Suddenly, the door barged open and a man in black suit entered the book cafe. Both Layla and Ruby turned their gazes to the door.
"You can't enter the shop since it's closed. Did you not check the banner outside?" Ruby told the man.
"I am here for Madam Layla," the man said in a deep voice.
"Me? Why? Who are you?" Layla questioned him as she rose to her feet. "Don't tell me that Lucius has sent you here," she asserted.
"Please follow me," the man said.
"I'm not going anywhere. Tell your master that he can't make me work according to his will," Layla asserted.
"Really, Layla?" Lucius's deep husky reached her ears. The man stepped aside, giving the way for Lucius to get in. "I thought I owned you," he proclaimed, closing the distance between them and holding her chin firmly.
Layla blinked rapidly. She wanted to say NO right away, but words didn't come out of her mouth. She just peered into his deep, ocean-blue eyes, getting lost in them.
"Let's leave," Lucius said and the next moment he carried Layla in a bridal style.
Ruby covered her mouth with her both hands with wide eyes. Lucius wasn't an old man, but a perfect definition of handsome man with some charms which could bring women on her knees in front of him.
"Let me go, Lucius. I'm at my friend's place," Layla said as she pressed her hands on his chest.
"I have no intention to let you go," Lucius announced and he dashed out of the book cafe while Layla wriggled in his arms.
He threw her inside the car while hovering his body over her. "Don't make me tie your hands and feet," he said and moved her legs down to the car's mat. The same man closed the door from inside before entering the passenger's seat.
"You could have met your friend tomorrow, but you chose to rush here and even threatened my driver with your life. I couldn't even focus on the task I was supposed to finish. How are you going to pay for that?" Lucius's threatening voice caused Layla to gulp hard.
"I merely came here to see Ruby. What's wrong with that? It's not like I met some guy," Layla remarked and bit her tongue realizing what she just said.
Lucius's facial expressions turned darker. "A guy? Huh? Don't even think of that. I may make you kill him with your hands," he stated with an intimidating tone.
Layla pushed him away. "I'm not like that. It was a slip of tongue," she asserted. "At least, you should have let me talk to Ruby. She's my best friend. I wanted to speak to her," she stated. She didn't wish to argue with Lucius after seeing the gun on the seat earlier.
"Tomorrow, you can do that," Lucius said.
"Why not now?" Layla asked.
"Because your husband needs you now. Your friend said quite endearing words for me. That I use women as pleasure toys. So, I think it's the time I should do what I couldn't do last night, Baby," Lucius said with a smirk.
Her eyes widened to hear him. "You heard our conversation. How?"
"I've ears, Layla," Lucius replied and scoffed at her. "You two were talking quite loudly about this old man. Do you think I look that old?" His lips curled up into a smirk.
"Ruby didn't mean that. It's just a misunderstanding," Layla tried explaining herself.
Lucius cocked his sharp eyebrow at her. "I don't think so, Layla. You said you wouldn't care if I let another woman on my bed. You don't love me and you want to use me for your revenge, to burn them who humiliated you all your life," he pronounced while emphasizing on the word all.
"I-I didn't mean that," Layla stuttered and bit her bottom lip as she got nervous under his predatory gaze.
"Don't lie, Layla. I heard each and every word very clearly," Lucius said as he leaned toward her. His thumb traced her wet lips which she licked a moment ago.
'No! No! Don't kiss me now. Two men are seated before us. How could he be so shameless?'
"Well, I love being shameless," Lucius pronounced as if he read her thoughts.
"How did you—" the words ceased in her mouth and she yanked his hand away before turning her head.
"Your facial expressions said that," Lucius replied. He pulled her in his direction, right on his lap, her back pressing his chest while his face buried in the crook of her neck, causing her to gasp.
"What do you think of this position, Layla? You should not have let the rumors spread about your husband," Lucius said.
"Let me go. You are making me feel awkward." She narrowly gazed at him and noticed the grin across his lips.
"You are no fun, Layla." Lucius left the grip around her belly and leaned back on his seat while keeping his gaze fixated on hers.
Layla prayed in her head to reach the mansion soon. She could feel his gaze upon her as if it's looking directly into her soul.
Finally, they arrived at the mansion. Layla didn't wait to step out and quickly exited the car. Lucius exited from his side and glanced at Layla, who ran inside.
"Boss, it seems your wife is scared of you. At the same time, she wants to use you," the man in black attire said.
"Roger, it's going to be a fun game. I have not played for such a long time. Make sure you clear those dirty rumors about me. Also, bring the one to me who spread such rumors about me," Lucius commanded before walking inside the mansion.
Stopping in the living room, he saw Layla seated on the couch's center.
"Why did you send the proposal to my father? I know it's not because I'm Layla Rosenzweig. The reason is something deeper," she said.
"Well, you are right," Lucius stated, still smiling at her.
"Tell me the real reason," Layla demanded, not letting her gaze waver from him.
"And what will you do for me if I tell you the reason?" Lucius slowly walked to her and this time he stopped right in front of her. His hand held her chin up to make her look at him.
"What do you want me to do?" Layla questioned.
Lucius leaned down and whispered in her ear, turning her face pale.