These last months plagued with misery had gone by in a blur. While Layla slowly lost herself in a sea of depression, the love of her life had somewhat moved on.
He hadn't bothered about her whereabouts or at least tried looking for her although she had a gut feeling he knew where she was. Maybe he just didn't care anymore, maybe he had fallen out of love with her.
The first month being the most excruciating, had her feeling like an obsessed teenager. She couldn't think properly, couldn't function at the least. Everything reminded her of him, the male who gave no second thoughts before ripping off her band-aid.
Pain became a familiar feeling, weeping became a daily routine, gloom moved into the apartment she shared with her best friend. At some point Kay's exceptional attention and love weren't enough to keep up with her dying friend, she had to inform Layla's family of the state of their daughter.
It was a disaster!
Kay tried talking sense to her friend, tried making her see reason but all those fell on deaf ears, an empty stomach, and tear-drenched eyes.
Had Xaviar bewitched her?
The female spent the entire time staying indoors avoiding the prying eyes of the media. How would she face them after all?
He had already humiliated her to a point of no return.
Almost every day, Tabloids and social media paraded pictures of her husband and girlfriend, they looked so happy together which Layla couldn't understand why.
Had she died?
Had she seized to exist?
Why was the world turning over her page when she was very much alive?
By the second month, the situation seemed manageable. It felt like something had snapped in her, bringing about a drastic change.
One day she was wailing her eyes out refusing to stomach anything and the next she was up early, already showered and making breakfast. Kay was beyond astonished but decided against questioning Layla on the sudden change. Maybe she decided to be strong for the little bunny currently in her oven.
Fiddling with the key, I finally unlocked the door to our apartment, Kay moves in before I do as she chuckles at the little jokes we were throwing at ourselves on our way from the gym.
My mom had talked me into signing in with Kay at the gym after extensively educating me on its pros given my pregnancy. In her own words exercise can help strengthen my pelvic floor muscles, also improve hip mobility and improve blood circulation which will help prepare my body for labor.
It was obvious how happy she was given she would be a grandmother soon, I mean, my whole family felt the joy, Kay included. The baby had somewhat lifted a part of the burden, I was proud of the fact that despite how terribly my marriage was, something beautiful was created in it.
"You know it's a beautiful Saturday" She started
"And??"
"We should go clubbing" a bright smile appearing on her face from her suggestion
"clubbing?? With a baby in me "
"come on Layla! The bump isn't that visible. Besides we should have a little fun" She pushed on leaving where she occupied to seat beside me
"I don't -know Kay, won't it be too much?"
I knew I was in a better place right now and I just didn't want to do anything wild that would attract attention.
"too much??" She chuckled
"baby in case you haven't noticed everything we do is too much " that was enough to get us both Laughing.
"Just think about it though" She ended as she helped me up.
We both headed to our various rooms to freshen up.
A feeling of warmth surrounds me as the water cascades on my skin, I welcomed it gladly, closing my eyes, letting go of all the negative pent-up emotions.
I could feel my muscles slowly relax, my worries and fears going down the drain along with the water.
Xaviar!
His name crossed my mind and just like that I became rigid, heart rate increases as I suddenly feeling a need to protect myself. The effect that man had on me was deadly. Rather than dwell on my emotions I quickly got done showing and headed to dress up.
"come have to breakfast Layla!! You're stressing the babyyyy!!" Kay's voice invaded my ears as I was about to leave my room
"I'm coming!!"
"Besides I don't remember her complaining" I laughed entering the kitchen
"of course you wouldn't!" She teased back
"Here you go " I was handed a plate of Riccota pancakes and a chocolate milk
"Btw how'd you know it's a girl "
I simply shrugged in reply as I took a sip of my beverage. A mother just knows these things.
I was on my second piece of pancake when she came to sit opposite me on our mini dining table, a bowl with chicken, avocado, quinoa, and leafy green proudly before her.
Two more pieces later and I was done with breakfast, heading to the kitchen I washed the dish and placed it in the rack.
Just as I made my way past Kay to the living room, the doorbell rang
"expecting someone??" I shot her
"Nah, you??"
" As if " I chuckled.
All the air in my lungs was suddenly knocked out as my eyes gazed at the sight before me.
Why was he here?
What changed?
"Signora" Blanc acknowledged but I was too stunned to give a reply. Why was he here? Why did Xaviar send him here after all this time?
" Who's it???" Kay yelled as I still stood unresponding
"Layla!" I heard her push back her chair probably making her way to where I stood
"Capo said to give this to you personally " Blanc spoke again, making me notice the envelope I had missed.
He hands it over to me, turning around to leave just when Kay made it to the door
"isn't that Blanc? What the fuck is he doing here?" I shot the door before she could finish and she currently trailed behind me to the living room
"why was he here??" She pressed on probably not taking notice of the envelope I now possessed
"to give me this" by now we had come to a standstill as she stared at me.
Giving off a breath, I fumbled with sweaty palms, willing myself to reveal the content of the envelope.
