Chapter 201
Within the hallowed halls of a bridal boutique, Layla, her heart aflutter with sweet anticipation and nervous excitement, slipped into her first wedding dress. As she gazed at her reflection, the woman staring back at her was nothing short of enchanting.
The wedding dress, the epitome of feminine beauty, transformed her into a vision of loveliness. The snow-white, vintage puff-skirt dress, the diamond tiara that crowned her head, and the floor-sweeping veil all conspired to make Layla look like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
"It's breathtaking," one voice murmured.
"Every detail is just perfect, it suits you so well," another voice chimed in.
"Layla was already sweet, but she's a perfect match for this princess style," a third voice added.
The sincere compliments of the sales associates filled the air, warming Layla's heart. The excitement bubbling in her throat threatened to spill over. Would Samuel approve?
Gathering the hem of her dress, Layla slowly emerged from the fitting room. Samuel, engrossed in a phone call, stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. The sudden appearance of her silhouette against the window rendered him speechless. The voice on the other end of the call became inconsequential.
For a few seconds, Samuel's hand froze mid-air before slowly falling to his side. His eyes sparkled as he turned to gaze at Layla, his gaze unwavering. Layla's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her dark eyes meeting Samuel's in a silent conversation.
In that moment, they both knew. This was the wedding dress.
Choosing a wedding dress was akin to choosing a life partner; everything seemed guided by fate-it was this one.
"Layla, there are a few more dresses, do you want to try them?" a sales associate asked, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
Layla shook her head, her gaze never leaving Samuel. "It's this one." A single glance was all it took for them to understand each other's desires.
"Alright then." The sales associates retreated, gently closing the door behind them.
Samuel moved towards Layla, his eyes filled with deep, passionate admiration. "Layla, you look absolutely beautiful," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion.
She was so pure, so radiant, that Samuel yearned to touch her, yet he couldn't bear to mar her perfection. Layla's skin was as delicate and white as porcelain.
"I can't wait to walk down the aisle and show the whole world my beautiful bride. But..." Samuel's voice trailed off.
"But?" Layla prompted him.
Samuel smiled, his tone a mix of jest and seriousness as he said, "I don't want to share your beauty with them. Layla, I want it all to myself."
"You're so domineering," Layla teased.
"I only desire to possess the woman I'm madly in love with. I don't feel that way about anyone else."
"You're such a contradiction," Layla said, clearly enjoying the banter.
"You're mine." Samuel gently lifted Layla's chin and kissed her, a tender and loving gesture.
As Layla walked back into the office, her mind was a whirl of sweet memories. The experience of wearing the wedding dress made the concept of marriage even more tangible. Samuel had already liaised with the wedding planners, and soon, she would become his wife.
Each step she took felt like walking on clouds; she felt as if she could fly and couldn't help wanting to dance.
However, as she entered the office, Layla sensed something was amiss. Everyone was there, arms crossed, watching her. Layla had been in this situation many times before; she was the butt of the joke. But what was the joke this time?
"Look who's back-Layla. With that happy face, who have you been seducing this time?" Gioanna was the first to sneer.
"Almost losing your job, and still in the mood for men," Jane chimed in.
"That's what you don't get, she seduces men to keep her job," another voice added.
Layla's gaze settled on Kenneth, who guiltily met her eyes before quickly averting his own. She had a strong inkling of what had transpired, but unfortunately, Gioanna lacked the sensitivity to read the atmosphere.
The question of who was the true object of ridicule remained unresolved. Kenneth had made a special journey, and speculation was rife that it was to deliver the news of Layla's termination.
"Absolutely. Layla's reputation is in tatters; the Eilish Group can't wait to rid themselves of her," one person asserted confidently.
"It's for the best. It's preferable for her to leave than for us to endure her presence," another chimed in.
"Kenneth, give the signal, and I will immediately start packing Layla's belongings."
The majority were eager to witness Layla's downfall. Gioanna and Jane were the most fervent, but some colleagues also seized this opportunity to air their pent-up envy.
"Kenneth?"
"You, you're all mistaken. I - I came here to apologize to Layla," Kenneth stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment.
His statement sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.
Gioanna and Jane's faces instantly soured.
A smirk played on Layla's lips, not surprised in the least. Kenneth's awkward demeanor didn't align with that of someone who had come to stir the pot. Gioanna and Jane were simply too eager to see her out the door to notice Kenneth's distressed expression.
"Kenneth, you must be mistaken. Layla seduced you, why would you apologize?" Gioanna's arms dropped from her chest as she incredulously questioned Kenneth.
"Exactly," echoed another.
"The - the messages were fabricated, I made them up," Kenneth confessed, devoid of his usual wit and humor, his face as red as a beet and slick with shame. "It was I who harbored inappropriate feelings for Layla, I pestered her relentlessly. That night, I insisted on entering Layla's room. Blinded by lust, I intended to harass her, but Layla expelled me."
"I'm sorry, Layla. I thought ill of you and tarnished your name with lies. I am despicable," he admitted.
"Kenneth--" Gioanna was seething, "It was Layla who seduced you; why are you covering for her?"
"I'm telling the truth. I swear on my daughter's life. What I did was disgraceful; I'm ashamed. But I've been with the Eilish Group for so many years, and now my reputation is ruined. No other company will hire me. Layla, I apologize to you, and I promise to never repeat this mistake. Can you forgive me?"
The company had already initiated an investigation, and Kenneth was buckling under the pressure.
He implored Layla with anxious eyes, as if she was his last beacon of hope. "My entire family depends on my income. I - I can't lose my job. Please, forgive me... Layla..."
Layla responded composedly, "Some actions can be forgiven, but others can't. Kenneth, there is zero tolerance for workplace harassment in my book. If I forgive you today, you'll just repeat your actions in the future."
"No, no, I won't, I can't... I swear this is the last time," Kenneth pleaded.
"I can't trust your promises," Layla said unflinchingly.
Despite her youth, Layla's gaze was unwavering, and it was clear there was no room for negotiation on this matter.
Kenneth felt a lump in his throat, wishing he could punish himself for his actions. Losing his job was a better alternative to jail time-this he told himself in consolation. However, he dared not implicate Miss Eilish of the Eilish family; this burden he would have to bear alone.
"I'm sorry, Layla. I'll leave now," Kenneth said, his face a portrait of misery as he exited.
Gioanna and the others were still grappling with the turn of events.
They had gleefully assumed Layla would be the one getting fired, but instead, it was Kenneth.
His look of absolute despair and fear had also taken them by surprise.
Even if Kenneth had harassed Layla, losing his job seemed extreme, not to mention Layla seemingly holding his future in her hands. They were from two separate companies; by what authority did Layla have influence over the other company's executive?
Unless... behind Layla stood a high-ranking executive from the Eilish Group!
This realization filled everyone with growing trepidation, their attempts at self-comfort did little to mask the look of dread spreading across their faces.