Layla was tossing around the bed when she heard her alarm.
"Time to get up." She slowly mumbled out and picked her phone to off it. Rubbing her eyes to get rid of the remaining sleep she stretched her arms but it was short lived when she heard her phone ring.
Opening her eyes she picked the call to place it on her left ear.
"Hello aunt Marion. I am just about to get ready." She said and got up from the bed she shared with Harriet . She twirled around the room till her figure stopped in front of the mirror.
"How are you Layla." Aunt Marion's voice quivered a little at the end which Layla failed to notice as her eyes and attention were glued to her face that appeared in the mirror where the swell had gingerly disappeared.
"I doing good Aunt Marion. I should be the one to open the cafe right?."
The hand that was touching the light swell on her cheek stopped when she heard Aunt Marion's next words
"Layla you don't have to come to work anymore."
"Why Aunt Marion,did something happen or I did something." Layla sat back to the bed with a confused look.
"No dear,our sells are not much and with the money I can't pay you enough,so I don't want to stress you by cutting off your salary."
She tried to explain coolly as much she can without giving herself away.
Layla decided not to stress the old woman with her question so she let it go at just one go.
"It is okay Aunt Marion you have children and they are your priority,so it is okay I understand."
"I am so sorry Layla for doing this. I got no choice."
Getting up from the bed she said
"No no I am okay we it,don't forget to hire me back when everything went back to normal."
"I don't think so"This was aunt Marion silent thought.
"Okay Layla thank you and I will say this again I am sorry."
"Nevermind Aunt Marion I am okay."Layla tried to flick back the tears that filled her eyes.
"Alright bye dear. I pray you find a better job."
"I pray so too, thank you."
Layla breathed a sad sigh as the call ended she slumped on the couch that was inside the room. 'She was trying to get an affordable apartment but here she is now without job. What is really happening to her.?" She groaned and looked to the ceiling with tears filled her eyes wanting to stream down, but she forcefully sniffed held them back from falling,
"No Layla don't,don't cry
~~
After calming herself down she dressed up to go out for her evening lectures. Saying goodbye to Harriet's mother she walked out of the apartment's compound.
Hailing a taxi Layla made her way to the university not aware of the black Mercedes Maybach s-class that followed them.
Getting done with her lectures she was called to the administrative block. When she got to accountant's office Layla nervously kept fiddling with her fingers. 'She knew what she was called for and she gets no way out of it.'
"Layla Harris I believe you know what I called you for?"
"Yes sir." Her words faintly came.
"Okay you've requested for more time the last semester and this semester too but until now you haven't paid any of the tuition fees and we are so close to start your exams."
"Yes sir."
"Try to pay and.."
"Sir I..." she wanted to reason and seek more time but he interrupted her
"Layla Harris pay your tuition fees and you'll be able to write this semester's exams."
"If not that try to obtain scholarship."
"How could I do that when I am this dumb." Layla invisibly rolled her eyes as she commented to her self.
"Ok." She answered and walked out of the office with a sad face. Dazedly walking around the school compound she found a seat on a bench inside a deserted spot.
What am I going to do now.? No place to live,no work and I am about to be kicked out of school because of my tuition fees. Ya Allah help me out. She released a tired sigh and look up to the sky with sad smile.
"What kind of life am going to live now?. How am I going to get that money?. I have to look for part time job.a place to live.
"Should I just drop out of school?" She suddenly thought narrowing her eyes but she immediately shook her head with denial about her supposition.
"No! I won't,even if I am dumber than dumb I won't do that. I need the certificate to upgrade my résumé and-
"Layla!" A velvety surreal voice called interrupting her thoughts and her name echoed within the area. Bringing her head down she saw that handsomely rude person at her sight.
"Why can't the day not get any worser." She silently complained and ignored him.
Azeem slipped his hands into his trouser's pocket and flapped the hair that rested on his forehead back.
"You."
"Who?" She looked side ways but with his gaze still fixed on her so she pointed her forefinger towards herself.
"I?"
Gesturing his head towards her to confirm he parted his lips and said.
"Yes i was referring to you."
Forming an o with her lips she gave me a death look
"Oh I thought you were talking to that wall. You know walls tend to speak these days too. A sign of the world coming to an end right?" She end with a halfheartedly smile.
He gave her a slight tender look and Alfred that stood by the side eyes bulged out and swore he never saw his Master ever making those eyes.
"Right?wife to be."
"Mister just who are you.? Just who are you to talk to me like that,to claim me as your wife without my consent." She flared because of how he still have the audacity to talk to her like he had every right over her.
"Uhmm?"giving her a thoughtful expression, he raised his left leg and placed it on top of the bench she was sitting before subtly leaning towards her.
"Okay seem you find it hard to understand let me rephrase it this way .I am Azeem Gad your future husband".
"And when did I suddenly get a husband and a future one at that." She sarcastically replied and Azeem's gave her a playful glare
"That moment you decided to capture my heart! And you gave me an incurable illness.You're to blame miss."
"Humor me."she faked a chuckle before uttering
"What a good poetic line mister but I don't get time for this"
Giving her a smug smile, he proudly adjusted his top coat
"Thank you greatly for the complement but I am already used to it after all I am a man of multiple talents and skills."
He smirked again to ask
"As we're at it,What do you want me to show you now?"
"Your disappearance skills". Her answer shocked him that he smiled broadly,his eyes twinkled with delight. 'So so so amusing.'
"Indeed you're my type." He couldn't help but said it,the way she dared to reply him without the care of him hurting her make him to fall harder for her.
"And you're not mine " she rolled her eyes and picked her bag to start walking away. But Azeem didn't finish finding his amusement,so his long legs walked past and stood in front of her,blocking her way.
"please get out my sight" she gave him a hot glare but Azeem was so
adamant.
"Well I won't yet because I came to imprint some words into your head."
"What will you tell me.?" She quickly asked wanting to this get done with him.
"I came to tell you that you'll be mine no matter what ." His lips widen with a smile as he finished his words
She slightly tilted her head to question
" How so?"
but his face turned into the most serious view with a maddening smile to add.
"Whether it's going to rain fire or ice."