When the call ended, Shanifa released the breath that she didn't know she had been holding. Hadrian looked at that Shanifa and smiled wryly. He understood well how she felt. He had also been like that when he first met Layland. Layland had looked at him like he was an open book. He had to remain reserved, so he didn't give away anything.
It was, of course, in the past. He no longer had anything to hide from Layland, so he wasn't afraid to talk to Layland any longer. He still felt nervous from time to time, though. The way Layland stared at him dead in the eyes as if threatening to kill him should he say something false was terrifying.
"That man can not be played with," Shanifa remarked. "He is a dirtily brilliant bastard. You can play a game against him and you will end up suffering."
"Indeed. He is that kind of man," Hadrian replied with a light, prideful smile.
