Chapter 151
Nora, clad in a chic white suit, exuded a noble and dignified elegance that instantly overshadowed the surrounding women who were dressed too provocatively.
"Why didn't you answer my calls? I've been waiting for the good news about you and Miss Adkins."
"Good news? Ha," Nathan scoffed, his eyes tinged red from alcohol. "We slept together."
"Really?" Nora feigned surprise before smiling. "That's rather quick but seems like it went smoothly. Congratulations."
Men are so easy to fool, Nora thought to herself.
But they had not shared a bed.
The person she'd sent had walked in to find Nathan and Layla lying together on the couch, fully clothed. It was her own agent who had undressed them, fabricating the illusion.
Nora had considered using certain tactics to make their relationship a fait accompli; after all, Layla deserved whatever fate befell her. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to be ruthless with another woman, and in the end, opted for a less direct approach.
It was a decision she would come to regret for the rest of her life.
But that was a story for another time. At this moment, Nora believed she still had everything under control.
"She thinks I orchestrated it all, that I overstepped bounds to win her over by any means necessary."
"Why is that? Didn't you explain?"
"She wouldn't hear it. And, that day, man, I was out of it. Couldn't make heads or tails of things," Nathan grabbed the glass of bourbon with an agitated hand, feeling a misery he'd never known before. "Now she despises me, says she never wants to see me again. I'm flying back to France tomorrow and won't return for three months."
"You can't just leave - isn't that admitting guilt? Miss Adkins has got feelings for you; she's just... angry right now."
Nathan gave a wry chuckle, "I don't think she sees me that way, you've got it wrong."
"Love and hate are two sides of the same coin. If it were me and I'd misunderstood someone I cared about, I'd be livid too, especially since you were kind of a playboy in her eyes. She must believe if you could do that to her, you'd do it to any other woman. That's the real root of her anger. So, you need to keep trying, explain and apologize."
Nathan frowned, "You want me to harass her at a time like this? She'll hate me even more."
"Not at all. She says she hates you, but deep down, she's waiting for your explanation. Just wait for her anger to die down." Nora was confident, "Trust me one more time. Keep reaching out. She'll come around."
Seeing Nora's assurance, Nathan's resolve wavered, "Alright, I'll give it another go."
After all, he couldn't bear to let her go.
...
Layla had been cooped up in the mansion for two days, her emotions on the brink of collapse.
In the morning, she received a call from Nora, inviting her to meet at a café near the construction site.
As her relationship with Samuel hung by a thread, should she tell Nora about them?
Layla wrestled with the decision all the way there, arriving without a conclusion.
"Miss Adkins, you don't look well. Are you sick?"
Nora was radiant in contrast, a smile playing on her lips.
"Or did you have another fight with Mr. Marley?"
Layla's face paled even more as she tensed at the question.
"Nathan told me everything." Nora said with a soft smile, unnerving Layla completely.
Sweat gathered in Layla's palms. Would she tell Samuel?
"It's not what it..." Layla wanted to deny it, to explain, but with the evidence so damning, words failed her.
"What about him?" Nora prodded, as if daring her to elaborate. "Nathan and I grew up together. I know him better than anyone. He's had his share of girlfriends, but with you, it's not just a fling. Give him a chance."
No sooner had Nora finished speaking than Nathan approached with a bouquet of roses.
The sight of him transformed Layla's anxious expression into one of fury, and she stood up abruptly.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'll leave you two to talk," Nora said, picking up her purse to pay the bill.
"Don't come any closer..." Layla backed away, her eyes seething with anger, "Why did you tell Nora about us?"
"I had no one else to turn to for help. And the entire confession scenario? It was orchestrated by her; she's been supporting me from the start."
Nora planned that? A dreadful thought flashed through Layla's mind: could this all be Nora's scheme?
Yet the warm, polite smile Nora gave the waitress as she paid made it impossible to connect her with any sinister motives.
'Maybe I'm just seeing the worst in people,' Layla thought.
"Layla, can you forgive me, please? I know you like me..." Nathan moved to reach for her hand, but Layla shoved him away.
"My feelings for you aren't what you think. You're overestimating yourself." Layla's voice was resolute, "You're more of a mentor to me than a romantic interest."
"Nathan, this desperate act of yours is really annoying. Don't make me lose any more respect for you."
Layla turned and fled.
"Layla..."
"Is Miss Adkins still mad? Why don't you go after her?" Nora said as she hurried over, hoping to add to Layla's emotional turmoil.
"If she already hates me this much, what's the point of chasing her?" Nathan crushed the roses in his hand, and the petals fell to the floor.
"Nathan..."
"Stop saying she likes me. It was all wishful thinking on my part," Nathan said, clearly agitated.
"Miss Adkins..."
"Just drop it," Nathan cut her off, his anger spilling over onto Nora. "If it wasn't for you saying she liked me, I wouldn't have..." He clutched his head, distressed, "It's all over."
He kicked over a chair and stormed out.
Nora's eyes narrowed as she muttered to herself, "Don't blame me. Blame yourself for falling for someone you shouldn't have."
...
In the afternoon, Layla left the office.
Mr. Vandella was waiting for her at the back door. "Miss Adkins."
She paused by the car door, hesitant. "I'm going back to my apartment today."
She couldn't return to a place filled with too many memories of them: it would only make it harder to let go. From now on, she needed to start "weaning off" him.
"Miss Adkins..."
Ignoring him, Layla turned and walked away.
Back in her apartment, she didn't have the heart to cook. She switched on a dim lamp and sank into the couch, her mind drifting away.
Even though it had been quite a while since she had lived there, she could still pick up traces of Samuel's scent lingering in the air.
The modest 500 square-foot space was packed with their memories, filling every nook and cranny.
She didn't want to look, but the moment she closed her eyes, visions of their kisses materialized before her.
Somehow, he had seeped into her very marrow like venom, his presence deeper-seated than she had ever imagined. The thought of separation constricted her breathing as if someone was ripping a vein right out of her.
"Ding-dong-" The doorbell rang.
Layla ambled over, opening the door as if in a trance.
The man standing outside was clad in a sleek black suit, appearing travel-worn but still exuding an air of striking handsomeness. His neatly trimmed short hair framed his chiseled face, and his dark eyes shone with a piercing brightness. "Surprise?"