Clara entered the restaurant. Her hands were hurting her a lot.
She had a dreadful night, scrubbing on the paper with all her experiences. Initially, she wanted to type but then was suddenly informed that her supervisor Lily preferred handwritten pages more.
They lived in the 21st century. Most of the reports submissions were completed with the help of technology, but because of Lily, Clara had to write for an entire night. Her hand was painful, with all the writing and morning work.
Even though due to lack of sleep, Clara was irritated and cranky, but she still appreciated the ambiance of the room.
The restaurant was dimly lit, illustrating like a star in the dept of night. The glasses gave an unobstructed view of the outside world.
Beautiful chandeliers, flower bouquet, classical pieces of music, and well-carved dishes. Everything screamed luxury.
Clara saw Layla through the glass even before she entered. Layla was sitting elegantly, going through the menu.
As Clara entered, Layla looked at the approaching person.
"You look different." Layla blunted out.
Clara did look different. Her long blond hair is cut down, giving her a more structured look. Her dress is more hidebound, and she used to be.
Clara wore a Brown two-piece suit with a white shirt. She looked more professional and classy.
"Is it?" Clara giggled and took a seat opposite Layla.
Layla was jealous. Clara looked happy and more radiant.
"Let's order," Layla smiled as she handed Clara the menu card, "It's on me."
"Is it?" Clara took the card from Layla as she started going through it.
'Why is Clara repeating her words?' Layla did not understand these sudden changes. Clara should be in a grieving state, but she looked content and happy.
Clara ordered a light drink and waited for Layla to order.
"As we are waiting for the order, why not talk about why you called me here?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Your explanation," Clara rested her chin on her palm.
'Was Clara serious?' Layal said those words at the in heat, but now. What was she going to explain?
Layla was desperate. It had been days since Kyle talked with her. She understood he was busy, but she still felt like he was avoiding her.
Layla wanted to help Kyle. She was not powerful enough, but she could still lower her pride and ask Clara for help. Her pride was nothing if it helped her loved ones.
"I am waiting." seeing Layla emerged in thoughts, Clara said impatiently.
"From where should I start?" Layla breathed. She should say something now, or else Clara would leave. Layla could feel the emotions of distance from her previous best friend.
"Maybe, start from, why did you betray me?"
Layla never wanted to betray Clara. Loving someone was not a crime that she should explain herself to everyone. Kyle never explained why he liked her and not Clara.
"I was always your genuine friend. It's just looking at you and your friends, I was jealous at the time. As time passed, I wanted to have it. Maybe I was greedy, but I wanted to experience it at least once." Layla's voice lower at the end.
"I ran into Kyle and Alexander at times when you were busy. It was never intentional, but I just fell in love with Kyle. I never intended it to happen, but it did. I wanted to forget about him because you liked him so much for so long." Layla looked at Clara with tear-filled eyes, "but I just couldn't."
"I never intended to hurt you, but, " A tear fell down Layla's eyes. Her eyes were red, and her tone trembled, 'But you still did,' Clara wanted to say this.
"I have heard this for so long that I can repeat it word to word in my sleep," Clara faked a smile.
"Now try telling me something I don't know yet."
Layla was at a loss. There was nothing more that she could say.
"Let's get to the main topic then," Clara continued after an awkward silence, "Why don't you tell me the real reason you called me here today."
Kyle's, and Layla's conversation was still fresh in Clara's mind. She was a scapegoat in their path of success.
"I.." Layla tried to say something but was at a loss.
"To reconcile is impossible," Clara interrupted, "If you wanted to say that"
Layla understood, Clara did not believe her a bit. It was useless to drag this discussion. Layla decided to come clean.
"Kyle wanted your help" Layla bit her lip.
"He cannot contact Evelyn, and you are a good friend of her, so we just thought that maybe you could.."
"We?" Clara's mouth curved into a smile, "I can only see you here. Where is Mr. Black?"
Layla's jaw clenched.
