take a deep breath and then open the door. I can not stop the deep warm red color that appears on my face. He takes a step away as if he wants to give me space to get out of the restroom but nothing inside me wants to do that.

I want to go back and close the door just hiding away. But just when I thought he might want me out of his room the opposite happens. He gently puts his hand on my back and the other on my arm leading me back to his chair.

Almost in an instant I feel completely safe and cared for. His gentle nature makes me unable to get him out of my thoughts. Then, when he has led me to sit down he says.

"Is there anything I can do for you that can make you feel better?"

JAKE

It is funny how suddenly my feelings have changed. I was just convinced that there is no way that I can fall for her and then this happens. I feel a deep concern for her and before I know it I lead her back to my chair. Then she says.

"I am so sorry. I feel so embarrassed"

"No, please do not. Tell me, do you have motion sickness?"

I see her looking at me surprised.

"Yes. How did you know?"

I avoid her eye contact because I do not want her to think that I am weak. But I stare at the floor and say to her.

"I have motion sickness too and I know the telltale signs. Here, let me get you some pills"

I stand up and go to my bag getting out my trusty pills that I take just before a flight.

LAYLA

It is amazing how when you look at a famous person, you never see a flaw. You think that they are superhuman and do not have the small irritations that you have. But then I find out that Jake has motion sickness too and suddenly he becomes human to me.

He takes the pills out of his bag and then hands me a bottle of water. I quickly take it from him and then swallow it. Then he bends down so that he can look into my eyes and then he gives me a slight smile, saying.

"Could we maybe just keep this between us? I really have not told anyone this before"

I feel a warm feeling filling my heart as I realized that he just shared a very embarrassing secret with me. This, somehow, makes me think that maybe he does like me a little.

"I promise this will stay between us"

"Thank you. But I think you should just lay down for a bit. These pills do not work immediately"

"Yes, yes of course. Thank you for the pills. It is very thoughtful of you"

I quickly stand up as I want to make my way to my seat but just as I want to leave, I feel a hand on my arm. I turn around almost amazed that he touched my arm. He quickly releases my arm as if he realizes what he is doing. Then he says.

"I am sorry I did not mean to do that. I just wanted you to stop from leaving before I get to tell you this"

"No, you did nothing wrong. What is it that you want to tell me?"

Then I see a blush appears on his face and it is so good to know that I am not the only one that has that weakness.

"How are you going to lay down in your seat?"

"Oh, I will find your way, I guess"

I can see that he still wants to ask me something so I patiently wait for him to continue speaking.

"I was just thinking, I have so much space here, and if you are not feeling well...I mean you can lay down on this couch if you want to?"

JAKE

Dammit! I do not know why I am struggling to talk to her. It is just when I look into her eyes it is as if she hypnotizes me. I remember how I could wrap any girl around my finger but now, with Layla, it seems like an impossibility.

I stumble like a fool and I can not catch my breath. I am unsure the entire time of what she would say and I wonder if she even likes me. I remember how confident I was that every girl liked me but it is different with her.

I find myself holding my breath again and then I can see that she is almost unsure of whether she must do it or not.

"Would I not intrude?"

I laugh a little as I look down at the floor and then I say in a gentle voice while being hypnotized by her ocean blue eyes.

"No not at all, I was the one that invited you after all and since we have the same motion sickness I know exactly how you feel. So, if you think you going to be more comfortable in your seat, then you are welcome to go back. But I think that you going to be more comfortable here...What would you like to do?"

I see her smiling at me and then she says.

"It would be great to lay down for a little while"

I take a breath of relief and then I start to clear the couch for her. Deep down in my heart, I am extremely excited that she is staying and that I can spend a bit more time with her.