LAYLA.TUESDAY.07/60"It's been a week since the scheme began. I require an update."Adam cast his briefcase open, bursting a pen and paper, and then scribbling down. I slung my head to Aiden in the corner, draping his leg over a seat and chatting away over his phone.Then, he lifted his lead, offering me a smirk. Looking away, I groaned."I already enlisted for mental awareness and a therapist session."I cocked my head towards Aiden."Miss Dean.""It's been torture. He's such an entitled bitch. It's hard to work with him. He makes fun of everything. The man laughs at me. Taunts frequently. Then my freckles, he..."I pause, breathing loudly."Your freckles?"Aiden voiced, his tone virtually confused. As if."I mean the project, Miss Dean. How far have you gone with it?"I grunt submissively, of course. Business. Layla's feelings can hop out of the window."We got rid of the scandal. The story from Timothy was publicized and made the rounds over the weekend. Everything is back on trac

LAYLA 09/60THURSDAY."Why did you book a suite?""Why do you care if I booked a suite? You get a roof, air conditioning, and good food. You should say thank you.""Because I wanted individual rooms. Now I have to stay in a suite with you!"The receptionist eyed both of us, glaring at me for yelling at him. Oh, the Smith charm."Technically, Penelope and Quentin will be there. Why are you so agitated?""I want you as far away as possible. Why did you book a suite? It's not as though the funds were limited,""There were no single rooms available for all four of us. Now that I think of it, maybe I should've booked for two since Penelope and Quentin are sharing then let you sleep in the curbs."He trussed, grinning in a way that showed he considered it."There are tons of hotels, Aiden.""Then maybe this is my way of messing with you. Don’t be grumpy, Freckles.""Your room is door number two. I'm on door number one."I snare, storming off into the suite with the attendant pulling my bag

LAYLA09/60FRIDAY.10:43 AM"Driver, can you bring us to any good restaurants in the city?"Aiden instructs a few minutes into the ride."What? No. Driver, take us back to the hotel.""My credit card is being debited for his services. He takes orders from me."Arrogant scum. "Fine. Driver, halt the car. I'd like to get down."I grit my teeth. Aiden laughs from his corner."You have had nothing to eat this morning. Not like I care, but I haven't either, which I do care about. So...""Fine."I looked out the window, spotting the driver shaking his head a few times.****TOM'S PIZZA PLACE."A pizzeria?"We chorused then jeer."They have ice cream, a coffee stand, and a pizza palace. If you want, there's a food stand as well for tacos."I jerked my head."Sounds good to me."The driver clicked the central lock, allowing both of us to step down."We'll be back in less than half an hour."He nodded his head and deactivated the engine, seating in the car to wait."Don't follow me."I pointe

LAYLA 12/60 MONDAY. "You own a Tesla?" Andrew winks over and resumes walking towards it. "Overrated, and no, I do not need to have used one to know. That is what reviews are for." Aiden taunts. Drew slings the finger and then darts his eyes to me. "Not too late to choose me. Tesla, BMW, the preference is almost glaring." He explains and mouths "me" afterward. "It is. Neither is the accurate answer." I virtually roll my eyes. Aiden seizes an arm around my waist, tugging me back to his body. I hiss, squirming to get out. "What did I tell you about touching me?" "You told me not to." He smickers, angering me further. "Then why do you keep touching me?" I crunch my teeth, scowling at his grinning face. "Because I want to." He answers, lowering his head. "Fucker." I swipe my middle finger, strutting towards his car. Pulling the car door, I swore low when it didn't budge. Then I heard a noise inside, and the doors got unlocked. Aiden titters, reaching the passenger side

AIDEN13/60TUESDAY“That was entertaining.”We just dropped the kids off with their parents.She was conversing on our way to the car. I was contemplating how badly the side effects of Tylenol will be. As soon as I got to the penthouse, I had a mental note for three tablets. When I rearranged the house, I would need those.Fun isn’t the word for the day.Ten minutes turned into thirty. The kids were loud. Madison asked further questions, probing relentlessly. The weirdest part is that I kept answering, indulging her further.Layla was forced to leave her Corolla in the parking lot when the twins refused to ride individually. We took my car. Note to self — never leave two teenagers in the back seat of a car. My ears are still ringing from their shouts.How the fuck do their parents cope? I was a child too. I didn’t give my father that much stress. Although It was Grant Smith who made me feel the need to be perfect right from when I was eleven years old. I'd imagine it is nothing like