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Crystal OduwaA/N: Thoughts? She may just be a normal assistant Afterall.｡◕‿◕｡
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LAYLAFRIDAY20/60A headache and a shitload of work to do. A mixture I thought was the end of the world. Dead wrong. A migraine. An abundance of work to do. An inevitably failed task. A date with the city's most desirable bachelor and interacting with Aiden Smith.All in twenty-four hours. What can a girl do to get some peace?I tugged my hair. I could not. No- I did not cease myself.My father should be lenient. Or perhaps I should get an assistant to do the work. Either way, filling and making investors happy isn't how my Friday should go.I've had two espressos, and I'm about to take the third.After the deal with Maximus, I'd put the rest away from Monday. It's off the to-do list. Half off rather, but a win is a win, and I'd take it.Then on to the next. Thompson. Tristan.I sigh and recline my chair. His presence is refreshing, and with the day-week, I've had, I need the break.Dinner is by 8 pm. That's what we decided. It's one right now. I'd finish up by two, meet up with Aiden
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LAYLA FRIDAY 20/60Tristan lives in a penthouse. Absolutely. I unconsciously distinguished both men. They're both influential and successful. Their accommodation options are quite similar. I could even compare their allure. It's almost a mirror reflection."Penny for your thought?"As we stepped into the elevator, I diverted my gaze from the scenery.Minutes ago, I arrived at his address and Tristan met me in the hall. He could've called the receptionist to let me through, but he choose to walk with me himself. Maybe I underestimated him after all. He's also not clothed in a suit and pants. I selected a casual dinner dress.Tristan Thompson has a T-shirt and something that would not be seen within the walls of an office for pants. He looks informal. I texted Bella before leaving, and she conceded, "Use Protection." I cringe once again. "Nothing. I'm merely appreciating your penthouse. It's quite stunning.""Yes, it is. It's not the only beautiful piece present."I flushed because t
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LAYLA SATURDAY 21/60 “Bella.” I coil my hands, creating a cloth around my chest. I set aside to allow my best friend in. She exhales dramatically before proceeding inside. “I didn't give fashion advice, so I suppose the date wasn't a complete mess?” Eye roll. We spent some time in his room after that make-out session. He mostly did the talking. High school. Business school. I almost fell asleep resting my head over his shoulder, and then he offered to drive me home, but I insisted on going back myself. Part of me thought that was his way of asking for an invitation to come over. I prefer not to dwell on that part. “It went horribly, Bells. I’m hopeless without you.” I head to my kitchen for a cup of coffee, not expecting to be up at eleven in the morning. “As expected, now tell me you at least got what you came from?” I shrug, feigning ignorance. Bella grunts and then lifts both hands. I cover my lips with the edge of the cup, concealing a tiny smirk. “Come on Layla, don’t
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LAYLA MONDAY 23/60 "The glasses might not operate well. It's Layla, not Kendall Jenner." I hissed, endearing him despite an odd curl in my belly. "How do you know I'm acquainted with Kendall Jenner?" His retort was nothing short of cocky. Aiden couldn't have slept with her. Wait a minute—I just realised I don't care. Clearing my throat, I stride aside, and he does the same, taking us back to square one. Him hovering over me and blocking my path. "Aiden." His lids latched slowly as they pressed against the other, spreading a smile across his face. "Perhaps he's drunk. Okay, the chances of that happening are slim, but he's acting like an asshole, so I have to consider it." "Mr. Smith." I clear my throat, and his smile broadens. Dimples. I forgot about those. Again, I shake my head to clear whatever silly thoughts I just had. "We're having a cake testing, love." He murmurs, then opens his eyes. It's almost as if the last two minutes never ensued. I have no clue what just ha
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LAYLA MONDAY 23/60 "I'm interested. What do you mean?" I continue when she reveals nothing. Sitting across from me, Penelope uncrosses her legs, adjusts awkwardly, then crosses them back. "Pen?" "I assumed you knew. His PR must have done a superb job." "PR? Has Aiden been to Hawaii before?" She nodded in agreement. Maybe I should ask now. "Did he do anything while he was there?" She gave her head a brisk shake. I arch my back on the couch. "And what makes you think he wouldn't wish to return to Hawaii?" "I wouldn't go back there either if I were him." She argued. A foggy memory of the weekend creeps in. Aiden's not-so-cryptic message. Never, he said. Perhaps he just wanted to stay away. "What did he do?" Her eyes widen, and she clears her throat quickly. "I don't think I can or should tell you. I only know from Quentin. It happened in the past, not recently. Dredging it up won't do either of us any good." I scraped my teeth. "Penelope." "Just ask Aiden. It's his stor
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LAYLA MONDAY 23/60 Dreadful. No other words can express how I feel at this moment. If there were a stronger adjective than stagnant or rigid, I'd pick those, but my brain refuses to think now. My skin is too hot to sense anything. My whole body is not mine anymore because Aiden Smith has taken control. He kissed me. His hands settled on my waist. They crawled there somehow. I didn't kiss him back. I bar my eyes and take control. The game master isn't playing me tonight. As swiftly as he kissed me, I returned the gesture by pushing him off. It's like a switch in my brain. It turned back on, and I was in the driver's seat again. My skin feels like my own, my legs are twitching like they want to move, and I can think again. My lips, however, were a different story. "Layla." "Don't." I got them back. Although they're trembling, they're mine. And they don't kiss Aiden Smith. "Layla." "I said don't. Don't say it. Not a word, Aiden." His breathing is strained. He is only a
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AIDEN TUESDAY 24/60 "Why the hell are you in my apartment?" I questioned. Drew is grinning, but I'm too drained, so I grunt. "Woah, get whatever stick is up your ass out. You're usually not so dreadful in the morning." I grumble and step aside so Drew can come in fully. He's dressed coolly. A white shirt and black pants. I'd have to get through the day in insufferable suits. Some days, I wonder what life would be like if I wasn't the heir to a dynasty. I'd be an artist. I think. Now I understand I was tough because my father had raised me that way. When I sketched, it was my escape from his mad-house. Without the mad-house, I might not even like drawing in an alternate reality. It sucks. How pain molds us. "Aiden? Hello? Are you well?" "Yes, I am." If that translates to kissing Layla Dean, then confessing my unending craving to fuck her. Then I'm all set. I ruffle my hair with one hand. "Why are you here, Drew?" "Hostile. That's not how to treat a best friend." I crosse
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LAYLATUESDAY24/60"Stop attempting to be funny. I'm serious."I forced some bitterness into my tone. It's all lost somehow. What is he doing to me?"Attempt? It comes naturally. I believe I've told you that before.""Shut up."I tensed, moving closer to his desk. He tilts his head, then whispers, "Make me.""God, you're such a jackass. A crappy tale about not lying. Maybe that's true, but you don't mind twisting the truth.""Layla.""Don't. God, I hate you. You'd never know how much, but I do.""What are you on about?""You knew Bella wouldn't be free on Thursday, right?""For cake testing? I'm not free, either."I flutter."Not the point. You said you'd tell me what happened in Hawaii after the cake testing, before the trip. Your words. You knew it couldn't be Wednesday, and since Bella made plans for Thursday, I'd have no choice but to travel with you on Friday, clueless as ever!"I yelled in his face."How poorly you think of me."He murmurs, abandoning the files completely."Yes,
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