[~ Song Recommendations: Lost on You by LP & Carry Me by Kygo (feat. Julia Michaels) ~]
Layla was spellbound for some time listening to him. Was he implying she was the reason, for his sound sleep? No, how can that be? Rather it should be the opposite, considering she was literally using him as a human bed.
"Your sweet smell relieved me of all my pains…" He said and Layla felt goosebumps all over her body listening to his remarks. To change the topic she initiated to speak.
"Master… You must be hungry. I should ask them to offer some food." Layla said; she was genuinely concerned for his well-being. Last night, the doctors forbade him from eating any food. But today, he must be hungry.
"I know you haven't had anything either… Let me get Frank to bring some stuff; I don't like these hospital foo—"
"No!" Layla retorted and Michael looked at her warily noticing her raised voice. He raised his eyebrows at her. She was surprised as well. To ease out the situation, she changed her voice to her usual self.
"I-I mean it's not good for you to eat spicy stuff now…" Layla said in a soft voice and although he felt sad as he had to give in to her request at the same time Layla's concern for him enlightened his mood.
****************************
Frank & James together were watching the duo with amazement. Although Frank never lost his composure, when he caught sight of Layla feeding Michael, he couldn't help but cringe. It was so unlikely for someone like him.
'Sigh… How can a girl make a man go crazy? And this is Michael Specter for Pete's sake! The man who never had any relationship in the past…' It was true he did bring hookers but he never ever had a romantic relationship with anyone… let alone a maid.
Soon the breakfast was over and Layla even wiped his face with a towel. With the way, she did, Michael became emotional. No one has ever treated him this way, it was only her mother who used to do that.
"Tell me what brings you here?" Michael finally directed his attention to the two men, who were staring at him as if he had stolen their kidneys.
"Ahem… The bad news is the one whom your capable men managed to catch had unfortunately died; leaving no evidence. Thanks to the wound your dear Frank inflicted on him" James remarked but Michael just nodded his head in acknowledgment before gesturing him to continue further
"And ofcourse we can't make corpses talk…" Michael noticed the mockery in James's words, which were solely intended for Frank. But what could he have done? After all, he's Michael's personal bodyguard as well. That did provide him the right to do so.
Michael sighed and continued…
"So till now, we don't even know anything? First the attack on the Perkinston headquarters… Now this. It must be related." He uttered in a low voice. Layla was by his side, listening to the conversation between the three. James did ask her to leave but ended up getting scolded by Michael.
"Any resemblance between the attacks?" Michael asked James while the latter flashed a smile as he continued.
"You're right… We've found a similar kinda thing that proves the attack intended at your mansion and the company was by the same person or group."
"Cut to the chase, James." Michael deadpaned.
James handed him two toy cars. Michael looked at them with a curious gaze; both of them looked exactly the same other than the color difference. But what piqued his curiosity was the fact, why they felt so familiar… As if he had seen them a lot.
"Hmm… Interesting. Anyways, it's for sure the enemy whoever it is had deliberately planted these easter eggs. As if—"
"As if he's challenging us to find him?" Frank interjected and soon the three of them had a somber expression on their faces. Layla was listening to the convo and although she wanted to speak she decided to keep her mouth shut, considering James kept suspecting her recently for reasons best known to him.
"Anyways… It's weird how they managed to beat the security of the mansion. Those men were well-trained. Frank; I need you to hire some top-grade men and sharpen their combat skills. It's now sure as hell, we're housing a group of imbeciles." Michael uttered in pure displeasure his last words.
Frank nodded his head and left to put his command into action while James was now staring at Layla with an ardent gaze. Layla lowered her gaze, afraid that maybe he would confront her anytime soon.
"You! I'm taking her in custody, Michael." James suddenly deadpanned pointing his finger at Layla; thereby startling the Master and the slave at the same time. Michael tried to get up from his bed, his eyes filled with rage.
"Have you lost your mi—- Arghh!" He groaned in pain due to his sudden action.
"Master! Please don't hurt yourself." Layla held him in place and stared at James. Although she was afraid she knew very well that she was innocent. But if she needs to prove it, she'll do it a hundred times for her Master.
"I'll be back in a minute." She uttered before Michael watched her back disappearing inside the bathroom. He tried to stop her but Layla just smiled and delivered.
"He's not wrong Master… He's just concerned for your safety." As soon she was gone from the sight Michael glared at James.
"James, don't do this. I can vouch for her; she won't go behind my back!" He growled at him.
"Listen, man… I don't want to, okay? But I think she knows something. Never doubt a cop's intuition." Michael had known him since the very beginning of his career. He was really capable when it came to interrogation. Even better than some of his seniors.
"You really had to do this, but Layla… Sh—"
"Come on! If she's innocent, then what are you afraid of? It'll only take an hour at most." Frank said in an excited tone while on the other hand, Michael was holding an apprehensive look.
"I'm ready inspector… What will I need to do?"