LAYLA.14/60WEDNESDAY."We run into each other again."I curved my head to the voice. Tristan Thompson? He's pacing out of my father's office. They both have smiles on their faces. I'm in Dean Construction, my office is over there. Can't possibly be a dream. But why would he have come here?Suspicious. Now that I think of it, He was at the Smith's party as well. That involved many business owners, but coming here raises a red flag. Much more with my father. "Hello, Tristan."He extends his hands, still smiling, and I'm forced to return them, even though I'm jumbled up as hell. "Layla, you've met Mr Thompson?"My cell phone had already beeped twice when I bobbed my head."We crossed paths at the party on Monday."Father nodded in understanding."I will look forward to working with you, Sir.""Likewise."They shook each other's hands and then pulled apart. Okay. Suspicious as hell. What's happening?Father made a move to leave. I smiled at Tristan and then caught up with my father, pu

LAYLA. 14/60 WEDNESDAY. 6:03 PM "You're having a date with Tristan Thompson!?" I lay the phone aside to deflect Bella's screeching sound. Bad idea—calling her. The absolute worst. Another awful idea? Going to dinner with a man I just met. After that succeeds the lack of clothing options for such a date, which is why I'm currently scrambling between my closet and my underwear drawer. Between all of that, I phoned Bella, and she's making the situation worse. "Yes. I told you I was." If I weren't clutching my cell phone and searching through my closet, I would have smacked my forehead. "The Tristan Thompson! I saw the news that he was in the city!" My best friend was swooning? Perhaps I heard wrong. "You're a fan?" I flung the jeans away. It's a dinner date, Layla. Gowns. Pick a gown. "Well, not really. I love a hot-looking dude as much as the next girl, but my brother doesn't, so it's like a forbidden relationship except there's no relationship." I chuckle, reaching for

LAYLA18/60MONDAY.BERLIN; CAT CO WORLDWIDE MEDIA.The driver disrupts the lingering silence for over twenty minutes, "Here we are." He announces curtly.Raising my head, I catch the display of a building just about as large as Dean Construction.We got down through the doors and gave it a wedge to close. Aiden spoke with the driver, who would wait at the parking lot or return at the end of the meeting.If the meeting ends at all."Does she know you'll be here?""Nope."Nonchalance. Again."What did Penelope tell her?""She said representatives from her will arrive today to discuss. That's all.""How nice.""Cheer up, love. We won't be asked to leave, fortunately."Scoffing, I murmur underneath my breath, "If we're lucky."****"Guten Morgen."I cast Aiden an amused look. Did he speak German? I hardly stepped out into the city due to language barriers, but he was eloquent. Interesting."What did you say to him?""Good morning."He answers. There was a lady at the front desk. She smil

AIDEN SMITHTHURSDAY19/60I do crazy things. That's the entire point of life. You aren't living if you don't do something completely out of character once in a while. You're just existing in a body of flesh and bones. Even at that, there's a limit to how much crazy one person can muster. I've been pushing it for a while now. Yelling back at my dad. Tormenting him. Even bargaining with the devil. Pulling Layla into my room, messing with her, It's almost like I had a death wish, so I realised I reached my cliff. The part where I fall off and it's all over. Why?Because holding, touching, and hugging Layla Smith is one of a thousand ways of assured death. I did it still. Why? Because I like to push things.Once it was done, I couldn't take it back. And I'm not sure I want to.Lavender. Layla Dean has a scent like Lavender. I've been close. Just not this close. She's pressed against me like her body was made to mold just like this. Against mine. Nothing feels this good. Nothing can match

LAYLA FRIDAY 20/60Tristan lives in a penthouse. Absolutely. I unconsciously distinguished both men. They're both influential and successful. Their accommodation options are quite similar. I could even compare their allure. It's almost a mirror reflection."Penny for your thought?"As we stepped into the elevator, I diverted my gaze from the scenery.Minutes ago, I arrived at his address and Tristan met me in the hall. He could've called the receptionist to let me through, but he choose to walk with me himself. Maybe I underestimated him after all. He's also not clothed in a suit and pants. I selected a casual dinner dress.Tristan Thompson has a T-shirt and something that would not be seen within the walls of an office for pants. He looks informal. I texted Bella before leaving, and she conceded, "Use Protection." I cringe once again. "Nothing. I'm merely appreciating your penthouse. It's quite stunning.""Yes, it is. It's not the only beautiful piece present."I flushed because t