LAYLA 40/60 WEDNESDAY The weather was sunny, so I had to set aside the blazer when I stepped into the office for my first meeting. I used my calendar and meetings to excuse the guilt of leaving Freya's message on read. How would I respond to the said message? "Hey, babes! Can't wait to see you. You'd never believe the weekend I had. Quick hint: It ended with me being tangled in a bed with the man who hurt you the most." I sighed, flipping through the book pages without paying much attention. Had my life been this boring without Penelope's wedding bringing some excitement into it? Let's see: Occasional girls' night with Bella. Meeting random college friends. Hooking up with guys rarely happens unless hormones kick in. Following my dad's wishes? That sums up my existence. It's pitiful. I opened the folder, pulling out my laptop. No video games. Really? Maybe I'm avoiding the inevitable. Contact Aiden. In my defense, he didn't text or call this morning, which means my suspicion

LAYLA 41/60 THURSDAY He didn't mince words when he said I couldn't evade his grip. The morning light shone past the blindfold and I turned, moaning tiredly, jerking to get out of Aiden's grip. I specifically needed to pee. This was also my house. I couldn't run away. "Aiden." I pushed his hair back, rumpled from the position we slept in. He grumbled and freed his grip. "I need to pee," I admitted. Can't recall why I needed to reassure him. When I got out of bed, I looked down at my thighs and reached for the wardrobe in search of underwear. Then I slipped into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, sprayed water on my face, and peed. I didn't leave immediately after. Staring at my cheeks and tracing the hickeys along my neck. The previous ones healed, but he gave more last night. I threw my head back, a sigh leaving my lips at the memory. He was amazing. There's no struggle anymore. I relished it to the fullest, and we didn't even have sex. The guilt only grew stronger after we fi

LAYLA 41/60THURSDAYHis fingers glided underneath my skirt, rubbing loosely in circles, and eventually reaching my thighs. I rubbed my legs against his fingers, moaning at the friction, yet wanting more. This wasn't a wish. He's not erroneous. We can't call it anything, but it's there. Searing tension, as though the monster was behind you in a horror movie. However, you're the main character who never dies, so you look forward to it. Aiden is like gasoline, and I'm like the scorching fire. Naturally drawn to each other. An explosive mix, wiping out everything in its path, devouring everything in its path. All without a damn care. As destructive as the mixture was, it was also enchanting. Charming. The sight was breathtaking.That's how it feels. I heaved when his fingers fastened around my underwear hem, yanking back to the present.An extremely popular company parking lot. He's blocking the view, but with closer attention, anyone could see what we were doing. I bucked my knees,

AIDEN 43/60 SATURDAY It hit me how thrilled they were. Tristan and my father. Like those who won the lotteries. Did he use this info on my dad? My father will benefit from the Harold and Cruz merger. If both families feel that we have defiled them, their ego may get in the way. If there’s one thing they hold dear, it's the control they exercise over their kids. They will destroy everything to prove a point. I’ll bet Tristan knows this and exploits it no matter what. Chaos. They'll dump everything we built in the past month down the drain. That was only door number one. I reached out and pulled out another file. Printed correspondence between Layla’s dad and my father, deciding on how to split the Thompson shares between both and when to purchase. That’s incriminating. Two more files. The third was a breakdown of the company now. Tristan Thompson was a major player, as well as the Deans and Smiths. This and the previous folder beside each other can do serious damage. The last

LAYLA 46/60I got a postcard in my message this morning. Before the meeting. Return tickets for Penelope and Quentin. With only a week and a half until their wedding day, their first honeymoon ended.They reveled in it. Outsiders would see it as a romantic getaway. Beach pictures. Polaroids. Photo booth. Jealousy fuels me, aching my skin. I hadn't considered settling down soon, but they're true fairy tale stories. I may never get to experience that with someone.The subtle reminder of Aiden’s reference makes me wince. I tried to erase the whole thing. A pact with Bella. I stayed away. But when I walked past him, his body sprawled over the chair, filling the space, his scent consuming the room. I got knocked back.Then came his presentation. It melted my insides. Turned me into goo. I stared. I gawked. It was hot. Fixer Aiden was appealing. All of him.Then it ended with him walking out. Maybe it’s for the best. These past few days with Freya made me realize I can’t have both. Working