The next day Layla reported to work with a swollen cheek,the cheek where that man slapped slightly turned bluish black indicating how much hard the slap was. She huffed a sigh and adjusted her grey hijab before entering the cafe.
Layla quickly walked behind the counter to keep her items,she pulled out the apron and tied it to her body.
"Ah?Layla you're finally here. I thought you're not coming". Mrs. Marion got out from the store room when she heard some movements .
"I am here!Good morning Aunty Marion." Layla bowed her head lightly as she greeted.
"Good morning Layla, how was your night".Asked Marion and this made Layla to bitterly smile.
"It was eventful Aunt Marion I got kicked out from my apartment".
Layla really thought that she was going to sleep on the streets last night. If not for Harriet and her mother that offered her a room to stay for the main time. She has to look for a place to stay.
"Ohh dear what really happened?." And that was when Marion saw the evident bruises on Layla's left cheek. She quickly kept the coffee beans jar on the counter and ran to Layla's side.
"The landlord slapped me because I called him a lowly being and that was so true. He kicked me after I paid my rent and up till now he hasn't wired my money back tch!" She ranted which earned a low chuckle from Marion.
"Oh dear don't be so sad,I hope he regretted doing that." And of course he regretted kicking her out when it was too late because he was now resting 2 centimeter below the ground with a cute little tombstone above him.
"I pray so"she slightly pursed
"You should have called me Layla I would have gladly offered you to stay at my house." Marion's eyes dimmed with concern as her sight still lingered on Layla's swollen cheek.
"No I didn't want to worry and a neighbor of mine offered a place to stay till I find another apartment." 'Which would be a hassle since I don't have enough money for that.' She added the last statement to her head.
"Okay that's surely good. But holla me next time whenever you need something okay?".
"Awwn thank you aunt Marion". Layla tried to give her a broad smile but couldn't stretch her lips that wide.
"Anytime!"
"Aunt Marion my cheek looks like I am eating a walnut right?" Layla insecurely asked touching the swollen side and she flinched slightly.
"You still look beautiful" aunt Marion tried to cheer her up. Layla gave a small tender smile and both of them set to work.
Today the cafe got lucky as many people started to fill it .demanding for a hot coffee as the whether still looked dull and rainy.
Many tables were filled with customers ,making Layla and Marion to get so busy that they couldn't take a break. Orders kept coming up overlapping with another.
It was at this razzmatazz situation ,It was at this chaotic moment that certain clean and well polished leather shoes stopped at the entrance of the cafe with his right hand man by the side.
The bell up jingled loudly which earned both the attendees and the customer's attention.
His tall and proud figure stood out from the rest. His intimidating aura added more gravity to the customer's shoulders dragging them down. The man has jet black hair,and his features sharp and strong. He looked like sculpture that had come to live.
Blown away by his good looks and bad man vibes many women sworn over him. He was dressed in all black,including his tailcoat.
"Are you sure you got the right cafe Alfred?"
Azeem asked,looking around the surrounding before coppery-brown orbs swiftly fell on the figure he was looking for.
"Indeed you got it right". He answered himself and he walked to the nearby table,making himself comfortable at the seat. Alfred quickly stood behind with folded hands at his back.
"Layla go get the order for table 21"Marion called out from behind the counter. Layla nodded and walked to the table clueless about the lasers the female customers were throwing at her.
They were still drooling over the man who's gaze was subtly fixed on the figure approaching to where he sat. He observed her from head to toe and his orbs transfixed to her cheek.
"Hmm it left a mark,I should've tortured that man severely before he hit to his grave."
"What would you like to order sir!". Layla actively asked ,she has never seen a man this handsome until now,but something was telling there's more to this man which she should shield herself from.
"You"came Azeem's sudden reply to Layla's earlier question and Layla immediately stumbled out of her thoughts and looked to him.
"Pardon?". He parted his luscious lips to repeated his word when Alfred immediately saved the situation.
"Black coffee for my Master please."
"Okay"she jotted down the order and finally walked away with Azeem's eyes burning holes at her.
"Why did you do that Alfred?,I started to find amusement in conversing with her but you cut it short."
Alfred quickly bowed his head down to apologize.
"Forgive me my Master but you would have scared her away."
"I bet my next action will eventually scare her away. This was just a little thing."
"Yes Master".
"And you should be noted not to cut my words off next time".
"Yes Master".
It didn't take long when Layla presented two cups of coffee in front of Azeem
"I didn't order for two cups of coffee". Azeem said and held her blue eyes into his.
She cleared her hands on her apron and gestured towards Alfred.
"I thought your bodyguard will have one."
"Alfred doesn't drink coffee and he is not my bodyguard."
"Oh I thought he is one". Layla looked over to Alfred and he gave her a small smile.
"What would you like then sir?." She asked and picked the other coffee cup to her tray.
Azeem's eyes squinted slightly and he cleared his throat which Alfred immediately got the message.
'I better not talk to her not to anger my master'
"No I don't need anything just attend to my master"
"But-." Layla tried to reason
'Don't talk to me please' Alfred got no tears to shed when he felt the temperature around his Master dropping dangerously.
Alfred wanted to shook his head to say no when Azeem authoritative voice came. He sipped the coffee and said
"I forgot to tell you that I prepare my coffee zero sugar".
Layla quickly bowed her head down and also picked the second cup away.
"oh sorry I forgot to ask that too .I'll get another one for you right away". She quickly walked to the counter and prepared another one.
When she presented it to him,Azeem picked the cup to his lips and sipped a little.When Layla saw there's no complain from him she turned around to walk away but his voice stopped her.
