Chapter 5

ENEMIES.

Layla's POV.

I woke up to a beeping sound and glanced around, confused and lost.

'Where was I?' I pondered as I tried to sit up but my head began to ache badly, as if a hammer was being hit on it.

I struggled to open my eyes completely as I glanced around, realizing I was in an hospital ward.

How did I get in here?

Just then, memories of the previous day rushed back to my mind and I froze, my hands trembling in my laps as I remembered that, the doctor had called to inform, that my dad had died, because I didn't bring the surgery money on time.

My heart clenched tightly against my chest as I began to struggle to breathe.

'No, no. Not my dad.' The tears stung my eyes heavily, rolling down my cheeks before I could stop them.

Just then, the door burst open and the doctor walked in, while writing on his notepad.

"Oh! You are awake, miss. Thank God, the man outside has been so worried and paranoid because you refused to wake up." The doctor told me and I froze.

The man outside? What man?

I remembered the man I had a one night stand with instantly and my heart skipped a beat. From panic or fear?

Wait! Could it be him?

Hell no. He was the reason why I was delayed, I could have left that same night if he didn't let me stay till the next morning.

"He just stepped out to get Lunch but made me promise to call him as soon as you wake up." The doctor continued and a huge lump formed in my throat as I watched him, dug his hand into his pocket, probably to bring out his phone.

"I will do that now." He said and a low scream tore out of my throat, jolting him.

"Please no."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Why? Isn't he your guardian or something? I heard from the nurse that he filled in as your boyfriend." The doctor said and my jaw tightened.

That bastard.

What the hell was he thinking?

He looked old enough to be my father and definitely not my boyfriend. If I had a better choice, I wouldn't have slept with him.

Looking at the doctor and the way his eyes swelled with curiosity, I knew if I said the wrong thing, I wouldn't be allowed to leave this place, so I really had to play along.

"Of course he is my guardian." I faked a laugh as I got down from the bed.

"It's the more reason why I don't want him to see me in this shape. I want to freshen up first." I lied and the doctor seemed to believe me.

He did all the necessary checkups, before exiting the room and I immediately began my escape plans. It wasn't easy but I sneaked out of the hospital, leaving the bill for that stranger to pay.

It was the least he could do after everything. Besides he got to hold on to the payment for the sex since the man I wanted it for, was dead anyways.

.......

.......

It's been a week now, since my father's death and currently, I was standing in the cemetery, watching them lift his coffin into the ground and pour sand all over it.

I was shivering from so much crying as I hiccuped, my chest hurting real bad whenever I remembered that he was dead all because of me, all because I didn't get to save him.

Scarlett was by my side, wrapping her hands around me protectively as I cried in her embrace.

"Why, Scarlett. Why? He never deserved all of this." I half-yelled but she said nothing and just continued to console me.

Apparently after that night, the billionaire I had a one night stand with, began looking for me but I refused Scarlett or her madam to give my location, despite him paying way more than he should.

'What does he want from me even?' I pondered and just then, heard the most irritating voice behind me.

"Layla dear." She called out and I turned around sharply, my stomach turning from disgust as I watched her run towards me.

She looked almost unrecognizable with her fancy dressing and elegant look. This was the reason why she abandoned my father and I, so what the fuck was she doing here?

'To pay respects?' I scoffed at that thought, knowing she could be that hypocritical.

Why didn't she show up when he was sick, even if it was to offer a loan. She could have saved a damn life, but nope. I am sure she jubilated, when she heard news of his death.

That way, her ex-husband shadows wouldn't follow her anymore, she would be a window who wouldn't be judged for remarrying.

"Is that your mum?" Scarlett asked and I frowned.

"Don't call her that."

"But she is your mum. I shall excuse you both." Scarlett's words surprised me and before I could speak up, she already skipped away.

How could she do that?

"Oh my God! Layla. You look so pale, haven't you been eating well?" My mum rushed to take my hand in hers as she turned me around, with look of concern flashing in her grey eyes.

But I wasn't gonna be fooled. She was obviously putting a show for the people around us and they were so dumb enough to believe she cared.

If she did, she wouldn't have left us, for a life filled with roses.

I loathed this woman to the bones now. First, she tried to control my life when she was still with us and left, despite knowing Dad was sick.

"You should quit pretending, Janet." I hissed, snatching my arm from hers as she widened her eyes at me at my use of her first name.

"Layla." She gasped, covering her mouth. "Don't be rude."

"Or what? As far I can remember, you don't deserve my respect." I told her and she flinched, as if my words stung but I knew it was another display of hers.

"Alright but I am still your mother."

"That you are not either. You are just a woman who gave birth to me." I yelled, attracting attention from the well-wishers who glanced at our side, before muttering between themselves.

Rage burned through my veins as I glared at the woman standing in my presence.

This was all her fault. Today was supposed to be a day for my dad to be honored and yet, here, she was, stealing the attention and ruining the occasion.

"Please leave." I gestured towards the exit and her mouth dropped open at my actions.

"Layla." She called out again but I ignored and kept pointing towards the exit, with a frustrated groan.

She should just leave. No one, most especially me, did not want her around. She was a cruel witch and I refused to be associated with such.

That would be a stain on my precious father's honour.

"I can't Layla. Your dad is now dead so the court has now granted me full custody over you, so I am here to take you away." My mum explained as she brought out a document from her bag and tossed it at me.

I hurriedly opened it and was surprised to see she was right. Because my father had just died, my mum filed a case to still have me in her custody to be sure of my emotional stability.

What an excuse from a woman who abandoned her child at a quite young age!

"Get out." I snarled but she refused to leave and dragged me into the guard, to her new home, after all the burial rites were sorted.

I walked into the house behind her, refusing to admire the beautiful decor and even spend the night here because I was going to escape, even if it was the last thing I would do.

"Honey, I am home and she is here with me." Mum yelled as soon as we entered the large living room and I tried not to roll my eyes.

She was obviously calling the bastard, she left my father for.

"Alright." I heard a voice that sounded familiar and turned, my heart beating fast against my chest as my jaw dropped.

I shook my head sideways in disbelief as I watched him kiss my mum on the lips, before hugging her tightly.

Nope, it couldn't be him.

But it was.

When he rose his head to smile at me, I expected a look of rememberance but he seemed to be pretending not to know me as he shook my hand.

"I am so sorry for your loss." He apologized and I gritted my teeth against one another as my expression tightened.

This fool!

He slept with me a week ago, cheating on my mum and now he was playing the good guy?

What audacity or perhaps this was karma for my mum?

I was about to speak up when another figure emerge behind him and my blood turned cold as our eyes met.

The side of his lips curled into a smirk and he looked exactly like my mum's husband, no difference at all.

Was he a Twin?

Oh my God!

As if that heavy blow to the heart wasn't enough, who I saw coming in too, felt like a punch to the guts.

It was Jeremy and Caroline, acting all lovey-dovey. It seemed tonight was the day all my enemies were to feast in my presence.