I felt my body shudder as I breezed through the documents, it suddenly felt so heavy in my hands and I quickly let it fall like it had burned me. Maybe it had burned my heart.
"Well?? What does it say?" I turned around to face an inquisitive Kay. From how shaken I was, I probably looked like I had just seen a ghost.
I don't know exactly how long I stayed mute but I regained consciousness when I caught Kay picking up the documents I had dropped, that's when I spoke up
" He wants a divorce!"
Saying it aloud didn't help in any way, it felt like someone was continuously punching a stitched-up injury that didn't heal. I felt my heart bleed, whatever progress I had made these past months were now in the mud, I was in the mud!
"Layla! Layla!!" I felt my best friend shake me back to reality
"Don't cry, he's not worth it, we've made so much progress already"
I had no idea I had begun crying till she called me out, tears decorated my face.
I guess what they say is true, crying is a way your heart speaks when you cannot express yourself.
"I gotta go see him Kay, he wants me back, he's just trying to punish me " I pulled away from her hold, frantically searching for the car keys
"Layla"
"If I go right now we can resolve our issues" I didn't care how insane I was looking at that moment, I just needed to get my husband back
"hey, Layla "
"got it!" I exclaimed as I grabbed the key and hurried to bypass Kay who hadn't moved from where she stood observing me
"LAYLA!!" She successfully caught my attention
"I-I can't let him go Kay, he's my s-soulmate, I j-just can't do anything" my heart thudded painfully as more tears poured out.
Taking the keys from me she sighs
"I'll take you there"
The drive to Xaviar's estate was an excruciating wait for his wife, she couldn't seat still all through with Kay giving her concerned looks from time to time. She couldn't believe how evil-minded the man her best friend was married to could get. It was like he knew she was getting better and decided to destroy whatever effort she made. Kay loathed him, she wished Layla had never met him in the first place, she didn't deserve all that Xaviar was throwing at her.
Immediately the car stops at the driveway, Layla is seen rushing out towards the exterior door, her steps are however halted by the guards.
"What are you doing?? Let me in this instant!!! "
"mi dispiace signora ma non possiamo farlo. ordine del capo"
(I'm sorry ma'am but we can't do it. order of the boss) one replied, just as Kay met the commotion
"What does that even mean!!" Layla pulled her hair in frustration
"He doesn't want you to go in?" Kay said in dismay but that seemed to sum it up
"Xaviar!!! Xaviar!!!! "
"Baby I'm back!!". Layla yelled to get his attention
"Xaviar can you hear meeee!!!!!!" Her tears had begun flowing again
"PLEASE!!! I'M SORRY"
"XAVIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kay stood still, transfixed at the moment, she hadn't seen anything like this before, how was she supposed to react???
She was nothing like her best friend. While Kay was more of the cold, wicked type of female, Layla was an emotional mess. If in her position, Kay would never do what Layla was presently doing. Her pride would never let her succumb to such, she would rather let her pain kill her than plead.
"Layla, I think we should leave "
"I can't! If I do then the marriage is over!!" Layla wailed more.
The ruckus was enough to gain the attention of the staff, many of them were currently watching from different positions, Kay could feel their eyes piercing her skin, Layla on the other hand was more stuck up in her pain to notice or care.
"XAVIAR!! WHAT ABOUT THE BABY?? WHAT ABOUT US! EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH!!!"
By now, Diego had also caught on to what was occurring.
"Why are you doing this Xaviar?" He questions barging into Xaviar's office.
The male currently stood by the window, watching the event unfold.
"Why don't you just let her in and talk about it? Why humiliate her this way? She was your everything!" Diego was one to speak up when he saw a fault. No matter how he loved Xaviar like a brother and respected him as his capo he would never entertain wickedness when it was uncalled for, especially to someone he considered family.
Xaviar on the other hand stayed silently watching, not sparing his right-hand man an explanation.
"I'm letting her in!"
"Non!"
(Do Not!)
With that, He spun around, making his way outside to meet the female his friend had downgraded
"DIEGO!!! DIEGO!! WHERE IS HE??" Layla began as he met with her
"IS HE COMING TO MEET ME?" The male sadly shook his head giving a negative response
"you should take her home Kay "
"What??? Just like that??? He isn't going to acknowledge her presence?? What sort of scumb- -" Kay's sentence is cut midway as Diego spoke again
"Please!" That was enough to make her understand
"I'M NOT LEAVING!!!" Layla announces
" He can't do this to us, he can't! Why would he?? What have I done to deserve it!!!!!" She falls to the ground weeping profusely
"I love him" She whispers to the duo as Diego helps her up.
He carries her towards the car, away from the prying eyes and whispers.
"I STILL LOVE YOU!!!" The heartbroken female yells one last time before Diego has her securely at the backseat, Kay comes in holding Layla protectively, like it had an effect on her heart that had been shattered.
Diego now took the driver's seat, taking the females to their destination with a weeping Layla, trying so hard to dull the pain from her husband's rejection.