"It's only logical that he is here to ask for my help." Clara's eyes bored into Layla.
It bewildered Layla. Clara was never like this. What happened to her that she changed so much. Layla nibbled on her bottom lip before saying,
"He is still trying to contact Evelyn as we speak."
'Still trying to contact?' Alexander told her that Kyle has already met with Evelyn.
'It looks like their relationship is not that strong, yet' Clara thought.
Clara laughed, "Do you know what I inspire to become?"
Layla narrowed her eyes. Of course, she knew. Yet she was here, digging her own grave for her beloved.
"Kyle's and my business ventures are competitors," Clara fiddled with her bracelet,
"and you want me to help my competitor get in contact with my prime investor."
"It's funny how Mr. Blacks and your brain works." Clara giggled.
Clara's words choked Layla. It was true that Evelyn invested in Clara's business. Layla tried pursuing Kyle to look for someone else, but he was stubborn to get Evelyn, which confused Layla.
"Or is it that Kyle doesn't know that you are here?" Clara asked curiously, even though she could predict the answer.
Layla's heart was in her throat. Her scalp prickled with shame. Seeing Layla's expression, Clara knew she had hit the jackpot.
"No, it's not like that" Layla tried to defend herself, "Of course, he knows."
"Should we call and confirm then?" Clara's finger lingered on her clutch, which made Layla panic.
This was an unexpected outcome. Things were not supposed to go this way.
Kyle did not know Layla was here. He had already warned her not to do anything, but here she was trying her best to help him.
"Don't" Layla's panicked voice made Clara giggle, "What do you want?"
Clara smirked as she tapped her fingers on the table, "Are you sure you could give it to me?"
"I could at least try" Layla was not ready to back down yet.
"I want Kyle," Clara smiled sweetly, "Are you ready to give him up," She leaned back in her chair, "Of course, for his own good."
Layla was angry. Her frustration kicked in. If she could just kill Clara for thinking this. Kyle was hers, he loved her and not Clara. Even if she gave him up, Layla was sure Kyle would never like Clara. He will come back to me.
"I promise I would scrape my dream and even let Evelyn invest in his company," Clara's eyes glowed, "Isn't it a good deal?"
Layla was on the verge of a breakdown. Rage throbbed in her like a heartbeat.
"You were never over him," Layla said in irritation. Her eyes blazed with hate.
"You still love Kyle." Layla laughed as if she was possessed, "Even now, when he doesn't want you, here you are trying to get him. You did not change at all."
"It doesn't matter if I have changed or not," Clara moved towards Layla and whispered, "What is more important is whether you can do the sacrifice or not."
"I will never leave him" Layla was confident that Kyle would never betray her, but she still did not want to leave him. There was a small pin in her heart picking her that Kyle might actually leave her someday, which terrified her.
"Very well," Clara got up from her seat, "There is no need to continue this meeting now."
"I will settle the bill," Clara took her belongings and turned, "enjoy your meal, Miss Spark."
Layla grabbed Clara's wrist tightly. Layla thought Clara was being unreasonable. Just because she did not want to give up Kyle, Clara was behaving all high and mighty, "You are a stubborn and spoiled girl."
"You were once friends with this spoiled girl" Clara tried to yank her hand free, but it was in vain. Layla's hold was powerful, making her wrist throb in pain.
"No wonder Kyle never liked you" Layla laughed, "He can never love a selfish person like you."
If Layla said those words earlier, Clara would have cried and could even be depressed for days. Why didn't Kyle love her? What was wrong with her? Was she not beautiful enough? Was her behavior not good enough?
There used to be so many questions Clara used to ask herself, but now she was above it. The harsh words of Layla did not bother her. The only thing that pained Clara now was her hand.
'She had to hold the same hand, which was already painful.'
A firm grip that hurt her held Layla's hand. She left Clara's hand instinctively.
"Who are you calling a selfish person?" A cold, shallow voice said.