Chapter 14
Shane cleared his throat and Layla averted her gaze away from him, before looking up at him again,, ” I thought you were angry at me ’cause I almost ruined things ” She muttered and he smiled lightly.
” Of course not, You did a great job I can’t be satisfied more, thanks ” He said sincerely and she smiled before diverting her gaze to her food and with that they both ate in silence.
” Would you help prepare a meal tomorrow? ” He suddenly asked taking Layla by shock as she raised her head at him with her eyes widened.
” Huh? ” She asked unbelievably but he only flashed her this cute smile.
” Will you? “He asked still staring at her and she nodded without taking her eyes off him.
” Um,, yeah sure ” She stuttered confusedly and he smiled,, ” Thanks “He muttered and she found herself smiling, his smile was so cute and that made him look responsible as she kept staring until a loud bang cut her off and she flinched.
She had dropped the cutlery she was holding on the ceramic plate. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment when Shane chuckled.
None of the duo said a word to each other as they ate their food in silence throughout the remaining minutes. Shane had gone first but not without muttering a * Goodnight * to Layla in which she responded to.
Layla was finally done with her meal tho she couldn’t finish all, there were some leftovers. With this, she made her way to her room. She got there and Mira was fast asleep, she laid on the bed gently and covered her body with the duvet.
She was in deep thoughts, wondering what was really wrong. Everything had changed so much just within some few days, she had understand Shane so well and it seems he now understands her better too as she reminisced on all that had happened.
How he acted so nice to her, squeezed her hands softly at the banquet, apologized to her and he even smiled at her. What’s wrong with this new developments?, What’s the cause?. Why has everything changed so suddenly in just some few days?.
She smiled unconsciously as she remembered those sweet moments but it faded away when she remembered everything was fake. He has a fiancee and she’s just an actor in his life and within some time, she would be gone and he wouldn’t have any cause to meet with her again.
Weirdly, she was a bit bothered. But why should she be?, Since she never wanted any of this at first?.
Her phone beep startled her out of her thoughts. She brought out her phone from the pocket of the sweatpant she was putting on. Clicking on the notification feed, a message popped up. It was from her mom.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
* Your dad’s out of drugs, can you help with some cash? * She read out aloud and sighed before dropping the phone.
She suddenly took it again and began typing a reply,, * Just hang in there for some few days,, I’ld send you enough money… * She suddenly erased everything and typed another reply instead, * Okay mom * She typed instead before dropping the phone.
She would plead with Shane for an advance payment, she hopes he would help her.
She laid back on the bed and covered herself with the duvet properly before falling into dreamland.
***
* Shane’s Suite *
” That’s all? ” Shane asked. Claus had just finished reading him his business prompts for the day. Claus nodded in reply and he heaved a sigh of relief.
Atleast, he’s a bit free today. All he has to do so attend some few meetings with Layla and that’s all. He’s trying to avoid putting her in a line in which she has to undergo stress.
” Sir.. ” Claus suddenly called his attention and he turned to him.
” I found out about her parents ” He said to him, the * her * term referring to Layla.
” Go on ” Shane urged him.
” Her dad is currently on a sick bed battling with Stroke tho it’s still curable as it hasn’t gotten to the final stage, all he needs is to get enough treatment ” He explained and Shane nodded.
” So, how has that been going? ” He asked, referring to the treatment.
” Um.. It seems that’s one of the reason why she agreed to this contract,, to get enough money for her dad’s treatment.. But currently, he hasn’t been undergoing the full treatment required ” He added further and Shane nodded.
” You should handle that, find out how much he’s needed to complete the treatment,, without anyone knowing ” He said, but stressed the last sentence loud enough for Claus to hear and he nodded before making his way out of his suite.
On his way out, he met Layla on the way as she was about entering. Layla bowed a little and he did the same before finally leaving.
Layla entered the suite gently, and Shane turned his full view to her.
” Morning ” He greeted and she smiled in response after replying him.
” Do you need a thing? ” Shane asked when he realized she had been standing for some few seconds without saying a thing.
” Um.. yeah ” She muttered smiling lightly.
He raised his brows slightly, urging her to go on and she gathered courage to talk.
” Um,, could I get an advance payment?.. ” She asked and he raised his brows.
” I mean,, not all.. just a little ” She quickly defended.
” Okay then, Claus will get back to you ” He said, deciding not to question her further. She released a sigh of relief and flashed him a smile,, ” Thanks ” She mumbled under her breath, but loud enough for him to hear. With a little bow, she made her way out of his suite.
Shane turned and made his way into his room ready to take his bath. He suddenly came across Brielle’s frame picture in his room and he stared at it for a while. No doubt, he miss her tho he’s mad at her for leaving without a word.
She had always been like that, she’s never considerate of his feelings at all, tho she claimed she loves him and even though Shane’s aware she does, but she doesn’t put him first. She puts her decisions first, before him not caring how he felt about the decision.
He averted his gaze away and after stripping his clothes off his body, he walked into the bathroom.
****
Layla glanced at herself through the mirror for the last time before making her way out of the room. Jennifer had dressed her, getting her ready for some meetings she was to attend with Shane.
She was putting on the cover makeup too. She made her way downstairs and met with Shane who had been expecting her.
” I’m sorry for delaying you ” She apologized on getting to him.
” It’s fine, shall we leave now? ” He asked like a gentleman he is and she nodding and with that, they both walked out of the mansion with guards trailing behind them.
******
” Phew ” Layla sighed in relief as they were suceesfully guided into the car.
They were done with the meeting but the reporters wouldn’t let them be as they rushed to them from nowhere. But with the help of the guards, they got past them.
Being a celebrity is stressful and hard, and even annoying. Layla just couldn’t wait to get out of all these.
She was still baffled at a message she had received earlier at the meeting.
Her mom had thanked her for taking care of her dad’s treatment at once and had urged her not to send in anymore as it was more than enough. But she didn’t do all that, and the question running through her head right now was who did it?.
Claus had given her the advance payment as per Shane’s order, tho she had to return some of the money back to him as he had gave her more than she needed, and now this!. Who’s it?, and for the fact that her mom had think she was the one who cleared the bills and that only meant one thing. She glanced at Shane who was meditating with his eyes closed.
Shane?, Did he do it?. No, why would he?. I can’t be him, not like she had informed him about her dad’s illness.
” I should ask him later ” She muttered and with that shut her eyes. She felt a cold hand on her thighs and her eyes spranged open only to meet with Shane’s eyes and staring at his eyes, weirdly, they looked like he was nervous.
Why would he be nervous?. She raised her brows and he cleared his throat, his eyes still not leaving hers.
” I want us to go on a date ” He blurted out.
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