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Crystal OduwaA/N: Thoughtsss? Any guesses who the mystery blonde is? Was Aiden's reaction valid?
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A VOW TO HATE 59
LAYLA 46/60I got a postcard in my message this morning. Before the meeting. Return tickets for Penelope and Quentin. With only a week and a half until their wedding day, their first honeymoon ended.They reveled in it. Outsiders would see it as a romantic getaway. Beach pictures. Polaroids. Photo booth. Jealousy fuels me, aching my skin. I hadn't considered settling down soon, but they're true fairy tale stories. I may never get to experience that with someone.The subtle reminder of Aiden’s reference makes me wince. I tried to erase the whole thing. A pact with Bella. I stayed away. But when I walked past him, his body sprawled over the chair, filling the space, his scent consuming the room. I got knocked back.Then came his presentation. It melted my insides. Turned me into goo. I stared. I gawked. It was hot. Fixer Aiden was appealing. All of him.Then it ended with him walking out. Maybe it’s for the best. These past few days with Freya made me realize I can’t have both. Working
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AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY "Our flight got held. Pen needs you or Layla to confirm a few specials for the wedding. It's a catering service." Huh. Intriguing. "I'll text you the address." Quentin sent me a series of messages. That was the last stroke. The others had pictures they took on the trip. Touring several cities. Layla already said no? Maybe she was with her friend after our meeting. I threw my head back at the unconscious thought. My growing obsession with this person is worrying. This trip will take my mind off him or her. And Layla Dean. I wasn't having any work done here, so I picked up my stuff and waited for Quentin's follow-up message before leaving the office. *** Someone lied. 'You or Layla.' That simple preposition implies alternatives. As in one. See? Not both. Now, if that definition had not changed, why did I walk into Calloway's confectionary and see her standing there? At that point, the conversation absorbed her. She overlooked my presence. However, a
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AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY The doctor saw us right away and asked a few questions. Why did I take grapes especially? Layla twitched at that. He asked more about insurance and shit I didn’t care about, then offered a prescription and some painkillers. We were out in half an hour. The walk back was quiet. I threw in random questions, which she reacted to, but my mind was solely on tomorrow's plan. Cage her. Layla speaks up when she has no choice. I had a brilliant plan. Show up at her place and not leave until she tells me the truth. I may have other intentions than licking her lips. I can’t wait for tomorrow. *** LAYLA 47/60 WEDNESDAY I hate today. It’s my day off work, but I forgot to turn the alarm off. When it buzzed at seven in the morning, jolting me out of my peaceful slumber, I wasn't elated. I accustomed my body to waking up early, so after tossing for a while, I accepted my short-lived sleep and got out of bed. Today was also the day I ran out of coffee. So I got
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LAYLA 47/60WEDNESDAY A guilty conscience. They ingrained it in everyone. From birth. Some people spend their entire lives suppressing it. Not feeling that pain in your heart when you don't scan an item at the grocery store. Neglecting the tightness in your chest when you grab something the other person desperately wants. To take it up a notch - pulling a trigger on another human being and still laying down at night. My father expected me to take whatever I wanted. That's how he raised me, so my conscience has always been secondary. I'd never felt it so intensely until this moment. Hiding the guy who hurt your friend from her then going to the park with said friend.Freya and I arrived at the park. We used my car, and she hopped in the back instead of the passenger seat. Not much of a deal, but it made me pause for a few seconds and stare at her. She buried her eyes in her cell phone. I kept my eyes on the road, but sometimes my mind came up with a scenario like this - "You bit
A VOW TO HATE 63
LAYLA49/60FRIDAY Wedding rehearsals. That was still happening. Traditional parents, I suppose. Pen and Quentin were around and, with less than a week to the wedding, they liked the rehearsal and dinner conducted efficiently. Had to keep the buzz going. Their children had to remain at the center for longer. The dinner was the day before, while the rehearsal was today. They had dresses and vows written out. I don't regret getting them hitched because this sham wasn't a wedding. Like they were role-playing with scripts.They didn't have any say in how it unfolded. Neither did I. Adam texted me with an index of stuff to bring to the event, which was at Quentin's family home. They included wine. It even had a specific dress code. A purple strapless gown for Penelope's close friends. Six pm tonight. Two days after the Freya outing. Brief texts and succinct calls, but she hadn't left. At first, I was quirky about her being too close and uncovering something, but now I'm weary of her
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LAYLA50/60SATURDAYThe Cruz shut down the mall for their daughter's outfit trial. Dramatic. Well, aware. We were interested in one shop, but they shut it down.When she said dress shopping, I expected just us and maybe a few other girls.I was wrong. Picture a stall filled with a dozen girls. Then there's the bride and me.The worst part? There were only a few of them that Penelope was acquainted with. Parents selected the others. In fact, they were offered the "position" Models and daughters of influential people.Creepy. All we needed were two dresses for the after-party. I figured an hour would do and Pen and I could slip out and enjoy the weekend. Grab a few drinks.Wrong again. We got here before noon, and it was almost two pm.The girl number one has tried half a dozen dresses, but they aren't "giving wedding" as she would like them to be.You'd think the bride would be more concerned. Her wedding. Big day and all. Pen and I tried less than five dresses before deciding on a few
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LAYLA50/60SATURDAY"I am going to make a call.""Oh..."He rotated, taking sharp strides away from me. Uh - Was he waiting for someone? Finally, what?"Layla, come on! Let's go check out the bar."My eyes were on his retreating figure as Bella dragged my arm despite resistance.I etched his face look in my mind. Anguish. ****"What's on the menu?”I glanced back every half second for Aiden. The mystery call wasn’t done. “It’s special today. Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin. It is flavored and contains alcohol. We’re trying to see how well it will perform in the market.”“Layla!”I almost steered my balance. Bella jeered my shoulders, drawing my attention to the bar.“What do you think, girls?”Another shoulder peek. He was gone.“Let’s try it.”We chorused, pulling out a bar stool to sit on.***“I can get my own Uber, thank you.” I boasted, put in place by Aiden.When did he come back again?We purchased an entire bottle and had a glass full of each. However, it was too sweet. It di
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LAYLA 50/60 SATURDAY We should stall. Slow down. I twitched at the bump. Why does he have so many clothes on? What happened to shirtless Aiden? Who gave him a fricking shirt? Can I strangle said person? “Take it off.” I murmured, turning sideways, and tugging at a free button. “Layla.” “Stop talking,” I whisper, pressing a finger against his lips. My back would hurt from these movements. I took my head off his lap, sliding to sit beside him, steadying my body with a firm grip on his arms. “You’re drunk, love.” “Do you enjoy blow jobs?” I grazed my bottom lip as my eyes trailed to his shorts. “No. This isn't good..." “No, you don’t enjoy blow jobs?” I squirmed, batting my lashes at him. He was so close; I reached out and kissed his lower lip. “Fuck.” Palming him through his shorts, I cupped a fist full and pumped gently. “Layla. You’re drunk.” “Forgive me if I’m sloppy." I palmed his face with the other, my lips tracing his cheeks. I guess I can kiss his whole face.
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