Chapter 55

JAKE

I took a big chance asking Layla if she might eat with me. I am holding my breath and not realizing it. I look into her now red eyes from the slushy that was thrown in her face and I wish I can see what she is thinking but I do not know her well enough to know.

I would love to have her company and just spend a little bit more time with her. I did not think that I could be this nervous again. After I have been with so many women before I thought, I would never feel that nervousness and butterflies again but for some reason, she came into my life and turned everything upside down.

I enjoy every moment of the chaos that she brings into my life. It is as if something is pulling me closer to her. I can but only hope that she feels the same as I do but still I do not know if I should pursue it.

"Well, I am not that hungry with the amount of food that you ordered but I would not mind eating a little bit. Of course, then we are quits and you can not repay me anymore for what I did because I did not do it to be repaid"

She just gets me every time with her caring nature. She just amazes me every time. I can not stop the big grin that appears on my face. I do not remember when last I had such a big smile on my face.

"That is great news. Just keep sitting there and I will bring the trolley closer"

I sit right next to her and it feels perfect. I can see that her eyes are still bothering her and so I quickly get up to give the prescription to the bodyguard to fill it for me. Then when I come back I take my seat next to her again.

"I did not know what you would like so I just kind of ordered everything from the menu"

I see her looking at me with one eyebrow raised.

"How did you know you I am going to say yes?"

LAYLA

I watch his cheeks flaring up as I just called him on his presumption. I would lie if I say that I do not enjoy him squirming just a little bit. He is always so in control and the powerful one. I would like to hear him explain this one.

"Oh, no...that is not what I meant to say. I meant to say I always order so much food..."

Then I start to laugh and he laughs with me. It is clear that he is lying and he knows that he is. We just laugh and laugh as if we are good friends. Then when we stop laughing he says.

"Oh gosh... I really needed that"

"Me too"

Then just as we are about to eat. The bodyguard comes in with the medicine. I look at him in surprise because I am sure I did not agree that he can buy me the medicine yet.

He opens the pill box and hands me to pills.

"Please take it. Please feel better"

I look at his face and I realize he is being honest and sincere. He really wants me to feel better and this makes me feel good. I smile and then I take the pills from him.

"Thank you"

He hands me a bottle of water and then he says.

"It is only my pleasure"

Then just as the bodyguard leaves Mark comes back into his room. Suddenly, I feel completely out of place and I want to hide away but then Mark does something I did not think he would.

He walks straight up to me when he sees me and says.

"Thank you for what you did for Jake today. We all owe you thank you"

I can not stop the blush on my face and then I say.

"It was really nothing"

Then his voice turns serious and he says.

"It was not nothing. It was something really really big. If you feel that you can not help tonight I am sure we can figure something out for you"

I see Jake looking at me with concern on his face and then I say.

"I am sure these pills will help and I am seeing more clearly by the minute. I will be able to do tonight's show. That is of course if Jake is okay with that"

JAKE

I do not know why she would be asking my permission. There is nothing in me that wants to do a concert without her making sure that I am looking my best and just being there.

"I really do not have a problem if you work tonight but if you feel that you can not then I do not want to force you to"

Again, I am holding my breath waiting for her to answer because I want to hear her say that she wants to work tonight. I will struggle through the show if I can not see her in between my songs.

"Then, I will be working tonight but thank you for giving me the option to rest"

LAYLA

I can see that both men look relieved that I will be working tonight as I am almost sure that Mark does not have someone that can replace me. Then Mark says to me.

"I am glad to hear that but just look after yourself okay?"

Then Mark's attention goes back to Jake.

"I am sorry but we have to go for a soundcheck. Are you ready to go?"

Then it is as if I realized that I should have been at the stage already. Before he could give him an answer I quickly jump up.

"Oh my god! I should be at the stage"

"It is okay, she can come with us?"

Jake looks at Mark as if to ask him if I can go with them. He quickly nods his head and then he says.

"Yes, yes, of course. But we have to go right away"

I see a slight smile on his face and then as Mark walks out the room, I see Jake leading me to walk in front of him. But just as we are about to get out of the hotel, Jake stops. He looks back at me and then he says.

"I forgot"

"You forgot what?"

"We can not be seen together. Otherwise, the press will chase you around"

I swear I see a sense of sadness on his face. I understand exactly what he is talking about but it is as if he really wanted me to go with him.

"It is okay. I will take one of the vans. Go and be Jake Anderson. Do not worry about me"

JAKE

I feel despair filling my heart as I realized that she can not go with us. But when she tells me that I should go ahead and be Jake Anderson it is as if I realize who I am. I feel so guilty for leaving her behind but I can not do it any other way.

Suddenly, my entire mood of happiness has changed. Now, I am just the famous Jake Anderson.

"I am glad you understand and I am very sorry about this"

Then I turn around without waiting for her to answer me. I walk out of the hotel and the crowd is chanting my name. Usually, they would make me happy and get me out of whatever mood I was in but it seems like Layla has now taken that place. I do not look left or right I just walk straight to the limo.

We get to the stage and I know that Layla is probably not going to be there now. So, I decided to just focus on the soundcheck. Everything seems to be in order and I see Jason giving me looks. I do not know what it is about but I guess he thinks that I stole Layla from him.

I know that I will not be with her but then Jason might think otherwise. I do not really care what he thinks or if he gives me looks or not because not only can I fire him, I can probably kill him too. I laugh as I think of the fact that I can do that.

But then I continue with my soundcheck. We do a song or two and we dance here and there. I feel ready for the show tonight and I know that I will give it my all.