Chapter 40

LAYLA

I feel like a complete idiot for mumbling in front of him like that but then he says something that I never expected him to say. He wants me to continue to talk and trying to explain myself. I can not stop myself from when I say to him.

"I am sorry? You want me to continue to talk the way that I did just now? Why?"

JAKE

There is no way to explain the way that I feel when she talks. It is just as if I feel completely at ease and myself. Like I can listen to her forever and just be happy where I am. I have been in such an internal struggle with myself that I am trying to figure out who I am and what I am that when I listen to her talking it is just right in every way.

But there is no way that I can tell her all these things as I do not even know her so well. I wish that there was some way that I could get to know her but I guess listening to what she has to say could somehow lead me to know who she is.

"I just mean you don't have to stop yourself from talking. It does not bother me..."

I look down on the floor making sure not to look into her eyes because what I am about to say is going to be just ridiculous.

"...actually, I love to listen to you talk so that I can get away from my own thoughts"

LAYLA

I wonder what he means by getting away from his own thoughts but then again I do know that feeling well. I, too, have to get away from my own thoughts sometimes and I guess as a Superstar you must have a lot of things to think about.

He is just about to go and do an entire show in front of people that only have eyes for him. If he messes up one little bit he will know about it on the internet the next day. I guess he has a lot of stress on his shoulders and if me talking will make him feel more at ease, who am I to stop doing it.

"Well, then I am very happy that I didn't make an embarrassment of myself"

I feel the warmth attacking my cheeks again and I know that I will never be able to act normal around him.

JAKE

I thought that she might think that I am ridiculous or stupid for the reason that I gave her that she needs to talk to me but she handled it like a pro. Then I see her blushing again and it is the best thing to make my day.

"Believe me that I have made myself a fool many times before. This definitely does not qualify as an embarrassment. You can take it from someone who knows how to embarrass himself"

Then she takes off her glasses and I see that beautiful blue eyes staring back at me while she says.

"I highly doubt that you can make an embarrassment of yourself"

This time I am the one that is blushing and I wipe my hand on my cheek trying to hide it.

"Thank you for the kind words but we all know it's not true"

Then I see a frown appearing on her face and she says.

"What do you mean we all know it is not true?"

Suddenly, I realized that she has no idea what I am talking about.

"Have you been on the internet, ever?"

LAYLA

He is saying something that I have no knowledge of. It is like I should know what he's talking about and now he's asking if I've been on the internet. It becomes clear to me that there is something on the internet about him that is probably him doing something embarrassing.

"I have been on the internet but I guess I did not see whatever was on the internet about you"

JAKE

I do not think that I have ever met somebody that hasn't at least Googled me a few times before taking a job with me. I find this woman in front of me an enigma and a breath of fresh air. She does not know the usual things about me and I guess this way I can tell her the truth.

"I find it strange that you do not know what I'm talking about but I guess this gives me a chance to tell you the truth and not the YouTube truth"

I watch her carefully as she takes his seat across from me and then she put her head on the palm of her hand looking at me.

"Now you got me curious. I really need to know why you say you are the one that embarrasses himself?"

She has me so completely consumed with the way that she handles herself. Everything in me just wants to hold her hand and give her a kiss on those rosy lips. I clear my throat and then I say.

"I was presenting an award at the very beginning of my career and so I mispronounced the artist name. Ever since that day I was known for the singer who could not pronounce words. Because of this, there is a lot of YouTube videos where people are trying to catch me out singing wrongly or pronouncing the wrong words"

LAYLA

As I listen to what he is saying my heart goes out to him. It is clear that this is a very heart sore subject for him. I know that my reaction will make or break his heart at this very moment. Before I know it I put my hand on his knee and then I say, making sure he is looking in my eyes.

"One mistake does not define the man that you are"

JAKE

I feel her hand on my knee and I see her mouth saying these healing words to my heart. Again she has surprised me in a reaction to what I say. My hands move involuntarily to her hand on my knee and then I look at our hands.

"Thank you for saying that"

Then we stare at each other for a moment that feels like forever and then she takes her hand away, standing up. She quickly makes her way to the clothes and then clears her throat changing the subject.

This moment I will never forget and now I'm faced with another dilemma. I have to get to know this woman. I want her to be by my side. I need her to be with me. Then she says.

"I have your first outfit. Would you like to try it on?"

I snap out of my fantasy world and then I stand up taking the clothes. I make sure to brush my fingers over hers and then I say to her.

"I'm sure, I'm going to look just as good as the previous show"

Then I turn around and make my way to the bathroom.

LAYLA

I told myself over and over again that I can not be with this man and that he is looking for someone that is a fan. But when I look at him and talk to him it is as if the entire world around us disappears and it's only us. He has this way of only focusing on me and seeing me.

I look at the coffee on the table and quickly take another sip. I am sure that I'm only tired and that is why I am thinking these things. Maybe if I get a good night's sleep, I will think differently tomorrow. But then he comes out of the bathroom without a shirt on as if he doesn't have an idea how to put on his own shirt.

He gives me a slight smile and an innocent face. Then he says.

"I am so sorry but I have no idea how you want this shirt to look like. I feel like a fool"

How the hell can this man feel like a fool with muscles like that? He can get away with anything if he keeps on doing things like this. I walk closer, making sure not to stumble and I give him a smile.

"Let me help you with that"

I walk around him and then he put one arm in the shirt and then the other. When I get close to him and I smell his musky scent, it feels like I'm walking on air. I have to keep repeating in my mind that he's not mine but the world's.

Then I move to stand in front of him and I start to button up his shirt.

JAKE

I feel myself getting extremely excited about what she is doing. Her scent is way too strong for me to handle myself around her. It is almost as if the wolf in me has amplified what I feel for her because of her scent.

It feels as if there is this bond just waiting to happen between us. I can not seem to get enough of her and as she button up my shirt I smell her lavender-scented hair that consumes me so.

I feel my arms coming up to wrap her perfect waist in them. But then the door bursts open and I quickly pull my hands down against my side. I look over to the door and Mark could not come at a worse time.

"We are ready for you? Can we do a soundcheck?"

I turn back to look at Layla that is now staring at Mark and then I say to her.

"I'm sure that all the outfits will look as good as this one. Can you carry on without me?"

"Yes, sure"

I have to get out of here because I realized I was about to do something that she might not want. Then I turn around and walk away with Mark.