With only her working on the dresses, Leila decided to start early. Her staff would make the whole process efficient, but right now, she prefers to work on it alone. It helps to keep herself busy and avoid thinking unnecessary things. She has completely detached herself from life in Lieren City and focused on working. The events that transpired in the last three months have been extremely stressful. It took a toll on her mental and physical health. Her hand was restlessly sewing on the soft satin pinned on the mannequin. When she is absorbed in her own space, she forgets everything and just continues to work like a robot. “Leila!” She paused. Amanda stood on her side, her hands on her hips, furiously glaring at her. “What are you doing with yourself?! It’s already three in the afternoon and you haven’t touched the food that I’m bringing you!” “Look at you! You look so thin!” “It’s been two months since you moved here and you did nothing but work!” “I rarely even see you
“Leila, I can already feel the bump!” Amanda excitedly stroked her belly as they rested in the living room, watching some TV. “What? I can’t even feel it yet!” Leila laughed at Amanda’s remark. Amanda has been taking great care of her since they got discharged from the hospital. A week has passed since the day she found out about her pregnancy. ‘I never knew such news would forever change my life.’ She looked at her tummy, still seemingly flat and slim. ‘I have to be strong…’ ‘I’m not only living for myself.’ ‘I am going to be a mother.’ Just the thought of her being a mother made her extremely fearful and happy at the same time. She touched her tummy with a gentle smile. The way Amanda has been taking care of her made her look forward to the coming months of her pregnancy. “Amanda, do you have kids?” She curiously asked. Amanda’s hands paused. A melancholic smile curd up on her lips, “I don’t.” “Is it your choice not to have one?” “Or…” “It’s my cho
Taylor’s eyes lingered on Leila’s. Leila tightly squeezed on her pink halter-neck midi dress. Meeting Taylor here in New York greatly shocked her. Who knew that he was related to Stacey’s brother? “Bro, how did you know Leila?” Asked Samuel. Taylor only smiled, “We’re very close friends.” “Right, Leila?” “Yeah, sure.” “My grandma and I will go to our table,” she hurriedly said as she ushered Amanda to their table. “Hi, Grandma Amy. I missed you so much.” Taylor greeted the old lady with his cheeky smile. Amanda’s eyebrows darted up. “Taylor, you naughty kid, stop playing around.” Seeing that the two know each other, Leila whispered, “Grandma, you know him?”’ “Yeah, your father introduced him as a business partner.” “Don’t get too close with that guy. He’s a lady’s worst nightmare.” “He plays around so much that he probably doesn’t know if he has a child.” Amanda snickered, “Come along, darling. Don’t let that boy get close to you, okay?” As the two ladies whisper
Samuel suavely handed the soda to Leila and Amanda with a huge grin on his face. He even naughtily wiped the side of Leila’s lips, catching her off guard. And Taylor, watched his friend brazenly flirt with Leila. With a sour mood, he sat back in his seat next to Samuel. “Leila, you should try this. It’s good,” said Samuel as he placed a sushi on Leila’s plate. Leila could only awkwardly smile, “Sorry, I don’t eat sushi.” “How about this steak?” “Sorry, I’m not in the mood for steaks,” she outright refused. “Oh…” “You’re a picky eater no?” Said Samuel in an attempt to lighten the mood. Amanda lightly chuckled, “She is! My goodness, sometimes I don’t know what food we should get because she’s really picky.” Taylor caught a glimpse of Leila’s uncomfortable and forced smile. “Excuse me, I’ll just go to the powder room.” “I’ll go with you.” “No, it’s okay, Sam. It’ll just be quick retouch,” she said. Leila then walked out of the reception to go to the nearest powder room
The next day, she flew back to Centriona in a rush. She left all her equipment at Theodore’s condo and only packed a light luggage. Looking out of the window as the plane descended from the clouds, she saw the glimmering city lights of the skyscrapers below. It was a sight she didn’t know she would miss. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just landed at Centriona International Airport. Centriona Air warmly welcomes you…” The voice of the flight attendant caught Leila from the trance. In a snap, she had arrived at her home. She alighted the aircraft along with her fellow passengers and headed straight out. The airport is swarming with people coming to and from. She put on her sunglasses and plugged her earphones into her ear, shutting everyone from her little world. She went through the process of checking out her luggage and going through standard airport protocol smoothly. She passed by so many happy families waiting for their families to come home. They all looked so happy r
A lot happened, and Leila somehow ended up in the hospital with her friend, Phyllis. After one chaotic event after another, they somehow ended up in the hospital after she called the police to help Zacharias out of almost being kidnapped. Leila, who is now sober and widely awake, was sitting outside the VIP ward where her best friend’s husband is being treated. “How is Zach?” Taylor stood in front of her, trying to peek into the ward to see what was going on with Zacharias. Recalling the event from earlier, Leila could only explain, “They’re going to run some tests. Phyllis suspected that he was drugged… We found him unconscious and bulky men were carrying him to a hotel room.” Taylor sighed, his hand was on his waist as he called someone on his phone. “It’s me.” “Zacharias is drugged. Secure the entire hotel and monitor everyone.” He then turned to Leila and asked, “Who were you guys suspecting?” Leila bit her lips. “It was Tiffany Klein…” “Okay.” “It’s the Kleins. I
KNOCK KNOCK Leila was drying her hair after a warm bath when she heard a knock on her door. “It must be him.” She hurried out of her room and opened the door. There, she saw Taylor standing outside, his whole body drenched from the rain. “Goodness, what happened to you?!” “Haha… It rained and I forgot to bring an umbrella.” “You didn’t drive?” “Why would I drive if there’s a convenience store nearby?” His hair is still dripping wet and the rainwater made Taylor’s dress shirt see-through. His lean body is showing because of this. His body was shivering from the cold, but still, he smiled as he handed over the plastic full of food that Leila requested. Feeling a little sorry for his appearance, she bit her lips. “Uh…” “Why don’t you come in and change?” She offered. Taylor beamed, “Sure!” He quickly took off his shoes and went inside. Leila could only watch him as he wore the fluffy pink bunny slippers he used before. ‘I mean, I’ll feel guilty if he gets sick aft
Leila was carefully driving her car back to her mother’s house after driving her friend, Phyllis to the airport. On their street, she saw a lot of cars parked near Phyllis and Zacharias’ house. “Are they media people…? That’s a lot…” The amount of people with big cameras waiting outside her friend’s house is insanely plenty. Just a few days ago, Phyllis’ husband was hospitalized because a crazy fan attempted to kidnap him. Now, people got a hold of this incident and were eager to get a scoop about it. “So that’s why Taylor told me not to go out…” “Well… No wonder that couple decided to flee the country.” She then parked her car in front of the house’s front entrance. She swung her keys as she walked inside her mother’s house. “Leila?!” Her mother jolted up from the couch as soon as she walked in. “What’s up?” “You! What did you do now?!” Confused, Leila asked, “What did I do…?” “First, you lied to Aunt Amanda about Rui’s wedding and impulsively went home. We’re not don