Chapter 46

LAYLA

Suddenly, I feel so safe with having Jake close by. I really did not know how I would handle this conversation with Jason all by myself. The fact that he has grabbed my arm so that I can not leave sends all kinds of warning signs are up in the air.

All I know is that I need to get out of this conversation. I wish that Jake would just interrupt us but then again how would he know that he should if he does not even know me yet. Then, suddenly, I hear the girl that is our bartender for the night, almost scream at the top of her lungs.

"Oh my god!! Oh my god!! It is Jake Anderson!"

Luckily, I see that it draws Jason's attention and then he realizes that Jake is sitting right next to him. But then I look over to Jake and I see him blush. I always thought that he enjoys the attention of his fans but right now I think he might be embarrassed.

Now, it is not just us staring at him but everyone in the room because that girl could not control herself.

JAKE

I make my way right next to where Layla and Jason are sitting at the bar. I do not want to be intrusive but something in her eyes made me come this way. It is as if she is not happy about something but I can not just interrupt.

Then I get the bartender's attention and order a drink but without warning, the bartender drops the bottle that is in her hand and her face turns into some kind of crazed woman. She screams at me as if I am not there and then she pulls out her notebook.

"Oh god! Can you please sign this for me?!"

"Uh...yes, sure"

I feel my cheeks flaring up only because I know that Layla is sitting a few feet away from me and this girl is going crazy. I also do not enjoy my crew staring at me, especially when I wanted to make this night memorable for them. I guess I have succeeded in doing that in some way.

I hand the notebook back to her and she jumps around like a crazy woman. I am usually used to this kind of behavior but not at an after party. Soon another bartender comes my way and she apologizes for the behavior of this woman. I lift up my hand and say.

"It is really okay. Can I maybe just get a drink?"

"Yes, yes, of course"

Soon the situation has calmed down and everyone carries on with what they were doing. But then I can not stop myself from looking in Layla's direction. I can see that she is smiling and covering her mouth. Which drives me insane.

As Jason is staring at me, I thought I would make use of this opportunity to talk to them.

"I am sorry about that"

Jason then tries to sit upright as he realized that I am his boss and by sitting upright he tries to acknowledge that fact.

"No, sir. You do not have to be sorry. We know that you are kind of famous. You are probably used to this kind of behavior?"

I give Layla a glance and then I smile as I answer his question.

"Yes, I am kind of used to it. Are you guys having fun?"

LAYLA

I can not stop myself from laughing just a little bit at how this fan reacted to him. Unfortunately, he saw me laughing and I tried to cover my mouth but I guess I was too late as I see him turning to talk to us. I feel so much relieved filling my entire body because Jake is here with me now.

Then unexpectedly, Jason's attention is off me and focused on Jake. I can see that he is trying to impress him in some way by acting as casual as possible. He almost stumbles as he tries to sit upright and I can only hope that he would feel uncomfortable enough to walk away.

Then Jake asks if we are having fun and I can not get myself to answer that question but of course, Jason will answer it for us as if we are a couple.

"Yes, we are having a lot of fun. What about you?"

I see him glancing at me once again and then a slight smile appears on his face.

"Well, I had fun until a moment ago..."

I start to quietly laugh at his dry sense of humor and then Jason tries to impress him by bursting out, laughing. He almost falls off the chair because of laughing so much and Jake grab his arm, helping him sit on his chair again.

JAKE

I watch as Jason almost falls off his chair and I realized that he is very drunk. Then it all makes sense to me. The look that I saw on Layla's face was probably from irritation. He is drunk and she is probably not enjoying his company.

I remember when I hired Jason many years ago, he was one of the first guys. He has become some sort of a genius in sound, he can fix almost anything. He seemed like a very good guy and he has never disappointed me in any way.

But it is clear to me that she does not want to spend time with him and it somehow brings relief to me because I thought they might be together. I could, of course, still be wrong but I will take my chances.

"Do you mind if I join you guys?"

I can see Jason's eyes widening at my suggestion as if he can not believe I just asked that.

"Yes, of course! Mi casa su casa"

I have heard quite a few lame things in my life and this will definitely go on the list. But I smile because I do not want to seem like I am irritated by him and then I turn to Layla.

"Will it be okay with you?"

LAYLA

I want to shout like that girl behind the counter at the top of my lungs. I want to say to him please stay and I want to say to him to please take me away from Jason. But I try to keep as much composure as I can when I say.

"It would be an honor"

Then I see him smiling again and I feel my knees are weakening. He has the best smile. I can just stare at him all day long. But then I must realize what is going on here. He is just being nice. He is the boss and should mingle with his people.

"Then I think we should find a booth? What do you say?"

Then Jason agrees with over-enthusiasm.

"I think that is the best idea of the night yet. Come and follow me"

He tries to get off the barstool but he almost falls to the floor. He is making a fool of himself and I do not think he realizes it yet. I am just so glad that Jake is with me now and that I do not have to be alone with Jason. Then Jake gestures to me to follow Jason while he walks behind me.

As we get to the booth Jason slides in the one side of the horseshoe-shaped booth and I realize that he wants me to sit next to him. I have no desire to do that and so I slide in on the other side.

Jake also slides in on that side and now I find myself in the middle of the two men. I must say it feels very intimidating sitting between them because on the one side I have the drunkard and on the other side I have a Superstar.

I guess there is no comparison when it comes to the two of them. Then I watch as Jason moves to sit closer to me and put his arm around my shoulder. It feels like a thousand knives being stabbed into me where his hand is holding my shoulder.

I have no desire for him to touch me and I realize that I instantly turn into some sort of a frozen pillar.

JAKE

I have seen a few drunk people in my life before. I used to like my drink myself but somewhere along my life, I have decided that I should not do it anymore because I could never remember what happened the day before.

It felt like I missed parts of my life and I wanted to enjoy every second of my life. But then, suddenly, I see Jason putting his arm around Layla and I feel anger rising up in my heart. I know that this can not be good because the wolf will come out.

But not only does it bother me that he puts his arm around her but the way that she is reacting to it. Her entire being has tensed up and I can see she looks completely uncomfortable. I want to say something but more than saying something I want to pull him away from her and teach him a lesson.

I want to let him know about the wolf in me and what it is capable of because I know what a wolf would do to a human being. I can feel my hands starting to shake but I have to take a deep breath to try and control it.

LAYLA

My eyes automatically go towards Jake. I do not know why because he is not my protector or my boyfriend. But then I see him staring at the table as if he is trying to hide something. I swear I see a drop of sweat falling from his forehead. I immediately feel concerned for him and say.

"Are you okay, Jake?"

Then I smell Jason's breath as he pulls me closer to him and says in a whisper almost kissing my ear.

"Why would you care about him if I am sitting right next to you?"

Then, that cold feeling that I felt earlier on tonight, again resurfaces and runs down my spine.