Chapter 36

LAYLA

I am still a bit in shock because I threw up in Jake Anderson's bathroom but then he went ahead and asked if I would like to lay down in his private room. After I saw the sincerity in his eyes I said yes but now that I see him clearing the couch for me, I somehow feel guilty in saying yes.

I walk a bit closer to him and then I say.

"I do not know if this is a good idea?"

JAKE

I am so happy to know that Layla will stay a little while longer with me. I know how it feels to have motion sickness and I know that after laying down for a while you feel much better. As I am busy clearing the couch for her, tells me that she does not think it is such a good idea.

I stop what I am doing and then I turn around with a frown on my face.

"Why? What is wrong?"

"I mean, I am not even allowed to talk to you and I do not want to get in any trouble..."

I can not help but laugh a little bit and then I say to her.

"Who told you that you are not allowed to talk to me?"

"Stacy"

"Okay, and who told Stacy to tell you this?"

I can see that she is confused with the questions that I ask and then it is as if she realizes what I am getting to.

"So...you see, if I say that you can lay down it is okay because it is coming from me"

LAYLA

I feel like a total idiot that I told him it was maybe not such a good idea. It all makes sense now when the boss says that I can, I really can. But then something else slips into my mind. What if some of the staff members maybe get jealous?

But before I can object he has cleared the couch and is gesturing that I should lay down. Then he quickly gets a pillow and I can not resist it. So, I smile and I lay down on the couch. I must say it feels so good.

Then I sit upright again and say to him.

"It just feels wrong somehow"

He bends down to my level and then he says.

"Look, it would be wrong of me to let you go back there after you just threw up in my restroom. It would make me a bad person if I do not just look after you even if it is just for a little while"

I make sure to read his eyes while he is telling me this and it is clear that he just really wants to take care of me. I see a slight smile on his face and then I smile back at him.

"I understand"

I lay back and I feel his peace overtaking me.

"I am just going to sit over here and if you feel that you want to close your eyes. Please, do that"

"Thank you so much"

"It is really no problem at all"

I know that I am in the room with Jake and I know that I really do not want to miss a moment with him. But before I can stop myself, I close my eyes and start to feel better.

JAKE

I am so happy that she decided to stay. I almost thought that I lost her there for a second but luckily she is lying on the couch next to me. I know I said that I should stay away from her but I can not look the other way when she is clearly not feeling well.

Before I sit down, I open the door and go to Mark. I know I said that we would do the itinerary but right now there are more important things.

"Listen Layla threw up in my bathroom and I told her to just lay down for a while. So I will let you know when I am ready for the itinerary?"

I can see that Mark is also concerned and then he put his hand on my shoulder and say.

"Sure yes, I hope she feels better. Let me know if you need anything"

It is funny how his hand on my shoulder somehow feels completely wrong. It is like a lump of burning coal because I do not want anyone to touch me. I have to keep myself under control because people will think that I am abnormal if I do not want them to touch me.

"Yes, thank you. I will just do some reading while she starts to feel better"

"Okay, man"

I make my way back to my room and I softly open the door. I do not want to wake her up if she might be sleeping. I can not stop myself from looking at her. She looks so peaceful with their eyes closed.

As I take a seat next to her I can not help but wonder how it will be if she can actually be mine. I would have her in my room always when we fly but I will let her sleep on my lap. I shake my head because of the thoughts running around in it.

I can not think those thoughts because I can not be open and true to her. She needs someone that will give her everything that I can not. My hate for Madeline just keeps on growing. I will look for her to the ends of the earth until I find her.

She will reverse whatever curse she has put on me and when I am free, I will pursue Layla. I open my laptop and start to write lyrics. I like to write when we are on the plane. It is as if the skies bring me peace.

My mind is more open and clear. The internal struggle that I am going through now with Layla makes me want to write a song. Maybe one day I can tell her that I have dedicated this song to her. I start to write and I just do not stop.

It is clear to me that she has inspired me. I look over to where she is lying every so often. It seems that she has been tired before she came to my room. I feel myself wanting to touch her with every fiber in my being.

Her scent that is roaming in my room, is driving me insane. I realize if I am not going to do something soon, I might find myself letting her head rest on my lap. Then, I decide to fall asleep maybe this will help me to get rid of this sexual tension.

LAYLA

I wake up with a jump. I look around myself and realize that I am still in Jake's room. I quickly stand up and then I see that it is already dark. But then I see Jack sitting uncomfortably in his chair asleep.

I realized that I took the chair that he usually sleeps on and now he had to fall asleep like that. Extreme guilt starts to overtake my heart and then I see a blanket on the edge of the couch.

I take the blanket and then softly put it over him. That is the least that I can do to thank him for letting me sleep on his couch. I open the door softly and then close it behind me. There is nothing in me that wants to leave him but I know I am not allowed.

I make my way back to my chair and I see that almost everyone is sleeping. I look at my watch and I see it is midnight. I can not believe that I have slept so much. I know now that when we get to Australia I will probably have massive jet lag.

I try not to wake the sleeping Rita as I take a seat next to her. Luckily, it seems like she is almost completely out of it. Then as I take my seat, I start to think back to what Jake did for me. I never thought that he is such a generous and warm man.

He really showed me that he cares but it that does not stop me from feeling completely embarrassed. I should really start to focus on drinking my pills before I get on the plane. Even if it is just to avoid an embarrassment like today.

Then my stomach starts to growl and I realized that after throwing up like that I must be hungry. I know that the stewardess must be sleeping too and I decide to maybe see what I can find in the kitchen.

I gently make my way out of my seat and then walk as slowly and softly as possible trying not to wake up anyone. I finally reached the kitchen and then I start to open some cupboards. I find some useful items to make a sandwich but then I hear a voice behind me.

"Hey..."

I jump at the voice as I turn around to see who it is.