LATE 2
“Thanks for today Regan..” Layla appreciated as they walked towards Regan’s car. “You’ve really made my day” she added.
“Anytime shortie..” he grinned.
“I have to get going now…” she announced as it was already 6pm.
“Yeah it’s getting late. Come on I’ll drop you off..” he offered, but Layla quickly waved him off.
There was no way she would allow Regan drop her off especially in front of Nolan’s apartment.
Nolan was equivalent to a mad man and would give her an earful if he saw them together. He had literally done that before.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
“No thanks, I’ll take it from here..”
“I insist. Besides I should know where yiy live now” he reasoned but Layla shook her head.
“It’s okay Regan. I’m fine..” she said in an assuring tone.
“I have to go now. Take care..” she waved walking away quickly with her stuffed animal in her hand.
…..
“Oh shit!” Layla cursed gritting her teeth. She was always unfortunate even time it came to her getting a taxi. She’s been standing here for thirty minutes now but yet no was in sight.
She took another look at the time as she groaned loudly. Nolan will definitely skin her alive today.
The passt few days had been very quiet for her as they both minded their businesses. But now she was breaking his rule.
“God please, let a taxi pass by…” she prayed repeatedly silently. Thankfully for her about five minutes later, a taxi came passing by.
“Taxi??” Layla jumped as she swinged her hands in the air gesticulating for the taxi to stop.
“Crescent street..” she informed hurriedly getting into the taxi.
…..
Layla kept taking in deep breaths as she placed her hand on the door knob contemplating of she should go in.
“Just go in Layla, it’s just five minutes past seven..” she tried consoling herself though she was very scared. She was only five minutes late, he wouldn’t make a fuss out of that right?
Gathering every ounce of courage she could get, she turned the door knob and slowly walked in.
The lights were on and she could see a shadow from the sitting room. In Fact two shadows.
Deciding to ignore, she began to head straight from her room, tip toeing when a deep dry voice suddenly rang in her ears.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Jesus Christ!!” Layla jolted back in fear as she slowly turned to see Nolan sitting on the couch in the sitting room with a glass of wine between his fingers. Maddox sleeping beside the chair he was seated on.
He was dressed in all black as usual, making him look like a grim reaper.
“Come here..” he beckoned for her to come closer as she shakily dragged her feet to where he was.
“You’re late..” he spelled out slowing dropping the cup on a table near him as it made a light sound.
“I couldn’t find a taxi on time..” she responded softly biting her lips hard as his eyes raked her from head to toe, then it finally settled on the stuffed animal she was holding.
“Where were you?” He asked again.
“I went to see a friend..” she replied, wondering why he was carrying out a question and answer session with her. She could not understand him at her. She was adult and had the right to leave whenever she wanted.
“What friend?” He grilled in a low but dangerous voice.
“I don’t think that’s your problem…” Layla voiced out picking her words carefully. She didn’t want to sound rude but she just had to ask. It was not not his problem.
“What did you say?” Surprise flickered in his narrowed eyes as he tried to comprehend what she just said.
Before he could grasp the situation, she emphasized more on her words.
“It’s not your business Nolan, whoever I decide to meet or not..”
“You just broke a rule..” he smirked as he stood up majestically before walking to slowly to where Layla stood.
“I’m sorry..” Layla apologized, intimidated by his dominating presence.
“I thought you were being bold just a while ago?” His lips curved up and Layla swallowed deep.
“Just let me go, I’m only five minutes late..” she pleaded.
“You broke a rule Layla, 7pm is 7pm..” he deadpanned as their eyes met and he said again. “And you’re not allowed to keep friends, Layla…”
“I don’t understand you..” Layla mumbled.
“You don’t owe me Nolan Adlen..” she painstakingly says through gritted teeth.
“I’m not your toy whom you can just lay out rules for..” she said trying to keep her cool.
“You just keep acting as if you have the upper hand here. You don’t! And I can leave whenever I want. So stop ordering me around..” she uttered breathlessly taking a step backward from him.
She had no idea what had made her to say that but there was one thing she was certain of, she actually felt a little better after telling him how she felt.
“Really?” He raised a brow at her. He strangely looked calm which worries Layla a lot.
“Yes..”
“You keep acting as if I’m indebted to you. You treat me like trash. I literally don’t have a say of my own. Now you’re picking my friends..” she scoffed in disbelief.
“I owe you Layla..” he emphasized in a deep and boisterous tone as he took a step closer to her, Layla taking backward at the same time
“I owe every part of you. Everything..” he deadpanned on the word everything and Layla’s back finally hit the cold wall.
“I owe all of you Layla..” he leaned closer to her ear whispering in a rugged voice that Layla’s stuffed animal and purse unconsciously fell from her hands.
“Then treat me right..” she retorted speaking in a low voice.
“I can treat you however I like, Layla..” he picked a strand of her hair coiling it around his finger.
“Whenever I want to and whatever I want to do, Layla..” he stated, the sound of Layla from his lips sending electrifying chills down her spine.
“And for breaking my rules, you’ll get punished..” he concluded and before Layla could register what he was saying, he had already lifted her off the ground.