Chapter Eight-Where Do You Think You Are Going To

Layla's fingers dug into her palm at the sound of her voice.

She turned around shakily to meet Damian’s cold and piercing gaze. His shirt was loose and three buttons from the top were opened. Though looking tired and angry, He was still incredibly handsome. Flushed, Layla lowered her head and thought of a good excuse as her heart rate refused to return to normal.

“ You didn’t knock, what if I was naked,” she said, trying to sound defensive.

Damian knew she was only trying to divert the topic but he was bent on knowing who she was talking to, especially since he heard her say, ‘See you soon’.

“ I did knock. But you were so busy with whoever it was you were talking to and didn’t respond so I helped myself in” Damian lied. The truth is, he didn’t knock but did not want Layla to use that as an advantage and not reply to him.

Layla’s heartbeat increased fast. ‘ How long has he been standing there and did he hear her conversation?’ She thought and the feeling of dread crawled up her spine.

Despite her fears, she summoned courage and answered him,

“ Sorry about that,

I was talking to my cousin and was only inviting her to the wedding.”

“ Is anything wrong with that?” She asked politely hoping he believed her and Her mom should not wake up and burst all her lies.

Thankfully, Damian had walked in only when she was ending the conversation so he didn’t hear much.

“ That’s alright. Since you were talking to your cousin, you didn’t have to sound all defensive about it.” He said.

Layla didn’t say a word and lowered her head. There’s something about his gaze that makes her feel intimidated. ‘How will I cope with being alone with this man after the wedding?’ She thought.

“ What brings you here, do you need anything?” She asked, realizing he hadn’t stated his reason for coming to her room.

“My Mom insisted I apologize for threatening you,” Damian said with a smirk on his face.

“ Threatening me?” she asked, a bit surprised. She can’t remember reporting him to Aunt Karen and even though all their conversations sounded more like a threat, she did not mention it to anybody.

“ Yes.” He said and inhaled deeply.

“ Layla, I’m sorry I told you not to let our paths cross until our wedding day,” Damian added.

‘What a way to apologize’.

Okay. Apology accepted” Layla said.

His presence was making her uncomfortable and she just wished he’d leave already.

“ You don’t have to accept it. I am only here because my mom won’t allow me to breathe.” Damian said and rolled his eyes and Layla chuckled. The way he rolled his eyes was so funny and it made him look girlish.

Damian left her room and Layla let out a breath of relief she didn’t know she was holding.

A few minutes later, Layla’s mom left for her house and Layla went downstairs for dinner.

During dinner, Layla noticed Damian did not join them. She thought he would be staying here until after the wedding. She was curious and wanted to know his whereabouts since she planned to step out of the house later tonight.

“ Where’s Damian?” She asked Kendra.

“ He’s out with Kelvin. I don’t think he will be coming home tonight.” Kendra replied and a smile swept across her face.

At least, it will be easy to walk past Aunt Karen and Kendra. Her only fear was Damian and since he won't be around, she couldn’t wait to meet up with Ava so they can plan their next move.

After dinner, Layla, Kendra, and Damian’s mom sat together In the living room and watched a movie together.

A few hours later they all retired to their room to sleep. Layla heard Mrs Wilson switching off all the lights in the house and when she was done, she heard her enter her room and lock the door.

Kendra had locked hers a few minutes ago too.

Layla changed into a pair of jeans and a turtleneck since it was late and the weather was cold.

She put on a pair of trainers and wore a jacket over her blouse. With her hair combed and cascading down her back, she put on a little makeup.

Everywhere was quiet and since the lights on the corridor were all out, she knew everyone was asleep, including maids who had retired to their quarters.

She tiptoed to the stairs and began to descend one at a time. She used her phone as a light, not daring to use the touch light since it would be too bright. The brightness of her phone screen was enough for her.

Her heart was thrumming so hard but with Ava at the gate, her hope was renewed. At least she knew Ava would help her distract the security and stop them from noticing her.

She made it to the one and half-steel door and just as her hand was about to turn the knob, the entire living room brightened. As she heard the click sound of the switch light.

She froze and felt her heart run from inside her chest to her stomach, afraid of who had turned on the light, praying it wasn’t Damia.

She shivered when a cold emotionless voice barked from behind her.

“ Where do you think you are going?”.