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Crystal OduwaA/N: I'm rolling with daily updates, I'll try not to slip up. Don't forget to drop a comment after reading. Love, C.
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A VOW TO HATE 33
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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AIDEN 24/60 TUESDAY Water splattered on my face, and my view became clearer as I blinked. I felt a tremor as I stuck my hand in the mirror. I breathed for the nth time, pressing my eyes shut, then stood up straight. I was in my private bathroom for roughly ten minutes. I've been counting. There's plenty of time for Layla to leave—I pray she's there when I come back. I took off. I told her the whole truth, then stepped out before she could react. Almost anyway. "Five people believe you now." I jerked my head, removing the obscure thought. That meant she was part of them. She added herself to the list. She believed me. "I hate you." Her preceding words sounded. Not possible. It changed nothing. She still hates me. Much more for a cause I have no clue about. At least now she knows the truth. And I'd be a liar to say I wasn't relieved when she regarded me. It would be an even bigger lie to say it wasn't tempting to run back and kiss her again. All banter aside, maybe a trip t
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LAYLA25/60WEDNESDAY"Consider calling in on a day off at the office. You're in no place to work."My head pulsed in pain, and I swallowed two Advil tablets to relieve it.Bella handed over a cup of coffee to subdue the drowsiness.I'm lying in her bed, relaxed as ever, at seven in the morning. I should be in the office before nine. We don't have days off."I can't. I need to leave. There's so much to do aside from the trip."When I guessed that, my mind joined all the other pieces and concluded: Aiden Smith. Kitchen. Tension.As I skimmed her room, I searched for any signs of life. No one else."Are you looking for something?""Huh?"I savored quietly."Aiden. Is he downstairs?""Huh."She raised one brow."He was here yesterday. He left?""Huh?"She repeated."Are you okay, L? Aiden wasn't here. He would have texted or something."She shrugged, seemingly sure of herself."He was here. I chatted with him before falling asleep. Check the kitchen. You'll find his used cup.""First, Aid
A VOW TO HATE 38
LAYLA 26/60 THURSDAY DEAN CONSTRUCTIONS Yesterday's actions are still sharp in my mind as I go examine the terms of trade for the three companies. I've probed it twice, and while everything appears in place, I have an aching feeling about this deal. Bella picked a vanilla cake with lemon curd filling and buttercream icing for the wedding cake. Whatever that was, it tasted heavenly. Everyone would like it. Drew's game is today, so I don't have to concern myself with Aiden's business. I have a day free from him. Then we will meet tomorrow and talk about this deal. Speaking of that, Tristan and I haven't seen each other either. Aside from bumping into him after Aiden kissed me, he's been challenging and difficult to reach. I flip through the pages again, then glance at my notebook. I'm supposed to take notes for tomorrow. Ask questions. That's exactly the problem. This deal is airtight. Not a single loophole. Confidentiality. Profit sharing. Getting out. They have dealt with i
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LAYLA 26/60 THURSDAY "I must know how you deduced it." Clipped. Stern. Short. Aiden trails out of the living room and chooses a glass, filling it with water before returning. Then he passed it over to me. Momentarily stunned, I have to blink twice before advancing for it. It'll be a long night. **** After reiterating the sequence of events, starting from my examination of the terms to recalling the shares already bought, then concluding. Throughout, Aiden nods and sometimes utters a few words. "You came to his apartment. I appreciate the element of surprise." I can't tell if that's sarcasm, but I swallow a mouthful of water. Tristan knows we're coming now. "I didn't think sufficiently then." "It's fine. It's done. Now we need to consider something else. Tell me precisely what occurred when you were over there." I take a deep breath and exhale forcefully. Exactly what happened? "I assumed I was warning him. I reasoned maybe my father was trying to trick Thompson and Sm
A VOW TO HATE 40
LAYLA 27/60 FRIDAY "I guess we won't stop this." My voice was barely a whisper. As soon as I let go of the words, my mind processed their dual meanings. "No, we won't." His tone was gruff and raspy. My chin is dangerously close to his lips. It's so close. Wait, is that related to the head placement on his chest or Thompson Pharmaceutical's impending doom? If I was indirect, he'd be willing to play harder. "What are we going to do?" He took a breath and then lowered his hands in a circle by my side. Disappointment? I can't be mad at him for not putting them around my waist. "I don't know." He whispers back. I nod a bit, but he can't really see me. "Do you think it's wise to see Thompson?" I drifted backward, peeking inside my office to avoid eye contact with him. "It could backfire. Let's say he doesn't believe us. They bought shares. They signed the contract. There's nothing he could do." "At least he'd have a fighting chance?" I met his gaze for the second time. Green
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