"Oh,I forgot to tell you that I like my coffee extra darker". Her brows frowned together and she parted her lips to say something but went against it and quietly picked up the cup.
Before she presented the third one on the table he said
"Oh,I forgot to tell you I like my coffee cold.
"With ice please,iced coffee". Layla shot him daggers and again picked up the cup.
When she placed the fourth cup of chilled coffee Azeem craned his head and looked into the cup. His face scrunched lightly and his words came.
"I felt like not drinking coffee anymore so I'll like to order a milkshake".
"Oreo Milkshake with an extra whip at that "
"And some walnut just like the one you're chewing."
'Did he just mocked my swollen cheek!?' Layla furiously thought and stormed away with invisible fumes coming out from her nostrils.
She kept the large glass of milkshake with a thud on the table and looked at him with a raised brow as if conveying a message that says. 'Do you have anything more to say'. And he didn't fail her because another statement started to roll out through his tongue
"I want another wh-."
"What do you want now ehm?"this interrupted him.
"What did you just take us for mister?you've ordered almost 7diffrent kind of things ". She finally flared out and that's what he was waiting for and wanted. A sinful smile quickly adorned his face and he subtly leaned back into his chair to enjoy the view to its fullest.
"This is enough and the last. If you won't take this then leave!" She showed towards the main door with her hands,earning other customer's attention.
"Leave!you can go to another cafe that will keep up with your rudeness".
"But I am fed up with your shit". She cursed just because of this rude person and again she felt like pulling out her hair just because of this proud figure.
"I won't leave yet since I have an enticing offer for you". Azeem calmly said not bothered about her words and the attention she earned them.
"Seat down". And he gestured with his eyes towards the seat opposite him.
"Excuse me?". Layla held her hands and looked to him
"Seat down I got a talk with you." His words filled with amusement and mischief.
"Excuse me?" She repeated tilting her head to the side. Alfred hurriedly answered her with a ting of warning in his words
"Madam it will be wise for you to just sit down". Layla didn't say anything and looked over to Alfred before her gaze trailed back Azeem. She subtly took her time before she sat down and looked sideways
"Alfred". Azeem called and Alfred quickly presented a file on the table
"Open it"His words sounded commanding which Layla didn't like .
"Why would I do that?". She sideglancedk at the red file
Azeem didn't want to scare her away but he had no way but to coldly ordered her.
"Open it"
Layla cleared her hands on her apron and slowly opened the file. Her blue eyes quickly skimmed through the file and they widen the next moment
"A marriage register?". Her voice pitched high and unbelievably looked at him.
"Mine and your marriage register". He nonchalantly replied as if it was not a big deal.
And a chuckle escaped her lips
"Are you serious?".
"Yes and you'll Sign it".
"Excuse me Mister.Do you get any loose screws in your head?.Do you think I am just any girl. How could I marry the person I just met " She glared at him and folded her arms to her chest.
"And for your information you're so rude to me earlier then why would I sign it".
"You are going to marry me". All that he said and Layla couldn't help but responded with a dry chuckle
"Ha!are you really sane,what do mean by this? I just met you and you're asking me to marry you"
Not bothered by anything his words came again.
"I'll overlook what you just called me but I am advising you to sign this register".
"Why will I sign it"She questionably raised her brow up and that added up more charm to her already beautiful face.with swollen cheek though!
"If you don't want me to make your life miserable than it is already,sign this" He warned with a smirk as Layla didn't know what he's capable of.
"Do that if you can but I'll never sign this.I am not stupid! ."she slide back the folder to him and walked away.
Azeem couldn't say anything but silently watched her retreating back. And just like like chargers she repelled away from him!!
"Hmm you left me no choice Layla." He mouthed slowly and leaned back to his seat with folded arms.
It was close to an hour now since he sat in that position observing Layla's figure that was going to and fro attending to the customers.
His coppery brown eyes were following her like a hawk and anything time their eyes met or collided he would stare hard at her and she will be the one to break the gaze and looked away but before shooting him a deadly glare.
After another hour passed Azeem gracefully stood up from his seat and walked out of the cafe with Alfred following behind him. He got into his car but didn't ordered Alfred to drive away. He waited in the car till 11:00pm when Layla was done for the day and left to home leaving Aunt Marion to close the cafe.
Aunt Marion was inside the store when she heard the jingle of door. Someone had got inside.
Immediately she came out her words falling out
"Sorry we are close,you can come back to-.." But she didn't finished
"Fire Layla"Azeem ordered while resting one of his arms on the counter with his legs crossed.
"Who are you?". Marion asked her eyes seizing the expensive clothes the man wore and she knew from the look of his face he's the one not to mess with!
"You'll come to know the moment you refuse my offer." He stated raising his fingers to his eye level checking for any possible dirt.
"What offer?." She asked again,slightly trembling with how his eyes raised to look into hers.
"Fire her."
"Layla?" She unbelievably questioned and Azeem nodded his head to say
"Yes"
"Why?"
"Fire her or I'll close down your cafe you won't have a means to provide for your children and each and every attempt you do to find another work."
He raised his figure from the leaning position and look to her with intimidation.
"I'll condemn your résumé and you couldn't find any job talk less of running another cafe." Aunt Marion kept quiet and looked up to the frightening man opposite her.
"Think wisely" his voice lowered
Azeem hummed with his lips stretching wide to form a smile because of the look of fear that swirl in Aunt Marion's eyes. Which he's loving.
"Which one shall it be?." He questioned with his smile deepening into a triumphant one.