Chapter 191
Two hours later, they found themselves at a resort nestled at the town's periphery. Internally, Layla released a triumphant "Hallelujah," a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she was finally free from Mr. Smith's incessant chatter, which had been a relentless assault on her ears.
As she stepped out of the vehicle, a brisk breeze swept across them. Dressed in her striped cotton long-sleeved shirt, Layla couldn't help but shiver.
"Cold?" Mr. Smith asked, swiftly removing his varsity jacket and draping it over her shoulders.
"No, really, I'm fine, Mr. Smith," Layla attempted to decline, but Mr. Smith was insistent.
"Keep it on. If you catch a cold, you won't enjoy the next couple of days."
Layla was never one for this type of forced attention. The jacket carried a scent peculiar to middle-aged men, a scent she didn't particularly care for-she preferred the crisp, masculine scent of her friend Samuel.
"Move it. Why are you blocking the door? Are you blind?" Gioanna's voice rang out from behind, as she bumped into Layla.
Layla frowned.
Apart from Mr. Smith, Phillip, Susan, and herself, who each had their own rooms, the rest were paired up.
Gioanna, clutching her keycard, was visibly irritated. "Ever since I became a designer, I've never had to share a room. This is just bizarre."
"Well, we can't all be lead designers," Jane retorted sarcastically, "And some of us know how to play the damsel. On a chilly day like this, someone still pretends to forget her jacket. Quite the man-trap."
"Exactly."
"Will you two cut it out?" Susan interjected
In response, Jane muttered resentfully, "It's not like I'm wrong."
Layla had encountered enough of these types not to let them upset her, but their incessant, fly-like buzzing still grated on her nerves.
...
Layla and Susan were assigned rooms on the fifth floor.
"Here's my stop. See you in a bit." Layla waved back at Alice.
"See you soon." Alice stole a glance at the tall figure of Phillip beside her, her heart racing.
Was this the flutter of romance she had read about in novels?
Holy smokes, she thought excitedly, this was her first real crush and it was thrilling.
Her cheeks flushed a deep red, making her resemble a giant ripe apple. Alice was a whirlwind of excitement and shyness, lost in her daydreams.
"I'm up on six," Phillip said.
"Me too. What a coincidence. This one's mine."
"I'm next door," Phillip replied.
Alice practically levitated with joy, nodding eagerly. Stayingnext door might, they may as well have been roommates. Oh, the joy.
...
After a brief respite, the group reconvened downstairs for lunch.
Layla couldn't shake off a certain gloom when she realized Mr. Smith wasn't about to let her be, engaging her in conversation despite her disinterested demeanor. She shot Alice a pleading glance, but Alice, engrossed in a lively discussion with Phillip, didn't catch her signal.
At the table, Mr. Smith seated himself beside Layla, incessantly offering her helpings of food, much to Gioanna's visible irritation from across the table.
On the verge of tears, Layla had zero interest in middle-aged men!
Post-lunch, the group's tour around the resort continued. The corridor was bustling, and Layla accidentally brushed against Gioanna, who instantly flared up.
"You always have to be first, don't you?"
"Think you're the queen bee as the lead designer? When I studied design, you were still playing in dirt."
Already worn thin from tolerating Mr. Smith, Layla retorted, "The hallway's here for everyone. How am I stealing your space?"
Taken aback by Layla's comeback, Gioanna was speechless, her eyes nearly popping out.
"Because you just love to steal other people's men!" Gioanna sneered, her wrinkled face contorting, "Mr. Smith's old enough to be your dad, yet you flaunt yourself in front of him. Is there a man you'd let pass?"
"That's right, she only chases men with money and power," Jane chimed in.
"How I interact with Mr. Smith is none of your business," Layla fired back, "We all know who's really interested in him."
"Whoever sticks to Mr. Smith has ulterior motives," Gioanna retorted.
"Oh, now I get it, Mr. Smith is your 'in' at the Eilish Group, right?" Gioanna accused, her anger rising. "I knew there was a reason why you're the head designer; it's your connection with Mr. Smith."
Jane piled on, "No wonder. With Mr. Marley gone, you didn't have a leg to stand on, so you latched onto Mr. Smith. Clinging to men has always been your real talent over any design skill."
Layla, unable to bear the false accusations, retorted, "Don't slander without evidence, or I could sue you for defamation."
Gioanna's voice dripped with sarcasm as she feigned fear. "Oh, how terrifying. She's threatening to sue us," she mocked, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "The truth will reveal itself in due time."
The retort hung in the air, a challenge left unanswered.
"Layla," Mr. Smith's voice broke the silence, his phone call concluded. He moved towards her, but she feigned deafness, choosing instead to link arms with Alice.
Alice cast a sidelong glance at Layla, a smirk playing on her lips. "Don't be a third wheel," she murmured, clearly relishing her conversation with Phillip.
Despite her best efforts to evade him, Mr. Smith was hot on their trail. Layla tugged on Alice's arm, urging her to quicken their pace.
Their tour guide's voice rang out, drawing their attention to a nearby attraction. "This is the resort'sfamous wishing fountain," she explained. "Toss in a coin, make a wish, and it's said your dreams will come true."
Gioanna's eyes lit up at the prospect. "Really? I'm in," she declared, producing a coin and tossing it into the water. She closed her eyes, her face a picture of hope.
As Layla fumbled for her own coin, a sudden splash echoed through the air. Gioanna had fallen headfirst into the fountain, the resulting spray startling the surrounding onlookers.
"Gioanna!" Jane's voice rang out in alarm as she hastily extended a hand to help her.
Emerging from the water, drenched and furious, Gioanna glared through tear-filled eyes. "Layla, you pushed me!" she accused.
Dozens of eyes turned towards Layla, leaving her dumbfounded. After a moment's pause, she denied the accusation. "I didn't push you."
Gioanna was relentless. "You were the only one behind me. If not you, then who?"
"I was just getting a coin out," Layla protested, her voice wavering.
"That's no excuse. It was you," Gioanna insisted.
"No, it wasn't..." Layla's voice trailed off as she scanned the crowd for support.
Mr. Smith was quick to come to her aid. "I believe Layla wouldn't do such a thing," he declared, standing firmly by her side.
Gioanna's fists clenched in rage as she kicked at the water. "Mr. Smith," she spat, "don't be fooled by her innocent act. She's deceived many men with that face. Remember Mr. Marley? A victim too, transferred abroad because of her. And now she's latched onto you, using you."
Jane chimed in, pointing an accusing finger at Layla. "Yes, Mr. Smith, I can vouch for it. I saw Layla push her."
Gioanna's voice was cold and unforgiving. "You're truly malicious, Layla. All I did was argue with you, and you shoved me into the wishing fountain. I'm calling the police; I'll sue you for assault and make sure you pay for this!"