All Chapters of THE CEO’S RUTHLESS COMMITMENT (hidden obsession): Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Layla’s POVNext day, as early as 4:am,I woke up to see Naomi sitting by my side, staring at me like some lost puppy. Her face looked like that of someone who hadn't slept all night."Okay... why are you acting creepy now? Staring at me while I'm sleeping, like an obsessed boyfriend....? I blinked.She rolled her eyes. I could see her lips tremble. "Because my best friend is about to disappear to another continent entirely... and I can't even joke her out of it."I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, then my temple. "Naomi, we talked about this already.""Yeah, I know. I thought about it all night. " She exhaled. " I just hate to let you go, especially that far. But I think... I think it's the right thing for you. Going back to your family home, to where it all started. Maybe that's the only thing that can help you remember."My heart began to race. I could have sworn I was ready before now. But now I didn't know if I was running away or towards something.Then Naomi stretched out a silv

Third person POV Layla dialed Naomi three times and she didn't answer any. Once again, it was just her and the silence that filled the atmosphere.She dropped her phone on the couch. Every corner of the house felt heavy as though someone was watching from the walls.She stood up and began to climb the staircase, her hands trailed the cold oak rail. Every step she took groaned under her feet. She started by opening the doors she saw upstairs. Her heartbeat increased. When she opened the first door, she found a bedroom. Inside were pale curtains, an old dresser, framed photos on the wall. Her fingers brushed one frame; the glass was cool and thin. Dust gathered at the edge. Smiling faces she couldn't name looked back at her.She whispered to herself, "Why is it even more difficult to remember anything ?"She started moving to the next room. Inside, what she sensed was a faint scent of Lavender and time. Small looking clothes hung in wardrobes like the ghost of people who had lef

Layla’s POVMy heart nearly jumped out of my chest."Good morning Ma'am." The stranger greeted turning to me with a smile that made it difficult to overlook his European charm.Naomi's voice cracked through the phone. 'Who's that Layla?""Oh miss! I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. I'm Enzo. I was called upon by Henrik as your butler. I figured you just arrived and you don't have a cook yet so I decided to run you a little something to eat later.""Layla, take the phone to his face!" Naomi barked.I raised the phone to his face slowly with fear still lingering in my eyes."Damn girl! This man is fine!!" Naomi screamed so much that my fear was replaced with embarrassment.I turned the camera swiftly from Enzo's face."I'm sorry," I waved at Enzo in embarrassment. "You can continue." I said and turned away down the stairs in a hurry."When are you ever gonna change?" I whispered into the phone."Why the hell did Henrik, whoever that is, employ a young butler for you? I

Layla's POVDays passed by in a quiet rhythm. Everyday was a new lesson to embrace. Mornings became less strange. I'd wake up to the smell of freshly brewed tea and polished wood blending with faint chirping from the courtyard.My heart stopped racing at every sound when I wake up. Slowly, Europe was starting to feel less like an exile and more like a strange kind of home.Henrik and Lucy were more frequent, always parading respect and courtesy that I was still finding difficult to embrace fully. They were somewhat deliberate in their actions as though they understood the invisible weight of my grief.I finally summoned Henrik , I needed answers.He came into the sitting room with his usual calm, wiping his hands on an old handkerchief tucked in his shirt pocket."Arthur," I called softly. "I need clarifications on a lot of things. But first, remind me why I have a butler I didn't order for."He was quiet for a heart beat. Then he spoke."It's a little bit more than I can explain. "

Layla’s POVThe air outside was crisp. His car was parked across the street--- sleek and dark. The kind of car that doesn't shout money until you contact the company to make findings.Caleb opened the door for me with an effortless gesture.Immediately the engine hummed to life, a very familiar tune filled the car.‘Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams.’ played.My heartbeat skipped. "You—how did you —"He chuckled. "You like?""Hell yes! My absolute favourite." I said in profound excitement."Lucky guess. Everyone likes Fleetwood Mac, don't they?"“I guess” I responded quickly I returned attention to the music.Dream was one song I had as my only surviving memory after the accident. I'd listen to it repeatedly singing the part that said " like a heartbeat drives you mad... in the stillness of remembering what you had and what you lost.". As though it held the solution to my pains.Before I could think we were both singing along off-key and laughing at each other's terrible pitch. The street