As usual Leila walked into the big building. When she entered, the security personnel on duty greeted her indifferently. She slightly cocked her head in wonder and returned his greeting.
Proceeding inside the company to where the other employees were, she started hearing them talk in hushed tones as she walked forward.
Leila glanced around from the corner of her eyes. They were all giving her obvious different type of stares to her. "Yes, its her" A group of lady were shocked as Leila turned to look at the gossips behind her.
"Leila!"
Leila instinctively turned her head to the side to look at the direction the voice was coming from. "You come with me" Vicki pulled Leila by the hand as they hurried towards the elevator.
"What's the matter...?" Her face was written all over with confusion.
"Is it true?" Vicki moved closer to her and lowered her voice.
"What do you mean?" Leila's eyebrows were knitted tightly.
"The photos of you and Nicholas Wayne holding hands was a hot headline in YourB foundation". Vicki's voice was eager.
Leila was stunned upon hearing that, thinking that she had heard her wrongly.
"Hey! I gave you relationship advice. And you didn't even tell when you are in relationship" Vicki smirked in disbelief.
"What...?" Leila closed her eyes before opening them again. Her face froze instantaneously and she stared at Vicki in disbelief. "How did you know?"
"Are you really that stupid?" Vicki sneered as she placed the tabloid in front of Leila. Leila herself at a loss for words as she blinked at her.
A bright smile immediately blossomed on Vicki's face. "Oh my God! Seems like its true".
Leila kept quiet for a very long time before replying , "No... Its not like that". Leila felt herself unwinding when she saw the photo of her and Nicholas holding hands.
"Oh my God! I can't believe this!" Vicki exclaimed. "Okay. I will forgive you as I am your dear friend. So, spill it out" Vicki urged.
-----------
Victoria exclaimed in exaggeration the moment Leila entered the room, "My sweet Leila! you are not an easy girl!"
Leila took her original seat calmly. "I am so tired right now. Let's talk later".
"You are already tire.....". Her words trailed off when Leila accepted the folders from her hand.
"Let me do it!" She muttered before she made her way to the photocopying machine. The photocopy machine spitted out A4 papers with the pungent scent of ink, while Leila let her mind wander as she stared at the documents.
Meanwhile Nicholas was still sitting at the head of the table even though the meeting had just ended in the conference room.
Joe rushed into the conference room and whispered something into his ear. His expression changed drastically. He then gulped down some water from a glass and massaged his throbbing forehead.
------------
Nicholas was standing by the floor to ceiling glass windows. Somebody knocked on his office door—and it was Leila entering the office, her eyes were staring lasers at his back.
Leila approached his table as she got a clear view of Nicholas's back from where she was standing.
Nicholas waited for Leila, to say what had brought him, but all he heard was her silence.
He turned only to see Leila staring at him with resentment. Nicholas raised a brow silently urging her to talk.
"Sir, Do you have any ideas about the photos?" Her voice sounding both firm and polite.
"I am sorry for that" Nicholas apologized.
"Sir, Don't just apologize. Please explained to me" Her voice was not sharp; in fact, her voice was calm and soothing.
Nicholas glanced at her clear eyes calmly without saying anything that makes Leila frustrated.
"Sir, Didn't you said that man was Grandma's man?But how come.....?". Leila felt like laughing and crying at the same time.
Leila quickly recollected her emotions and said in a low voice. "Please deny the rumor. I don't want all this unnecessary gossips".
Nicholas causally sat down on his leather chair. He crossed his arms in front of his chest while his slender legs leaned on each other, which illustrated a casual post.
"Looking at the man in front of her, Leila was displeased. "Are you not... "
"I have meeting in ten minutes. Can you please excuse me?" Nicholas interrupted before he lowered his head to glance at his watch.
Leila entered the elevator and headed to the company's rooftop, she went out to get some fresh air.
She shook her head in disbelief as she buried her face in her palms. "Why this man keeps on calling me?" Leila pressed the power button and closed the screen to ignore the call.
"Leila, you dare to reject my call!".
The moment Barry reached her ears, her whole body suddenly stiffened.
"Does it make sense you and Nicholas? You better honest with me!" Barry's eyes were filled with mixed emotions.
Leila revealed a superficial faint smile. "Please stop being overly dramatic".