Chapter 194
"Responsibilty?" Phillip's scoff echoed in the room. "You make it sound as though I coerced her into an act she was unwilling to partake in. Our actions were mutual. Why should there be any responsibility attached? I made no promises of commitment before we shared a bed, like offering her to be my girlfriend."
Layla countered, her voice sharp as a knife, "But you led her on, didn't you? Alice was naive enough to..."
"Naive?" Phillip interrupted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Are you suggesting that a woman who shares a bed with a man after merely two days is naive? She has only herself to blame for being too easy."
Layla's teeth ground together in frustration, words failing her.
"After the deed was done, she began to act as though I was her boyfriend," Phillip continued, his voice laced with derision. "She even spoke of introducing me to her parents. What a farce! I never entertained such notions. I made it clear that I had no interest in a relationship, and she ran off in tears."
"You're not against relationships, you just don't want one with her. You're toying with her emotions," Layla's words hit their mark.
"Exactly," Phillip agreed, his tone unapologetically dismissive. "As a manager, an Ivy League graduate, why should I settle for a junior assistant? My girlfriend, if not an heiress, should at least match my standing and income."
"In that case, you should have kept your hands off her," Layla retorted.
Phillip shrugged, unfazed. "Ninety percent of men wouldn't refuse a woman who throws herself at them. We're all adults here, no need to overthink things. Don't label me a realist, who isn't in this day and age? She was attracted to me as a manager, wasn't she?"
Layla trembled with anger, "Alice must be blind to have fallen for a scoundrel like you. You'll get your comeuppance."
With those parting words, she stormed out of the room.
"My comeuppance? Please." Phillip rolled his eyes dismissively.
...
The clock struck seven in the morning.
"Good morning, boss," the driver greeted respectfully, holding open the door to the back seat.
"Hey, bro, mind if I hitch a ride?" Nora Eilish slid into the car from the other side. "Where are you headed this early?"
"Dragon Bay Resort. I'm meeting a friend."
"What kind of friend? Must be someone special to warrant your attention despite your busy schedule. A girlfriend, perhaps?" Nora teased, feigning innocence.
"When things are official, I'll bring her home for a proper introduction."
His sister's words seemed to have struck a chord.
Nora's fingers clenched in her lap, but she maintained her playful tone, "Anyone who manages to capture my brother's heart has got to be someone special."
"She is indeed special to me," Anthony admitted, a tender smile playing on his lips as he thought of her.
Fire flickered in Nora's eyes as she held back her emotions. "Say, brother, do you have any recommendations for a top-notch designer?"
"Didn't you collaborate with Layla before?"
"Her?..." Nora's voice was laced with icy sarcasm.
"What happened?"
"Nothing major, just a minor swindle. Nathan had vouched for her so enthusiastically, I was convinced she was top-notch. Turns out, he had a personal stake in it since she was his girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Anthony's expression hardened.
"Yes, they were an item, though I'm not sure if they've broken up. Nathan was quite smitten with her," Nora sighed. "That Layla sure knows how to play the game of love."
"..."
"Only later did I discover that her designs were plagiarized and there might have been a betrayal. That's why Nathan requested a transfer abroad."
"Layla's not that kind of woman!" Anthony defended with conviction.
"I wish that were true, but the facts suggest otherwise. I was duped too." Nora challenged Anthony, "Are you close to her? You seem to trust her quite a bit."
"You're starting to sound like Nathan. He trusted Layla completely and ended up getting burned in both his professional and personal life. It just goes to show that even the wisest of men can be fooled by a woman."
"There must be some misunderstanding. I don't appreciate you speaking ill of her."
Nora raised her hands in mock surrender, "No offense intended, I'm just sharing what I know. If you choose not to believe it, that's your prerogative."
Anthony stared out the window, lost in thought.
He believed in Layla, unconditionally.
Halfway through the drive, Nora suddenly clutched her stomach, crying out in pain. Anthony immediately rushed her to the hospital.
She was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and needed to be admitted for observation. Anthony had no choice but to cancel his trip to the resort and stay with Nora at the hospital.
...
Alice awoke, her eyes swollen and puffy.
Her eyes fluttered open, and fresh tears began to flow once more. Self-reproach filled her voice as she chastised herself, "I'm such a fool, he was merely playing with me, and I... I thought he had genuine feelings for me...Why am I so naive, Layla? she lamented.
"I was the one who suggested we indulge in drinks. He extended an invitation to his room, and I didn't refuse. I was aware of the potential consequences, yet I went along. I am to blame, but I truly believed he cared... When he confessed he didn't want a relationship, it shattered my heart. I offered him something so valuable... Who would want me now?"
"I understand your pain. Let it all out, tears can be therapeutic," Layla comforted her. "Always remember, the one who truly loves you won't be bothered by these things. Don't worry too much.You're a good person; you'll find a man who knows how to value you."
"It's over for me, I'm ruined," Alice wept with renewed intensity.
Layla handed her a tissue to dab her tears, "Did you two take any precautions last night?"
Alice stifled a sob. "Should I take another one of those pills, just to be safe?"
She then vehemently shook her head, "Those things are harmful. I thought using protection was supposed to be the safest? I won't take any more."
"Alright, no more pills," Layla agreed, not wanting to add to her friend's anguish. "The group's meeting up at nine, but how about I stay with you in your room to rest up?"
Alice wiped her tears, her voice shaky yet determined, "That would only give him more ammunition to belittle me. I need to be present."
"Then you should freshen up first."
"Mhm."
Half an hour later, they both made their way to the lobby.
"I left my phone. Wait here, I'll be right back," Layla said, turning back toward their room.
Alice stood aimlessly in the lobby, her spirit seemingly sapped.
*Ding*
The elevator doors parted to reveal Phillip. A frown creased his forehead when he spotted her.
Alice's first instinct was to flee.
"Come with me," he ordered with a mere glance.
Alice followed him meekly, her gaze fixed on his back-a figure that had turned as icy as his attitude, a stark contrast to the warmth he had radiated just the previous day. He was the first man she had been so intimate with, yet now he felt like a complete stranger. The thought made her nose twitch with the impending threat of more tears.
Unintentionally, she bumped into his back, halting abruptly and looking up at him anxiously. What was he going to say? It would undoubtedly be words far more piercing than those of the night before.
She didn't want to hear it; she yearned to retreat like a turtle withdrawing into its shell, pretending none of this had ever transpired.